We've driven the M135i last year and it even made it to Burnpavement’s ‘Surprises of 2013’ list; this time, we sample a kitted M135i. Sound the alarm...
Photos: Azfar Hashim
BMW’s M135i is a highly regarded hot-hatch; in the market currently, it has the biggest engine and the most gear ratios in a hatchback body. Which is rather unorthodox considering how everyone in this league is either (a) downsizing their powerplant OR (b) squeezing as much powaah as they could from their ‘midsized’ heart.
And to make it even much more interesting, the M135i is the only one with a front-engine, rear wheel drive configuration. Others chose to remain front or four-wheel drive.
Which makes it a little bit of a problem for BMW. Because a product like this is so out-of-the-box, not everyone would want to embrace it wholeheartedly. Trust us, we’ve done our questionnaire and not many would like to sign up for this Bavarian hot-hatch. After all, us hot-hatch fans grew up with front-wheel drive, manual transmission type. So a wholeheartedly complete hot-hatch should remain that way; Renault’s Megane RS is the finest example.
Back to the M135i. On paper digits are respectable: maximum 320 bhp (at 5,800 rpm) and 450 Nm (at 4,500 rpm), and a 0-100 km/h sprint timing of 5.1 seconds all courtesy of a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder twin turbo’d powerplant and 8-speed ZF-supplied ‘box. And those figures do match up when you actually drive the car.
Today, we have a rather special M135i. No, this is not a secretly all-new model; instead, one that has been given some subtle enhancements.
If you’re an M fan, you should be able to notice the M Performance kit added to the car’s exterior; the front bumper consists of a pair of subtle splitter at the bottom and smaller air intake slots (in place of foglamps). The kidney grills are finished in piano black, instead of the standard chrome set.
At the side, the M135i gets (again) additional splitter at the bottom of the body kit; this, obviously, would come in handy at high speeds. The wing mirrors are wrapped in carbon-fibre; those are not stickered ones, Sherlock. The rear might look unassuming to most but upon closer scrutiny, you should be able to notice the different diffuser at the bottom part of the bumper. Then, there’s the blacked-out roof spoiler; classy really.
Wait. Now, take an even closer look. Notice the different exhaust tips that are not finished in piano black? Mind you, that’s an LTA-approved M Performance exhaust.
Its interior is done up the way we like it, which means you get acres of Alcantara and cloth wrapping the seats, door panels and also dashboard. Complimenting this - to give a rather sporty feel - are carbon-fibre bits for the gear shifter, centre console and door grab handle. Awesome stuff, and it’s not OTT, yo.
Despite it being only a three-door, the cabin still offers a useable amount of room for up to four average-sized adults. Speaking of which, each seats also offer good grip: useful when the driver is trying to beat his fastest time from office to home. That said, what would also be awesome — for the driver, that is — would be an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel.
Aesthetics and sound aside, just how does this kitted M135i drives? For a start, the exhaust emits a bassy growl, even at idling. It’s not intrusive really; in fact, it sounds almost as similar to the M5 Competition Pack’s we drove late last year. And when you drive off slowly with the windows down, you feel like a rock star accompanied by an equally awesome band; think Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones.
As you drive along, there’s that noticeable crackle and pop when you release the accelerator at about 4,000 rpm. If music is food to the soul, then the exhaust note you’re getting out of the M135i here is food to lift spirits. And it sounds more dramatic as you cruise down the CTE, KPE and MCE in third, pull it up to 6,000 rpm to enjoy that beautiful note, release the accelerator and hear all that crackle and pop. Brilliant.
Surprisingly though when you cruise along the expressway with the windows up and the audio system at not-so-loud, that same exhaust note does not intrude the cabin. Set the car to ‘Comfort’ and the M135i instantly transforms to a family hatchback. Smooth…
Tackling corners, be it wide or tight, is not much of a problem here. This particular car’s front wheels have been given a negative camber setting; and with that little adjustment only, the car’s handling has been improved. Ok, so you can still feel every body movements and there’s that constant fear of the rear end snapping when you least expect it, but the steering delivers so much feel it gives you an extra level of confidence.
It’s not saying that the M135i is the most perfect hot-hatch available in the market today; the Megane RS still holds that title. But this kitted M135i here delivers the goods; tenacious power delivery, quick-shifting transmission and an exhaust note that is unforgettable. The handling department could still do with a little bit of tightening, but only if you are willing to compromise on overall ride comfort.
So if you are looking at the M135i, make sure you kit it out like this example. Or you can enquire with Munich Automobiles for this unit here that happens to be on sale…