DIAL M FOR SENSIBLE (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 90

Back in 2020 with the F40-era hot hatch version of the BMW 1 Series, the name was much the same but the car could hardly be more different. In this form, BMW's M135i gained xDrive 4WD and a rather different outlook on life from the rear-drive F20 M135i and M140i models that had preceded it. This car couldn't offer the old school track-style appeal those previous models had had, but that was because BMW had matured it a bit. Let's take a look at this car as a used buy.

Modelsword count: 4

5dr Hatch (2.0 petrol)

Historyword count: 189

New models primarily appeal to those who bought the previous version of the same car - but this one was different. In its original F20-era guise, the BMW M135i (later the M140i) was a rather unique hot hatch confection, rear driven with a howling straight six engine - a car for the hot hatch cognoscenti. The sort of model a race track instructor from the period might have used as his day-to-day drive. The problem for BMW by the end of this century's second decade was that there weren't a lot of those kinds of people. So in F40 form, the M135i had to change - into the M135i xDrive, a four cylinder family five-door that was primarily front-driven, with occasional four wheel traction. It was a BMW of the 'M Performance' variety, rather than being a full M car. But it was, the Munich maker insisted, despite the change of hot hatch emphasis, a proper sporting BMW. The F40 M135i xDrive sold in this form until the end of 2023, after which it was replaced by a new F70 M135 xDrive model that used almost the same drivetrain.

What You Getword count: 291

As you might expect, this top M135i xDrive version of the F40 1 Series has its own unique 'M Performance' look. That gives this top variant 18-inch 'M light alloy Double-spoke' wheels with a 'Bicolour' finish, through which you glimpse the blue calipers of the M Sport braking system. At the front, there's a bespoke look for the bumper styling and the frame of the kidney grille. At the rear, there's another bumper that's unique to this model, as is the M rear spoiler and the 'Cerium Grey' finish for the two potent-looking exhaust tailpipes, which are separated by a ribbed black diffuser. Inside, the M135i interior's set apart by M seat belts, an M Sport steering wheel, M135i front door sill plates, an anthracite headliner and M sports seats with upholstery in 'Trigon' cloth and 'Anthracite' alcantara. Plus this flagship variant came with the brand's desirable 'Live Cockpit Professional' package, with its 10.25-inch centre-dash and instrument cluster screens, plus its 'Connected Package Professional' additional media connectivity features. Otherwise, the recipe is as with any other 1 Series. In F40-era form, this car gained the cabin feel of a larger, more luxurious product. Some of that was down to more appealing design; and some of it was down to cabin quality - soft-touch surfaces and the sold feel of all the fixtures and fittings, matched on plusher models by things like contrast stitching and intricate 'Extended lighting' door panel strips. In the rear, two adults can comfortably fit on the back seats without having to squash in their knees, as was the case with the previous rear driven F20 model. Out back, there was a decently-sized 380-litre boot. Push forward the rear bench and 1,200-litres of space can be freed up.

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