BMW 128ti FIRST DRIVE! What the M135i Should've Been?

[@slen6293]

Feel like that question is a bit of a bandwagon people are jumping on. It’s the same as the GTI vs R debate. The 135i is the better car, and all round better daily. Both in their own right are great cars. It’s down to the individual and what they want from it. Coming from a RWD car, I prefer the 135i, less tourque steer, better grip, more compliant ride, faster and better seats. Each to their own though

[@michaelcameron2292]

Couldnt agree more

[@markrhoden68]

I hope so I've just ordered a m135i

[@averagebetaalanineuser]

@@markrhoden68 congrats man! How does it feel like?

[@questionyourself718]

Every Reviewer says the 128Ti drives better though. It has less understeer than the 135i. And its more fun because it weighs less and is more nimble. So this is not as easy to compare than the Gti and R.

[@slen6293]

@@questionyourself718 what do you mean? It is virtually the exact same comparison on paper. Reviews of the revised m135i that occurred in Nov ‘22 with the updates to the chassis, suspension, gearbox, steering calibration etc… all stated the m135i remains the better car compared to the 128ti. I’ve driven both extensively. Prefer the m135i. As I said it’s down to personal preference end of the day what you want out of a car!

[@martinmagee6611]

Good well rounded commentaryon the car. My wife got a 128 ti last month and it is a fun drive, and more of a handful, in many ways, to my own B9 RS4

[@kevindavies7423]

Laid up with a broken back, really enjoying your videos . Keep them coming

[@Jim-jw8gb]

When I got my M135i in January with the deposit and monthly payment there was £15 a month between the M135i and 128ti on a pcp so it was a no brainier. Better seats and more kit as standard on the 135i

[@GBFeb72]

Luke hates the 135, I love mine.. that’s after having a 140 for three years..

[@Jim-jw8gb]

@@GBFeb72 I had a 2015 M135i and although the straight 6 is an awesome engine the F40 M135i is an all round better package.

[@markrhoden68]

Ordered a m135i optioned up too £41,600 so that tax threshold is something I'm willing to take as it makes the car the complete package

[@izzetmustafa2788]

What about the insurance now in 2024? Far more on 135i than 128ti i guess?

[@simonh870]

As an owner of an M140i I don't mind them but I am not sure that I would buy one. That particular car has a pan roof which probably adds a lot of weight compared to a plain steel one and makes the weight closer to that of the M135i

[@TechNfoodUK]

Same colour as my M135i.. You need to shoot a video with my brand new M135i soon..

[@RobertKemp-id3je]

Nice car!

[@RBcymru]

I think that Hyundai with the I30N made BMW rethink their hot hatches.

[@Jim-jw8gb]

I think it didn’t!

[@JohnKing-lw2sb]

Surely the Cooper JCW is BMW's first ever FWD hot hatch ;)

[@peterbennpan7288]

But the badge suggests otherwise 🤐

[@marksapollo]

No the design and interior is very marmite.

[@andrewdent696]

I've had a look at the M135i and the ti. Looking at the 2, must say I prefer the m135 hands down. It's better inside too....seats are fabulous. It doesn't look tacky on the outside either. Price....you can get good deals on both but I did manage to get the M135i with a discount which brought it down to just under £34.000. Only 1 choice really.

[@nickhastings6705]

100% agree. Just ordered a M135i...no brainer to go for that really. Also not a fan of the seats in the 128ti...they look and feel too basic for what’s meant to be a relatively sporty car

[@markrhoden68]

And ok the dials in BMWs now are a bit weird but those dial in this car are horrible, they look like they've been cut out and stuck on with glue

[@Carl_Donaldson]

@@nickhastings6705 the m135 seats are mega, however, i think the part leather type finish on the 128 seats will wear better than that alcantara for everyday use.

[@Nick-cs9dt]

@@nickhastings6705 The 135 is the car to go for if you have no brain?

[@garymac7075]

Lovely jam jar !!!

