[TheS9]

After being without a car since August 2013, and having cancelled 2 A45 AMG orders, I finally have picked up the M135i! Previously had a 550hp RWD V8, so I am kind of glad I stuck with RWD setup.

Test drove both the A45 AMG and M135i extensively; and honestly as fast point-to-point the A45 AMG is, the M135i is just so much more enjoyable to me personally (RWD) and much better to commute in (30,000kms + a year).





































And just two of my previous car (very much missed)!

[stifla]

TheS9 your car looks the business. Love the black wheels especially on white and black cars. Where did you pick up the m perf interior parts from? How did the sound of the amg compare to your m-perf? I like the a45 its got an aggressive front end but i feel that front doesnt belong or suit the rest of the car. Hows the little hatch compare to your old holden?

[TheS9]

Thanks for your comments stifla.

I simply ordered the M Performance parts (and fitted prior to delivery) from the dealer, which I got at a great price with some negotiations. I ordered the steering wheel without the race display, but ended up with the race display model (which is much more expensive)! At first I didn't like it, but since it displays oil and water temps - it is a keeper for me!

Honestly, I prefer the M135i sound as that 6 cylinder makes a sweet sweet noise (despite the in-cabin sound enhancer), and the ZF auto gear 'farts' I prefer over the 'crack' noise of the A45 AMG gear changes. I plan to add an M Performance exhaust soon to give that extra bit of noise. Ultimately, the A45 AMG is a 4 cylinder, so to me it sounds pretty underwhelming - especially actual engine noise which is basically non existent (the AMG's noise is all from the exhaust).

Another problem I found with the A45 AMG is simply it is gutless under 2,500 RPM (again being a 4 cylinder engine with a massive turbo), while the M135i is happy at 1,200 RPM and can move well from those revs. So for commuting it is rubbish.

And another big killer for me is the DCT 7 Speed in the A45 AMG - in manual mode, when hitting the downshift paddle, it simply will not select the lower gear until the gearbox/software thought it was optimal to do so. The ZF is one hell of a gearbox! Not noticeably slower than the A45 AMG's DCT on changes, and much more competent at low speeds, stop/start etc, and will actually accept your downshifts immediately.

I find the A45 AMG looks a bit to cutesy for me with its portions, while I find the M135i looks better (subjective) with its longer bonnet. And I prefer the understated/plain look of the M135i, rather than the stand out appearance of the A45 AMG. And that goes the same with the interior - while the A45 AMG interior is great quality and refined, the fake carbon trim, boy-racer look, and silly tablet style attached screen kills it for me.

Not to say the A45 AMG is a bad car, just not suitable for my business use/commuting. If it was the perfect world - a M135i for daily commute, and the A45 AMG for a weekend toy (or sod them all off and get a C63 AMG! ). The A45 AMG.... simply cannot find a faster car point-to-point for the money, it is simply mind-blowing.

As for my old Holden, it was a manual moderately cammed V8, so it was pushing big power (415+hp at rear wheels). It went bloody hard, and you cannot beat that rumble of a cammed dirty V8. But honestly, the engine and gearbox combo of the M135i is simply too hard to beat. The M135i certainly feels as quick, if not quicker than the old V8 - but if it had a peach of a gear box like the ZF 8 Speed, it would be a different story. But I'd imagine once you get up with the speed, the V8 will definitely pull ahead.

Either way, the SSV was terrible as a commuting car (was a weekend car until work situation changed) and sucked 15 - 19 litres per 100kms depending on traffic!!!

[stifla]

You took the words out of my mouth re a45. My wifes seen these on the road and she calls them cute! Great to see your dealer was on the ball with m perf parts. I ordered the m135i last feb. I asked the guy for black m perf grilles and he had no idea about getting them in at the time! I wont name the dealership but the experience I had with them from start to finish I would never ever go back

[TheS9]

Sorry to hear about your dealership experience.

Mine was the complete opposite, it was exceptional! When I requested some M Performance Parts, they too didn't have any idea. So I provided them an M Performance catalogue from the BMW website, they consulted with their parts department, and was all sorted with no issues!

They could not source the M Performance exhaust directly though due to ADR laws etc. However, if I source it from a BMW performance shop and have them fit it at the dealership, they will provide 5 year warranty on their work.

[ovekvam]

The interior looks great with that steering wheel and the M-Performance trim.

[ttimbo]

Nice looking car, with some tasteful additions. I hope you're enjoying it, as I do mine.

[Simon H]

Love the look of the car mate,
Well chosen additions. The rims look bigger, and seem to fill the arches better, being finished in gloss black ?. The M135i is just a fantastic car all round to me. Its almost a secret, that only a few chaps in the know, realise how good the car is. I have the auto, and adaptive suspension, so being able to choose a setting, thats great for your mood and driving condition, is invaluable. There alway seems to be a correct setting to attack any situation, on the road at least, as i dont track this car. To me, the car also shows, that you dont have to go out and spend mega $, to own a very capable, and satisfying performance car. Regards, SIMON.

