M135i vs 128ti Driving Review - Is More Always Better?

[@EvolveAutomotive]

We said it was a ZF gearbox, but after further research believe it is actually manufactured by Aisin. Either way we were impressed by the gearbox which is why we believed it was a ZF. It's much improved compared to the Aisin 6 speed in the GP3 we had.

[@slen6293]

On your individual m135i video that car had adaptive suspension and 18” wheels. This one has 19” without adaptive. Did you notice much difference? And would you recommend the adaptive and smaller wheels over the better looking 19”s?? Thanks for a great video

[@jashugg]

Both cars automatic? Not particularly engaging to drive but ok if you just want to point and squirt I suppose.

[@290Anouk]

I drive a 128ti as a daily, and I absolutely love it! The handling is awesome, the power is more than enough, and the extra details just finishes this car!

[@tupacshakur8552]

Are you still just as fond about it or would you recommend another car right now? And isn’t it too bumpy since it doesn’t have adaptive dampers?

[@user-ig7qo4rn3l]

My 2 pence worth. Test drove both a year ago (before things got totally mad with delivery times). Coming from 7 years in Golf Rs, 2 x hatch & 1 x estate, so hopefully pretty open minded as to which to go for. 135i is def quicker, but 128ti is more fun. Opted for ti. You get a quick, refined fast hatch which ever go for, with a decent interior (unlike the mk8 Golf!)

[@Hcarmad]

Nice comparison and also liking that you weren’t automatically favouring the 135i for its 4WD set up.

[@samcourt6228]

The new 1 series has a great interior; it’s really well made and is a step up from the F2x and it retains useful things like actual buttons but the mandatory safety systems are annoying (lane assist, speed limit warning etc).

[@joy-wc1xg]

yes i have a 128 ti in black and it is a nice car lots of fun to drive but my 140i was more fun

[@andybellgardt7925]

I have since 2 Years the 128ti , I love my " Sugarsnaile " it is a real fun Car. I'm very happy with that so Special BMW ! Best wishes from Hamburg....Andreas

[@pauledmonds3249]

Great balanced review.

[@derekwhyle1884]

A major 128 plus for me is that if you’re careful with the options you can have one under the £40k LCT limit.

[@Carl_Donaldson]

I’ve a 128ti, really like it. Can’t say I’ve ever felt that I need more power. It’s engaging and fun. Works fine on school run but then once the kids are out it’s ready to play.

[@billybodgit6281]

what are you getting mpg wise on a average daily use...im looking at the m135i or the 128ti but would like at least 350-400 miles from a full tank, and ive read on the m135i its not that great ..cheers..kev

[@Carl_Donaldson]

@@billybodgit6281 anywhere from 33-45mpg. Depends on driving roads etc but it kind of avgs 37 most of the runs

[@billybodgit6281]

@@Carl_Donaldson cheer's for that...that's not too bad..I'm averaging 35-40 out of my golf gtd so want something similar but with more power...and petrol....cheer's👍

[@Carl_Donaldson]

@@billybodgit6281 where are you in country?

[@billybodgit6281]

@@Carl_Donaldson uk.... derby 👍.... but my travel to my new job I started 7 months ago has bloody speed hump's and very few 60-70mph roads...no good for a diesel anymore...plus I just want a new toy 👍🤣

[@markrhoden68]

I was offered the Ti but ultimately i went with the m135i 2022 model, id have felt short changed no matter how good the Ti is, i do wonder if the 2022 build with its modest chassis tweeks a step forward over the initial m135i build 🤔 Saying that and being more sensible, if you have a budget and still want quality and performance then yes the Ti is a good choice.

