Not at all what I thought ...
Photo: Kenan Cohen, Kenan Cohen
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The BMW M135i really wasn't what I expected - it was just great. So just before you turn your back on abandoning the rear paddle, take it for a spin. And in general, don't turn her back, she bites
Kenan Cohen
16/02/2020After BMW surprised and moved to the front row in the new Series 1, relinquishing the German manufacturer's ironclad property, and a feature that has accompanied it since BMW's compact launch, it is increasing and its stronger version, at least so far She pulls out with double propulsion. Not the first time a hot compact does this, Volkswagen out there with the Golf R, Mercedes with the previous generation of the A Class (and the current one in the A35AMG version) and of course Audi who has been using this type of paddle for years with the S3. Not only is this common to all three, but also the fact that they are not the strongest in their family (except for golf), but try to constitute some kind of dynamic compromise for a significantly cheaper price.
manufacturerExceeded MDS
Despite the sleek appearance of the new Series 1, with the M135 add-on package that comes with the M Performance add-ons, it manages to look sporty and muscular. The combination of the rims, and the blue calipers of the brakes behind them, the air cones in the front spoiler to the rear wing, produce a performance that obscures its roundness. All of this sits perfectly on the blue color of the test car that suits her very much.
The passenger compartment in this version is very well equipped compared to the standard series we used to drive.
The exquisite seats at the base are joined by a combination of inverted leather and fabric that adds some extra grip to their body. The list of toys is also very long and it marks V on almost every supplement to put here. From the large, detailed, touchable multimedia screen, through the dial or voice playback to the digital dashboard, both 10.25 inches.
In this version, Series 1 presents the optional and well-equipped driver environment
Road test: BMW M135i (Photo: Keenan Cohen, Keenan Cohen)
On the long and familiar list of safety systems, this version adds the latest generation BMW parking system, capable of independently driving the last 50 meters.
In terms of front and back space, like its spacious front-facing sister better than before, but not something out of the ordinary - two decent adults. The third will have no space between them and no room for legs, due to the canal on the floor. The trunk, as in the 380-liter front-wheel-drive version and the replacement wheel, replaces a weighting kit.
Two passengers without a problem, the third is no longer fun
Road test: BMW M135i (Photo: Keenan Cohen, Keenan Cohen)
Double and double pleasure
The BMW M135 no longer has a six-cylinder engine that sits deep behind the front wheels, along with moving to the front propulsion platform, it also moves to prevent four transverse cylinders in a more forward position. The volume is 2.0 liters and the power is 306 kW at 5,000 rpm, the torque is 45.9 kgs at 1,750 rpm.
The engine wakes up in Gregor and "rrrrrrrrrmmmmmmmrrrrrrrrrrr" from M Performance's exhaust system, is one of the musical engines in its genre, but knows when to speak loudly and when to be quiet. At 1,525kg it's not a light car, but able to get out of place fast, determined and strong. 4.8 seconds per 100 and jump control puts it on the "right" side of 5 seconds. The midrange is also a strong push to the back as it moves from a leisurely cruiser to three-speed Medical.
Road test: BMW M135i (Photo: Keenan Cohen, Keenan Cohen)
The engine does not have the six-cylinder nature of the column, with its linear and smooth attraction, and still, it is a very joyful engine. The turbocharger spins fast and much, reducing the turbo lag, which is very good for accelerating power. Which means it pulls out of turns at a continuous rate even from those dense ones that require low rpm.
Unlike the 120 that uses a dual-clutch robotic gearbox which is just fine, here, with the right box - ZF's 8-speed planetary automatic, the best planetary box I've ever encountered - has the perfect match. She's flowing and smooth in driving, and also knows how to do the bit of aggressive gearing with power beats in her sporty position.
The add-on package blurs the series-1 blockbuster appearance
Road test: BMW M135i (Photo: Keenan Cohen, Keenan Cohen)
By the time the new Series 1 was unveiled, we already knew it would come in front paddle and that the strong versions would use dual paddle. I came across it neutral and innocent from early assumptions, and after driving the front paddle I noted that while it has lost a unique and beloved feature, it certainly exhibits excellent road behavior. In contrast, the dual-propulsion version I come up with is an early discount - I do not tolerate dual propulsion for the road in sports cars. They do not have the advantages of rear propulsion and have some of the disadvantages of front propulsion. Yes, they produce traction - the ability to lower power to the ground - better, but it creates a fast car, not necessarily fun to drive.
