[splash73]

Just ordered a estoril blue m135i with man tran to replace my beloved 09 135i coupe with jb4 with auto tran. Was a tough decision because I love the looks of the coupe but it's getting on in years and the 2 series doesn't do it for me looks wise. Why the m135? - that engine and rear wheel drive with manual. Nothing else for the money compares. My main regret will be going from a coupe to a hatch because they just don't look as sporty or prestigious imho. I guess that's my main question. Do you find your hatch feels special enough or at the end of the day do you know your driving a great car BUT deep down you know it's a hatch back?

[WAY]

Originally Posted by splash73

Just ordered a estoril blue m135i with man tran to replace my beloved 09 135i coupe with jb4 with auto tran. Was a tough decision because I love the looks of the coupe but it's getting on in years and the 2 series doesn't do it for me looks wise. Why the m135? - that engine and rear wheel drive with manual. Nothing else for the money compares. My main regret will be going from a coupe to a hatch because they just don't look as sporty or prestigious imho. I guess that's my main question. Do you find your hatch feels special enough or at the end of the day do you know your driving a great car BUT deep down you know it's a hatch back?

I used to have a 135i manual too back in 08. Great car, but mine was anything but stock. The front half of the car was carbon fibre to start with.

To answer your question, I'm not sure what is special any more these days to be honest. I guess a M3/M4 feels a bit more special because of the more opulent interior, but that has nothing to do with the shape of the car. Do I feel my M4 was more special than my M3 because it was a coupe? Not in my case. I just don't think a coupe is any more special than a hatch or a sedan. For me it comes down to how it drives. I also currently have a Megane RS275 Trophy-R, and to me that is a very special car. The M135i is no less special or prestigious than a M235i in my eyes, but certainly is less special than a M2 but not because it's a hatch. If they had a 1M hatch I would see that as even more special than a M2!

[splash73]

You also described your car as useful

[splash73]

Good to hear. I'm sure I'll love it just curious what others think after driving and owning one for a while.

[WAY]

Originally Posted by splash73

You also described your car as useful

To be fair I don't think useful and special are not mutually exclusive. A car can be useful and very very special! I'll give you an extreme example. A parent at my kid's school has a Ferrari FF that he uses as a daily driver and picking up his 3 kids at school. He described the car to me as "very useful Ferrari", but it sure as hell is a special car!

[WAY]

Originally Posted by splash73

Good to hear. I'm sure I'll love it just curious what others think after driving and owning one for a while.

Yeah not to worry, you will love the car!

[splash73]

What's your problem em135eye I'm asking for owners thoughts on their car not an assessment of my ego or suggesting I'm a poser. Trolls like you ruin forums.

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by splash73

No one cares how their car makes them feel? Your deluded. We would all be driving Subarus outbacks if that was the case.

I thought it was the other way around, that those offroad cars are mostly about image ("oh look at me, I go hiking in the mountains in the weekends!"). The F20 is a very practical car.

[Em135eye]

Originally Posted by ovekvam

I thought it was the other way around, that those offroad cars are mostly about image ("oh look at me, I go hiking in the mountains in the weekends!"). The F20 is a very practical car.

Not in snow, ice, mud, etc.

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by Em135eye

Not in snow, ice, mud, etc.

Not? If I had a choice between the F20 and a Subaru Outback when going for an ice racing weekend, I surely wouldn't choose the Subaru! As for mud, I would not drive in it at all. Maybe with my mountain bike. For the cars, we have roads, paved with tarmac.

[ttimbo]

Originally Posted by splash73

Just ordered a estoril blue m135i with man tran to replace my beloved 09 135i coupe with jb4 with auto tran. Was a tough decision because I love the looks of the coupe but it's getting on in years and the 2 series doesn't do it for me looks wise. Why the m135? - that engine and rear wheel drive with manual. Nothing else for the money compares. My main regret will be going from a coupe to a hatch because they just don't look as sporty or prestigious imho. I guess that's my main question. Do you find your hatch feels special enough or at the end of the day do you know your driving a great car BUT deep down you know it's a hatch back?

"That engine and rear wheel drive" surely makes it special enough, relative to all other hatches. Indeed, the fact it is quite unassuming, is one of the key reasons it feels "special" to me. It seems quite meek and mild in the car park, but when you start the engine, people suddenly look and ask "what's that got in it?!"

[No one]

Originally Posted by splash73

I love the looks of the coupe but it's getting on in years and the 2 series doesn't do it for me looks wise.
...
Do you find your hatch feels special enough or at the end of the day do you know your driving a great car BUT deep down you know it's a hatch back?