[@dom_deeroy]

Thew 2022 update has taken a few features from the 128ti. I love my 2020 135i no complaints (excluding mpg but that's expected)

[@markrhoden68]

@@dom_deeroy i didnt know that, cool

[@dom_deeroy]

@@markrhoden68 the 128ti has a feature to counteract torque steer that actively moves the wheel in the opposite direction of the torque steer the 135i being essentially FWD until it loses grip has more torque steer than the 128ti (135 is my first performance car so I can’t comment on if It’s bad or not). This feature is being added to the updated 135

[@markrhoden68]

@@dom_deeroy ive had the car a month now and ive driven it in cold wet poor conditions and ill be honest, ive not been able to get it to do wrong point to point upto reasonable speeds i can't imagine any car performing better

[@oddities-whatnot]

AWD is a better all rounder for bad weather. Thats how I see it anyway.

[@TheDrednaught]

I have 128ti since 22 great car fun to drive and enough power

[@001razz]

M135 for me on this battle

[@EvolveAutomotive]

I don’t think there’s a wrong answer really.

[@zangr3940]

This video has come at a perfect time. Currently debating whether to pull the trigger on either of these cars and I think I’m leaning towards the 135i!

[@EvolveAutomotive]

As said at the end, M135i with a few small modifications could be the best of both worlds.

[@markrhoden68]

Take a test drive, coming from a m140i thought id never go for it but its just a more rounded car and better in the wet which lets be honest in the UK we have a lot off

[@ThisIsMTH]

@@markrhoden68 exactly the same as me. Don’t listen to those who just bang on about the B58. Yes it was a great engine, but the rest of the car was held back to give a bigger gap to the M2. Really unresolved IMO.

[@imranjaved4425]

Get the golf r

[@HIOP0]

PULL THE TRIGGER?...TIME TO GROW UP AND USE THE LANGUAGE OF AN ADULT.

[@moonbaby6134]

be interesting on your thoughts on the revised M135i and the 128ti as of now. Those suspension changes you spoke of, BMW must have been listening.

[@martinmagee6611]

My wife has a 128ti and I have an RS4. Very different but the bmw is a really fun drive around country roads.

[@HIOP0]

I HAVE A FERRARI AND MY WIFE HAS A BRACE OF ROLLS ROYCES

[@derekwhyle1884]

@@HIOP0 shut up you childish hater !

[@Nick-cs9dt]

@@HIOP0 yeah, an RS4, pah, such a poor persons car.

[@t-macadventures8255]

Nice open roads to have a good spirited drive.

[@jesusbur]

Tengo un 128ti y pienso que simplemente es perfecto como está.

[@liamstuart866]

Just got a 128ti and test drove both, definitely feels more engaging than the m135i because it’s not all wheel drive, while the m135i has more power it felt less fun to drive

[@ronnie9187]

The question can be also from another perspective. I live in Switzerland and I will always choose a 4WD car myself. It is a pity that you now only have the choice of the 120d xdrive ( I drive the older 2015 120d xdrive at the moment, great car) or the M135i). It can be the reason that my next car will not be a BMW anymore. I don't want a diesel, they are unfortunatelly banned and doomed by law and EU government and I don't need 300HP, or at least I spend the 20k euro extra rather on other things in live. I drove the X1 once, but the driving is not an emprovement to say it politely, to my current 1 series.

[@Muzhskoy]

This is such a good review

[@valentinzefi3143]

i love your review what do you think the a M135 2022 that it costs today 36000 what will it cost in one year also the next August

[@skiddmurks]

Insurance on these cars. 5 years ncb aged 35. M135i £1200. 128ti £750.

[@danielbittar3517]

Would you recommend to stick with the 19inch over 18inch wheel’s? I’ve just ordered.

[@harryfff09]

You should’ve tested the alcantara interior makes it so much nicer😍

[@Holdeenio]

How do these engine and gearboxes compare to the B58 paired with the ZF8? Naturally being a smaller engine and cheaper gearbox I’m not expecting the same potential, but could you give an indication of tuning potential? And with the gearbox? Is this 8-sd the same as in the Mini?

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Quite a different proposition really. Seeing around 50-60hp gain from a tune on an M135i. You aren’t going to be seeing huge possible gains like the B58. Believe the gearbox is different to the Mini, our GP3 wasn’t an 8 speed.

