[G2G]

obvious...

[Ghetto2315]

That was cute. I hate hatches...

[bmhewett]

i just tested drive the M135i at the dealer, wow!! it really pulls!

[135iMsportCoupe]

Originally Posted by Mr. Nice

Aw, c'mon...I did said 'M' labeling before there actually WAS an M135i!

[rev7400]

I wonder how a Subaru STi would do in that. would probably take 2nd.

[Mickcasey]

it could be nice with Golf R and Audi S3

[Aussie_in_London]

Originally Posted by zvvbmw

Obvious win for the M135i
In my opinion the only hot hatches that will put a fight for the BMW will be the AMG A-Class Mercedes and MAYBE the Ford Focus RS model...

I don't understand why USA didn't get this car From what I see there are a lot of people who would buy one.

A stock Focus RS will be pretty much on par with the the megane......

[Fuman]

Originally Posted by begge

Why wait for the M235i? Do what I did: bought a low mileage 2010 135i Msport coupe for 12 grand less than new, added a 4-pipe exhaust, carbon fiber rear spoiler and diffuser, & the Dinan Stage 2 engine map. Just need PSS tires when my runflats wear out, which could be soon with 376bhp/400 ft-lbs! Oh...almost forgot...& put an 'M' badge on the trunk lid in front of the '135i' numerals

+1

[amdmaxx]

nice!!! concept, like 4 series?

Originally Posted by Jason

US will get the M235i, the coupe version of this car.

Stay tuned next week

[Jason]

We've spied the M235i and 2 Series Coupe!

Check it out via the Homepage!

[ptack]

First off, comparing the M135i to those other cars was like bringing a gun to a knife fight. You didn't need to waste the gas to know who was winning that one.
Second, 235i??? Where does that fit in the projected 2 series line up? -The announcement says the M2 will only have a turbo 4 cylinder engine so what's a 235i?
I'd say if you want to be able to get a gun for knife fights you better buy a 135i now because I doubt BMW is going to give you the easy pass to 400hp (N54/52 w/tune) unless you pay for a 4 series.

[hovabongz]

This was done by Car magazine in South Africa and although the M135i won the drag race , it was surprising to note that along Kayalami racing circuit the megane was quicker that the M135i disappointing both driven by Deon whose probably the quickest man around that circuit

[ozinaldo]

Originally Posted by hovabongz

This was done by Car magazine in South Africa and although the M135i won the drag race , it was surprising to note that along Kayalami racing circuit the megane was quicker that the M135i disappointing both driven by Deon whose probably the quickest man around that circuit

Well, if he was disappointed because of the fact that Megane was quicker car around the track than he knows nothing about the Megane. It is the fastest handling fwd car in the world and was developed very much for the tracks with an lsd and all other artillery needed by the Renault Motor Sport. It has better lap times than many much more expensive sports cars and even some super cars. I am not surprised, not at all. A M135i is still more of a road car by design and purpose.

And did they reveal the lap times? Isn't this the same guy (long hair) who almost cried in an interview after testing a 1M on the Kyalami circuit, saying "I can't believe they built a car like this"? I remember (now checking...and back) he clocked a 2.01.17 while the comparison car (Audi RS3) did only 2.05.50.

[monkawekrue]

talk about an easy win.

[PR3CI5N]

That would've been a great comparison between which hatch is quickest but is all it really showed was how superior the Bimmer is over the rest. I didn't think the M135i was going to destroy those care like it did. Pretty impressive.

[deonvdw]

Originally Posted by hovabongz

This was done by Car magazine in South Africa and although the M135i won the drag race , it was surprising to note that along Kayalami racing circuit the megane was quicker that the M135i disappointing both driven by Deon whose probably the quickest man around that circuit

Hmmm, actually the track test was done at a circuit called Killarney (in Cape Town) and not Kayalami (in Gauteng). The drag race (video) was at a small airfield just outside Cape Town.

The lap time for the Renault Megane 265 RB7 was 1:27,714 and the M135i was 1:27,874 (2nd quickest). Astra OPC came third with 1:27,961. There was also a qoute from Chris Harris saying the South African M135i was on different (worse) rubber than the Euro spec cars. No idea what rubber it is... the car mag doesn't have photos of the wheels/tyres themselves.

[ozinaldo]

Originally Posted by deonvdw

Hmmm, actually the track test was done at a circuit called Killarney (in Cape Town) and not Kayalami (in Gauteng). The drag race (video) was at a small airfield just outside Cape Town.

The lap time for the Renault Megane 265 RB7 was 1:27,714 and the M135i was 1:27,874 (2nd quickest). Astra OPC came third with 1:27,961. There was also a qoute from Chris Harris saying the South African M135i was on different (worse) rubber than the Euro spec cars. No idea what rubber it is... the car mag doesn't have photos of the wheels/tyres themselves.

Interesting info, maybe they put the run-flat options on that car or on every SA car instead of the PSS.

Those lap time differences are really too little to call it a final call and a bit disappointing for the BMW, can be the tire choice.

[deonvdw]

Originally Posted by ozinaldo

Interesting info, maybe they put the run-flat options on that car or on every SA car instead of the PSS.

Those lap time differences are really too little to call it a final call and a bit disappointing for the BMW, can be the tire choice.

Pleasure :-) And totally agree it is too close to really call. Especially if they had the wrong rubber on there. The article says they felt the BMW had traction/grip issues. So different tyre different day....

It is a pity they don't say what tyres was on the BMW - on the photos you can see something that looks like a rib/lip around the mags (like on the Potenza RFTs on the E90). So it may well be RFT - yet when I ordered my M135i auto I was specifically told that RFT is not an option for the auto. (Some mix up on the test car?) I'm curious what will be on my car when it arrives late Jan... The (auto) car I saw at the dealership definitely had nonRFT Michelin tyres on. Unfortunately I can't recall the model :-(

[rickk]

Over here you can order the m135i with RFTs, no cost option.

[deonvdw]

Originally Posted by rickk

Over here you can order the m135i with RFTs, no cost option.

RFT on the M135i is also a no cost option here, but only on the manual. RFT on the auto is simply not an option. I specifically asked :-) and is confimed by what I read elsewhere on the web.

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by deonvdw

RFT on the M135i is also a no cost option here, but only on the manual. RFT on the auto is simply not an option. I specifically asked :-) and is confimed by what I read elsewhere on the web.

Did they say anything about the logic involved? I don't quite understand the link between the transmission and the tires.

[ozinaldo]

Originally Posted by ovekvam

Did they say anything about the logic involved? I don't quite understand the link between the transmission and the tires.

There probably is no link, that's why. Very probably an ignorant dealer's bs. I would love to hear that logic behind!