cant answer that question as I dont have a 320:)...but my E90 M3 seems very well made (my previouse was E60 M5)it maybe because i "spec" it right as I have the extended leather and carbon leather options, everything seem right..no unusual gaps and rattles .
i had mine exactly 3 years now and it still "feels" like new ...maybe it because I had only done 11k miles in it .

The quality will be the same for the basic architecture, just the trim will differ.

Have to say ours is also not far off new condition but I really look after the leather. Six years old, 46k miles. Only irritation is an occasional rattle/creak from the sunroof. It feels more solid inside than the S4 I drove yesterday although I'd say the Audi looked nicer, albeit slightly fussy.

My 335i is coming up to six years old with almost 70k on it (had it from 15 months old) it is still like new, (just the turbos rattled at 55k, bmw replaced them both) its be on track and to santa pod a few times too :norty:

Two of my videos (best was 12.9 1/4 mile)



Im saving for the m4 Next :thumb:

i not feed my leather interior once since i bought it new, wash/wipe a few times ,
Mercedes interior is abit better than Bmw(quality wise), I was in my local Porsche centre recently ...have to say their car's interior is in a different league than Bmw/Audi/mercedes !

yr up against it in the first vid my friend ...no contest :)

A diesel engine of any configuration is wrong in a BM.

I could never own only one vehicle and it be diesel - would have to be petrol.
Can't understand why anyone would choose to have two dervs! ;)


I was warned off the 1M by two different BMW salesmen from different dealerships - they knew I wouldn't be happy with one and kept telling me that it wasn't a proper M.

I'm inclined to agree - the 1 series as a whole is an abomination and not worthy of a BMW badge.

Well a four pot in a BM is wronger.
The van only comes with diesels and isn't what I'd call a drivers cars. Still a lot of fun though and rather more family friendly than a similar priced Boxster ;-)

If the 1 series is so bad, why is it running away with every bit of praise going in M135i form?

Would rather have one of those than a rather selfish (if you have kids) two seater.

You've got to admit that the 1 series really is an ugly mother fvcker!

It's just wrong - like VW putting the engine in the front. ;)

This came up in another thread recently, I suggested that BMW are one of the biggest advertisers, so maybe even subliminally the hacks give BMW an easier ride


It was obviously the case in the windsurfing world as Neil Pryde apparently never made a duff sail!!!!

Yep, it's no looker for sure bet then neither is any Scoob!
I drove an older 120d and it was good fun.

I think the new 1series is OK. Even in 116i M-Sport the trim feels like a much better quality car, and the 1.6 turbo (twin scroll) petrol 4pot does for once make half decent progress AND decent mpg...better than the 2.0 lumps in the older 120i which had very average performance and had terrible MPG too. The 3door hatch is better looking..in the right colour. It looks good in Crimson Red with black shadow-lines and M-sport trim. But its lost in Blue or any shade of silver in ES trim. The 5 door doesn't look right, I can only described it as having the proportions of a female receptionist, that used to be thin, but has had too many choccy digestives so the weight has gone onto her thighs.

Front end is ok from some angles, not very photogenic, and definietly works better on some colours than others and de-chromed. IMO better looking than the old 1er, that never looked right in any colour or trim. The pedestrian safety has alot to answer for in making many cars so f**king ugly nowadays, just as well the driver can't see the front when driving it.

Interior is a far better place to be than the old shape 1er too. So is the ride quality (this one had the M-Sport+ active suspension), its more nimble and planted in the handling department too, the old 1ers just never seemed settled and always felt like a heavy car IMO (which it is).

As I probably said before its because of using a well-specced 116i M-sport as a loan car that has made me itch to get my hands on a M135i....if the basic engined model in sports trim is a good drive, then it shows alot ot promise for the bigger engine version of the same car.

That said big heavy 6pot lump in the front may ruin it as that 1.6 4pot must be pretty light. But the press said that with VW R32s Vs GTis, and I prefered the former and didn't rate the latter as being any worthy form of competition in anything but a straight-line drag race on a smooth dry road.

Five day test drive is booked next year in late Jan/early Feb (too busy at work to do it any sooner). Even if I like it I won't buy a new one though. Unless they suddenly introduce a xDrive version, if they do it'll be bye bye Golf and I'll have my name on the order list specced to exactly to what I want (active suspension, DAB etc ).

