Test Car Specifications
Model: 2024 BMW M135 xDrive
Price: 1 Series from £29,950; M135 from £TBC
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol
Transmission: eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Power: 300hp
Torque: 400Nm
Emissions: 173-184g/km
Economy: 7.6-8.1mpg
0-62mph: 4.9 seconds
Top speed: 155mph
Boot space: 380-1,200 litres
Styling
Like every other 1 Series model, the M135 has been given a heavy external update, with a new, lower nose representing the most significant change. There are new lights, too, and there’s a redesigned rear end. The M135 also benefits from new exhaust tailpipes — you now get four 9cm-diameter outlets — as well as sportier bumpers and big alloy wheels, which hide bigger brakes. Our test car came in the bold Signal Green paintwork, too, but that’s an expensive option we wouldn’t be in a hurry to tick. The M135 looks flashy enough without it, although we applaud BMW’s decision not to add too many wings and vents in the way Mercedes has with the A45, it’s still an aggressive-looking thing.
Interior
BMW seems to be on a crusade against buttons, and the new 1 Series is almost devoid of switchgear on the dashboard. Some fiddly air vent controls and some clever ambient lighting are all that really punctuates an otherwise inoffensive but quite bland dashboard. BMW has tried to jazz the M135's interior up a bit with paddles from an M3 and a sportier steering wheel, but it still isn't that interesting.
And that's despite the inclusion of the Curved Display, which houses the digital instrument cluster and central touchscreen. Using the latest-generation software to provide two sharp, responsive and highly configurable screens, both of which are worthy of commendation, it provides a bit of colour and modernity to an otherwise smart, but unremarkable interior.
So far, so good, but there are still issues. For one, BMW's hatred of buttons means pretty much every function, including drive mode selection and temperature control, has been dumped in the touchscreen, and that isn't brilliant from an ergonomic point of view. In fairness, the BMW screens are quick enough to mitigate the inconvenience slightly, but a button will always be the better option.
The bigger problem is one of quality. Though the new 1 Series is better than some of BMW's recent efforts, and in particular the new X3, some of the cabin plastics still feel a bit cheap and nasty for what is supposed to be a premium product. It is nicer than a current Golf, it's true, but not by much.
Practicality
One of the main reasons for choosing a hot hatchback over a more conventional sports car is the practicality — the way you can use the car as family transport, as well as a fun-to-drive toy. Fortunately, the M135 delivers on that front, albeit without being especially remarkable. The 380-litre boot is about the same size as that of a Golf, and the rear cabin space is adequate for carrying two tall adults, but neither leg- nor headroom is unexpectedly generous.
Performance
The flagship of the 1 Series range, the M135 is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine that’s turbocharged to produce 300hp. That power heads through an eight-speed automatic gearbox to be distributed between all four wheels, and it’s enough to make the BMW very brisk indeed. Getting from 0-62mph takes less than five seconds, and the top speed is 155mph.
Naturally, that means the economy isn’t that impressive — realistically, you might manage 35mpg on a long run, but you probably won’t average that over the course of a month’s driving — and the M135 is hardly going to win environmental awards with its emissions, but we don’t envisage many customers picking one as a company car anyway.
The bigger issue than that of economy, therefore, is the noise. For starters, the four-cylinder engine drones a bit when pushed, but BMW partly blames the noise regulations that have prevented the brand from getting a particularly dramatic sound from the exhaust. As a result, the noise is instead piped into the cabin through the speaker system. Even BMW’s people admit the system isn’t perfect, with a distinct falseness to the sound that’s most obvious during gear changes, but they say it was the only way to imbue the car with the aural excitement required.
Ride & Handling
The M135 xDrive isn't just supposed to be the fastest 1 Series on the market; it's also supposed to be the best 1 Series to drive, and to a degree, that's the case. The car feels tauter than the standard 1 Series, with a bit more body control and slightly sharper steering, as well as more effective brakes.
In truth, the 1 Series didn't need to be much sharper to work as a hot hatchback, but the fractional improvements have ensured it's one of the best in the business when it comes to fast corners, with plenty of feel and grip, as well as a nice, stable platform.
Unfortunately, this agility and stability comes at a price. The ride isn't exactly marshmallow-soft in the standard 1 Series, but the M135 is really quite firm, and it never feels all that settled in everyday situations, while big potholes will thump through the seat angrily. It isn't what you'd call relaxing.
Value
While the common-or-garden 1 Series range starts at just over £31,000, the M135 xDrive comes in at a chunky £43,000. But then you'll pay almost £44,000 for a basic VW Golf R, which makes the BMW appear remarkably cheap. Especially as you get all the usual BMW stuff as standard. Microfibre upholstery, the Curved Display and a reversing camera are all standard, along with the two-zone climate control, the big wheels and the sporty body design. And, of course, the powerful engine and all-wheel-drive system are both included in the price.
Verdict
The M135 may have lost its 'i' suffix, but it has lost none of the quality that has made it a hit. Perhaps it doesn't offer the value of the lesser 1 Series models, but it's still great to drive and practical enough, as well as having bags of power and a surprisingly low price tag. Maybe it isn't characterful or especially attractive, which may hold it back slightly, but there's still bags of competence to explore.
