My new motor

Christmas came early for me today and I collected my new car

The car in question is a BMW M135i.

Spec

3dr
Auto
Estoril Blue
Black leather
Sun protection Pack
Harmon kardon
Black panel display

I've still got to wait for the engine to loosen up so I've not pushed it hard but the engine feels very eager. The gearbox is amazing and far superior to the auto box I had in my previous 335i. It sounds a lot better too.

I'm really impressed so far. Heres some quick phone snaps from the services on the way home.

Very nice. I had a 118d, it left wme with a real hankering for a 135.

Thanks Roadking.

As a package, the M135i was just what I wanted.

* Goes well. 320bhp standard, Under 5 seconds to 60 (most reviews times them at 4.5-4.6) and max torque available from 2k rpm.
* Practical being a hatchback
* Sporty but comfortable
* Cheap to run (tax £200 per year, insurance £320, 24m service intervals, 40mpg on a run)

Some of the interior materials feel a bit cheap compared to my previous 3 series but all the bits that matter like the engine, suspension, running gear etc... Feel great. Very pleased with it so far and I was given a very good deal too.

Wow, fast then! What's the space like in the rear for passengers?

Wow. Those specs with low insurance and tax. Is there anything special about your insurance?

Nice car btw

No idea. I've not been in the back yet

Yes, they are pretty quick. It has launch control too but the engine needs 1200 miles to wear in before I can go above 4k rpm according to the manual so I'm yet to do any spirited driving.

Heres a video showing 0-100 (not mine obviously)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5suVTG90YjI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

No. I'm 32, Manchester postcode, 8yrs NCD. Based on 9k miles per year. It's just a cheap car to insure.

Fo me that's quick!

That's not bad at all.I'd always thought the M postcode to carry a premium. Could well be one on my shopping list soon.

Nice, but appears to be missing half its gearstick

Phil not much legroom in the original 1 series. Plenty for the driver though!

Thanks RK, I need to buy the wife a new car in Jan, this seemed interesting, maybe the 130. But, legroom in the rear is important to us - family taxi and all that! I'll look into it further..

There's also a five door version that I imagine will have more rear legroom.

Flippin'eck. One quick car..... good on fuel too.

What's the actual engine size 3.5? (as I know BMWs are often known to have different cc to that stated on the boot).

Naturally it's a straight 6 I assume or a V8?

I'm debating a (possible) change of car and it's between this, a 130i and a Golf R32. It's just the RWD and winter weather that's putting me off.

They're very good value for money and as you say, relatively economical.

They're a 3.0ltr straight 6 turbo. They make a nice noise too.

Very nice car. The Auto box looks so smooth.

100mph top of 5th. Is it a 7 speed?

The gear changes are instant and really smooth. So much faster than the auto box I had in my previous 335i




It's an 8 speed box

I saw one being given a short burst...very quick, it kind of sat down on its rear axle and ripped off up the road.

Not many new cars do that.

Nice Car Dan, ps. I need a new mix mate

I can only imagine one of these remapped! Awesome car!

I very reluctantly sold all my DJ equipment a few years back

Missus got pregnant with our 2nd child so needed to turn the man cave into a nursery.

I let you know in a few months. Remap, exhaust and possibly a downpipe will be done when the weather picks up. The gains from a remap alone are around 60-70bhp and 120lb/ft based on what others have achieved

8! That's just greedy!

Simply awesome. Watching that video makes me wonder that should I have bought a E46 M3 with the SMG box instead of manual.

Very nice - if you need help to 'loosen' the engine - Im available

Modern day auto box's are superb. The only time I'd prefer a manual nowadays is if I were buying a car mainly for track use.




I must admit, I've only covered 350 miles so far and the needle has strayed beyond 4k rpm a few times already!

Just had the bmw M performance exhaust fitted. She snarls a bit now

Looks very nice. Video for sound?

No video yet. I do one when it's light.

Nice. You going remap it? As it's not quick enough standard!

Ill map it at some point. Probably in the summer. I need to get it booked in the body shop soon. I'm not having the best of luck with it. In the 3 months I've owned it I've got...

A) A door ding that's gone through the paint
B) A tree branch blew out of a tree and landed on my bonnet leaving a minor dent during the storms we had.
C) Some idiot scrapped up my rear arch leaving a scrape
D) Noticed I have a gouge in my skirt today which I think the bin men must of done today moving next doors wheelie bin.

I wouldn't mind if I had caused any of the damage but non of it has been my fault. Gutted.

Wow, so a remap and you'll be touching 400bhp... in a family hatchback......



320bhp and 40mpg on a run is phenomenal. BMW are known for good fuel economy. I just don't know how they do it.

Puts my 29mpg 170bhp N/A into the shade.