I would have thought that accolade firmly goes to Audi...I can't seem to go anywhere without seeing an Audi advert somewhere....I can't even watch a film without having the damn things blatently used as a product placement tactic.

Every time I happen to accidentally see a soccer game on TV, it seems all the substitutes are sitting in Audi car seats.

Going back to the 1 series - I was in Sytners yesterday and noticed a 114i with just one or two options was a few £'s of £20k!!

maybe true in total spend terms, but maybe BMW are more selective and smart in targeting their advertsing budget

i.e. in the Mags that employ the hacks that actually write the reviews,

maybe they give away good freebies too

who knows (not me) -- but in my limited experience BMW rarely get a bad review, and in group test often come first or second

they make great cars, but "seem" to get an easier ride

But the fun model starts at only £30k. Yes you need a few options so realistically £35k but that's a steal for a RWD, 315ish bhp compact car that can dip below the 5s mark to 60 and has even done extremely well tested head to head with a 911. And it's light(ish) too unlike the 370z and other potential competitors. With a boot and four seats, I can't think of anything else for less than twice the price.

Yep it ain't pretty but it's acceptable, it's nice inside (the old one wasn't) and its properly quick too.

It's only a possible at this stage as the soot chucker still ticks most boxes but its the first car I've got excited about (within reason) for a while.

Drove a current model S4 two days ago and while it was "nice" and also quick, it confirmed to me that I'm just not an Audi man (bar a sudden fortune, then I would get an R8...!).

You must be gutted, the 1M is a stunning car!

TX.

Hi TX.

No, I'm really not gutted!
The 1M is the best of a bad bunch, but does nothing for me.

I prefer the V8 M3, but even that didn't overly excite me when I drove one.

Non of them are impractical, special (or selfish) enough for me as a weekend toy.
To that end, my local Lotus dealer are trying their damned hardest to get me a demo Exige ASAP.
I have unfinished business!

Happy New Year all!

If there's only £10-15k difference between bottom and top model, that's pretty good.

Tick every worthwhile option and its £37k. Not bad really.
No hatch or estate option for the M3 so it's a no go for us.

We're at different stages of life so our big buy was a slightly silly priced camper. Hopefully when the kids are older, it might be a silly/impractical fun car ;-)

Happy New Year all!

Are BMW going to do the M135i in coupe form? I know it's not the best looking car out there but I actually don't mind the look of the coupe (well compared to the hatch....). I was very impressed with the reviews I've seen on the M135i and the mpg stats (if achievable) look amazing for the performance on offer.

Never owned a BM but it's definitely on the future list and my bro loves his 3 series.

Interesting Auto Express shootout between the M135i and Subaru WRX STI 340R below...

http://f20.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=787352

Didn't realise the m135i is lighter than the current scoobs! :eek:

Does the 340R have a twin scroll? If it hasn't, then that'll give away a few seconds.

It's also a fair bit lighter than the 1M and heaps lighter than an M3.

A mate has just gone from current M3 to one and is very impressed with the little 1er.

So 2 secs a lap faster than the STi. The DCT box probably helps the BMW. How much is that as an option? Still cheaper than a 340r no doubt and you get a modern interior. Amazing that peak torque is available from 1250rpm.

I am not sold on the looks (of any of the latest gen BMW shapes tbh) but it could be a real sleeper debadged and is priced very well in the current market. Will keep an eye on 2nd hand prices over the next year as possible something a bit more subtle & practival to chop the RSmk2 in for.

And the Quarterbacks are toast:

Its not a DCT. Its the usual 8 speed ZF (probably the 8HP45) found in pretty much every modern (F-code) auto BMW. Which in itself is a awesome transmission...for a automatic.

Anyhoo, if someone enjoys "driving" then any form of automated transmission sucks (that includes DCT/SMG/DSG etc), even if its faster :D

2 ugly cars in that review. The scooby slightly better looking IMO.

Sorry. Although in my defence even Chris Harris made that same assumption :)

As for driving pleasure I am not so sure any more. People don’t generally like change but at the end of the day if you change gear with a paddle or a gearstick does it make that much difference especially when the former does do it faster?

I have one on order that's due for delivery end of Feb/early March :D. Get some track time as part of the deal :)

I thought these were 29k, ive just looked and with anything nice on it its nearer 40k :(

too much money for a 1 series.