It may seem unfair to say this, but the BMW 1 Series has completed its transition from RWD to FWD/AWD by essentially transforming into a Ford Focus.
Now, while that may sound like an insult to the ‘premium’ BMW, it actually isn’t, because the Ford Focus is simply one of the best FWD small hatches you can buy, and it is one that has also spawned some of the best FWD and AWD hot hatches of the modern era to boot.
But it also is kind of an insult, because the M135i now looks quite a lot like a Focus too. Or, if you are feeling particularly harsh, a Kia Cerato.
The littlest BMW’s latest incarnation has leaned hard into traditional FWD hatch styling and while that means it is a handsome and inoffensive thing, it is also left as oddly bland in BMW’s current styling lineup that features huge, gaping grilles married to narrow, startlingly angular headlights.
But then that all just really goes to show that BMW knows its customers: the cars that sell to more conservative buyers still look rather tame, while the high-end stuff gets pretty mad.
So where does this leave the M135? After all, it is definitely at the pointy end of small hatches costing, as it does, a hefty $97,900 and, while it may not quite be a full-blown M car, it does still pack a grunty 221kW/400Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine that drives all four wheels, making it quite a higher-end package. In small car terms, at least.
What it means is that, with its combination of relatively conservative looks and relatively big power, the M135 xDrive is something of a Q-ship sleeper.
Indeed, you may not even really notice the potential when you drive it around town for the first time. The engine is relatively relaxed in its power delivery when in normal drive modes at low speeds, something that is exacerbated by the transmission’s strong desire to be in as high a gear as possible in any mode that isn’t ‘Sport’, which means that accelerating at low speed involves either relying on the engine’s low-down torque or shuffling down a few cogs.
The M135i now looks quite a lot like a Ford Focus. Or, if you are feeling particularly harsh, a Kia Cerato.
Unfortunately, the engine doesn’t have much in the way of low-down torque, so the combination of turbo lag and being in too high of a gear means there is a considerable delay in actual acceleration taking place, which can be frustrating at sensible urban speeds.
The ride at urban speeds, however, suggests potential that exceeds what the M135 actually delivers – a tooth-rattlingly firm ride (that is more in keeping with the first-generation 1 Series equipped with M suspension and run-flat tyres) suggests that performance will be more in line with the (actually far more compliant) BMW M2 coupe. Which it obviously isn’t.
However, none of that really matters when you get out on the open road and drop both the M135’s drive mode and transmission mode into Sport. This does a number of exciting things; firstly, it makes the car instantly angrier, both in terms of sound (admittedly fake and pumped through the speakers) and power delivery, and secondly, it abandons all of the “get into a high gear and stay there” silliness of the normal transmission mode.
It also brings the M135 xDrive strongly into line with those previously mentioned Ford Focus hot hatch variants, thanks to that more aggressive power delivery, characterful sound and the sublime handling that the M135 also possesses.
The 1 Series chassis is an absolute delight on a winding road, with the harsh ride settling down at speed and the beautifully direct and accurate steering offering plenty of feedback. It is lacking anything in the way of feel, however, but that is something that only old dinosaurs like me complain about these days anyway.
None of that really matters when you get out on the open road and drop both the M135’s drive mode and transmission mode into Sport.
The M135’s AWD system is utterly fantastic, and the car feels welded to the road in dry conditions and, like all the best hot hatches, makes you just want to push ever harder through each successive corner. There is a limit, but it is telegraphed with gentle, progressive understeer long before anything unpleasant happens.
Despite all of this, the M135 xDrive still fails to convince entirely in its mission to provide a high-end hot hatch experience. Like the Mercedes-AMG A35 it is priced against, it lacks the feral ferocity of the Mercedes-AMG A45 (which, admittedly, is $28,000 more than the M135), yet doesn’t actually offer a lot more than something like a Ford Focus ST. Which cost considerably less.
That actually isn’t going to matter to anyone who is considering a M135, as they would never buy a Focus ST (you actually can’t anymore, anyway), but it is still a shame that the M135 doesn’t do a better job of being a truly convincing hot hatch.
How much does the BMW M135 xDrive cost?
The M135 sits at the top of BMW's 1 Series hatch range and commands a fairly hefty $97,900 asking price. While the only option is a $500 tyre pressure monitoring system, if you want any colour other than white it will set you back a further $2000 to $5000.
What are the key statistics for the BMW M135 xDrive?
The M135 is powered by a 221kW/400Nm version of BMW's 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine that will propel it to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds. A 7-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels.
Is the BMW M135 xDrive efficient?
BMW claims an average combined fuel consumption of 8.2l/100km, which isn't great for a small hatch, but not bad for the performance on offer. It is actually pretty easy to beat this, however, but only if you drive the M135 sensibly, which you won't...
Is the BMW M135 xDrive good to drive?
It depends how and where you are driving it. While it is utterly superb carving up a winding back road at speed, it is somewhat fussy and slow-witted pottering around town. This is due to the transmissions determination to be in the highest gear possible when not in Sport mode, relying on the engine's low-down torque, which it doesn't really have. But, man, it is a barrel of laughs on those winding roads.
Is the BMW M135 xDrive practical?
Having completed its transformation into a traditional FWD-based hatch, the 1 Series now has a usable back seat, while the latest version also has plenty of handy little storage areas scattered around the cabin. The boot is about average for the segment, offering up 380 litres, while folding them down releases a handy 1200 litres.
What do we like about the BMW M135 xDrive?
The interior quality is superb, as it should be in a $100k car, while the razor sharp handling and snappy performance on offer when it is in Sport mode makes it an absolute blast on a back road.
What don’t we like about the BMW M135 xDrive?
While that handling is addictive, the performance isn't quite up to the levels you would want from a $100k car. It's fine, but the Volkswagen Golf R packs way more of a punch and is almost $20k less.
What kind of person would the BMW M135 xDrive suit?
Someone who is utterly wedded to the idea of having a BMW badge on the nose of their mildly hot hatch. If you just want a small BMW, then the bog standard 120 is much cheaper and way more fit for purpose, while the VW Golf R makes a far more convincing hot hatch. Or spend more money and get the Z4/Supra-based 2 Series coupe (or brilliant M2) instead...
