Tag: M135i

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BMW

BMW M135i LCI photo gallery

F20 BMW M135i LCI

LCI—the three most important letters to the F20 1 Series range—they stand for Life Cycle Impulse which is BMW speak for get the fugly out of here!

Finally, the 1 Series has been give a front-end makeover and here is the new M135i. True, it’s still not the world’s prettiest car, but at least its dorky eyes have been lost in favour of a treatment more inline with the much more visually pleasing 2 Series.

For Australian readers enjoy these pictures, because they’re as close as you’ll ever get to a three-door M135i. Not only that, the car in these pics is fitted with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Remember them?

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BMW

Punter shows BMW how to design a car

BMW M135i with M235i front

The front end of the F20 1 Series is awful. The M135i makes a small improvement, but it’s still no match for the much easier on the eye treatment on the M235i.

Which begs the question, why didn’t BMW just get it right the first time? And why have they left it so long to fix up the problem?

Clearly there’s one guy who couldn’t wait any longer and he went and put an M235i front end on his M135i. Regardless of the cost we can’t imagine he would ever regret taking that step. It just looks so much better!

There’s a few more pics after the break, including an ugly duckling before pic.

[Source: BimmerPost]

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BMW

Restyled BMW 1 Series on sale early next year

BMW 1 Series LCI

Restyled front noses seem to be a thing right now with new sightings of the facelifted BMW 1 Series out on German roads. The ugly eyes of the M135i are perhaps its greatest weakness and it’s expected BMW will pretty much lift the more attractive 2 Series front-end and replicate it on the 1er.

It’s predicted we’ll see the finished article at the Detroit Auto Show in January with a sale launch to follow shortly thereafter.

[Source: Autocar]

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BMW

BMW facing its own recall dramas

BMW M135i

Maybe recalls are the new black. Volkswagen, Porsche, Toyota; everyone it seems is getting in on the act! And now it’s BMW’s turn to put a screw loose. Quite literally, as it happens, in the case of BMW’s well utilised 3.0 litre straight six engine.

According to Scott Croaker from BMW Australia a potential loss of oil pressure can occur if a bolt attached to the engine’s VANOS valve system fails. No oil pressure means your silky smooth M135i engine, for example, goes bang!

While no faults or failures have been reported in Australia at this stage BMW is readying itself for a voluntary recall campaign.

“There was a couple of failures in China,” explained Croaker. “We looked at it closer and realised that the problem was not market specific, it was related to a component.

“As soon as we get the information we will raise the necessary process and issue the recall.”

The total amount of affected vehicles is still to be determined, but is expected to number around 2700 and cover two years of production. The engine is used in models such as the 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, X3, X5 and Z4.

Most people will accept a potential fault with their vehicle, no matter how remote, so long as the manufacturer is open and transparent with them. Communicating and detailing the repair procedure in a timely manner will also win favour. And from limited detail that seems to be exactly the way BMW is handling this issue.

[Source: Drive.com.au | Thanks to Wayne for the tip]

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Audi BMW Video

VIDEO: Audi S3 v BMW M135i

Audi S3 v BMW M135i

Jethro Bovingdon from Evo spent the day fanging around Bedford Aerodrome in an Audi S3 and a BMW M135i. As you know the S3 is all-wheel drive and powered by a four cylinder turbo, while the M135i has a more pure rear-wheel drive layout with an inline six cylinder turbo.

The Audi is lighter but has less power. Can the BM’s extra grunt make up for its extra bulk? And which one is more fun on track?

[Thanks to Micky for the tip]

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BMW Mercedes-Benz Video

Chris Harris on the A45 AMG and BMW M135i

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG v BMW M135i

Here it is, the one we’ve all been waiting for. The Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG and the BMW M135i in the hands of Chris Harris. There’s no need for an intro, just strap yourself in for the next 20 minutes and enjoy the ride.

If you would like a few more words, head on over to PistonHeads.

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Audi BMW Mercedes-Benz

Audi S3 v BMW M135i v Mercedes A45 AMG

Audi S3 v BMW M135i v Mercedes A45 AMG

This is what we want to read; a comparison between the three hottest hatches currently on offer from the triumvirate of German masters. Thankfully, George Kacher has put his keyboard to work on behalf of Automobile magazine:

George Kacher on the S3: The Audi goes around bends like a slot-car racer with a second pin between the rear wheels. Neutrality is the name of its game. So is it boring? Wrong term. The S3 rewards its driver with a different potpourri of talents. The roadholding is so tenacious that the Continental Sportcontact tires (225/40 R18 all round) might have harbored hidden Velcro strap fragments. The steering, overly light and a little mute, nonetheless turns honing the line into a surprisingly entertaining pastime.

