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BMW's facelifted M135i has more power, sharper looks and new technology. The previous version was a belter, so is this new one just as good?

What is it?

The BMW M135i is an interesting proposition. Even BMW will tell you it’s not a ‘proper’ M car, but that doesn’t stop people peering round its rear end, checking the badge and the twin tailpipes and nodding sagely. M car or not, it’s forged its own path in people’s minds as a ‘proper’ car all the same.

Unbelievably, it has been a decade since the launch of the original 1 Series. So to counter Father Time, the second generation has received a nip and tuck.

Along with subtle styling updates it has more power and a host of new features for good measure. So is this latest depiction of the M135i still good to drive, and has it retained its power to impress the badge connoisseurs?

What's it like?

Slimmer headlights and a new aerodynamic M Sport front bumper create a more aggressive look that, to these eyes at least, is prettier at the same time. The rear also appears more distinguished thanks to new L-shaped LED tail-lights.

Inside it’s basically the same impressive interior as before, with a touch more panache thanks to chrome and gloss black detailing around the centre console.

Technology upgrades mean that adaptive LED headlights and cruise control are on the options list, as is a GPS-guided eight-speed automatic gearbox similar to that used by the Roll-Royce Wraith. BMW Connect is standard and comes with emergency assist. You can also add apps for live traffic reports, music streaming and a concierge service.

Right-hand drive versions still have slightly offset pedals, but otherwise the driving position remains faultless. There’s an oversupply of leg and head room, even if you're upwards of six feet tall, and that space is complemented by plenty of steering wheel reach.

This latest incarnation of the six-cylinder turbocharged engine has a touch more power – now 322bhp - and it’s as fabulous as ever. You can barely detect the signs of forced induction and it is delightfully smooth in its harmonics and power delivery. This wonderful linearity means it will pull from 1000rpm uphill in third as easily as it will eagerly blat around to its redline.

Our car had the six-speed manual gearbox, and although the theory is that it’s slightly slower than the automatic (0-62mph takes 5.1sec as opposed to 4.9sec), we think it's worth the trade in pace for the extra interaction. This is thanks to the lovely weighting and precision of the change, along with pedals that enable you to heel and toe with ease.

This was almost a requirement around our snaking Portuguese test route that was also a decent test for the M135i’s chassis. On the approach to a corner the brakes feel positive and progressive, and as you ease off them and begin turning in, the front end bites, which gives immediate confidence.

Mid-corner there’s a little lean before the body settles, and then it’s a case of exploiting that predictable engine map and the car’s innate traction to fire it out and on to the next kink. It's a process that you'll want to repeat over and over again.

However, the variable-ratio steering, despite being firmer than that of the standard 1 Series, is still a touch too light and urgent with its initial response, and there’s precious little feedback through the wheel.

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Furthermore, hit a bump mid-bend with the M135i’s suspension under load and it has a disconcerting tendency to give a little skip sideways. This trait didn't cause any real dramas, but it sowed the mental seed that at full tilt it isn’t quite as tied down as it first appears.

That said, for a car with this level of performance, on the optional adaptive dampers the ride is relatively forgiving. Even stepping up the challenge by aiming at bigger potholes failed to make it feel crashy. Indeed, the only thing that was any bother was a slightly bouncy high-speed ride.

Should I buy one?

One of the things about the previous car was its amazing value considering the performance on offer. It's a shame, then, that BMW has now bumped the price up to £31,725 for the five-door we tried. Even so, bang for buck, the M135i is still an impressive proposition.

There are question marks over its steering and handling on the very limit, but otherwise it’s a difficult car to fault. It is comfortable and genuinely quick, but most importantly for this kind of car, if you stick it on the right road the M135i will stick a huge grin on your face in return.

BMW M135i

Location Lisbon; On sale 28 March 2015; Price £31,725; Engine 6 cyls, 2979cc, turbocharged petrol; Power 322bhp at 5800rpm; Torque 332lb ft at 1300rpm; Gearbox 6-spd manual; Kerb weight 1505kg; Top speed 155mph; 0-62mph 5.1sec; Economy 35.3mpg (combined); CO2 rating & BIK tax band 188g/km, 30%

John Howell

John Howell
Title: Senior reviewer

John is a freelance automotive journalist with more than a decade of experience in the game. He’s written for most of the big car mags, not least as a road tester for Autocar and as deputy reviews editor for our sister brand, What Car?. He was also the features editor at PistonHeads and headed its YouTube channel.

Cars, driving and machines are in his blood. When he was barely a teenager he was creating race-bale racetracks on his family’s farm – to thrash an old Humber Sceptre around. It broke regularly, of course, which meant he got a taste (and love) for repairing cars. That’s why he eschewed university, choosing instead to do an apprenticeship with a Jaguar dealer. That’s where he built up his technical understanding.  

After that he moved into high-end car sales, selling Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, Ferraris and Maseratis through the franchised network. But it was a love of writing and appraising cars that, eventually, led him to use his industry experience to prise open the door of motoring journalism. He loves cars that exceed their brief in some way. So he finds as much pleasure in testing a great, but humble, hatchback as he does sampling the latest Ferrari on track. Honest.

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oaffie 21 March 2015

Round Steering

BMW should be applauded for sticking with a normal round steering wheel and not following the trend for these idiotic flat bottomed items found in other cars. Sawn off wheels are so awkward in everyday driving where you have to actually turn the wheel more than a quarter of a turn in either direction.

I think this is a great car. It's still good value despite the price rise, and on the public roads you really can't use any more performance than this offers. And being a straight six it will sound great unlike the turbo charged 4 cylinder motors.

Peter Cavellini 18 March 2015

Wow!! just Wow!!!

To be honest, i think this type of car is all the performance you'll need,it goes like stink(you can only do what the Law says),it returns a decent mpg,has a low C0'2 for it's engine size,and if your a low annual miler,doesn't cost a lot to run.
superstevie 19 March 2015

Peter Cavellini wrote:To be

Peter Cavellini wrote:

To be honest, i think this type of car is all the performance you'll need,it goes like stink(you can only do what the Law says),it returns a decent mpg,has a low C0'2 for it's engine size,and if your a low annual miler,doesn't cost a lot to run.

I agree, it is a great car in that respect. It just misses out by looking so damn bad. Better than the previous one, but only just. Suppose, when you are having great fun behind the wheel, you don't have to look at it :D

audiolab 18 March 2015

Options list......

Cruise control on the options list....at this level !!!