Does it come with an LSD or does it 'fake it' with rear brake actuations?

 

It's an e-diff. Works pretty well. You can fit a proper diff for about £1600.
I'd say 95% of owners don't need one.

 

Thats lovely Matt. Really nice colour combo. Until I seen the pictures of yours, i thought they were quite ugly in comparison to the original 1series but i'm converted now.

One thing and i've noticed this whilst driving the new 3series as well. How have they turned a relatively big car on the outside into such a small claustrophobic car on the inside?

 

James - thanks! The 420d we currently have is a bit like this - it's like a big black cave inside. High waistline, low roofline, chav glass plus black leather and it feels like your staring out of a tank window. It looks nice from the outside though.

The car we test drove had black leather and it also looked a bit gloomy which is why we went for the red leather (you can only have black, red or "oyster" which is nice but a no no with kids!) to cheer it up a bit.

 

Well we have it back now; superb paint job which was handy. It was nice to see the guys 20 year old 740i in showroom condition.

Absolutely cracking drive home on fairly dry roads; it feels so alive after that 420d!

 

did they say what the paint issue was, or some factory oversight?

 

Basically the latter; just wasn't quite prepped properly.
I was sad enough to take a very powerful torch to check the finish; spot on now but I did look like a proper weirdo!

 

I have to say I like the look of the new 2 series.
Did you not know they were bringing the 2 series out ??
Just asking ...

 

Coupes are completely impractical with kids (or any luggage) so no.

 

Not completely - a little awkward but easier when the kids are older.
Anymore than two suitcases - useless!

 

Plus we have a dog!

I was amazed how impractical the bigger 4 series coupe we had was. Getting kids in and out was a PITA, the dog had to go in the footwell and the boot "roof" was so low, it was like using a postbox. Oh and you can't open the rear windows and rear vis was crap - no, no and no again!

 

Nice clip that shows how much noise an M135i can make! Made me feel
A bit dizzy though...
Ain't gonna happen in any 4 pot ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1z40...ature=youtu.be

 

Not bad. Is one tailpipe cosmetic?

 

I noticed that too.

I will investigate…

Edit; found another couple of vids where both exhausts smoke. Hmmm…

 

Answer - the second one starts working after about thirty seconds.

 

The E46 330 had something similar, it would only open the second tail pipe at high revs.

 

A bit strange but kind of cool. I think.

 

I'm sure it just had a spring loaded flap that was forced open when the air flow increased.

I reckon it is something more advanced on yours and yes definitely cool

 

When I bought my last car I had a detailer go to the BMW garage to do his magic prior to collection. He used a UV light (I think) and picked up quite a few imperfections and scratches. He took pictures and then polished them out, it took a whole day.

I showed the pics to the dealer and they agreed to pay the detailers fee, about £300

 

Handy!

You may or may not know that while the BM roof was done, the camper went in for it's first service; they "cleaned" it and totally bu99ered up paint. The dealer tried to get away with a quick polish, I growled at them;it's just had a full machine polish (which got rid of a few minor scuffs and scratches we'd done) and looks like new; ideal!!

I have enough kit to do most jobs myself and quite enjoy it which is useful.

 

Still not red-lining it but had a good blast today; Jesus it's a quick little thing!

 

You long before you can give it the beans

What's the run in period on these engines mattee

What's the grip level out of those tight corners

 

It's 1200 miles officially at 4.5k rpm max. Some stick to it, some don't'; I've ventured to a bit over 5k (I reckon I hit 6k earlier) but peak torque comes in at 1300rpm (to 5000 I think) so it feels quick even at lowish revs. Redline is 7k.

It's very grippy indeed - you can break traction but it needs silliness to do so; the Michelin Supersports are pretty incredible really (245 wide at the back). You just feel wired directly to it thanks partly to a very quick rack, very powerful brakes and a lively chassis. I love the way a grippy RWD car can be flung out of bends.

And the noise is just naughty!

I really recommend anyone that can do to try one out - lots of fun but also pretty comfy on a long slog. Mpg is showing 21.5 so far though - oops...

 

Good skills mattee

From memory it is good to take it thru the (allowed) rev range - avoid constant revs

 

Come and have a ride in it when you're next down!

 

My first proper "run in" drive since we hit the magic 1200 miles two weeks ago then went away for a week in our 2.7 tonne 2.0 diesel camper!

All rural roads, some very fast and shockingly, MOSTLY DRY!!

What a stunning machine it is; very quick but approachable, the chassis lets you have all the fun you want, the brakes are super strong but progressive and that sound just eggs you on; plus the paddle shift doesn't step in and spoil the fun (like it did in the 335d); it properly enhances the fun.

Very pleased with it; best all rounder I can currently think of!

 

Yeah, might do Matty

We will be down in the summer

 

Right serious question Matt! did you manage to stay off the revs for a full 1200 or did you have some little bezzs about.... I've got this to come with the merc, and unless I'm doing London Leeds it's going to be painful.

I could visit my daughter at Essex uni, for a coffee LOL... But it's gonna be a hard one.....soon as it turned 1200 did u gun it lol

 

It's "officially" 4.5k rpm max for 1200 miles. I did hit a bit over 5k a few times and may have even nudged 6k but didn't redline it (just over 7k) until yesterday.

Does yours need a running in service at all?

 

TG just tested the M135i against the GTi PP. JC span off and nearly killed himself (!) but they then got a rather tidy time of 1:25.1 - the same as an Exige S, faster than an RS4, E90 M3 and many others - full list here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Top_Gear_test_track_Power_Lap_Times
The Golf did pretty well 1:28.6. Glad the M135i thrashed it though