George Kacher on the M135i: There is more roll and pitch and dive than we expected from a 1-series model wearing the M badge. On the other hand, grip is astounding in the dry, traction is only an issue when you ask for it by switching off ESP, and the stability through very quick uneven corners is supported by the nicely compliant spring and damper setting. So, full marks for ride quality, panache and refinement, but only 3.5 stars out of five for absolute sportiness and driver involvement.

George Kacher on the A45 AMG: The engine delivers notable extra urge with real authority, the steering fuses input and feedback to a wonderfully three-dimensional level of control, four-wheel drive distributes torque with the eerie professionalism of a poker ace dealing his rounds, and the brakes bite with vigor and determination until, at the foot of the pass, smoke signals beg for mercy. The A45 AMG is as chuckable as it is sure-footed. It can corner on three wheels, decelerate at a ridiculous yaw angle, put the power down even earlier than the Audi. What it cannot do is ride well, period. Not even on smooth blacktop.

Based on what we’ve been reading, the S3 will only find buyers in Australia due to being cheaper than the other two (and only marginally), the A45 AMG will be the one everybody wants and some of the gloss of the M135i seems to have faded in the presence of serious competition.

Although, it is worth remembering the margins being discussed in reviews such as this are often so minor as to conclude that all three cars will reward their owners well beyond the initial novelty period. It’s just that they’ll do it slightly differently. We think it’s fantastic to see so much choice in the premium hot hatch segment. A shame it’s taken so long.

Follow the source link below to read the full review.

[Source: Automobile | Thanks to Richard for the tip]

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Audi

Audi cedes power to BMW and Mercedes

2013 Audi S3 Sportback

Audi S3: 206kW/380Nm
BMW M135i: 235kW/450Nm
Mercedes A45 AMG: 265kW/450Nm

Hang on a minute, doesn’t the new S3 have 221kW? Well, yes it does, but as with the outgoing 8P model, not all of its kilowatts are deemed suitable for Australia’s “hot” climate. So, when the 8V S3 Sportback arrives in Australia in December it will have a peak power figure of 206kW, down 15kW on its overseas tune.

We feared this would happen, but when we were given an official pricing tip from Audi Australia back in April the peak figure of 221kW was quoted. Great, we thought, the might of the Volkswagen Group has worked out how to overcome this rather quaint set of circumstances. Is the Australian climate is so vastly different to southern Europe, for example, that it warrants a different tune? Apparently so.

“There will be a lower power output just for hot weather countries,” confirmed Audi Australia spokesperson Shaun Cleary. “The power output will be 206kW while the European car has 221kW.”

Understanding that local buyers will need some reassurance, Cleary added, “The torque is the same and the acceleration is the same to 100 km/h, which is 5.1 seconds.”

In contrast, hot hatch buyers shopping at BMW and Mercedes-Benz dealerships will get the full complement of power on offer from their respective S3 competitors.

On paper, the S3 is fighting a losing battle against its German rivals. Where it once had the premium hot hatch segment to itself in Australia, the S3  can now ill-afford to cede further ground in a market place that is more competitive than it has ever been.

The S3 is expected to undercut the M135i and A45 AMG on price, for Audi’s sake let’s hope they can stuff the S3 chock full of standard kit.

[Source: SMH]

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BMW Mercedes-Benz Volkswagen

VIDEO: Hot hatch mixed masters

Autocar A45 AMG v Golf GTI v M135i

Steve Sutcliffe from Autocar has had the enviable task of comparing a trio of very different hot hatches. There’s the 265kW four-cylinder all-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG, the 250kW inline six-cylinder rear-wheel drive BMW M135i and the 169kW front-wheel drive Volkswagen Golf GTI.

They are three very different hot hatches. Indeed aside from country of origin and the fact all three are turbocharged they don’t really have a lot in common. Pricing, especially, is very different. And yet, if you had the chance to drive all three on the same roads on the same day you’d grab the opportunity with both hands.

So put aside the practical differences for a moment and enjoy the ride. Then, at the end, you can try and rationalise the outcome.

[Thanks to John for the tip]

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BMW

BMW M135i – Australian pricing announced

BMW M135i

Our tip for the pricing of the BMW M135i was $68,900. Turns out we were $500 too expensive!

So, with an officially confirmed list price of $68,400 we think it will only be the M135i’s cumbersome looks that will prevent it from being an overwhelming sales success when it lands down under in October.

