Haha. I'm looking into it. Problem is my massive neg equity. I also can't work out if Toms has the fancier nav screen.

Has the slightly smaller business Nav screen :-)

I've got pro-Nav on the mini but tbh the extra features over business aren't all that. If I had another M135i I'd be more than happy to go back to business Nav :-)

and he knows a man with a Sports Zorst for it that is tailor cut to-length for that vehicle

Sports zorst has long since been sold on to another punter sadly. The bloke is enjoying it as much as I did ;-)

Coming away form work about an hour ago in heavy hail and cold roads was an absolute hoot Tom. You must be missing it a little bit

Not as much as I thought I might! But the mini is absolutely epic fun which helps lol.

I was never massively into arse-out action on the public road tho if I'm honest. It was more the traction advantages (in the dry off the line etc) and uncorrupted steering plus the overall feel/balance of RWD that held appeal.

I sometimes miss the induction note and the sheer brute pace. The rear doors were also quite useful but I've coped without these far far better than I feared! On some commutes I miss the laid back comfy side to the M135i as the JCW is like a crazy terrier that constantly wants to play haha. On the other hand I much prefer the "nailed down" feel (I.e very little roll etc) that comes with the Mini. It feels like a proper classic hot-hatch whereas the M135i started to feel more like a comfy GT cruiser with a big engine if that makes sense.

Have you had a run in a new Clubman?

Very planted, and i like them a lot.

Looking forward to the AWD one being launched, i think that might be the car i have waited for so long now.

Not as much as I thought I might! But the mini is absolutely epic fun which helps lol.

I was never massively into arse-out action on the public road tho if I'm honest. It was more the traction advantages (in the dry off the line etc) and uncorrupted steering plus the overall feel/balance of RWD that held appeal.

I sometimes miss the induction note and the sheer brute pace. The rear doors were also quite useful but I've coped without these far far better than I feared! On some commutes I miss the laid back comfy side to the M135i as the JCW is like a crazy terrier that constantly wants to play haha. On the other hand I much prefer the "nailed down" feel (I.e very little roll etc) that comes with the Mini. It feels like a proper classic hot-hatch whereas the M135i started to feel more like a comfy GT cruiser with a big engine if that makes sense.

t wasn't so much ar$e out action, more of a "am I going to get away from these lights before that artic" although the roundabouts on Trafford park were slightly more entertaining than I might have wanted.

 

I kind of know what you mean about the Mini v M135 thing. My best friends Mini Convertible is seriously frenetic compared to.... well almost any mainstream car I can think of and I am guessing yours is even more bonkers. She swears by Minis and is looking to spec the new Convertible asap. I find it a bit too bouncy on the rough roads around Nroth Yorkshire/County Durham that I regularly have a blast over and find the extra compliancy of the BMW to be better for me (sometimes 'Comfort' helps with the traction. But there again I'm no spring chicken and I did own a Strada 130TC in my youth, a car that had less suspension than the Mini. In fact it had less suspension than Stonehenge

I drove a cooper s 3dr with the auto box and it was immense fun, however impractical. Having driven the m135i it seemed equally bonkers, faster obviously but exactly what I need. My driving is mainly a roads but there are a lot of fun back roads to go blasting around.

Does the adaptive suspension being anything extra to the party or is it a gimic? Seen a couple with it specced..

I like it. It does make a difference, although I find the Sport suspension to be easy to live with on a day to day basis. If I was buying a car out of warranty though, I'd pick a standard suspension and look to change the springs and dampers to help 'hunker' the car down a little You can't officially fit suspension mods to the adaptive suspension cars sadly :(

 

I should add that a couple of the more knowledgeable Journalists, proffered the theory that the rear of the M135 is kept reasonably compliant so as to avoid the need for a LSD. The car does have surprising traction out of a bend in all but the coldest of conditions. Best bet is try one and give it a good thrashing. I like the compromise, but could probably live with the rear end being a little more 'focused' if you know what I mean, although not enough for me to start fiddling with it and risk my warranty.

Edited 3 February, 201610 yr by Lady Elanore

I think the M135i is just a phenominal car for the money....sure out and out its not the most capable handling car there is (it probably does suffer the lack of a proper diff for really really serious driving)...but my god the real reason to buy one is that engine.

Sure an A45 is quicker and a Golf R runs it v close indeed and benefits from AWD but neither offer that intoxicating high revving 6 cylinder power and more importantly sound.

My Dad had one, he sadly passed on at the beginning of the year so we're trading it...had I been in the position to run it or been able to talk my Mum into keeping it garaged for me and my brother to use occasionally for giggles (and sentimental value) id have done so in a hearbeat but sadly it has to go.

Still an awful lot of car for what someone is likely to pay for it and our one is loaded (listed nearly 38k new).

The M2 is lovely but TBH....buy a M135i, get the MPE and intake fitted, a birds LSD and a DMS remap you are probably looking at a quicker car for far less money.

