Why I Will Always Be Disappointed With The BMW M135i

This week we got in the drivers seat of the BMW F40 M135i xDrive. Although this car was a massive disappointment following in the footsteps of the M140i, in every other way, it's a better car!
Massive thanks to Matt for the car and Dan for coming along too!

[@Buck3366]

BMW actually have the bases covered. If you want a fast hot hatch you get a 128ti. If you want a bit faster hot hatch and better traction and a bit less fun you get an M135i. Don’t like the shape? Get an M235i saloon. Want a B58? Get an M240i. Yes the engine in the hatch isn’t ever going to match that 6 cyl but sadly that’s a sign of the times. Few years from now you will be begging for a 2.0 instead of an electric, soul less motor.

[@Ramzes945]

If you forget about the engine and its predecessors, it turns to be a perfect car for everyday use

[@DrivenPlus]

Correct

[@user-jz7tr8zb5h]

what choise ? 2024 new tesla model 3 highland sr (standart range) rear wheel driving or bmw 1 series m sport (any engine) ? thanks

[@sammannix651]

Recently bought a polo GTI had nothing but problems so it went back test over 128TI but decided to hold out for the new shape one series to be released since it’s been pushed back even further. I’m debating getting one of these due to the really good deals currently on offer. Only thing that puts me off the fact that not much has changed with it in the last six years , does the tech et cetera

[@shiugen676]

Sorry to hear that, what issues did you have, was it the 2019 one or the facelift? I had a 2019 AW, back in the day and really enjoyed that car. Now driving BMW M and M lites but miss that Polo GTI

[@johnosullivan2017]

Steering feel and feedback? You mentioned the A35 being uninvolving. Love my Golf R, but I'm 1st to admit the steering is dead numb, no feedback. Hardly a surprise with 4WD and electric steering. Can you feel what the front wheels are doing in the M135?

[@muzzamiel5550]

I actually prefer this to the older shape, it looks much better, the older shape looked down syndrome..

[@tiwaz4598]

Great looking car

[@andymccarthy9058]

I recently fitted MICHELIN pilot sport 4S * marked - after a year and a half of ownership it is totally transformed the car vs the factory installed bridgestones

[@DrivenPlus]

Totally agree, the PS4S’s are the best!

[@markrhoden68]

Your gearbox information, check as its not the ZF 8 speed fitted to the old m140i. Also the B58 wouldn't fit into this platform so a alternative had to be fitted. Had one for 18 months but good as it was for all the things you mentioned its just like all the other 300hp four wheel drive hot hatchbacks out there

[@DrivenPlus]

Thanks Mark, you’re correct. I got the gearbox information wrong. Apologies for this. Thanks for the comment 👍

[@andrewf7822]

@@DrivenPlus The 135 gearbox is made by Toyota.

[@DrivenPlus]

I’m a fan then…! 🤣

[@Ramzes945]

@@andrewf7822 By Aisin actually

[@andrewbrown75ify]

How is the ride comfort and refinement compared to the M140i ? I have an M140i and im considering this as a replacement

[@DrivenPlus]

Refinement is just as good. Comfort wise… little bit harsher due to the fact it’s on 19’s

[@markrhoden68]

I did exactly that. Personally if my needs today were for a usable performance car I'd have gone for the m240i xdrive rather than the new m135i xdrive if your budget allows. All the good stuff from the m140i with the new stuff from BMW, rear bias xdrive and interior tech and quality.

[@andrewbrown75ify]

@@markrhoden68 yes totally agree, tempted to wait a bit till they come down in price. Don't really need 5 door and would love another B58

[@lookupparagliding]

Did I detect a slight downhill-ness to that 0.60 run? ;) Fairly new subber, like what I've seen so far :)

[@DrivenPlus]

Haha! On the 1st run yes… 2nd run was actually an incline and faster 🤷🏻‍♂️ Thanks for the sub! Plenty more on its way!

