My little review on the BMW M Performance M135i
Introduction
The latest F20 1 Series introduced in 2011 is the 2nd generation of BMW's compact hatchback. It comes with quite a number of different choices of engines (from 1.6L diesel 114d to 2.0L petrol 125i; all being inline 4 cylinders). To have a place within the ever-growing hot hatch market where competitors are offering machines with 250bhp or above (Ford Focus RS, VW Golf R, Audi RS3... to name a few) BMW needs something more powerful.
Enter M Performance - sitting between pure M and the standard models, it offers a new category of vehicles focused on agility, precision and power while retaining the comfort and convenience for everyday use. According to Christof Lischka, Project Manager of M135i, "A typical M automobile has about 80% changed or completely newly developed parts as compared to its equivalent basic model. With the BMW M135i that's around 30%." (The complete interview can be found here).
Enter M Performance - sitting between pure M and the standard models, it offers a new category of vehicles focused on agility, precision and power while retaining the comfort and convenience for everyday use. According to Christof Lischka, Project Manager of M135i, "A typical M automobile has about 80% changed or completely newly developed parts as compared to its equivalent basic model. With the BMW M135i that's around 30%." (The complete interview can be found here).
On paper, the M135i performance figures are pretty promising:
- 2,979cc inline 6 cyclinders engine with a single unit twin-scroll turbocharger
- 320bhp and 450Nm of torque (from 1,300rpm to 4,500rpm)
- 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds (with 8-speed Automatic Transmission)
- Top speed 250km/h (electronically limited)
- Average fuel consumption of 7.5L/100km (also with AT)
What does the above mean in real life? We are about to find out, but first a bit about myself...
Me and My Car
I am from Hong Kong. My first car was a 5-speed MT Peugeot 206GTi (from 2000 - 2009).
Then came the Volkswagen MK6 Golf GTI with 6-speed DSG (from 2009 - 2013).
Before laid down the deposit for the M135i, I've test driven both the F20 118i and the F30 328i. To be honest I am not so sure about the 118i (especially in terms of power as one can imagine I keep comparing it to my Golf! But I need to point out that its handling is superb and perhaps I expected too much, afterall it's a 1.6L engine) but my wife killed all the hesitation by saying "Are you sure you wanna buy a more expensive but slower car?" (A 118i M-Sport edition with a couple of options throw into it cost over $380,000HKD and I bought the Golf for less than $320,000HKD).
As for the 328i, all is well - again great handling; this time very powerful; spacious, comfy and very refined. Except this one thing I couldn't quite live with - its acoustic signature. The latest BMW N20 4 cylinders engine (which supersedes its naturally-aspirated 6 cylinders predecessors) makes this popping sound very much like a diesel; paired with the subtly quiet stock exhaust the 328i soundtrack is anything but passionate.
Having read so many positive reviews and endless youtube search we decided the M135i is the car we are looking for so we placed the order in October/2012 - without doing any test drive because none is available from BMWHK. After some 6 months of waiting (it felt like forever :) it is finally here - OK let's cut the crap and get right to the car... :)
Then came the Volkswagen MK6 Golf GTI with 6-speed DSG (from 2009 - 2013).
Before laid down the deposit for the M135i, I've test driven both the F20 118i and the F30 328i. To be honest I am not so sure about the 118i (especially in terms of power as one can imagine I keep comparing it to my Golf! But I need to point out that its handling is superb and perhaps I expected too much, afterall it's a 1.6L engine) but my wife killed all the hesitation by saying "Are you sure you wanna buy a more expensive but slower car?" (A 118i M-Sport edition with a couple of options throw into it cost over $380,000HKD and I bought the Golf for less than $320,000HKD).
As for the 328i, all is well - again great handling; this time very powerful; spacious, comfy and very refined. Except this one thing I couldn't quite live with - its acoustic signature. The latest BMW N20 4 cylinders engine (which supersedes its naturally-aspirated 6 cylinders predecessors) makes this popping sound very much like a diesel; paired with the subtly quiet stock exhaust the 328i soundtrack is anything but passionate.