[TheS9]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Indeed, BMW body shop painted the wheels gloss black and the calipers gloss red (free of charge too) - which is backed up with their warranty for 5 years!

Completely agree with you Simon! This car is a hidden gem with that immense engine, silky smooth ZF auto, and adaptive suspension. Perfect for my huge amount of work/business travel, but can unleash the car when required! I am absolutely enjoying this car, desite 95% of my driving is commuting for work and business use.

Down here in Australia, I personally do not see many of them on the roads. Everyone is jumping on the A45 AMG (well speced and priced here), new Golf GTI/R (so bloody many of these cars), and the new Audi S3!!!

[Brissie]

Can I ask how much less than the a45 did you pay for everything on your car?

[DECVING]

Looks great, you went a similar colour scheme to me. Our cars are siblings haha. I also got the mirror caps and front silver strips on the bottom left and right grills painted black too.

Went red callipers too, the M Performance ones with larger discs. I've added a M Performance front lip too.

Hope you're enjoying it.

[DECVING]

Another photo..

[DECVING]

And another..

[TheS9]

Love your car mate! Looks the business!!!

[Robo_70]

Thanks for posting TheS9.. I am in a similar situation to you. Sold my supercharged 500KW HSV last year.. (love and miss that bottom end torque! ) have decided on the M135i as I feared the A45 would be like the STIs I.e. No action until is spinning at 3000rpm, seems you have confirmed this.
Seems to be a lot of A45s hitting the used market also, makes you wonder why. Yet still a 10 month wait for a new one.

[papertiger]

must say your car looks great. Especially like the coral red interior towards the white exterior.

[TheS9]

Originally Posted by Robo_70

Thanks for posting TheS9.. I am in a similar situation to you. Sold my supercharged 500KW HSV last year.. (love and miss that bottom end torque! ) have decided on the M135i as I feared the A45 would be like the STIs I.e. No action until is spinning at 3000rpm, seems you have confirmed this.
Seems to be a lot of A45s hitting the used market also, makes you wonder why. Yet still a 10 month wait for a new one.

Agreed, there are heaps of A45s on the Australian market. I would take a guess that many rushed in on hype and ordered one without ever seeing one in the flesh or test-driving one prior to delivery. Some realised it doesn't suit their driving, tastes, or expectations - and then end up on the market.'

A lot of people need to remember that MB claim a 0 - 100km time of 4.6s... but that is only achievable with launch control. A stock A45 will struggle to do 5 seconds flat without it.

Around 100 kms off doing the first 2,000 (run-in) kms... then flew out to Tokyo!!! ARRGGHHHH!!!

[DECVING]

Originally Posted by TheS9

Agreed, there are heaps of A45s on the Australian market. I would take a guess that many rushed in on hype and ordered one without ever seeing one in the flesh or test-driving one prior to delivery. Some realised it doesn't suit their driving, tastes, or expectations - and then end up on the market.'

A lot of people need to remember that MB claim a 0 - 100km time of 4.6s... but that is only achievable with launch control. A stock A45 will struggle to do 5 seconds flat without it.

Around 100 kms off doing the first 2,000 (run-in) kms... then flew out to Tokyo!!! ARRGGHHHH!!!

See what you mean on the A45, really interesting! There is about 15 for sale privately on carsales.com.au, all 2013 and have done very few kms (24 for sale in total) vs 5 M135i for sale privately (29 in total). Given how hard it was to get hold of A45's i think this is really quite bizarre...shows they musn't be too enjoyable day to day!

Didn't realise the 0-100 time of 4.6 was reliant on launch control as well.

[_Siin_]

Love the colour scheme.
I too got the red with white.

I've only seen one or two in Bris with that combo ... Which end of town are you?

[Cateye]

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=976723

The MP rotor brakes are the same size as stock M135 (blue) caliper rotor.. only that its dimple/slotted. In fact you could just change the rotor but coding is need. A few guys have done it.
Cheers

[TheS9]

Originally Posted by _Siin_

Love the colour scheme.
I too got the red with white.

I've only seen one or two in Bris with that combo ... Which end of town are you?

Indeed, good taste you must have!

I am up north of Brisbane, not far north of North Lakes (hate the city after working and living there for 6 + years!).

[_Siin_]

Originally Posted by TheS9

Indeed, good taste you must have!

I am up north of Brisbane, not far north of North Lakes (hate the city after working and living there for 6 + years!).

Clean cut & a bit wild on the inside

My business tends to be inner central so I'm in the heart of town. There seems to be a few floating around in bris now