[@sfoonsfo]

128ti... unfortunately all of us in the "states" don't get the fun versions. Since the 1 series is based on the Mini, I had two Clubman's. A JCW and a Cooper S. Just like the M135i, it had all wheel drive and the Cooper S was more like the 128ti in terms of a front drive set up. Although the JCW was a blast to drive, I actually liked the way the Cooper S drove. So to the 128ti, in the "states", we get a 228i Gran Coupe available as front drive or X drive. I chose the front drive because it was just more fun. You're lucky to have the 1 series in the UK. Sadly people in the USA only seem to love overstuffed cargo boxes called SUV's.

[@MrCallaghj]

Looking at getting one of these, not sure if i should option the 18s or 19s....

[@marierocco8021]

Great review!

[@jasonmayne2220]

Every single review from every single reviewer say that this is the better car than the M135i yet you still get Joe bloggs declaring different 🤣

[@mattsamuels3607]

Great review Luke 👍🏼 would personally choose a GTI

[@gavinlewis3049]

Only problem with golf gti's is that the interior feels more plastic and a bit less refined towards the bmw, from what reviews I've seen, but its people's opinion if they could put up with it if they believe its the better car overall.

[@andrewnicholls5082]

Was considering the 128ti myself last year but can’t help feel the pricing is too close to the M135i. Ended up finding a good deal on a 5 month old JCW so bought that instead, no regrets.

[@scott2495]

So basically you couldnt afford a M135I and ended up getting a womans car

[@Nick-cs9dt]

@@scott2495 What is a’woman’s’ car?

[@janco333]

Sunshine in the UK, can't believe it.

[@GTI_CHHA]

Nice review. Did you notice the light pops and bangs at start-up? It's more obvious if you start it up in Sport.

[@davidsomething4867]

Are talking about the original M135i RWD or new M135i xDrive :-)

[@jtrzcinski123]

5k difference to 135i but how many items less do you get as std. I see the seats and dash are lower entry options but what else?

[@joshstreet3919]

Spec wise they’re the same, BMW have made the digital dash and larger screen standard on all 1 Series now due to factory restrictions. However, you don’t get the bucket seats of the M135i, just the standard sports seats.

[@arno7303]

good video mate. But the M135i is a superior car. The arguments we hear for the 128ti is akin to the people that say buy a cayman S and not a 911 turbo (massive hyperbole but you get the gist) Yes a GTi clubsport is maybe a bit funner than a Golf R but... Yes a little 208 GTi is funner than a C63AMG on public roads. You get the gist. I had a sciroccor R and the axle tramp you get with high powered FWD cars is really sh*t actually. That was the one thing i really hated. The only benefit was the less weight. I really miss that through some flowing bends. But being able to go full power out of an off camber slow right hander is brilliant LOL

[@markrhoden68]

Thats exactly how I see it. Unless it's your budget limitation then your going for the range topping m135i

[@ronnie9187]

If you live like I in Switzerland, you always will choose a 4WD. That is an enourmes advantage. Half of Europe is fillt with mountains and I know by experience the advantage a 4WD give you anytime in handling in snowy or icy conditions on steep roads. Even though I don't need the power of 300hp (rather would have a nice 6 in line of 250HP ). If you want a small non-diesel fun BMW, with 4WD, the M135i is the only choice you have at the moment unfortunately. And still also then I would rather have most torque and power on the rearwheels.

[@zunaids32]

Awesome video. The shape has grown on me over time. 🙌

[@liamgell]

Nice man

[@billx4266]

No you are wrong they have a lot of experience with fwd cars. The mini!

[@samcourt6228]

I really like these, far more than the new M135i. Still not a fan of the F40 looks, but I’d have a 128ti if I had to. They’ve reviewed really well too. The interior is really good and easily the best in class from a quality point of view (recently had one as a courtesy car). Fit and finish puts the A Class to shame. It’s a step up inside from my M140i from a quality pint of view but it feels much taller. It kind of does t feel like a BMW with the high transmission tunnel though.

[@andrewlukinsmusic]

I’d still rather have an i30N

[@derekwhyle1884]

Seek help

[@Jim-jw8gb]

Lots of help 😂

[@markrhoden68]

Said nobody ever

[@robertvanzant2653]

Better than a GTI ?

