Not the improvement we wanted? 2025 BMW 1 Series 135 review

[@Ben-y5w8g]

Is there not a third engine? The BMW 123 xDrive M Sport 218bhp petrol (available to build and order today on BMW UK Website. You mentioned here only 2 engines being 120 and M135. 123 is replacing 128ti…

[@motorpoint]

I think you're right - I'm not sure when it's arriving in the UK exactly though... -Tim

[@deancostello14]

I'm still happy with my now 8 year old M140i. Could have easily traded it for the last M135i by now, but I still love my straight 6 and RWD.

[@kbdocherty6515]

Totally agree. Had a new 2014 M135i for 3 years and then bought a 2017 M140i which I still own 7 years later. Never have I even considered trading for the M135i Xdrive or this new M135. Enjoy your M140i for lots more years 🙂

[@motorpoint]

Stick a diff on it and that generation M140i is so good. Feels like another era when we had small cars with 6 cylinder motors! Tim

[@leewilcox4044]

I must applaud you for being one of the few reviewers of the new 1 series to point out its missing iDrive and physical controls. I have the previous gen 128ti and it's got the perfect balance of touch screen (using iDrive on the move for safety of course) and physical buttons for stereo, heating, heated seats etc. It does seem a really restrictive engine line up in the UK too: only the 1.5 3cylinder 120 and the 135? There really should be another engine in the middle of that line-up methinks. Maybe mainland Europe has it? But the 135 is becoming the wrong side of the £40k tax band now. With a few extras it's not much extra for a Porsche Cayman! Like you said, used previous gen models are looking the best prospect now. I will admit that I prefer the nose of the new model, but in every other respect, they've spoiled it. And I couldn't bring myself to actually buy this. The touchscreen fest would drive me mad within a few hours. First World problems hey.

[@MrScootmcg]

There's the 123 x drive in-between.

[@leewilcox4044]

@@MrScootmcg A 123 x drive doesn't appear to be available in the UK, yet anyway.

[@MrScootmcg]

@@leewilcox4044 its an option on the configurator.

[@leewilcox4044]

@@MrScootmcg Hmmm, yes, just spotted it. Interesting model, especially with X Drive. Wonder what displacement the engine is.

[@MrScootmcg]

@ Same output as the x1 23 which I believe is a 2 litre. Interesting car, even possible to keep under 40k if you go easy on options.

[@TheMusicFan1297]

Really don‘t understand why they abandoned the iDrive controller. Really bad decision.

[@motorpoint]

Cost-cutting surely! -Tim

[@TheMusicFan1297]

@ Not cool, BMW. Does that abbreviation now mean Big Money Waste? I hope they won’t do that on the 2 series as well.

[@davidwhitton5519]

52k for that! this world has lost it's efing mind.

[@howardgregory3888]

Got to pay all the fines for not selling enough EV cars as well as the development costs of the same EV’s that nobody wants (except perk company car users as they are low tax).

[@simonehayes4911]

Sticking with our 2023 model M135i 👍

[@FATSHADY51]

I have got the new 120 m sport I'm trying to find out how to tilt the passenger mirror in reverse tried everything???

[@vMaxHeadroom]

Have the 128ti which I love but this new version looks like a step back...oh and the price is now just getting ridiculous.. Cant understand the manufacturers now as they remove key controls like the idrive and buttons/knobs that reduce the risk of accidents. Trying to control something via a touchscreen can be very distracting and dangerous.

[@kbdocherty6515]

Good video Tim. Honest review and yeh totally agree modern cars with lack of physical buttons for controls is just crazy. Forcing people to look at the screen. 😞. Thanks.

[@SleepExports]

What's the difference between m135 and m135i, ie why have they removed the i for this one?

[@Dropz_RSA]

Maybe they feel it's misleading. It's a 2.0i In reality.

[@rickz7461]

BMW have chosen "i" to denote their EVs, why not "e".

[@paulwardzynski3265]

Tim, Would BMW be annoyed if you cut open a hole in the roof so that when you are in the back you are more comfortable? I would also get a thinner steering wheel from Halfords.

