M135i

[hog_hedge]

Major issue for me is that BMW don't support Android Auto. You can't even pay for it. Life without Waze might be a pain. If you are an Apple (freak) it does have wireless carplay and wireless charging.

I admit, I'm a freak. But if I was part of the Android camp (with 76% global market share might I add) that would be a deal breaker for me.

I haven't a clue what BMW were thinking not supporting Android Auto, they could pass on the licensing costs to the consumer so something seems a bit strange there.

[fredgroves]

Apparently it's a BMW thing. They don't support AA and have no plans to. There is a company who makes a plug in upgrade thing that costs 450 quid but it's not for the new one series yet.

Oh another niggle.. No folding mirrors it seems.

[mike roberts]

Major issue for me is that BMW don't support Android Auto. You can't even pay for it. Life without Waze might be a pain. If you are an Apple (freak) it does have wireless carplay and wireless charging.

I admit, I'm a freak. But if I was part of the Android camp (with 76% global market share might I add) that would be a deal breaker for me.

I haven't a clue what BMW were thinking not supporting Android Auto, they could pass on the licensing costs to the consumer so something seems a bit strange there.

It's a risk based decision due to the inherent issues with the platform, I'd imagine.

[fredgroves]

Ok, I drove it...

My thoughts:

Seats - very comfy, driving position good. Visibility good. Nice big door mirrors - which are folding as standard it seems.
HUD is brilliant on the road
Parking sensors and camera are good - just as well given the usual car dealership car park chaos.
Ride is firm but not crashy - this was on stock 18's and no DCC. If anything its softer than my GTD on 18's with no DCC. We drove over lots of terrible road surfaces too.
It was wet but didn't feel skittish - I guess AWD does that.
MPG in normal drive mode and just doing normal stuff was impressive - I got 42mpg out of it over about 10 miles.
On the way back I then dropped into sport and then sport+...

In sport it was quick but smooth... it was pretty damned quick. A definite shove in the back when you boot it.

In sport+ the gear changes are harsh bangs, it holds the gears really long but oh boy does it fly. From a 40mph roll-on I overtook another car - was pushing 100mph by the time I'd got past him...

Braking into a roundabout I got exhaust pops and bangs 

In Fred drives like a nutter mode it does 27mpg.

Didn't try flappy paddles as I'm not used to them and had a limited time to play.

It's a very impressive car. I think the 42mpg in normal mode is actually what is likely to sell it to me.

Now the only thing is can I stand not having Android Auto... I really need Waze with a licence loser like that...

In the end my probable spec was:

M135i
Paint (no idea which, they all cost the same unless you want white which is "free")
Tech Pack
ACC
Lumber support
comes to £39,675 - so sub the magic 40k.

[sjw]

Ok, I drove it...

My thoughts:

Seats - very comfy, driving position good. Visibility good. Nice big door mirrors - which are folding as standard it seems.
HUD is brilliant on the road
Parking sensors and camera are good - just as well given the usual car dealership car park chaos.
Ride is firm but not crashy - this was on stock 18's and no DCC. If anything its softer than my GTD on 18's with no DCC. We drove over lots of terrible road surfaces too.
It was wet but didn't feel skittish - I guess AWD does that.
MPG in normal drive mode and just doing normal stuff was impressive - I got 42mpg out of it over about 10 miles.
On the way back I then dropped into sport and then sport+...

In sport it was quick but smooth... it was pretty damned quick. A definite shove in the back when you boot it.

In sport+ the gear changes are harsh bangs, it holds the gears really long but oh boy does it fly. From a 40mph roll-on I overtook another car - was pushing 100mph by the time I'd got past him...

Braking into a roundabout I got exhaust pops and bangs 

In Fred drives like a nutter mode it does 27mpg.

Didn't try flappy paddles as I'm not used to them and had a limited time to play.

It's a very impressive car. I think the 42mpg in normal mode is actually what is likely to sell it to me.

Now the only thing is can I stand not having Android Auto... I really need Waze with a licence loser like that...

In the end my probable spec was:

M135i
Paint (no idea which, they all cost the same unless you want white which is "free")
Tech Pack
ACC
Lumber support
comes to £39,675 - so sub the magic 40k.

You've made it sound like a fantastic car. I'd have to look at one properly in the flesh to see if I could get past the looks, and the price. Android Auto not being present is huge for me as I hate the interface by just about every car manufacturer. Sure, you get used to them, but they're far from good.

[fredgroves]

You've made it sound like a fantastic car. I'd have to look at one properly in the flesh to see if I could get past the looks, and the price. Android Auto not being present is huge for me as I hate the interface by just about every car manufacturer. Sure, you get used to them, but they're far from good.