Road test: BMW M135i (Photo: Keenan Cohen, Keenan Cohen)
But here, the combination of dimensions, chassis, engine, weight distribution and BMW's excellent traction control that we have already met in the regular Series 1 - create a dual car to the road that is not only fast but also very fun to drive. She sends her horses to the four wheels neutrally and accurately, she has no hint of the kind of propulsion and the handful of benefits she generously distributes. In the quick turns thrown from side to side, including elevation changes, she stuck to the road like a dog for a winter blanket. In fact it is the first since the days of the Mitsubishi IW10 with the dynamic central differential that I really enjoy driving strongly despite the dual paddle - which is a piece of compliment.
Road test: BMW M135i (Photo: Keenan Cohen, Keenan Cohen)
It can be sharp and precise to drive A to B in the shortest possible time and can be completely transformed to another, with the customization mode, one of its four driving modes, leaving all the assemblies on "sport" mode while the adaptive brakes in Comfort mode. So you can take advantage of their relative softness for weight transfer games and small tail slides in direction changes. By the way, it is one of the cars with the most distinctive changes among the ones it offers. It goes from completely calm to economical, to agile in comfort, to momentary "sports" where it is needed like a sonic boarder who sees a tennis ball.
Not as full of character as the six-cylinder engines, but still an excellent unit of power
Road test: BMW M135i (Photo: Keenan Cohen, Keenan Cohen)
So is it perfect? Not entirely. Take the steering wheel for example, it is good, accurate and even with a good amount of feed back to an electric one in a dual propulsion car, it is not Porsche-level, but good. Still, one more "click" in his calibration in sports mode, one that would make it sharper would have made me really happy. The brakes don't even enjoy the initial compliment, these guys pretty much disappointed me. What a gap between their million-dollar look and function. A very dull move, without a starting bite, takes too long to get used to and practice their action - inappropriate.
Obviously, the M135 isn't exactly the car to buy with fuel consumption awareness, but in truth, about 306 horses, its dual propulsion and its ability to move so fast and powerful - 9.8 miles per liter is not a bad number at all.
If they were as good as they look
Road test: BMW M135i (Photo: Keenan Cohen, Keenan Cohen)
Power multiplier
So BMW has moved to the front, okay, get over it, this is how this world works and it may have been a bit difficult for us with the regular Series 1, which has lost a bit of that unique spot to it ever, but in this case of the M135, it's on the table A car that is very good at convincing that even on a dual propulsion - this manufacturer knows how to build and calibrate an excellent driving car. I say more than that, this is one of the more enjoyable driving cars with a BMW icon I recently drove.
Road test: BMW M135i (Photo: Keenan Cohen, Keenan Cohen)
For those who are looking for the purest feeling and willing to compromise on usefulness, perhaps the importer left some M240 with that wonderful engine and rear-wheel drive.
So it's fun, but it comes with a price - NIS 370,000 costs this version and that's a ton of money. Not that there are alternatives that offer what it has. The Audi S3 is less good, but in any case of its days and will change very soon, in the Mercedes A35AMG we have not driven yet and despite the similar figures it costs NIS 420,000 - talking about exaggeration. And you who are going to write in comments that Leon Copper does the same thing for NIS 100,000 less - she doesn't. It's like saying that "hammering wine is just like Glenmoranji Kinta Ruben 12 years in a lot less money" - he isn't.
Road test: BMW M135i (Photo: Keenan Cohen, Keenan Cohen)
On the technical side: BMW M135i
Engine, propulsion: gasoline, turbo, 4 cylinder, dual
Volume: 1,998 cc
Power / rpm (kW): 5,000 / 306
Torque / rpm (kg): 1,750 / 45.9
Gearbox: automatic, 8 gears
Measurements:
Length (cm): 432
Width (cm): 180
Height (cm): 143
Wheelbase (cm): 267
Trunk (liters): 380
Performence:
0-100 acceleration: 4.8 seconds
Maximum speed: 250 mph
Competitors:
Mercedes A35AMG, Audi S3
price:
NIS 370,000