[@motorpoint]

I did ask, but they said something about it voiding the corrosion warranty - Tim

[@jaysen704]

Nah ...i prefer my 128ti Tim. Drives better.😊 plus cant stand the new grille

[@billionbear]

I’m sticking with my 128 for the foreseeable. Will probably look at the VW Golf Clubsport next.

[@simonroberts362]

I also got myself a 128ti new in January this year, looks and drives way better by the sounds of it!

[@ragnarlothbrok2782]

😂😂😂😂 100% not

[@grizzlystr3445]

Me too, no buttons for climate control etc…….thanks but no thanks Im sticking with my 128ti

[@kenw1295]

Cant see any reason to change my current F40 M135i.

[@motorpoint]

I wouldn't… -Tim

[@NigelRudyard]

Great review, I totally agree about the deletion of the i-Drive rotary control. I have a car with a touch screen, and it can be very distracting on the move. Also, as you mentioned, in top trim, it's a tad expensive.

[@motorpoint]

Thanks! We've done a video on how distracting touchscreens are (using science). BMW came out bottom… kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqbMlWx3nqZ0fsk&ab_channel=Motorpoint

[@NigelRudyard]

@@motorpoint I'll give that a watch! That's a shame, because the iDrive with rotary control was the best system out there until they buggered about with it.

[@markrhoden68]

In the carpark bragging rights, this car is a step back. Yes, it's been updated but slightly less power. Meanwhile, its rivals, the S3 and Golf r, have also updated but offer a good 30hp more. Bang for buck the new m135 IMO is going to be for the dedicated BMW fan rather than premium hot hatchback

[@olley1ify]

@markrhoden68 yeah but the m135i f40 still smokes the new audi s3 with an extra 30bhp lol its not all about numbers to be fair.

[@markrhoden68]

@olley1ify WHAT, I had a m135i xdrive how could a 306hp hatchback beat a 333hp hatchback and it's all about numbers to the people who buy this type of car

[@olley1ify]

@markrhoden68 well I bought a m135i over the s3 as the s3 looks fucking awful. Not exactly fussed about 30bhp lol can literally add more than that deleting the gpf.

[@Dropz_RSA]

The new m135i is for the dedicated BMW fan? I must not know any BMW fans.

[@olley1ify]

The bmw voice assistant is the way to go for climate control. Not the screen. Bmw set temperature 21 degrees job done lol

[@pb5x5]

Until it no longer works then the car is cheaper to scrap.

[@olley1ify]

@pb5x5 what 🤣🤣 what kind of a comment is that lol

[@JohnGuidetti751]

⁠@@pb5x5You been living under a rock and new to basic technology?

[@pb5x5]

@@JohnGuidetti751 Not the same rock as you.

[@JohnGuidetti751]

@@pb5x5 Voice control u know Lool. With your logic what would you think of a heads up display or a 360 camera probably something out of this world omg

[@emanuelferreira6875]

Your intro was awesome

[@nikk8782]

I have the previous M135i and removing the idrive wheel is awful as I generally use that the most. Hopefully the more people complain about it they may do what VW did with the haptic buttons and reintroduce it in the facelift.

[@slen6293]

Pre facelift had 450Nm not 420

[@motorpoint]

My bad. That's a pretty huge loss then… -Tim

[@stevencampbell1150]

Must admit I think Tim's reviews are brilliant! Even if I've no interest in the car it's very amusing, it started off very James May when he was talking about a new Dacia, "Good news!" 😂 I think like all BMWs it's far too expensive for what it is and it does look very like a Ford Focus and I think as far as a design goes the old one looks better.

[@motorpoint]

Haha thanks Steven. How long until no one's making a hatchback… that's the big question! -Tim

[@John-Brennan]

We need to have a conversation about the overuse of that pair of jeans..... I'm concerned that phone is going to make a break for freedom through the actual pocket!!