[@markdennis7119]

Always great video car 🚘 content. 👍👍👍

[@BobK5]

I would have expected a comparison to the Golf dual clutch gearbox, the 8 speed in the BM is probably sluggish against the Golf gearbox? Other reviews found the steering to be less precise against the Golf, is it? I thought the Hampshire guy would have noticed and said something on it at least, liked it better than the Golf R , didn’t like it as much maybe, whatever.

[@alexmaple4]

Hi Luke, great review. Would you rather have a 128ti or an A35?

[@johnguidetti5839]

A35.

[@Pac-Man..]

A35 dash is a mass of cheap, squeaking plastic.

[@cf5043]

Nope. Maybe you should have had a more open mind towards the M135i, the 128ti isn't even close if you push it...

[@ScottZ370]

Any possibility of a 228ti?

[@matthewsavidge6248]

Had a 118i m sport on order but had to cancel on Saturday as BMW can’t fulfil some of my options due the the shortage of microchips / semiconductors , and could be sometime before things change , gutted ☹️

[@formentorvz5]

I would prefer this over the GTI. More power, much nicer interior and easier infotainment. In my opinion its no match for the M135i tho. It has to be alot cheaper.

[@byrnesy919]

128ti vs gti clubsport vs i30N ????

[@SChapps]

I30N is way better.

[@BobK5]

@@SChapps in some ways yes, in others no

[@SChapps]

@@BobK5 The beemer has a higher quality interior, that’s about it

[@BobK5]

@@SChapps Yes it appears the BM has the better interior, I don’t like the BM though and won’t be buying one, it looks awful and I couldn’t live with it on my drive.

[@lewiscollins951]

Cant lie tho if buying new with used market bieng so high the finance on a i30 n and a clubsport are way higher was about 100 pound more for them a pecked 128ti is no more then 32 k if u get a deal a 135 is near 38 k pushing 40 so it’s just a price difference but considering the 128ti nee is 3 k less then a standard shit spec gti which even modded looks dirty why would u not get the Beamer check out motech s maxton kit springs and spacers on looks way better

[@toramapps350]

M135i, no brainier! Get the M Performance kit on and looks the part more too.

[@staycasual7203]

You look the part that’s for sure 👙 👀

[@daltonnorth6139]

Wouldn’t you just get the i30N instead

[@davidpalmer3131]

Is the ride quality on the harsh side, especially with the larger 19” wheels? Pity you can’t option adaptive damping.

[@timstaples9230]

My wife has a 118i on 18" alloys, my father an M135i on 19's, and driving the 2 back to back I'd say there is no difference whatsoever in the way the 2 cars ride. It's firm but far from harsh, so I'm guessing the 128i is the same.

[@lewiscollins951]

Cant lie tho if buying new with used market bieng so high the finance on a i30 n and a clubsport are way higher was about 100 pound more for them a pecked 128ti is no more then 32 k if u get a deal a 135 is near 38 k pushing 40 so it’s just a price difference but considering the 128ti nee is 3 k less then a standard shit spec gti which even modded looks dirty why would u not get the Beamer check out motech s maxton kit springs and spacers on looks way better

[@helenboyles886]

I don't know who needs to hear this but stop saving all your money. Invest some of it if you want financial freedom.

[@helenboyles886]

Invest in Bitcoin, gold, silver, buy stock, forex market. Anything! Just invest and save yourself.

[@randomartz4463]

Good talk! I tell that to my friends everyday. Saving is good investing is much better, I used to think saving money would save me but NO, saving is just keeping it to spend later.

[@Jason-ly4fm]

What if you don't know how to trade any of these?

[@naomiyoder4671]

@@Jason-ly4fm I mean, I see your point. Some people have the money and are willing to invest but the problem is where to

[@mattygtv9491]

@@Jason-ly4fm Sir this is 2021 People who aren't even traders makes money from the stock, crypto and forex markets.

[@Murph_82]

Lad hasn't got a scooby!

[@petemayes1940]

This incredibly beat the Hyundai 130iN around a 1 min 30 second track

[@Carl_Donaldson]

Any links for that, keen to see that. I seen some reviews at Hockenheim which had the 128ti as slow but it could have been conditions or tyres.