I think the M2 has quite a it more added to it though. It has the M3/M4 suspension by and large too, as well as the option for the brilliant DCT gearbox You're never going to get away from the fact its RWD and ultimately can't keep up with other fast hatches unless the roads are relatively dry (assuming driver skills are the same)/ Although one mag reckoned it was almost as quick as the RS3 in a straight line. Also don 't forget the very quick, relatively uncorrupted, steering, it's great once you get used to the fast rack

My Dad had one, he sadly passed on at the beginning of the year so we're trading it...had I been in the position to run it or been able to talk my Mum into keeping it garaged for me and my brother to use occasionally for giggles (and sentimental value) id have done so in a hearbeat but sadly it has to go.

So sorry to hear that mate :-(

Shame you have to let the car go. You are right about the engine, it's very special indeed. Quite depressing to think there probably won't be an another in the next gen car.

if I get another petrol car it will probably be a 4pot. Mind you, the next 3 series is rumoured to have a 340 with around 365 bhp and an MPA version (350i) with around 420 bhp (obviously the M3 will have a lot more still)., now if there are mega discounts on those.....

So sorry to hear that mate :-(

Shame you have to let the car go. You are right about the engine, it's very special indeed. Quite depressing to think there probably won't be an another in the next gen car.

Cheers Tom...sad times but can only hope it goes to someone who will enjoy it and take good care of it :-)

Stranger still someone round our parts is still driving about the E46 330Ci Sport convertible he bought himself when he first retired and saw it again for the first time in a while the other day....bizarrely it looks as immaculate now as the day he parted with it!

We still have his M3 prefixed registration (from when he had an E46 M3 Coupe)....I would like to in time to come buy a clean E46 in as close to the colour combo and spec he had (Black with Kiwi leather, 19's) put the plate on it and keep it forever...as a kind of hommage :-)

Think this is Tom's old motor.

http://usedcars.oceanfalmouthbmw.co.uk/showroom/1-Series/3.0-M135i/Penryn/3415256-605427135-3497085.aspx?srcmdc=se_ce_re_

 

I had moved this into my serious consideration column, but looks like Tom's old one has disappeared....

I had moved this into my serious consideration column, but looks like Tom's old one has disappeared....

now if only I could get my hands on an M2 (and the money I'd need) I could do you a deal on mine

Right, into Inch High Private Eye Mode.

Is Furbytoms's Ex M135i now showing as Insured on Ask MID?

There's more interest in Toms car now that he hasn't got it, than before when he had

 

Anyone know Toms previous reg?

Is this Toms car?

 

it's not showing as insured on MID

Edited 5 February, 201610 yr by Lady Elanore

I had moved this into my serious consideration column, but looks like Tom's old one has disappeared....

The car with the up / down price since December 2015.

Started at £23990 then mid January £26990 then end January/early Feb £22500 WTF game has this BMW Dealer been playing with punters!!

Perhaps at last it's sold!! Any member on here and at what final price!!?

Wardy,if you go for one make sure you do a detailed search and not get dumped upon by a Dealer like Tom's.

Edited 5 February, 201610 yr by vrskeith

The car with the up / down price since December 2015.

Started at £23990 then mid January £26990 then end January/early Feb £22500 WTF game has this BMW Dealer been playing with punters!!

Perhaps at last it's sold!! Any member on here and at what final price!!?

Wardy,if you go for one make sure you do a detailed search and not get dumped upon by a Dealer like Tom's.

Just for the record, they are a brilliant dealership and have always sorted me out with a fantastic deal :-)

I'm so glad they are on my doorstep! Nobody in the large group of M135i owners in Cornwall who meet regularly has needed to go "out of county" to get their car, such are the strength of their deals and good customer service to boot.

Not sure what was going on with the price on this used car but for new sales they are top notch :-)

Edited 5 February, 201610 yr by Furbytom

Just for the record, they are a brilliant dealership and have always sorted me out with a fantastic deal :-)

I'm so glad they are on my doorstep! Nobody in the large group of M135i owners in Cornwall who meet regularly has needed to go "out of county" to get their car, such are the strength of their deals and good customer service to boot.

Not sure what was going on with the price on this used car but for new sales they are top notch :-)

I can't imagine you'll lose much sleep over it is your Mini fully run in yet?

I had moved this into my serious consideration column, but looks like Tom's old one has disappeared....

Yeah looks like they've pulled the ad down so I suspect it's been sold. Hope he goes to a good home!

I can't imagine you'll lose much sleep over it is your Mini fully run in yet?

Yup, not my car or my problem what they do with it lol ;-)

Mini has done 1900 miles now so fairly run-in. Engine not so tight and feels quicker. Exhaust pops and bangs are just ludicrous now.... borderline embarrassing haha.

Does it pop more on superdooper unleaded than regular. I'm convinced mine does and in theory it should make a difference.

A nice feature of having the Pro Nav is you get free over the air updates to the latest map. It took about an hour to download the whole thing as I was driving to work this morning, but one click to confirm I want the map installed and I have the most current version Cool. You can see a percentage count as the map downloads while you are driving along.

What will the future hold beyond M2.

 

http://bmw-newsuk.co.uk/20RV-42W8B-GV9BPG-20EDHD-1/c.aspx