M135i

[Jim_mk7.5]

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’

Looks very shrunken SUV in this picture. Not sure I'm that keen. Must say the original and facelift 1 Series weren't the most attractive but the final versions of the M140i have a certain look that this new one really lacks. I know they will feel forced to go down this route but losing Rwd and the the 3.0 is just a massive shame. It's now just another fast hatch which looks a little boring.

[fredgroves]

When I said sub 35k, I meant with the deposit contribution... So I'm looking at the dealer to knock 1300 off of 39k list, BMW finance pick up the rest. Definitely achievable I reckon.

I'm probably going to wait and see the mk8 before deciding. It won't be long now.

I suspect its going to be a tough choice but can't help but feel that despite the BMW not looking exceptional that the mk8 will look worse. On the other hand it definitely will be bigger and definitely will have android auto. It's probably quite a close thing only being decided by vw uks pricing and what they put as standard kit on the GTi...

That BMW spec I got to is pretty much every toy you could want but is still only really matching the 7.5 tech not what is promised from the mk8.

On the other hand, I could order now and be making pops and bangs before Christmas... Did I mention the pops and bangs?

[Exonian]

Partridge Southampton currently 13.5% discount.
Not bad on a brand new model.



Jim, they look very different in the flesh.
Still shrunken SUV but in proportion for a Golf sized Golf rival but quite sleek from certain angles.
These things will be everywhere soon with BMW’s aggressive pricing.
Hopefully VW will bring in a performance model at launch for a change same as Merc and BMW did.
Maybe the full fat GTE first so well get an idea of what the GTI and R might look like.

[fredgroves]

Partridge Southampton currently 13.5% discount.

Is that including BMW Finance deposit contribution?

[Exonian]

Partridge Southampton currently 13.5% discount.

Is that including BMW Finance deposit contribution?

Showing the same price whether cash or finance (Carwow)

[fredgroves]

Well, that's my just over 5k discount and sub 35k... wasn't too hard.

I think BMW will sell a lot of these, mainly because its a BMW but partly because its a quick 300bhp AWD family sized (finally) hot hatch with a high basic spec. The previous one was too small and had too many paid for options.

Its not very BIK friendly at 180g/km but hey... glad I'm out from under that.

[Talk-torque]

In all my time on Golf forums, this is the most serious, and sustained, discussion about any alternative car that I can remember. Maybe this BMW M135i is worth a look! Certainly sounds like it offers all the right things. VW need to get the Mk8 spot on.

[fredgroves]

In all my time on Golf forums, this is the most serious, and sustained, discussion about any alternative car that I can remember. Maybe this BMW M135i is worth a look! Certainly sounds like it offers all the right things. VW need to get the Mk8 spot on.

I think its the first time in my 6 years with a Golf that I've seen anything that could compete, that was a genuine alternative both in terms of kit and design/styling.

That speaks highly of both the Mk7 and the M135i.

VW made a corker with the Mk7 but I think they also probably have all of the components they need to make the Mk8 a leap forward too.

Only possibly flies in the ointment will be pricing, included spec and whether the quite frankly ugly basic Mk8 can be dressed up in suitably smart looking performance trim. Having said that, I'm talking from the perspective of us lot here who would never buy a Golf Match or a M118i either. We are a little bit more picky, yet the bulk of the global sales will always be the non-performance models of any car.

Finally, VW get the damned thing released!! I've not seen anything to indicate a hard date on the reveal in the last few weeks.

[sjw]

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’

Looks very shrunken SUV in this picture. Not sure I'm that keen. Must say the original and facelift 1 Series weren't the most attractive but the final versions of the M140i have a certain look that this new one really lacks. I know they will feel forced to go down this route but losing Rwd and the the 3.0 is just a massive shame. It's now just another fast hatch which looks a little boring.

Agreed. I actually think I'd go for the old M140i and shove a remap on it.

I have another 2 and a bit years on my GTI so I don't know why I follow this thread as it doesn't affect me in the slightest.

[mike roberts]

Seems the configurator is being amended, not noticed Mocha leather before now.

ACC on. Foldy mirrors standard.

Also for those worried about the narrow seats, you can deselect the hardbacks for normal Sports seats.