BMW M135i 2012 Review

BMW M135i

What we liked
>> That engine...
>> Comfort levels
>> Composed handling, balanced chassis

OVERVIEW

This hot-headed, beefed-up hatch may look like an armour-clad puffer fish, but what the BMW M135i lacks in exterior beauty it makes up for with dynamic handling and astonishing acceleration. The main ingredients are compelling: small footprint; rear-wheel drive; pumping six-cylinder engine. And the end result? Mouth-watering.

The M135i is one of the most powerful hatches BMW has ever built, offering almost as much power than the esteemed BMW M Coupe from the late 1990s - but a lot more torque. And with the 1 Series M Coupe now discontinued, this is the next best thing. Sure, it's not quite as extreme or raw, but the flipside is that the M135i is easier to live with and far more affordable.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT

Compared to the X5 and X6 triple-turbo diesels that also fall under the M Performance Vehicles umbrella, it's streets ahead in terms of driver involvement and sheer thrill factor, and though not as practical with less interior room, it's still a comfortable car.

Sports seats finished in Dakota leather upholstery are standard equipment, as is Anthracite roof lining, an M leather steering wheel and velour floor mats. BMW's ever improving iDrive infotainment controller, a 6.5-inch colour monitor, anti-dazzle rear-view mirror, 205-Watt seven-speaker stereo with USB and Aux inputs, climate-control, Bluetooth connectivity (for up to two devices), auto headlights and wipers, plus reversing sensors are all standard.

Of course, there are plenty of optional extras - this is a BMW after all - such as Internet functionality ($200), sat-nav ($3500), sunroof ($2290) and metallic paint ($1700).

Making use of a single twin-scroll turbocharger, direct-injection fuelling and Valvetronic and Double-VANOS valve control, the force-fed 2979cc engine is a pearler; silky smooth around town and demonically fast when requested, with the kind of thrust that shocks and awes.

Claimed 0-100km/h acceleration times are 4.9 seconds for the auto and 5.1 seconds for the manual, and the M135i certainly feels like a sub-five-second car.

A full-noise launch sees the rear wheels momentarily struggling for grip as mild G-forces begin to push you into the seat while the car accelerates. Snapping through first and second gears of the eight-speed automatic transmission with alarming rapidity, the journey is intense... And addictive.

There were no six-speed manual versions at the car's local launch, but that's no bad thing as the eight-speed auto cog-swapper is a swift, smooth operator - and BMW reckons about 85 per cent of customers will opt for the auto. It's as calm and collected when cruising as it is bouncing off the rev-limiter at warp speed, and the latter is something few autos allow you to do.

Both auto and manual versions have top speeds of 250km/h - electronically limited - and the auto completes the 0-1000m dash in 23.8 seconds. Peak power of 235kW arrives at 5800rpm but the engine is strong to until almost 7000rpm. Maximum twist of 450Nm hits at 1250rpm, and sustains a flat torque curve until 5000rpm, meaning you can still hustle without constantly changing gears.

The five-door hatch makes use of independent suspension front (MacPherson strut) and rear (multi-link) layouts, with a specific 'M' tune that firms up the ride, improves handling and reduces bodyroll. It's a composed vehicle in almost all scenarios, with enough compliance to ably soak up bumps and mid-corner ruts, yet stiff enough to ensure useful grip and decent steering feel.

Paired with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport tyres (225/40 fronts, 245/35 rears) on 18-inch alloy rims, the car has tonnes of grip and the variable electro-mechanical Variable Sport Steering is better than the regular 1 Series set-up.

Brake rotor diameters are 340x30mm front and 345x24mm rear, clamped by quad- and twin-piston calipers respectively. For the most part the brakes are strong, but are the one element of the chassis that isn't quite razor-sharp. More initial bite would certainly help.

BMW's specifications indicate the car weighs from 1430kg, with automatic versions adding 15kg to the kerb mass, while fuel economy is rated at 7.5L/100km for the auto and 8.0L/100km for the manual. The Euro 5-compliant engine's CO2 emissions are 175g/km and 188g/km respectively, and the engine features an Eco Pro efficiency mode that pairs with engine idle-stop functionality.

PACKAGING

Both front seats have manual adjustment only (except for lumbar), and the only visual highlights evident in the cabin are the fake-aluminium accents on the dash. Overall, the interior is a dull affair - it's unexciting, which is something that can't be said of the way it drives. Everything works well and ergonomics are good, but it's obvious where the cost cutting occurred.

The outside is better than the inside but it's still bland, with enlarged lateral air intakes at the front, twin exhaust outlets at the rear and LED 'angel eye' daytime running lights the only real styling standouts. Ultimately, its donor car is no supermodel, which makes it tricky to improve on the car's somewhat swollen appearance.

Other driver aids include cornering brake control, dynamic brake control and even a brake drying function, while of course anti-lock braking is in there too. Fitted with six airbags covering front and rear passengers and three-point seatbelts located on all five seats, the M135i has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

COMPETITORS

But what's truly impressive about this high-performance German hatch is that it's just as composed in the city as it is being thrashed along mountain passes, both in terms of its chassis and engine.

The firm but balanced suspension allows the car's wheels to soak up most mild ruts in the road and it's a comfortable cruiser because of that, yet still exhibits a flat attitude through tight corners, allowing it to maintain very good traction.

It's a predictable beast with good road manners, and is easy to live with on a daily basis thanks to a tractable engine and smooth auto gearbox.

But the fire-breathing dwarf's most impressive attribute is its ability to scythe its way through corners with unmitigated authority, courtesy of its combination of turbocharged rear-drive propulsion, well-sorted suspension and a compact footprint.

Adjusting the car's trajectory mid-corner with a touch of throttle is not only easy, it's hugely satisfying, and the car tracks through corner like it's on rails. Indeed, finding the car's limit is easier said than done since it generates substantial lateral G-force when cornering, the grippy Michelin tyres providing ample traction.

Simply put, the M135i's handling dynamics are excellent - this is a ludicrously enjoyable car to drive fast and feels eminently fluid when charging along winding roads.

It turns in better than any front-wheel drive hot-hatch on the market and holds its line through a bend with ease. But corner exits are the most the fun in this hyper-hatch, as it delivers a substantial amount of power to the rear wheels when you open up the taps, surging forward with so much force that it'll make you laugh maniacally as you leave all challengers in your wake. Yes, the power has gone to my head...

Direct petrol-injection and forced induction go together like cream cheese and vegemite (read: very nicely) and even in a straight line the car is a hoot to drive. The 3.0-litre straight six has a brilliant engine note too - think subdued jet engine with a hint of waste gate hiss.

The BMW M135i brings new meaning to the phrase point and shoot. It steers well, accelerates hard and handles with aplomb, but does all these things with a swift progression that ensures predictability.

The only two issues I can report are the brakes, which could do with more initial bite, and the car's ability to change direction rapidly at high speeds. When charging through esses, the M135i felt less balanced than, say, an M3.

But these are minor blemishes on an otherwise luminescent report card. What we have here is an accomplished car that's punching well above its weight. It's not quite as sharp and raw as a 1 Series M Coupe, but is perhaps more rewarding to drive because it's slightly more forgiving. Plus it's more affordable and easier to live with, and isn't sold out...

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