[@GamerLAD88]

This guy has absolutely, no clue. Let's talk standard vehicle The M135i starts at £37,700 and not £35,000 as you stated The M135i has a better BIK tax relief for business users The M135i has more power The M135i has more torque The M135i has all-wheel drive for better grip in adverse conditions The M135i has 2 choices of 19" alloys as opposed to 1 The M135i has more comfortable and sportier seats The M135i has a superior dash and screen as standard The M135i has a nice gloss front splitter The M135i has an M SPORT steering wheel The M135i has M Sport Electronic steering with a more feel oriented ratio rack The ONLY benefits the 128ti have over the M135i are price and fuel economy. So basically, if your budget can't stretch to the M135i, get the 128ti. Nothing wrong with that as everbodies financial situations differ. Bu tthe only reason you would choose the 128ti over the M135i is price and running costs. Anyone tells you they got the 128ti as it is a "better car" is lying and they know it. It's like saying the Audi S6 is better than the RS6. You would be an idiot.

[@Throttle.Monkey]

You’ve completely missed the point of this car, it’s not a numbers car. They’re not trying to make it better, they’re trying to make it more fun. Just like the GTI clubsport is more fun than the R. For me having more fun is more important than listing numbers to lads in the pub.

[@GamerLAD88]

@@Throttle.Monkey but it isn't more fun. Just like a GTi isn't more fun than an R, the clubs port yes, the GTI no

[@Throttle.Monkey]

@@GamerLAD88 the 128ti is surely a rival to a club sport? The standard gti is underpowered and doesn’t even have an lsd..

[@Carl_Donaldson]

@@Throttle.Monkey Ive both on order, its a race to see which one can come first. Its looking like the 128ti. I put the 128ti between the GTI and the GTI CS, which doesnt really bother me as its cheaper than the CS.

[@relentlesspursuit6894]

Since the sad loss of the M140, this is now the stand out 1 series to have, the M135 doesn't stand out or compete with the market leaders

[@slen6293]

Might not stand out in your opinion but the 135i certainly competes. Comes out on top in a lot of comparison videos. It’s better than the A35 and new S3. The new R has pushed into a higher power band and it’s not trying to trouble the RS3 or A45s. They’ve got the M2 for that. I think the 128ti might even compete less with the likes of the Honda Civic type R, GTI club sport, meganne etc...

[@relentlesspursuit6894]

@@slen6293 M135 falls short of the mark, BMW have been forced to heavily discount and push hard to attract sales. The 128ti is the one to have - or just buy an R,S3,A35

[@relentlesspursuit6894]

@@slen6293 guess you have a M135

[@StringerBellz]

@@relentlesspursuit6894 how exactly does the m135i fall of the mark compared to the A35?. If BMW had made the m135i fully fwd and given it 265bhp these same "KZbinrs" would be slating it. Now they want us to believe fwd wheel hoping is "fun"🙄. Nonsense

[@relentlesspursuit6894]

@@StringerBellz another 135 owner?

[@bimmerpartsdirect5944]

Woah nice!!

[@NoName-st6zc]

I think BMW's recent design language (at least outside) looks absolutely horrid. Gosh do their recent cars look shit (this one included) and i really used to love the look of pretty much any BMW of the past (not even speaking about M type cars) you'd be throwing at me.

[@BobK5]

Can’t agree loud enough they’re 🤮

[@that_kaa]

It's exactly the same car minus the power & xdrive system. Definitely have more fun driving the 128ti on a daily basis versus the M light new 135i, but yeah I agree with you on that as we have discussed before. I love my 128ti in personal opinion its the best bang for buck specially if you buy a factory built car & if your on a budget. Great vid man

[@shanyebyt4899]

There's a number of things that are different on the m135i, to say it's the same car is untrue

[@that_kaa]

@@shanyebyt4899 I’m intrigued to read what they are?