Perhaps I should sell up and buy another sports bike to get my kicks....

Is that with or without the synthesiser?

Without

Warm day start up

Nice!

Sounds nice.
Hopefully I will have another 1 series again as a company car, albeit diesel.

It sounds better now I've put a few more miles on it. The video was taken when the exhaust had only done about 50 miles. I've cover about 500 miles since fitting now.

It sounds much better in person too. The video doesn't do it justice. I'll record another one when I get chance using my digital camera rather than my phone to see if the audio capture is better.

Just ordered a JB4 (piggyback tune) now the weather is improving. This should increase power from 320 bhp to 370bhp and increase torque from 330lbft to 380lbft-400lb/ft.

Other owners have added downpipes and an FMIC are seeing 400bhp and 450lbft so I'm considering those later on this year too.

http://www.performance-bmw.co.uk/products/JB4/N55Engines/N55Stage2JB4-61.htm

Unreal. It's almost supercar performance from an unassuming 1 series

After 16 very happy months with the M135i,it has been part exchanged today.

Unfortunately, the new car is rather dull It's a 2008 Civic Type S 2.2 diesel.

Now our 2 children are growing up (6yrs and 4yrs) we need a bigger house. So, the Civic will be my run around for the next 12-18months whilst I save towards the house move. I've bought the Civic outright so the only running costs are fuel freeing up circa £400 a month so not far off £5k per year which can go towards the move.

In 18 months time I'm thinking I'll possibility keep the Civic and buy a weekend toy. I've always wanted a Noble M12 GTO so that could now be a possibility later next year


http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b300/s4pseid/20150409_160931.jpg

Didn't you take a hit on the car by chopping it in, which means possibly a total loss of more than the circa £7.5k you hope to save in the 18mths with the oil burner? I am however not au fait with new car purchases or maths.

I paid just under £28k (after achieving an 18% discount) for the BMW and part exchanged it for £23k, so it cost me £5k over the 16 months I owned it.

The BMW would of needed tyres and a service within the next 3 months, which would of cost me at least £1000.

The Civic comes with 12 months warranty and was serviced and MOT'd by Honda today before I collected it. So, other than fuel, should cost me nothing over the next 12 months.

To me, it seemed a sensible time to sell and I thought £23k was a fair price.

nuff said sensible option, wondered how it worked. A Noble will be a great weekend piece of kit!

I confess that your Beemer was my dirty secret desire; the Honda less so, but I get why you have to go that way.

The M135i is a great car. Especially once it was mapped and had the M performance exhaust fitted. The acceleration was immense. It was fairly understated too, so when some rather exotic motors found themselves being shown a clean pair of heels they didn't know what to make of it

The M performance exhaust added to the occasion too.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0GO6at_KZnoSE9memptVUU3UEk/edit?usp=docslist_api

My only criticism was the electronically assisted steering. Although very responsive, was a little numb. There was more a bit of body roll, but this was easily fixed with aftermarket springs.

My reasons for buying the Civic were.

Solid residuals. They barely depreciate.
Reliability
Cheap to buy but still look modern.
Cheap to run.

I didn't buy it for fun. Its probably the first time in my life my head has ruled my heart when buying a car.

Unfortunately the Civic won't compare to the M135 in most areas. However they are a much better car than people give them credit for. The 2.2 is a fantastic engine given it's a diesel. Much better than the BMW 2.0 diesel of the same era IMO. You could get that remapped if you wanted which make a huge difference, but be ready for an uprated clutch if you do.

I've read they can be mapped to 200hp and 300lb/ft but to be honest, I don't think I'll bother. I've never found diesels fun because of their lazy power delivery and lack of noise. I drove a 335d before buying my 335i and I wasn't impressed with it. I'll just enjoy it for what it is. As you say, it's a decent engine anyway.

The only mod I have planned is a double din head unit. The stock stereo doesn't have USB or DAB which I used all the time in my BMW.

Although sensible that's very depressing.

Sorry for your loss!

I was all set and saved up to get a 5.0 xkr and then in January I stupidly tripped my mortgage to make more room for my kids. Going to have to wait until the new house is built and we're in before I can even think shouts v8 now... Total empathy with you.

It does feel like I'm in mourning at the moment it's not going to be forever. I'm a petrolhead. Performance cars are always going to be part of my life.

I bet it does, even if the civic is a fantastic car you'll hate it because it's not your 135....

I'm grumpy as stamp duty, solicitors and wine fridges Have eaten my jag fund!

It's for sale on the dealers website where I part exchanged it. Get your cheque book out

http://gordonscarzone.co.uk/detail-page?vid=GF63JLO#.VS_dRDdwZDt

I'm sure it'll find an excellent home, Dan, though sadly my cheque book wouldn't cover the petrol!