I know the looks are a little marmite (infact they're not, you either don't mind them or you hate them)

4.9sec, 38mpg, 175 g/km are astonishing in my eyes for a 3.0L twin turbo.

I'll be looking at finance packages and offers just to see what's on offer.

It's a hatch but nobody classes it as a hot hatch. So what is it?

Reviews are very good as well.

Autocars review: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/bmw/1-series/first-drives/first-drive-review-bmw-m135i

Think the correct term for one would be compact missile lol

Sent from my Galaxy S2 not a Crapple!

Given an Astra VXR is the same price (nearly £27k for an Astra, ha!), I think it's an absolute bargin!

Evo are big fans too, I think they sited the biggest down side as stealing sales off of the M3!

Dont forget some winter tyres or youll be going nowhere with rear wheel drive!!

The biggest problem (IMHO) is that these can be nicked in about 3 minutes flat, by smashing the side window, programming a new key and driving it off, with the alarm not even go.

I was looking at 1 and 3 series and got told by the dealer, that BMW didn't see it as an issue, no they were not going to do anything about it.

When I asked would they move the ODB II port, even if I paid them to do so or pop a switch in the answer was a flat no.

For that reason, I can't say I'd go near a BMW until they deal with the dead spot/defects in the alarm system and something to mitigate the risk of just anyone reprogramming the keys like that.

Really like the interior, not sure about the outside though.

On the security side, a number of manufacturers are suffering from this reprogramming key theft, including some VAG iirc. Last statement from them seemed to be 'we meet the current legislative standard, no need to do anything else' which for premium cars is just not good enough. Good idea though about moving the OBD port, or maybe putting it behind a lockable panel.

Very nice - not one you hear of attracting a lot of attention like a hot hatch does.

This is why an A4/A5 with a 3.0TDI engine is appealing to me more and more....

It's definitely Q car material until you open it up.

Interior struck me as being nice and I'd have to have it with the crazy 10" screen. I really expect the interior to impress me.

The whole key thing just doesn't bother me. Partly because I'm in a quiet cul-de-sac.

Err that's the best place for them to nick it! Quiet area no one about...

Sent from my Galaxy S2 not a Crapple!

Me like! And they sound ace aswel 8 speed tiptronic... Wonder how it compares to DSG?

8 speed tiptronic... Wonder how it compares to DSG?

I've driven a 3 series with the 2.8 4 pot engine with tiptronic, it was difficult to tell, but I think the DSG has the edge, but they are very close. .

Edited 29 July, 201213 yr by G.P

A friend of mine has the 135i Coupe. It's an absolute monster... relentless acceleration, excellent dynamics, looks fantastic. However, it's had a litany of irritating problems that have been fixed under warranty.

A fantastic car to drive... but not one I'd own.

Funny really. I've owned a Skoda and a Renault yet I've had no problems with either of them. Yet I hear the 135i has had it's fair share of problems...how ironic.

I really like the 1-series coupe - the 'estate' is 'orrible though (although new one is an improvement). Would love a 135 - don't see the point in buying an M1.

I would love a M1

I really like the 1-series coupe - the 'estate' is 'orrible though (although new one is an improvement). Would love a 135 - don't see the point in buying an M1.

The 1M may hold it's value better, and for you the point would be it looks better. .

Really like the interior, not sure about the outside though.

On the security side, a number of manufacturers are suffering from this reprogramming key theft, including some VAG iirc. Last statement from them seemed to be 'we meet the current legislative standard, no need to do anything else' which for premium cars is just not good enough. Good idea though about moving the OBD port, or maybe putting it behind a lockable panel.

I agree, however on the BMW it appears you don't need an access code to reprogramme they keys and that the alarm on the 1 series has a dead spot and no glass break sensor, which means you can smash the window, do they key and never set the alarm off.

With the others, it's more a case of they can block you from remote locking it, and if you don't check, then they can do the above by extracting the code, then programming new keys.

Still, it's just a case of making sure you're aware and taking steps, such as an aftermarket immo plus a disc lock etc.

I really like the 1-series coupe - the 'estate' is 'orrible though (although new one is an improvement). Would love a 135 - don't see the point in buying an M1.

What estate?

Do you mean the X1 or the hatchback?

Edited 30 July, 201213 yr by cheezemonkhai

I would love a M1

I've got one - unfortunately it's a 1981 Matchbox model!

What estate?

Do you mean the X1 or the hatchback?

1-series hatchback.

Great car on paper, great cars to drive but I just can't make myself like any of the 1 series models.

SWMBO has a 116i SE nothing sporty about it at all and it still corners better than the VRS. That's rwd for you I suppose.

Before I bought the vRS I seriously thought about the 135i. Did my research, saved some money and tried to forget the slightly left field look of the car and went to the main dealer here in Hull.

I asked if they had any in stock, and was shown one on the system they had in the group.

Looked nice, good colour / mileage, price was OK. So thought might as well have a proper look & drive, and if all is well go for it!

However, the sales guys next quip changed all of that, as he said (and I quote) "would you like it sir?"

I said that I would need to see it in the flesh, and drive it first. he replied why, as it wad a nearly new BMW and it would drive like a new BMW so there was no need.

I was left feeling as if I was in the wrong and most other people bought their cars like he had said. I challenged him before I left just to check if they would bring it to me, or at least I would need to travel to the other site. He basically thought I was odd for wanting to do this.

He rang me a week later to see how I got on, and I had great delight in telling I had bought a new car, not from them

I said that I would need to see it in the flesh, and drive it first. he replied why, as it wad a nearly new BMW and it would drive like a new BMW so there was no need.

We've also had tvvattish comments from a BMW salesman. The last one SWMBO dealt with was fine though. You get arseholes selling every brand of car.

Edited 31 July, 201213 yr by Aspman

We've also had tvvattish comments from a BMW salesman. The last one SWMBO dealt with was fine though. You get arseholes selling every brand of car.

I had one salesguy act as a complete a$$, however the guy that took over was brilliant and couldn't have been more helpful.

You do as said, get idiots at every brands dealerships.

Audi guy tried to sell SWMBO an A3 by revving the engine to her since he couldn't be arsed moving it out. Even she, who couldn't really give a toss about cars, was distinctly unimpressed by that. He was equally unimpressed by me laughing at him and calling him Swiss Tony. He didn't sell the car.

My experience of a handful of BMW dealerships has been nothing is too much trouble and their main goal in life seems to be to make sure the customer is happy. I'm a big fan of the M135 (debadged) and if I could justify the running costs, I'd have one in a shot. I'm not too fussed about the security issue - the cars are reasonably secure and I pay for insurance and tbh, if someone is determined enough to take the car, I'd much rather they took it from outside my house without putting my family in danger than they were "forced" to break into the house to find and steal the keys. Metal can be replaced....

Chris

Very nice cars