BMW 1 Series Coupe 135i M Sport 2dr Car Review - February 2012

REVIEW
List Price: £32,495
Tax Band: J
Insurance Group: 36
MPG: 33.2
CO2: 198
0-62 Mph: 5.3 secs
BHP: 306 BHP
Range: 387 miles
CarSite Verdict:  3.75/5
Although the 135i M Sport offers a great drive and handling, it is hugely expensive for a 1 Series Coupe even with the Sport trim and the large engine. Whilst the performance credentials are improved, the suspension remains a little too firm, affecting the comfort of the drive, whilst limited rear space and a mediocre boot capacity limit the car's practicality.

PROS:  A great, powerful car with smooth, controlled handling, the 135i M Sport offers great performance and a fantastic driving experience.

CONS:  The purchase price is exceptionally high, and mediocre fuel economy and high CO2 emissions mean that the 135i M Sport will not be cheap to run either.

Behind the Wheel

The 135i M Sport is a fantastically powerful car, with a six cylinder twin-turbocharged engine. The M Sport model has firmer suspension than the rest of the 1 Series range, which many may find uncomfortable.

The manual gearbox is excellent and the driving experience is superb. In terms of refinement, the powerful engine runs smoothly and quietly whilst noise from the road and suspension is well insulated. Wind noise can be heard in the cabin but is only really audible on motorways.

The 135i M Sport model offers 306bhp and 295lb-ft of torque which is enough to propel the vehicle to an impressive top speed of 155 mph. Acceleration is also lightning-fast with the car reaching 62mph in just 5.3 seconds.

Looks & Equipment

The 135i M Sport is a great looking car and its interior is stylish and smart.

Standard equipment included alloy wheels, climate control, rear parking sensors, MP3 connectivity and a stereo system. On top of this there is a fairly extensive list of optional extras available, with leather seats priced at £1,010, Bluetooth connectivity costing £400 and a built-in satellite navigation system costing £1,550.

The car also comes with BMW's iDrive control system and 'Efficient Dynamics' technology which reduces energy losses along the drivetrain to improve fuel economy.

In terms of comfort, the 1 Series has a great driving position with a lot of adjustment available. Unfortunately, adjusting the driver's seat can be a bit of a pain - it might take you a while to find your optimum driving position.

Practicality, Safety & Reliability

The 135i M Sport rated well in the 2011 JD Power survey, and BMW have an excellent reputation for reliability. A 3 year/unlimited mileage warranty is supplied as standard.

On top of its reliability, the car also offers high levels of safety. Driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags are all fitted as standard, with traction and dynamic stability control also standard features. An alarm, immobiliser, remote central locking and deadlocks are all included to protect the vehicle from theft.

Interior space is limited. Rear leg room is particularly cramped, making long journeys uncomfortable for adult passengers. On top of this, the storage capacity offered in the boot is only mediocre, offering just 370 litres of space when the rear seats are in place.

Value for Money

The 135i M Sport is expensive at £31,785. Even though this includes the large engine and Sport trim, many will still find the price to steep for what is on offer - you can get an entry level 5 Series for this money.

That being said, running costs are much lower than average due to the ‘Efficient Dynamics’ technology and this means the car does offer better value for money than some might expect. Fuel economy is poor at 33.2mpg but this is to be expected from such a large engine. CO2 emissions of 198g/km are also high, putting the car in VED band J.

BMW 1 Series Coupe 135i M Sport 2dr Car Review - by 
All BMW 1 Series Reviews
BMW 1 Series 116i ES 3dr Pre-Model - February 2012
This 1 series 116i ES 3-door hatch is a great starting point as a BMW owner. Offering plenty of driving enjoyment and with a superb driving position - this car is great fun to drive. It offers a ta...
BMW 1 Series 116i SE Auto 3dr Pre-Model - February 2012
The 116i SE Auto is pricey but offers good driveability and controlled handling. The fuel economy and low CO2 emissions also make it an inexpensive car to run and the BMW badge endows the car with ...
BMW 1 Series 118i SE 3dr Pre-Model - February 2012
With inexpensive running costs thanks to decent fuel efficiency and low carbon emissions, the BMW 1 series 118i SE is an ideal car for those who can get past its high price tag. This model is more ...
BMW 1 Series 116d ES 3dr Pre-Model - February 2012
The 116d is the cheapest diesel option in the 1 Series range with very low running costs, but if performance is important to you then it may offer a false economy. The engine may lack power but sti...
BMW 1 Series 118d ES 3dr - February 2012
The second generation BMW hatchback is a great improvement from its predecessor in terms of its profile and looks. The engine is more powerful yet economical. It’s a comfortable ride and quite eng...
Comments
Sports Alternatives

You might want to read reviews for other Sports cars that you can then compare to the BMW 1 Series. Here are some popular BMW 1 Series alternatives:

NEW RELEASE
Jeep Avenger revealed for 2023
NEW RELEASE
Ferrari Purosangue revealed
NEW RELEASE
Ford Mustang revealed for 2023
NEW RELEASE
New BMW M2 has been revealed
NEW RELEASE
Electric SUV coming soon
NEW RELEASE
Popular hatchback gets an update