BMW’s M Performance range of cars have been conceived to plug that irritating gap (slight sarcasm there…) between ordinary BMWs and the full-fat M cars. One could see this as a cynical money-grabbing exercise to cash in on the cachet of the M badge without actually having to put in the effort. Except for the fact that they are such damn brilliant cars. Now there is a new one – the M135i. We head to Melbourne to check it out.
What is it?
Not really the successor to the feral, brilliant 1M Coupe, but almost. Which is exactly what the M Performance cars are supposed to be.
The M135i comes with a newer version of BMW’s 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo engine jammed under the bonnet. Whereas the 1M had the older version with two turbos, the M135i’s version (like the 335i) gets a single twin-scroll turbo attached to the silky-smooth six.
With 235kW of power and 450Nm of torque, the M135i will sprint to the legal limit from a standing start in 4.9 seconds when equipped with the standard 8-speed automatic transmission. Go for the optional 6-speed manual and your 0-100 sprint will rise to 5.1 seconds, which just goes to show how good modern automatic transmissions are getting…
Your fuel consumption is also lower with the automatic, with BMW claiming 7.5L/100km for the combined cycle (the manual is 8.0).
On the outside the M135i gets larger, more aggressive front air intakes and bi-xenon headlights, M Performance side sills, rear apron and alloy wheels, as well as dual exhausts and LED highlights in the taillights.
On the inside it comes standard with leather sports seats and a leather steering wheel, and as usual, a massive range of options.
But it is the mechanical bits that are largely out of view that make the M135i special. Apart from the monster engine, the hottest 1 Series also gains variable ratio steering, individually tuned suspension and damping systems that sees the car dropped by 10mm and a fixed caliper M Sport brake system with four-piston calipers at the front and two-piston at the rear.
All of this adds up to a small five-door hatch that is a match for the two-door 1M Coupe. The 0-100 time for the automatic M135i is the same as the manual 1M and it clocks in at an impressive $85,900, or a staggering $25,300 less than the Coupe. There are differences though…
What’s it like?
Startlingly good. Where the 1M is a feral, angry beast of a car, the M135i is a more civilised affair, albeit one still capable of the same performance.
This constant comparison of the M135i with the 1M isn’t exactly right, as the 1M is a limited – and very special – little car, where the M135i is a permanent addition to the BMW line up. But it just serves to show exactly how impressive the M135i is, in that BMW have taken all the performance and aggression of the 1M and ported it across to a more mainstream model with virtually no compromise in performance and handling.
The M135i feels more refined and less aggressive than the 1M ever did, but that is something that doesn’t bear out on the stopwatch, as the M135i rattles off the zero to 100 sprint at that phenomenal rate.
Stomp on the throttle and the six-cylinder turbo provides instant, massive urge, pushing you back in your seat and howling like a thousand angry bastards. If you are not afraid of the odd bit of blasphemy, then “Jesus!” will likely be the first word to spring out of your mouth. Maybe something a bit stronger, if you are so inclined.
The acceleration is unrelenting and completely uninterrupted by gear shifts. The 8-speed auto has been specially calibrated for use in the M135i, and its shifts are stunningly fast and smooth – a slight drop in revs is all the driver perceives under heavy acceleration – and it is almost telepathically good in its operation.
The ride is firm, but noticeably less so than the 1M. Yet its handling is still simply as remarkable as the engine. Chuck it into a corner and the nose tucks in eagerly. You can pretty much do what you like with the tail – take the corner “properly” and it will track around faithfully, following the nose with unerring perfection. Or you can do it the “fun” way and use the power and massive torque to place the rear end at whatever unnecessary angle you may desire…
What’s good about it?
Basically the fact that they have essentially jammed a 1M into a far more civilised, practical and livable package without sacrificing any of the insane and addictive performance and handling, and have managed to do so at a remarkable price.
It looks good, is massive fun, is actually relatively frugal for the electrifying performance on offer, is comfortable and practical and is also capable of behaving itself in civilised company, making it equally effortless on the daily commute.
What’s not so good?
While it is remarkably well-priced for the performance it offers, you do have to do a bit of browsing in the options list for a few things you might have expected standard in an $86k car (navigation, for example), but then this has always been the BMW way…
But otherwise, not a lot. Not a lot at all…
First impressions?
A startlingly good little car. Outside of the more expensive ($99,900) and limited Audi RS3, there is literally no hotter hatch on the local market. And with 235kW and 450Nm driving through the proper (i.e: rear) wheels, there is nothing in its price range and segment that is more fun to drive for the money asked.
The fact that it is capable of being docile enough to deal with inner-city commuting makes it even more remarkable.
The real test for cars like this tend to come when you get a chance to spend a longer about of time with them, but it is certainly looking like BMW have a truly special little car in the line up.
Specifications
Models/prices
M135i – $85,900
Powertrain
3.0-litre turbo inline 6-cylinder petrol producing 235kW/450Nm; 8-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive
Fuel consumption: 7.5L/100km
CO2 emissions: 175g/km
Safety
ANCAP/EuroNCAP rating: 5 star
Air bags: 6
Stability control: yes
Lap/diagonal belts: 5
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