It was pretty damned good. Is there anything better - yeah I am sure there is - probably a RS3 with some toys would be better still. Maybe an even more powerful 1 series at some point too.

Probably for the road I don't need any more though - this thing is perfectly capable of getting you 12+ points without trying to hard...

The looks, not sure I'd say its a real head turner but its certainly not ghastly like the previous version was. They have made it very Golf/Focus like really on the outside.

The price is the price, thats RRP I quoted. They offered me a 2700 deposit contribution and I'd expect to be able to find somewhere offering a further discount to boot. Wouldn't be surprised if I could get it sub 35k in the end, but the 40k RRP barrier is safe.

Android Auto.... yeah I have really come to love that in the last couple of years. Especially the new version.

I've only just bought a new S10, but might be tempted to drag the Mrs's old Iphone out of the cupboard and try CarPlay with Waze if I got the BMW.

BTW BMW also want £80 per year for CarPlay - free the first year.... that's pretty cheeky.

Servicing btw is every 2 years or 17k miles. They offer a service pack that is 400 quid for 3 years or 36k. I'd get 2 services for 400 quid and then be into *ouch* BMW dealer services... probably 600 quid a time and need another 2 to take me to 3 years.

[sjw]

You've made it sound like a fantastic car. I'd have to look at one properly in the flesh to see if I could get past the looks, and the price. Android Auto not being present is huge for me as I hate the interface by just about every car manufacturer. Sure, you get used to them, but they're far from good.

It was pretty damned good. Is there anything better - yeah I am sure there is - probably a RS3 with some toys would be better still. Maybe an even more powerful 1 series at some point too.

Probably for the road I don't need any more though - this thing is perfectly capable of getting you 12+ points without trying to hard...

The looks, not sure I'd say its a real head turner but its certainly not ghastly like the previous version was. They have made it very Golf/Focus like really on the outside.

The price is the price, thats RRP I quoted. They offered me a 2700 deposit contribution and I'd expect to be able to find somewhere offering a further discount to boot. Wouldn't be surprised if I could get it sub 35k in the end, but the 40k RRP barrier is safe.

Android Auto.... yeah I have really come to love that in the last couple of years. Especially the new version.

I've only just bought a new S10, but might be tempted to drag the Mrs's old Iphone out of the cupboard and try CarPlay with Waze if I got the BMW.

BTW BMW also want £80 per year for CarPlay - free the first year.... that's pretty cheeky.

Servicing btw is every 2 years or 17k miles. They offer a service pack that is 400 quid for 3 years or 36k. I'd get 2 services for 400 quid and then be into *ouch* BMW dealer services... probably 600 quid a time and need another 2 to take me to 3 years.

I very nearly took a good deal on the previous M140i Shadow. I think I actually preferred the look of that one, even though the looks were one of the things that made me go GTI. I just think all these 300+BHP, 4WD hot hatches are becoming a bit "samey"

[Exonian]

Good to read your impressions of the car fredgroves.

Nice to see a review from someone familiar with DSG too as I only drove the car in normal and am not sure whether it had DCC or not.
The solidity of the car really impressed me and is what sticks in my mind. I think the spring rates are quite soft which they can get away with because the body is so stiff. The way the arse squatted like an old skool RWD car under hard acceleration points to softer springs too. It also points to the prodigious torque which I think is the engine’s strong point. The huge torque makes for good fuel economy and real world useable performance.

I really must go grab another drive in the one I took out before.

As for looks, I’m glad fredgroves doesn’t find it hideously ugly either, it definitely needs to be viewed in the flesh and is certainly no uglier than a new Focus (or the new mk8 Golf for that matter which has stolen a previous generation BMW’s headlight design and is just as ugly as one).








The 18’s look a lot better in the flesh as does the rest of the car and it won’t be long before we see loads of leased 118i’s on the road and get familiar with looking at them.
They had a black 135 in the showroom with 19” alloys and on balance the bigger wheels made the rear look a bit more in proportion even if the style of them was no design classic (unlike a VW Pretoria).

It’s a grower I reckon, which is more than could be said for previous 1 series and the ‘Compact’

[davyk31]

The 19s do make it look a lot better in my opinion hence why despite going to the showroom determined to buy a car with no options except paint I ended up ordering the Plus pack.

Fred your 35k on a car with list just under 40k might be a little optimistic but not too far away.

[Exonian]

coast2coast are doing 11% right now already, so a £5k discount might be achievable from Berry Heathrow if not expecting a decent part exchange price too.
Once the mk8 Golf comes on song I can see big discounts from BMW if the GTI is nearly 300PS and the R 330 or more.