[@shanyebyt4899]

@@that_kaa Well the seats are different for a start, the exhaust tips are different, the rev and speedo are different since you don't get digital as standard it's just analogue and is digital on the 135i, the infotainment screen on the ti is smaller also. Not sure if you can spec the Harmon kardon sound system either (maybe you can). The mirror caps are body coloured on the ti and there's probably more. So yeah, like I said they're a fair bit different. I'm not saying this to be a dick btw it's just I have a 135i and I've seen a ti at the showroom and although mostly equipment differences, there's the power and xdrive as you mentioned. They are different cars in their own right in my opinion, different characteristics to drive too, in the same breath as the comparisons between the golf gti and the R. You can be pleased that you didn't go for a golf instead though, to live with the bimmers are just much nicer inside. Let's be real, we would all have had the straight 6 engine given the option 😂

[@that_kaa]

@@shanyebyt4899 Yes unfortunately UK spec cars don’t get the seats found in 135i. I can’t see any dicks here🤣😝. Nah your not being a dick your just putting your opinion across. In other countries you can spec you’re 128ti with all the options that you can for the 135i. Also the now live cockpit which was £1000 option previously is the standard infotainment system that you get. It seems to me the car test driven in Lukes video is probably a November spect vehicle the earlier demo cars came weird standard analog cluster which mine has. I’m aware the exhaust is different I made a video myself on my channel about it to the rear axle not having the same components of the 135i, aftermarket exhaust companies are still in development for a exhaust system for this car. BMW bought in limited the options for the UK market. Alternatively you can retrofit the components in from the 135i within reason. What I meant in my comments was they share the same platform the same chassis, exactly the same engine ratio. It’s the way the ECU is set up is different. For example 70 plate owners of 135i don’t get the overrun cracks and bang map from factory. But 69 plate owners did. Now if they offered the six cylinder option on the F40 gen, that would be a different conversation altogether.

[@shanyebyt4899]

@@that_kaa its a shame that the world is going the way of as few cylinders as possible, for car enthusiasts it's kinda devastating lol. Perhaps since everything is going electric now these will become relics thatre one of the last of their kind in the petrol driven world 😂. I will check out your channel and give you a sub. Mine is a 2020 model so yeah no pops and bangs for me, which when I test drove the car in 2019 it did have. Check out Cobra for an aftermarket exhaust, bit sure if they've yet developed one for the ti but they were quick to get one done for the 135i. I'm having mine fitted in about 10 days which will improve the sound aspect a bunch. If you're like me, the car is your baby and I don't mean to sound defensive about it but I honestly love the car and yeah I know it's an m light but I came from nothing and this was the dream I worked so hard for just to own a bmw more for myself than anything. I used to be a vw guy but owning this has turned me and I don't think I'll look back to be honest 😂. How's your fuel economy? I've found you CAN achieve decent economy driving nicely in eco Pro but you virtually never will because its just so fun in sport 80 percent of the time and then comfort will do for motorway driving lol

[@johnguidetti5839]

M135i no brainer.

[@Smartsparky]

I like your jeans. Still prefer your car. 👍🏻

[@markrhoden68]

Question, if someone said here's £40,000 you must buy either the Ti or m135i you'd choose the Ti

[@dbj193]

He's just bigging up the poverty spec car , spend the extra money and buy the much better 35i. This car doesn't have anything on the 35i, doesn't know what he's on about

[@hampshirephoto]

I’d genuinely rather have this than a M135i

[@smf1384]

"A-Ha"

[@loyisodzingwa4833]

128ti all day. Just wish it had a bit more of fart on the upshift.

[@DaleSteel]

Jesus even a45 don't do that anymore

[@samcourt6228]

Why? It’s stupid and has been done to death.

[@DaleSteel]

@@samcourt6228 sort of agree with you but there's something satisfying and mechanical about the dsg fart.

[@abdallaalali3021]

In the tuning world it fall far behind the VG .. all day golf

[@Carl_Donaldson]

People just look at the power figure and 0-60 times, that m135i is stupid fast 0-60, totally unnecessary and not a real world car.

[@DaleSteel]

Nice big sunroof

[@carbait4787]

My E39 M5 just threw up. What a ghastly POS. Good video, but awful, awful car.

[@staycasual7203]

It’s a Ford Focus with a BMW badge. It’s a good review Looke but a poor car. You made the best of a terrible car.

[@19BATMAN7]

Looks horrible, I prefer golf gti clubsport mk8 or even golf r mk8

[@bimmerpartsdirect5944]

Woah nice!!