Value for money is not a phrase that springs to mind when the conversation turns to BMW, unless you’re talking about the BMW M135i.
Prices start at around £12,500 for 2102, 62-reg cars with 90,000 miles on their clocks.
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Feeling brave? Last time we looked, there was a 2013, 13-plate, five-door auto with 129,000 miles for £400 more. The one-owner car had full BMW service history and a new set of the recommended Michelin Super Sport tyres. It also had an Evolve Stage Two remap, taking it to 400bhp. Shame, since even in standard 316bhp tune, an M135i is a proper handful. Just ask our own Dan Prosser, who, with the help of Birds, a renowned BMW specialist, is midway through taming his M135i with a bespoke suspension set-up and a Quaife differential before even thinking about taking it to 400bhp. Follow his progress in ‘Our Cars’, or here online.
Dan’s car is a 2012, 62-reg three- door with the rare six-speed manual gearbox. The eight-speed auto was more popular with new buyers impressed with its paddle shifts and quicker changes, 2mpg superior fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions. Dan’s M135i has done 30,000 miles and cost £17,500. You’ll find prices leap around like this but around £17,000 is where you’ll find straight 2013-2014 cars with solid histories.
The M135i was launched in 2012 costing, in ‘basic’ three-door manual form, just shy of £30,000. That said, a few choice options could easily send the price to £40,000. Fortunately, today’s prices don’t ref lect the value of all these extras, so fill your boots.
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It was powered by the new N55- series 3.0-litre straight six with a twin-scroll turbo and was capable of 0-62mph in less than 5.0sec. Crucially, the new car was described as an ‘M Performance’ model, as distinct from a full-fat M car – so no limited-slip diff but a suspension set-up tuned by BMW’s M division.
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I can confirm that you’d have
I can confirm that you’d have to really try to loose control of the car in the wet, especially in a straight line. The traction and stability control is rather aggressive in its default mode and doesn’t allow hooligan driving unless you dial it back. Which, admittedly is when things get fun, and the RWD really makes a positive impression.
Also, there are cheaper ways to upgrade the suspension than going the Birds route. Although they definitely know what they’re doing, I’m pretty sure they just use better Billstein dampers and maybe eibach springs. These kits can be bought and installed cheaper while still greatly improving things.
I wouldn't use that twat's
I wouldn't use that twat's lack of driving ability as a reason not to buy one. Took a ride in a friend's 140i auto in the autumn and was mightily impressed.
Great cars!
I had an M135i from new, and then replaced it with an M235i. Not once did I have a scare in either of them, including snowy drives through the Highlands. If you turn the traction control off and act like a hooligan on wet roads then what would you expect of a powerful rear-drive car? Both were brilliant, fun cars, and I wouldn't hesitate from owning another. Seriously, you can't base your opinion on Clarkson provoking one into spinning to get a headline for his TV show.
Clarkson
Sundym wrote:
What Clarkson didn't tell us in that programme, was what state the rear tyres were in after his tail-out hoonery for the camera.