Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW M135i

We've been behind the wheel of the storming new BMW M135i on British roads for the first time

Overall Auto Express rating

5.0

How we review cars
Find your BMW 1 Series
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

With the M135i, BMW has created a very impressive all- round package. Acceleration is ferocious, but the car always feels planted and composed. The steering could do with more feel, but on the road, the M135i feels supple enough to be driven every day. The sub-£30k price is good value, too. Engaging to drive yet highly useable, it’s BMW at its best.

Advertisement - Article continues below

While the BMW M135i looks understated, it’s a brute of a car. Making 316bhp from its 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine, it eclipses the 276bhp Vauxhall Astra VXR and the 296bhp four-wheel-drive Audi S3 for horsepower.

And unlike those cars, the BMW is rear-wheel drive, so it should be the default choice for keen drivers who prefer to do without the safety net of four-wheel drive. But it’s no maniac – regardless of how hard you bury the throttle, the M135i remains composed, while the superb optional eight-speed automatic gearbox (£1,600) manages the power perfectly.

Unlike the raucous 1 Series M Coupe, this hatchback is very well suited to everyday driving. Just flick past the ECO-PRO and Comfort driving modes to Sport and you immediately notice the steering weight up and the throttle response sharpen.

Press the button once more and you’ll find Sport+, which partly disengages the traction control and further improves the hatchback’s driving dynamics.

Although devastatingly quick, the acceleration always feels manageable – it’s you driving the car, not the other way around. The 0-62mph sprint takes 4.9 seconds, which is only a tenth of a second slower than a Porsche 911.

The 135i looks the part, too. As with all M cars, its styling is discreet, not ostentatious. It gets a set of sculpted bumpers, side skirts with big creases and gaping air vents at the front. Ferric grey mirrors and chromed exhaust pipes complete the look.

At £29,995, the M135i costs more than most current hot hatches. But when you consider it’s £10,000 cheaper than the limited-run, 335bhp 1M Coupe, it looks like remarkable value.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Deputy editor

Richard has been part of the team for over a decade. During this time he has covered a huge amount of news and reviews for Auto Express, as well as being the face of Carbuyer and DrivingElectric on Youtube. In his current role as deputy editor, he is now responsible for keeping our content flowing and managing our team of talented writers.

New & used car deals

BMW 1 Series

BMW 1 Series

RRP £38,905Used from £7,995
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £5,932 off RRP*Used from £12,300
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,115 off RRP*Used from £13,328
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £2,192 off RRP*Used from £20,921
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025
Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019
Opinion - Kia EV9 GT

Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019

From poor electric car sales to crashes in F1, Mike Rutherford thinks its been a crazy few weeks in the automotive world
Opinion
29 Jun 2025
New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught
Skoda Epiq vRS exclusive image

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught

Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging
News
27 Jun 2025