Although, BMW Australia boss, Phil Horton, says he’s already sold quite a few: “Since being unveiled the M135i has drawn huge interest both here and overseas and eager Australian customers have already snapped up almost a quarter of our first production allocation.”

Looks aside, who can blame those who have already expressed an interest to buy? The M135i gets pulses racing thanks to its N55-based turbocharged 3.0 litre straight six engine. With 235kW, the M135i has only 15kW less than the now iconic 1 Series M Coupé, yet matches its 450Nm of torque. Coupled to an 8-speed auto transmission, it’s enough to equal the 1M’s 4.9 second 0–100km/h time.

While an official spec sheet is yet to be published by BMW Australia their press release below states the M135i will come with the following standard equipment (and more):

  • 18″ M Double Spoke alloy wheels (225/40R18 front and 245/35R18 rear tyres)
  • M Sport Brake System (four-pot up front, two-pots at the rear)
  • M aerodynamics exterior body package
  • M leather steering wheel
  • Sports Seats with Dakota leather upholstery
  • Bi-Xenon headlights
  • Extended connectivity of Bluetooth devices including voice control

Hmm, are you about to put in a call to your local BMW dealer too?

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BMW

BMW’s M135i is much better than it looks

BMW M135i

If you only read the spec sheet of the BMW M135i there’s a fair chance you’d want one. A hot hatch featuring an N55 turbocharged straight-six, sending 235kW/450Nm directly to the rear wheels, is a compelling package. Indeed, with a new slick 8-speed auto you can see off 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds. But there’s a catch. Of course, there’s a catch.

The elephant in the room with the M135i is the way it looks. Being polite, it’s just bloody ugly. To be fair, BMW has slightly improved the troublesome front end with a new styling package compared to the regular F20 1 Series.

But a question only you can answer: if the M135i was head and shoulders the best car in its class, could you do it? Because, as it turns out, there’s a fair chance the M135i is the best car in its class. Here’s what the early reviews are saying:

Autocar (Richard Bremner): “While some may desire the more uncompromising character of the 1M Coupé, the fact is that this M135i’s ride is less maskingly firm, its steering more delicate and its character easier to live with. And it’s also a whole lot cheaper, being almost £10k less.”

Car (Chris Chilton): “It might not look as sexy as a Scirroco, or feel quite so single-minded as a Megane RS, but the BMW is faster, better built and just feels more special than any of them. We can’t think of a more desirable, more exciting top-drawer hot hatch on the planet than this M135i.”

Evo (David Vivian): “The best thing about the M135i, though, is the grin it puts on your face on a twisty road… But I can’t help thinking the real achievement is the focus on something I’d feared the M people had lost sight of: the bloke behind the wheel. Three hearty cheers for that.”

So when can you get your hands on one? BMW Australia is bringing the M135i here in a five-door layout only and hope to have it in showrooms before the end of the year. And we hear BMW is hoping to have M135i on sale with a list price of around $68,900. Assuming it’s relatively well equipped, and doesn’t require too many ticks on BMW’s expensive options list, that pricing is quite good.

So, we ask again, could you do it? We’ve got a couple of videos for you after the break that may or may not seal the deal.

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BMW

BMW M135i revealed

BMW M135i

BMW has today released images and details for its three-door 1 Series. In amongst that material is info on the new M135i. We figured that was of more immediate note and so have prepared these pictures for you, starting with a handful of five-door pics.

The M135i is the first petrol powered model from the M Performance Automobiles division. And it’s plenty fast, too, able to reach 100km/h in 4.9 seconds with optional 8-speed automatic transmission (5.1 seconds for standard 6-speed manual).

On paper, then, it’s a near match for the mighty 1 Series M Coupé. Here’s the relevant bits from the introductory BMW press release:

First ever BMW M Performance automobile to feature a petrol engine: BMW M135i with a 3-litre, straight six-cylinder engine and 235 kW/320 hp as well as M-characteristic suspension components and aerodynamically optimised body features; Highest level of performance and the most outstanding efficiency within the competitive environment; Typical M-style coherence between drive, suspension technology and aerodynamic balance as well as model-specific interior design for unmistakeable driving pleasure in a compact model; BMW M135i also available as a five-door version.

In addition, an all wheel-drive xDrive spec M135i will be available from November 2012 production.

More pics, including the three-door M135i, and further press information can be seen below. There’s also a promo video included that will never make it to Australian TV screens.

UPDATE: BMW Australia has advised the M135i will be coming to Australia, but at this stage in five-door configuration only. A launch date is yet to be confirmed, but they are hoping to have it in showrooms before the end of the year.

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