Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW M135i

1 Series aims to prove that outright power needn’t be key in delivering a thrilling drive

The M135i is one of the best performance cars that BMW makes – and given the company’s current line-up, that’s high praise indeed. Star of the show is the straight-six engine, which provides effortless acceleration and a tuneful soundtrack. It also boasts decent practicality and reasonable running costs, and is cheaper than the Merc.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Mercedes isn’t the only premium hatch that has been given a high-performance makeover. With its tantalising array of racy upgrades and the heavyweight punch of its six-cylinder engine, the BMW M135i is the current hyper hatch champ. Not that you’d know from the outside.

At a glance, the understated M135i could easily be mistaken for a cheaper conventional 1 Series in M Sport trim. The only giveaways to the car’s true potential are the twin-exit exhausts and bright blue brake calipers. Any concerns that this low-key approach might limit the car’s appeal vanish the moment you press the starter button and the 3.0-litre engine barks into life.

While the rear-wheel-drive M135i couldn’t match the 4WD Merc in the sprint from 0-60mph, it proved more responsive during our in-gear tests, where the combination of a thumping 450Nm at just 1,300rpm and the eight-speed gearbox’s closely stacked ratios gave it a real advantage.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

1 Series

2021 BMW

1 Series

20,065 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £20,750
View 1 Series
1 Series

2024 BMW

1 Series

35,704 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £20,515
View 1 Series
1 Series

2017 BMW

1 Series

94,768 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £9,490
View 1 Series
1 Series

2019 BMW

1 Series

49,500 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £12,990
View 1 Series

Even better, the silky-smooth six-cylinder revs all the way to 7,000rpm and features the sort of snarling soundtrack missing from the AMG. Just as impressively, the traditional auto box delivers crisp upchanges via the steering wheel paddles and accepts downshift commands more readily than the A45.

Only occasional jerkiness in auto mode lets it down. As you’d expect, the BMW doesn’t have the limpet-like traction of the Mercedes, but it’s only on wet roads that this is an issue, and even then the traction control works effectively to curb any wayward behaviour. And what it lacks in outright grip it makes up for with its beautifully balanced rear-wheel-drive handling.

It’s more adjustable and agile than the Mercedes, and you can trim your line through a corner with a blend of steering and throttle. You can also switch between EcoPro, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ settings, which adjust the throttle sensitivity and steering weighting to suit your mood and the road.

Over bumpy surfaces, the supple BMW suffers from more body movement than the AMG, but the upshot of this is a more comfortable ride, which, in combination with the low noise levels, hands the 1 Series an advantage when it comes to long-distance cruising.

An excellent driving position, well laid out dashboard and upmarket cabin help give the BMW a more upmarket feel, while standard kit includes Bluetooth, leather seats and climate control. The five-door M135i also matches the Merc for passenger space, while its 360-litre boot is actually 19 litres larger than its rival’s.

Better still, the 135i is more than £5,000 cheaper than the Mercedes, plus it benefits from BMW’s great-value fixed-price servicing. It’s also a cheaper company car choice, despite its higher CO2 emissions.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

BMW 1 Series

BMW 1 Series

RRP £35,865Used from £9,695
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £7,541 off RRP*Used from £11,895
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £3,158 off RRP*
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,474 off RRP*Used from £15,930
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment
Xiaomi YU7 - front cornering

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment

BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why
Road tests
14 Jul 2025
New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail
Auto Express creative director Darren Wilson charging the Lexus RZ

The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail

The government has set out its plan to help reduce the cost of affordable EVs by introducing a new £3,750 grant for new EVs sold
News
15 Jul 2025