Having read so many positive reviews and endless youtube search we decided the M135i is the car we are looking for so we placed the order in October/2012 - without doing any test drive because none is available from BMWHK. After some 6 months of waiting (it felt like forever :) it is finally here - OK let's cut the crap and get right to the car... :)
Specifications
One thing about buying a car in Hong Kong is you don't come to choose the options, the dealer simply throws in whatever they think is useful (or popular, or profitable) and sell the car as a package, and then you can only add extra stuffs but you cannot remove anything... Here the M135i is spec'ed as:
- 8-speed Sport Auto with Steptronic and paddle shift
- Servotronic and Variable Sport Steering
- M-Sport suspension (lowered by 10mm - non-adaptive)
- M-Sport brakes
- Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights
- Metallic Paintwork
(Since my first car is black and my second one is white, I opted in-between for Mineral Grey :) - Leather Dakota upholstery (mine is in Coral Red)
- 6.5" standard iDrive
- Radio Professional (single CD), HiFi loudspeaker system Harman Kardon
- Music Interface for smartphones, extended Bluetooth and USB connectivity
- Extended Instrument Cluster (optional extras)
- Rear view camera (optional extras)
- Plus a whole bunch of stuffs...
According to the online VIN decoder, mine was built on the 19/Jan/2013 at Regensburg, Germany.
Exterior Design
If there is one thing people complain about M Performance vehicles is their subtlety or the lack of uniqueness. Well I am not a big fan of aggressive look but still I would say a little touch to make it more special would be welcome, they just look so much like the standard models! Below are some photos for comparison.
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| F20 118i M Sport Edition (Captured from BMWUK online configurator) | |
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| F20 M135i | |
Now you can't spot the difference between the two no? To begin with there is no fog light, in return there are larger air inlets (for better cooling) with a ferric grey blades in the middle. The same ferric grey color has been used on the mirror cap (on the standard models it's either in body color or in high gloss black).
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| The front showing the enlarged air inlets for engine and brakes cooling |
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On the side it is just like a standard model with M-Sport bodykit. The F20 has a rather muscular look with a clear waistline and visually wider rear. The 18" M double-spoke 436M light alloy rims are bespoke for the M135i.
Great thing about the M135i is it doesn't run on RFT (run-flat tires)! Instead it's fitted with the Michelin Pilot Super Sport. One can also see the M-Sport brake system with enlarged 17" discs, 4-pots fixed calipers at the front, 2-pots fixed calipers at the rear.
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| Michelin Pilot Super Sport: 225/40ZR18 at the front, a wider 245/35ZR18 at the rear | |
Moving to the rear end of the car, the only noticeable differences are of course the ///M135i badge :) and the split tailpipes in black. Also shown in the picture below is the optional extra rear view camera (pinhole-like above the license plate). This design has one big disadvantage - it's naked and catches water drops, moist or dirt easily! This makes it not very useful in adverse conditions when it is needed most! If BMW is listening, please move the camera inside the BMW badge and pops it up when being used (VW has done it). I heard they did this for higher end models like the 6 series but man the camera is not cheap so don't rip us off like that!
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| LED tail light (brake lights are using bulbs though) |
Interior Design
Again not much of a surprise here. Overall speaking the F20's interior is very well built, very driver-oriented and provides enough luxury - for the front anyway. As a RWD hatchback, I don't expect to have a lot of space for the trunk and the rear seats (especially the middle one which practically sits on top of the driveshaft). However I have to say in terms of spaciousness my Golf's done a better job.
A few areas to highlight, first of all is the sport seats which are brilliant! Provides comprehensive adjustments to make every desired sitting position possible, with the width of the backrest adjustable one can also make the seat to perfectly embrace the body, probably even better than fixed-width bucket seat does.
When it comes to steering wheel I have many don't-like's - wood trim; large in diameter; more than 3 spokes, thin rim... The M Sport leather steering wheel with mutlifunction buttons and gear shift paddles has none of the above and I simply love it! With it widen rim and very soft material it sits comfortably and firmly in my hands.
As an optional extra, I've fitted the car with extended instrument cluster. This features a larger LCD display occupying the lower right corner of the dash showing information from the on-board computer and the "EfficientDynamics" meter. It might sound silly but I am glad I've added this - I later found out that only with this option will I see the "M Performance" greeting message when enter or exit the car :)
Moving to the center console there is the 6.5" standard iDrive screen standing, almost all controls (vehicle settings, in-car entertainment etc.) are done through the iDrive system. The gear lever is a pure electronic joystick with only one physical movement possible - push to the left for M/S mode, whereas changing position between P,R,N and D are simply toggles. The same design applies to the indicator and wiper stalk as well.
