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£17,720 – £34,410
"Not-quite replacement for the 1M Coupe is fast, fun to drive - and a whopping £10,000 cheaper"
The hottest 1-Series, the BMW M135i is an M Performance Automobile. A what? Why, part of the BMW range positioned between regular BMWs and full-on M cars. It joins the X5 xDrive50d and X6 xDrive50d, and if the name is a mouthful, do as BMW execs do: call it an MPA. Or don’t bother, and just call it M135i - more proudly so for 2015 thanks to a welcome and very effective facelift.
"Not-quite replacement for the 1M Coupe is fast, fun to drive - and a whopping £10,000 cheaper"
The hottest 1-Series, the BMW M135i is an M Performance Automobile. A what? Why, part of the BMW range positioned between regular BMWs and full-on M cars. It joins the X5 xDrive50d and X6 xDrive50d, and if the name is a mouthful, do as BMW execs do: call it an MPA. Or don’t bother, and just call it M135i - more proudly so for 2015 thanks to a welcome and very effective facelift.
Although it may not quite say so, this is a true M car. You can feel the magic is there (M engineers aren’t solely responsible, but they’ve certainly had an input). It’s not quite as hard-edged as the brilliant old 1-Series M Coupe, but it’s close. And £10k cheaper. Given how it’s a thoroughly modern car to boot, it’s a real bargain. Particularly considering the way it drives…
Although it may not quite say so, this is a true M car. You can feel the magic is there (M engineers aren’t solely responsible, but they’ve certainly had an input). It’s not quite as hard-edged as the brilliant old 1-Series M Coupe, but it’s close. And £10k cheaper. Given how it’s a thoroughly modern car to boot, it’s a real bargain. Particularly considering the way it drives…
ON THE INSIDE
The three-door 1-Series is identical to the five-door inside (the M135i comes as either), save for trickier access to the rear. It’s been improved for 2015 with nicer detailing and better finish, but the Audi A3 still aces it for quality and ambience. MPA additions are discreet – you sense BMW hasn’t quite worked out how to make the MPA range distinct yet – but fundamentals such as bolstered seats are spot-on. The blue stitching and dash trim detailing is quite cute too, and we like the pleated seat trim pattern - but why, BMW, are your sports steering wheels always so thick?Note, it’s not as roomy as a front-drive hatch. It’s better than it was, but you’ll need a Golf R to get a genuine family-friendly fast hatch. The boot is only average, too.
Length 4,324mm Width (including mirrors) 1,984mm Height 1,411mm Seats 5 Doors 3 Luggage Capacity (Seats Up) 360l Gross Vehicle Weight 1,955kg Wheelbase 2,690mm Minimum Kerbweight 1,425kg Max. Roof Load 75kg Max. Loading Weight 530kg Tyre Size Rear 245/35 R18 Tyre Size Spare Tyre Repair KIT Wheel Type 18" Alloy
The three-door 1-Series is identical to the five-door inside (the M135i comes as either), save for trickier access to the rear. It’s been improved for 2015 with nicer detailing and better finish, but the Audi A3 still aces it for quality and ambience. MPA additions are discreet – you sense BMW hasn’t quite worked out how to make the MPA range distinct yet – but fundamentals such as bolstered seats are spot-on. The blue stitching and dash trim detailing is quite cute too, and we like the pleated seat trim pattern - but why, BMW, are your sports steering wheels always so thick?
Note, it’s not as roomy as a front-drive hatch. It’s better than it was, but you’ll need a Golf R to get a genuine family-friendly fast hatch. The boot is only average, too.
| Length | 4,324mm |
|---|---|
| Width (including mirrors) | 1,984mm |
| Height | 1,411mm |
| Seats | 5 |
| Doors | 3 |
| Luggage Capacity (Seats Up) | 360l |
| Gross Vehicle Weight | 1,955kg |
| Wheelbase | 2,690mm |
| Minimum Kerbweight | 1,425kg |
| Max. Roof Load | 75kg |
| Max. Loading Weight | 530kg |
| Tyre Size Rear | 245/35 R18 |
| Tyre Size Spare | Tyre Repair KIT |
| Wheel Type | 18" Alloy |