So a 5 door hatchback, even provided LCI does look much (much more than pre-LCI) like the 2 Series, does look more like a 1 Series coupe than the 2 Series? I just can't help guessing it's the 20% price difference (ridiculously hard to dig on bmw.com.au!) that actually "doesn't do". And the rest is just pointless then.

If still not: I bought my F21 because I failed to afford a 125i coupe. No questions asked. I don't really suffer from it's being a hatchback (not "deep down", definitely), it's just a bit annoying as I hardly have any use for hatchback practicality while I would like the coupe sporty/light looks. Couldn't care less about prestige, though. And yes, no way I would consider a 5 door or an AT (I did dismiss a couple of stock ones to bargain in favour of the order actually).

[splash73]

Geez I'm leaving this forum as fast as i joined. I LIKE THE CAR I BOUGHT ONE -HELLO? Do you like your m135 or not? Do you feel good when you drive it? i.e. makes you feel special? All of a sudden I'm a poser trying to create a e82 clone. I'll just go back to reading reviews online thanks and you can hate on each other about someone else's question.

[ttimbo]

Originally Posted by splash73

Geez I'm leaving this forum as fast as i joined. I LIKE THE CAR I BOUGHT ONE -HELLO? Do you like your m135 or not? Do you feel good when you drive it? i.e. makes you feel special? All of a sudden I'm a poser trying to create a e82 clone. I'll just go back to reading reviews online thanks and you can hate on each other about someone else's question.

splash, I wouldn't get put off by someone who obviously got out of bed on the wrong side, and another whose first language isn't English. Generally, people are pretty helpful on this forum. Let me tell you, you'll feel special each time you push the accelerator down on a wide open road! Estoril Blue is a pretty special colour, too -- some even combine it with the Red interior trim (known as the "superman" colour scheme) for extra special effect.

[No one]

Originally Posted by splash73

Do you like your m135 or not? Do you feel good when you drive it?

years of an M135i

[johnnydad]

My M135i is heading for its third birthday and it is the most complete and satisfying car I've owned. It's my third BMW (after 2 3ers). What makes it special for me is the driving experience - the silky, characterful engine, the manual box, the RWD, the lack of rattles and the perfect balance between amenity and involvement.

I love the look of the hatch (and the pre-LCI works better to my eyes) - the squat, purposeful, slightly unusual proportions and detailing. Not really worried by what image that portrays but I suppose I'd rather be seen to have chosen the more practical, cheaper, lighter version.

The only thing stopping me ordering an M2 is the lack of hatch - if BMW made an M1 for $94K drive away they'd have my deposit already.

[WAY]

Splash, agree with Timbo. Don't leave, this forum is actually pretty good unlike some of the other forums within BimmerPost. And I have a theory as to why...the lack of Americans (they don't get this car). I have nothing against Americans at all but because cars are so cheap in the US, you get lots of adrenalin charged young blokes coming onto the forums and sometimes they aren't the most tactful people to deal with.

I love the M135i. I think it's a marvellous car. Timbo can tell you that I've had some nice cars and I've had many more cars than your average person. I could have bought a RS3 or A45 instead but chose to come back for a second M135i because my first time left me with a lasting positive impression!

[harkes]

Best car ever. A sleeper one could even argue comparing performance with looks (and especially with a little extra magic under the hood).
I never was much of a poser so it suits me very well - my car is baby-blue btw but I am NOT a poser hahaha

[splash73]

I'm not going anywhere been a reader here for years. Just got a bit annoyed because my question was genuine and not an attack on the car in any way. The more I think about getting the car (April) the more I know I've made the right choice for me. Same as manual v auto. My head said auto my heart manual and I feel this may be one of the last chances I have to order a new rear wheel drive 6 cyl manual. Can't wait to run it out in 3rd. Prob go on YouTube and decide between akro exhaust or BMW pe. Front lip spoiler and 10mm lower and I think it will be a great car.

[matthewcornish]

Like others I drive a manual M135i and it's an amazing driving experience. You'll love the car. Looks are subjective but I've not had anyone tell me the car doesn't look special... and it's what you think that matters. Sportiness? You'll have a hatchback that's faster and a better drive than most of the other cars you see on the average day

[splash73]

Thanks for the feedback. I spotted one on the road today and really liked the look of it. Looking forward to getting back to a manual transmission as well which for me will make this car heaps of fun.

[john-wingnut]

I was in a similar position umming and arring about whether to get an M135i or not, but after having a ride in my friends plus the dealers I was sold.

I also test drove the Golf R and S3, but the M135i just seemed more fun to drive and made me smile.

I originally ordered a manual, which was then cancelled due to no production run or something - or more like the dealer messed up, and I now have the 8 speed auto which I now also love, mainly drive using paddle shift.

The looks are great, new front end on LCI looks more aggressive and sporty, but as above is still understated, which I also like.

Great car