[@Holdeenio]

@@EvolveAutomotivecool thanks! These are still pretty new to me and I’m still a fan of the B58 👌🏼

[@un1eash01]

The JCW All4 Clubman has the same 8 speed Aisin, we have a M135i and JCW All4 and they drive very different.

[@davidpalmer3131]

You didn’t mention the price difference, and hence which is best value for money. Also, the April 2022 updates to the 135i seem to be doing exactly the same thing as you were considering, which probably makes the 135i the best bet now.

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Financial decisions come down to the individual, and also fluctuate depending on what deals are available at the time. Yes would be interesting to have a go of the updated M135i

[@stujones2966]

I’ve had the M135 for 18 months now and it has been absolutely superb. Car has been really reliable and it has 10000 miles on it now and car seems to be faster than when it was new.

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Great to hear, it does seem like it would be an ideal daily driver.

[@stujones2966]

@@EvolveAutomotive I use it every day and as long as you keep it in comfort it deals well in all traffic. Put it in sport and it takes some beating in the traffic light Grand Prix 👍

[@claudiogreen1215]

È normale che abbia prestazioni migliori rispetto a quando l'auto è nuova, danno il meglio di sè dopo 15.000 - 20.000 chilometri

[@faycalbien9376]

I believe is same

[@leefoster8015]

Does this m135i have the changes to suspension and handling? They did a mini refresh for MY22.

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Unlikely as it's a 70 plate but can't say for sure.

[@leefoster8015]

@@EvolveAutomotive Yeah I think the pre refresh had piped in 6 cylinder but after both cars now have a 4 pot sound.

[@EvolveAutomotive]

As you can hear in the video the M135i definitely has a more 6 cylinder ASD compared to the 128ti.

[@leefoster8015]

@@EvolveAutomotive Yeah thats my point so probably a pre refresh model.

[@Chris7uk00]

looks like the 135i doesn't turn in as fast as the 128ti, looks like your having to place the car with more input on the steering wheel, maybe due to the 4 wheel drive and the car being pushed more from the rear wheels than the front ones, what's the ratio front to back F40% - R60% ?

[@andypeeters5930]

The 135i is basically a fwd car, torque is only sent to the rear if the front loses grip so not 4 wheel drive by default,and if it does, it's 50 % max to the rear

[@jacobbrackstone467]

Can you get a custom tune the 128ti ? Can’t find anyone who has

[@EvolveAutomotive]

We can custom tune a 128ti if you wish, we also offer an off the shelf tune for them.

[@michaeldean3340]

@@EvolveAutomotive what sort of increases are to be expected?

[@peterdurnell3325]

What are they like against the F56?

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Much more grown up still, physically bigger car.

[@davidhaygarth648]

When a drivers speech is jumpy when driving a car its a hard suspension set up. See it all the time on KZbin. 135i no bouncing around...lol

[@hithere8699]

The 135 is a boring drive, too clinical with x-drive, a 2 wheel FWD drive with some torque steer is a better driver feel. So 135 maybe quicker but I think the 128 is more fun, more raw, more of a driver car.

[@Lmbarrett83]

I'm sure it'll have been mentioned in the comments. The MY22 version of the M135I has been updated for better handling. "BMW claiming the updated chassis calibration offers improved roll behaviour and better high speed stability than the original. Front camber has been increased, springs and dampers re-tuned and suspension mounting points stiffened both front and rear."

[@EvolveAutomotive]

A few people have, maybe we’ll try one in the future.

[@SChapps]

You need to drive an i30N, it’s pretty much how the BMW M division from their prime years would make a front wheel drive hot hatch. You can tell Albert Biermann had a role in it. Unlike so many other cars, they actually focused on steering feel, pedal feel, a great manual gearbox. And made with fun handling dynamics rather than just going for straight line speed Also, it just looks and sounds better than most other cars in the segment

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Must admit haven’t had a chance to get out in one. Have heard positive things about both the i30N and i20N however.

[@daysofgrace2934]

128ti flowed more. I's a shame about the stylings. M140i was good looking hatch apart from being a hot-rod...