A few complains unfortunately. First of all is visibility to the dash, I don't know whether it's just me but usually I prefer to sit as low and upright as possible and have the steering wheel a bit higher and closer but this way it almost completely blocked the odometer (bottom part of the dash). Next, perhaps BMW is too confident in their machinery (pun :) or thinks we lesser being just don't care about it - the on-board computer doesn't show coolant and oil temperature! I also prefer they show the current running gear in D mode but sadly that's not the case. There are also a number of minor ergonomic issues as well, but they are relatively easy to live with, just to name a few:
When it comes to steering wheel I have many don't-like's - wood trim; large in diameter; more than 3 spokes, thin rim... The M Sport leather steering wheel with mutlifunction buttons and gear shift paddles has none of the above and I simply love it! With it widen rim and very soft material it sits comfortably and firmly in my hands.
As an optional extra, I've fitted the car with extended instrument cluster. This features a larger LCD display occupying the lower right corner of the dash showing information from the on-board computer and the "EfficientDynamics" meter. It might sound silly but I am glad I've added this - I later found out that only with this option will I see the "M Performance" greeting message when enter or exit the car :)
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| Extended Instrument Cluster | Greeted by ///M Performance :) |
Moving to the center console there is the 6.5" standard iDrive screen standing, almost all controls (vehicle settings, in-car entertainment etc.) are done through the iDrive system. The gear lever is a pure electronic joystick with only one physical movement possible - push to the left for M/S mode, whereas changing position between P,R,N and D are simply toggles. The same design applies to the indicator and wiper stalk as well.
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| Playing musics from USB drive |
Notice the authentic sequential pattern of push - and pull + arrangement :) |
Harman Kardon loudspeakers (including subwoofers underneath the front seats) |
A few complains unfortunately. First of all is visibility to the dash, I don't know whether it's just me but usually I prefer to sit as low and upright as possible and have the steering wheel a bit higher and closer but this way it almost completely blocked the odometer (bottom part of the dash). Next, perhaps BMW is too confident in their machinery (pun :) or thinks we lesser being just don't care about it - the on-board computer doesn't show coolant and oil temperature! I also prefer they show the current running gear in D mode but sadly that's not the case. There are also a number of minor ergonomic issues as well, but they are relatively easy to live with, just to name a few:
- You can adjust volume, skip tracks, change audio source on the steering wheel BUT you can't pause?
- The passenger mirror lower itself when in reverse to ease parking, however it is not adjustable (the exact angle is fixed, previously with the Golf one can do full adjustment and store it in memory).
- I simply have no clue why BMW has gone all the hassle to only unlock that single door if you pull the door handle instead of using the central lock button.
- I checked everywhere online and I am quite sure our iDrive system is capable of showing album artwork from USB or iPhone audio source. I asked BMWHK about this and the official answer is it is disabled because it is against Hong Kong traffic regulations to show images during driving!? Com'on please enlighten me on this! (Yet to find out whether they are bluffing, will try to follow this up)
Power and Delivery
If M Performance is about power then the M135i doesn't disappoint at all. Deployed with the 3.0L 6 cylinders, 24 valves DOHC N55HP engine featuring variable valve lift (Valvetronic), camshaft timing control (VANOS), direct fuel injection and a single unit twin-scroll turbocharger (BMW Twin Power). Thanks to the twin-scroll setup which provides better exhaust scavenging, and the 3 litre straight six larger displacement - turbo lag is barely noticeable and can easily pulls away at virtually all rev range and speed (well at least from those that I've tested). Want to quickly escape from a pack? Want to blow somebody off at a red light? Or simply want to lose your license? - it's all down to your right foot! :)
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| 3.0L inline 6 engine with the "M Performance" emblem under the bonnet - what an incredible machine! |
Driving Experience Control
Fitted on almost all BMW latest models is the driving mode selector. There are 4 modes to choose from: "ECO PRO", "Comfort" (the default), "Sport" and "Sport+". To my understanding, these are just presets of the combinations of ECU mapping, gearbox behavior, throttle response and steering assistance to adapt to different driving environments and needs. Since I don't have adaptive suspension fitted (one that can change damper stiffness electronically), the mode selector won't have any effect on it.
In "ECO PRO", the car gears toward efficiency (more on that later) where the throttle response becomes very soft, I reckon it is only useful when you are cruising on highway and are not in the mood for a sprint. "Comfort" is the all-rounder mode; you can creep through traffic if used gently or when needed, still offer enough response for acceleration.