[@motorpoint]

They’re getting retired soon. Sadly they’ll be replaced by a kilt -Tim

[@John-Brennan]

@@motorpoint *starts GoFundMe for sturdy underwear

[@John-Brennan]

@@motorpoint *Starts GoFundMe for sturdy underwear

[@DontPanicDear]

I think I’d save money and get the 120. I’d still be irritated, just while going a bit slower 😮

[@Ben-y5w8g]

There’s a 123 xDrive M Sport at 218bhp also. Think this would be a perfect between the 120 and M135.

[@robertmarsh3588]

I like the updated front end but yhat ridiculous screen and lack of buttons (and i Drive) is a retrofrade step. Why has BMW and many other manufacturers made driving their cars more complicated and therefore dangerous? Theres nothing here that convinces me to move from my F20 generation cars.

[@sayithowitis470]

52k for this or a second hand well specced f90 m5?!🤔 easy one

[@motorpoint]

Haha it's comparing apples with bananas, but you're right - I found the F90 M5 Comp too firm though. Get a CS instead ;) -Tim

[@sayithowitis470]

@ I’ve already got the comp hahahah

[@langamaphumulo5009]

I'd go with the older model, after market quad exhaust diffusers look 100 times better than this, the older version is more agressive.🤷‍♂️

[@davidkemp6721]

Looks a bit boring and too expensive

[@malligrub]

Not a bad effort but why pay the same money for this when you can get the new audi RS3 - easily the best hatchback ever made with a genuinely historically great 5 cylinder engine for about the same?

[@Herewithkop]

Looks like a mk4 Cupra Leon

[@motorpoint]

Haha yes it does a bit. We have a video of the Mk3 Cupra Leon coming soon… it's a bit of a used bargain at the mo -Tim

[@ThrottleBody]

Step backwards. An M light should NEVER have quad tailpipes.

[@motorpoint]

It feels like BMW has no rules now! -Tim

[@KaiAst]

That steering wheel is so big!

[@motorpoint]

It's an absolute unit. BMW keeps doing this… -Tim

[@keplerkepler3518]

Front could be a kia ceed or a Toyota... child car..

[@TheRealYorkshireman]

Looks very similar to this 6’3” beardy bald bloke who has a couple of KZbin channels doing cars and motorbikes.

[@pedrostevens]

that's a mighty pricey Kia Ceed

[@maxthelab8457]

I just don't get why BMW chose to dump the 2 door version of the 1............................it was so much more sportier to look at, and the much bigger doors were just such a selling point. You have to be a contortionist to get in and out of these cars these days unless you are size challenged.

[@ronniefront511]

Looks like a Kia

[@Adrian-bt4nf]

❤️🔥❤️❤️🔥❤️🔥

[@davidmarshall5596]

£ 53k fully specced!,😮😂😂🎉

[@bodrulm1]

You have to pay for automatic climate control in a £50k premium car 😂 says it all about their philosophy - cost cutting and milking history

[@stephenjhughes64stephenjhu26]

You have it Spot on spoiled in lots of places .42k +😅😅😅

[@Torquetrailauto]

Wow, said no one ever

[@hycharlison]

DESIGN ABSOLUTELY RUINED 😠!!! What the heck !

[@davidkemp6721]

Focus

[@neil5877]

Nope ugly as hell in my opinion

[@Adrian-bt4nf]

Wtf can’t you get it in manual , I hate automatic 😡😡😡😡

[@zzhughesd]

Bald man , like us all

[@motorpoint]

Not all of us. Some people have hair. It's not fair, is it? -Tim

[@simbo52bn22]

Giant ball of fire - yes. No time to be buying a dodgy looking 135( no longer i) with an over- fat steering wheel and a rubbish gearbox for £50k +

[@hycharlison]

Now we’re talking, the WHOLE line up is DESIGN RUINED 😡… oh wait the 3 series is still nice, ohh next year they will RUIN IT AS WELL ! Awful DESIGN! Chris Bangles school 🏫!

[@bodrulm1]

All of BMW's new cars are renowned for 1) cost cutting in every imaginable way 2) uglier designs. The X3 is laughably plastic all over the interior like a Dacia. They've lost their way