[@DjNikGnashers]

Hot-Rod ? That was the best thing about it, it was FUN, and exciting to drive, not a boring 4-pot FWD/AWD clone like these. So glad I kept mine.

[@manishg214]

Got delivery of my new 135i. It leaves the 128ti in the dust 😂

[@marshmellow377]

I am torn between the new improved 2023 M135i and the 128Ti, They say all the perks of the 128Ti are now in the improved M135i... Help me pick people. Order goes in tomorrow.

[@claudiogreen4797]

Marshmallow Hai scoperto se al 135i hanno dato di buono quello che c'è nel 128ti? 🙂

[@marshmellow377]

@@claudiogreen4797 Having tried both the 128Ti and the 23 M135i I can say that the M135i is the one to go for. Owned mine for almost a year now!

[@claudiogreen4797]

@@marshmellow377 Sono contento di questa tua risposta perché tra una settimana riceverò il mio 135i 2024 🥰

[@fireblade6756]

M M M every time!!!

[@richardhoulton4016]

This is easy. 128ti is the sweet spot. It’s all the better for losing it’s “Haldex” setup. If the 128ti had a manual option it’d knock it out of the park. It’s got the Golf GTI licked as it is. The M135 is a seriously disappointing car.

[@Carl_Donaldson]

I’ve a 128ti as I said above. Love it but if it had a manual box and some decent exhaust note it would be bloody fabulous

[@richardhoulton4016]

@@Carl_Donaldson Not doing a manual was a missed opportunity

[@DjNikGnashers]

So glad I didn't trade my M140i in for either of these. MINI in a boring work skirt.

[@user-fxw6k7da4]

All you F20 drivers seem to get it wrong. It’s a great car if you’ve never driven the F20 M140i. This is BMW‘s answer to the Golf GTI. Both the 128 and 135 (it’s definitely not a M performance car) are great if you want a daily driver with more power. You can get them for like 30k with 20k miles on the clock. If your looking your upgrade to M140i, take a look at the M240i and M2. These are your rivals. Proper M cars. Not the Golf GTI and R clones.

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@user-fxw6k7da4 I did upgrade to an OG M2. Not as quick in a straight line as my tuned 455bhp/634nm M140i, but levels above in every other way.

[@michaelscurr9046]

That bmw started 2011 finished 2012.

[@makramsinacer3875]

I prefer the 140i

[@stuartchristie654]

I’m biased though as I own one

[@DjNikGnashers]

Still rocking mine too, no way would I trade it for either of these.

[@Nick-cs9dt]

@@DjNikGnashers why? Both the 128 and 135 look sooooo much better.

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@Nick-cs9dt Looks are subjective, so it might look better to 'you' but looks can not be better or worse on a scale. I have got a different car now anyway, and no longer have the M140i, although it was a fantastic car. I now have an OG M2, and that is one of the best looking coupes of all time to my eyes, such perfect proportions, and such a pretty car.

[@JustRJTech]

I think everyone does but i wont lie the m135i looks much better then the 140i just which the performance was also made better

[@scottessex952]

you can turn the m135i into front wheel drive but you cant turn the 128 into awd .. the m135i all day long just on the 4 sec 0-60 and a stage 1 remap will push it 400bhp for £250 - £500 with no extras needed....

[@simonh870]

I cannot see much of a reason to buy either of these. Auto only with an inferior box ro the ZF8, 4 cylinder and questionable styling. I think I would rather have an Audi S3 with a manual box. At least the older 6 cylinder M140i was rear drive and had a characterful engine.

[@Nick-cs9dt]

I would never buy an Audi over a BMW. Just too unreliable. In fact I would not buy an Audi over most other cars.

[@usman1alam]

Gotta admit these new 1 series are some ugly looking cars. That goes for a lot of these new cars.. Bring my CSL content!!

[@usman1alam]

@@user-jq1kq9hy1t na bro they were ugly then and ugly still lol

[@Nick-cs9dt]

Gotta admit these new 1 series are some good looking cars. Each to their own, but my opinion counts more so they are actually good looking.