"Sport" is where the fun begins :) Immediately one feels the car being alive, the exhaust gets louder, the throttle gets a lot sharper, steering feels more solid and the gearbox allows you to rev higher before upshift. I once tried to break from a pack of slow moving cars (much like a cone challenge) going uphill at around 60km/h: a tap on the gear shift paddle for one gear down, switch to "Sport", bang it on the right foot and booooom! Before I noticed I am already at 120km/h and that was soooOOO satisfying! :) I've yet to experience "Sport+" but as far as I know it is just the same as "Sport" with DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) activated, that should allow more wheelspin and perhaps some sideway maneuver. Well may be later when the weather gets better (It's been raining ever since I pick up my car)...
One side note as a FYI - when I initially picked up the car I was confused by the brakes behavior (pedal travel distance described above) but later noticed it stopped only when I depress the pedal very hard (more than half way down). So I took the car back to service and they said the brake lines got air in and needs bleeding, hope this is an independent incident and not a general issue.
I will certainly keep posting new findings about the car, meanwhile more photos can be found in my flickr, enjoy!.
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"Sport" is where the fun begins :) Immediately one feels the car being alive, the exhaust gets louder, the throttle gets a lot sharper, steering feels more solid and the gearbox allows you to rev higher before upshift. I once tried to break from a pack of slow moving cars (much like a cone challenge) going uphill at around 60km/h: a tap on the gear shift paddle for one gear down, switch to "Sport", bang it on the right foot and booooom! Before I noticed I am already at 120km/h and that was soooOOO satisfying! :) I've yet to experience "Sport+" but as far as I know it is just the same as "Sport" with DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) activated, that should allow more wheelspin and perhaps some sideway maneuver. Well may be later when the weather gets better (It's been raining ever since I pick up my car)...
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Gearbox
The 8-speed Sport Automatic Transmission is ZF's 8HP gearbox. Initially I was a bit skeptical about this (as for all slushboxes for that matter) - my first car was a manual which I got total control and a lot of fun; my second car was a dual-clutch DSG which I lost some control but gained some extra fun in return (swift upshift and very sweet blipping when downshift). As it turns out, the 8HP is pretty responsive yet very smooth. Upshifts are quick, power delivery is only minimally interrupted thanks to the closely-packed gears. In ECO PRO and Comfort mode, the gearbox shifts up as soon as possible for better fuel economy and in Sport mode, you have enough grunt and solid "punchy" feeling when shifting. The gearbox is also quite flexible, playing around with the paddles, one can go up and down more than one gear rapidly without any problem.
One minor issue though. The gearbox (at least in Comfort mode) tends to stay in the first two or three gears longer than expected - especially in slow traffic when you have to stay within speed. Compare that to my Golf, the DSG software will quickly change to 3rd or 4th even if throttle position was kept at the lower rev range. I suppose that just take time getting used to...
One minor issue though. The gearbox (at least in Comfort mode) tends to stay in the first two or three gears longer than expected - especially in slow traffic when you have to stay within speed. Compare that to my Golf, the DSG software will quickly change to 3rd or 4th even if throttle position was kept at the lower rev range. I suppose that just take time getting used to...
Machine Acoustics
The joy begins the moment you switch on the engine! A loud "wooooh" engine note can be heard and the car enters the warm up cycle. At idle one can still pretty sure to hear the low pitch engine sound telling you it is ready to pump it up - see the video below (sorry for the rather poor quality):
Perhaps the sound proofing of the cabin is so well done BMW has to fit an electronic sound synthesizer to artificially boost the engine sound through the front loudspeakers - they called this Active Sound Design :) Good news though, for the exhaust it is not that "unreal" and you constantly hearing the popping sound when changing gear. Best thing about the exhaust is in "Sport", it is constantly giving out this low pitch moaning reminding you it is ready to go, such an adrenaline booster! :)
Perhaps the sound proofing of the cabin is so well done BMW has to fit an electronic sound synthesizer to artificially boost the engine sound through the front loudspeakers - they called this Active Sound Design :) Good news though, for the exhaust it is not that "unreal" and you constantly hearing the popping sound when changing gear. Best thing about the exhaust is in "Sport", it is constantly giving out this low pitch moaning reminding you it is ready to go, such an adrenaline booster! :)
Handling
Probably the most import omission to the M135i (thus making it not a pure M car) is the absence of a limited-slip differential (LSD). Frankly I am no drifters, in Hong Kong we seldom have the chance for a track day and last but not least I am not a professional racer hence I am yet to miss this feature - so can't really comment on it.Brakes
For those who came from the VAG (Volkswagen-Audi Group) family like I did would have accustomed to its heavy servo-assisted brakes. BMW takes a different approach here - instead of acting like an on-off switch, the pedal travel distance is longer and more linear to offers finer grain of control. However the M Sport brakes doesn't seem to possess the enormous stopping power I was expecting, honestly I didn't have any numbers and this is just the feeling I got so might need to do some 0 - 100km/h - 0 tests later to find out.One side note as a FYI - when I initially picked up the car I was confused by the brakes behavior (pedal travel distance described above) but later noticed it stopped only when I depress the pedal very hard (more than half way down). So I took the car back to service and they said the brake lines got air in and needs bleeding, hope this is an independent incident and not a general issue.