[@lookupparagliding]

@@DrivenPlus Road looked a little damp on 1st run. Always been a car nut but especially so now I've got an A.R. Giulia :) (poverty spec 'Super' model + remap)

[@DrivenPlus]

Very nice! Got a 4C to come out soon 👍

[@lookupparagliding]

@@DrivenPlus I'll look forward to that. Someone keeps going past my house in crisp white one. Well jeal lol

[@DrivenPlus]

Nice! This one is white too

[@keithronson2624]

Max...Love it! An excellent BMW. A real 'Q' car. Yes, not sure about the looks, the rear is fantastic. The front 'debatable'. But the BMW quality is second to none. Alternative for me would be Go;f R... spec'd up. Previous Mi40 was a beast! Face 'lift' is due i believe. With a 40k price list, surely the Ti is the 'jewel' in the 1 Series line up. Minus the 'silly' boy racer red bits! As you say big thank you to Matt. Excellent choice. Surely buy a pre-owned BMW serviced is the answer...

[@DrivenPlus]

Thanks Keith! Knew this is your cup of tea! Facelift due this year I’m hearing. Thanks for watching

[@Murph_82]

​@@DrivenPlushave you seen it?.. they've fucked it big time!

[@GBFeb72]

Great daily. But less fun than the 140i.. bring in the new 135/140… hopefully with more power

[@fletch9702]

Honestly, I support soft limiters. I do love the sound of an engine at the top end, but they only really sound good UNDER LOAD, actually pulling the car along. Those that redline their engines at a standstill want a slap.

[@I_am_Monty]

To bypass the limiter you have to pit the car in Neutral 👍

[@DrivenPlus]

Ahh! Thank you 👍

[@gingerbreadman5265]

Personally…. Not a patch on the previous 140i. (Yes Iv driven one) Maybe I’m being harsh or bmw just nailed it with the 140

[@x58evo2puma7]

To be honest it looks like a focus st at the rear 😅

[@wendy1973ish]

Great review, I had my M135i for 3 months, as you say a better more modern car in every aspect, but the engine and box were awful in comparison so went back to the the B58 (M140i) and IMO a true drivers car. Aisin box was awful, not responsive enough in comfort, too aggressive in sport. Not for me. Long live the B58 😊

[@DrivenPlus]

Thanks Wendy, you certainly can’t beat the B58

[@olley1ify]

I can never get mine into launch control even though i do exactly what youve done lol

[@DrivenPlus]

That’s weird, are you holding the brake down as far as you can?

[@olley1ify]

@DrivenPlus yeaaah in sport mode gearbox to sport mode too then dcs tried in both sport and off push as hard as I can on the brake and then smash the accelerator down but just doesn't go to launch... maybe the car isn't warm enough but took it for a drive for 10 mins or so first 🤷‍♂️

[@matthewbrown1637]

⁠@@olley1ifyI haven’t quite worked mine out 100% either, I think it just needs a solid warm up, just getting halfway on the gauge and trying it straight away is not enough, but I’ve tired it after about 15-20mins of driving and then it seems to work, probably about another 10-15 or minutes after it shows as warmed up on the gauge. Other thing is the steering potentially has to be almost perfectly straight 🤷‍♂️

[@olley1ify]

@matthewbrown1637 I'm on a long drive home Tuesday so will try it again then I did only do about 6 miles or so before I tried last time so could well be that and I'll nake sure the steering wheel dead straight too cheers

[@matthewbrown1637]

@@olley1ifydid you have any luck?

[@Hu_Mi]

U r posting every time i shower

[@DrivenPlus]

Don’t shower

[@Hu_Mi]

@@DrivenPlus yeeeeah

[@DrivenPlus]

🤣🤣

[@kieranmanners170]

I sold mine after a month of ownership, as well as it seems built and quality is good, I just found it really boring, the gearbox I found was really lazy even in a sporty setting. I actually liked the looks of the car but that’s where it ended for me. Back to VAG group I think 😬

[@svenschraut8124]

Und wo, ist das negative???

[@DrivenPlus]

The engine

[@kent5207]

After 2020’s model, exhaust sounds got shit.

[@WayneBishop-kg8de]

Learn your facts before you review the car not a zf gearbox it an aisin 8 speed torque converter nowhere near as good as the zf box I would say that gearbox is rubbish in comparison

[@TheDrago1882]

Most ugly 1 series shape ever made. Front headlights look too big for the car. Back end looks like a Hyundai

[@Murph_82]

You seen the new one??.. get back to me!

[@TheDrago1882]

@@Murph_82I will come back to you when I see the new one in the flesh

[@Murph_82]

@@TheDrago1882 it's bad lad... bmw have officially ruined it

[@MrCaterhamr500]

Boring engine and ugly, no thanks, prev versions much better.

[@lockeM140]

They are garbage