Suspension and Chassis
Of the three biggest German auto-makers, if Mercedes is about comfort and luxury; Audi is about the look and power, then BMW truly lives up to its motto of Sheer Driving Pleasure. The chassis is so well-balance and rigid it happily takes abuses to a great extend yet maintain its posture nicely. Aggressive acceleration only sees reasonably rise of the nose; at heavy braking it doesn't dive too much; body rolling has been kept at a minimum when manoeuvring corner at speed. As a whole all weight transfer seems to happen well within the four corners of the car.
All these are the combine effort of the suspension, superior weight distribution, drivetrain arrangement and the great tires (Michelin has done a fantastic job the Pilot Super Sports offer so much grip on both dry and wet surface it's just like putting glue on the rubber!). Although the damper stiffness is fixed with the M Sport suspension, it is still very flexible and negotiates all sorts of road conditions well. With a relatively longer travel distance it didn't hurt my back and butt when going over potholes or bumps yet it firms up well near the end of the stroke to support the body when cornering.
All these are the combine effort of the suspension, superior weight distribution, drivetrain arrangement and the great tires (Michelin has done a fantastic job the Pilot Super Sports offer so much grip on both dry and wet surface it's just like putting glue on the rubber!). Although the damper stiffness is fixed with the M Sport suspension, it is still very flexible and negotiates all sorts of road conditions well. With a relatively longer travel distance it didn't hurt my back and butt when going over potholes or bumps yet it firms up well near the end of the stroke to support the body when cornering.
Steering
BMW is moving towards electric steering for all of their models and the M135i is of no exception. When it is first launched, critics are attacking its lack of steering feel and being disconnect with the tires. I tend to agree with them when I first test drove the 118i and 328i, probably because my Golf is still using hydraulic steering I didn't quite feel at home. Now after spending sometime with the car I no longer see this as a problem. True it is probably all artificial but the steering is still very sharp and direct, you are always aware of where the car is pointing at, also thanks to Variable Sport Steering which alters the steering ratio when the turning angle goes beyond 90 degrees it goes through tight bend with ease. Come to think of it, what else is non-artificial these days and retains one's true essense?
Efficiency
Probably the least interesting topic but let's cover it anyway :) We don't have much highway here in Hong Kong so journey are mostly urban (around 60% in my case). On paper, the official combined average consumption figure is 7.5L/100km for the automatic. Needless to say in real life this is difficult - if not impossible to achieve. So far I average between 11.5 to 12.5L/100km.
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| The 5L/100km consumption was done cruising in ECO PRO |
BMW has been promoting this "EfficientDynamics" lately. Basically it is just a jargon for combining various technologies together - Turbocharger to get more power from smaller displacement; ECO PRO mode; 8-speed automatic gearbox with auto start-stop; electric steering; brake energy regeneration... etc.
In reality it doesn't do magic by itself but requires the driver to be fully engaged. For example the ECU and gearbox mapping in ECO PRO mode is so gentle and soft that it doesn't even provide enough power for reasonable pull (at least I feel it this way) and might end up using more fuel if being push hard! On the contrary - if used gently, Sport mode (or at least Comfort mode) mapping can actually gets you to desirable speed much quicker, then switch to ECO PRO mode for cruising makes sense. To conclude, with the driver fully aware of the potential, EfficientDynamics can still offer reasonable fuel consumption yet allows a lot of excitement.
Conclusion
If you are still reading this long post then thanks for your patience and support. Overall speaking I am very happy with the car (albeit a few minor issues - mostly in its ergonomics). Once again I have to apologize for my comments on the 118i and 328i, I am sure both are great cars, just that I like the M135i more, no offense! :)I will certainly keep posting new findings about the car, meanwhile more photos can be found in my flickr, enjoy!.
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