M135i
30 December 2018 | 07:56 AM
#1
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From: Staffs
M135i
Really considering a M135i and would like to know what peoples experiences are with these.
Is the manual a better car then the auto or vice versa. Would be getting it to 400bhp if I bought one.
Will be used as a daily.
Thanks
Is the manual a better car then the auto or vice versa. Would be getting it to 400bhp if I bought one.
Will be used as a daily.
Thanks
30 December 2018 | 11:35 AM
#3
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From: Staffs
04 January 2019 | 09:49 AM
#4
I currently have an M140i which I have had since September 2017, previously have had golf r, 400bhp UK sti and a 350bhp JDM STI, my thoughts are that the M135 and M140i models are absolute peaches.
The N55 in the M135i is superb, very revvy and bags of torque, and with simple mods 400bhp is reliably possible, you cant go much faster in comfort reliably in all honesty. the only downfall is the handling side in all honesty, to get any decent handling you need a LSD, suspension changes and LCAS's etc, they can be quite wallowy and skitty at high speeds. The only thing you may miss if you are coming from an impresa is the 4wd grip. There is much more driver involvement in the M135i/M140 which is a plus point to some I guess.
That aside the car is absolutely immense, my m140i standard is easily faster than previous impreza (just not in the wet or in the twisty stuff), but as a daily car they are very very good cars. If your budget allows I would defo stretch to the M140 as the B58 engine is just incredible (and 450bhp achievable with basic mods) if that's your thing
Personally I would only get this car in auto as the auto just compliments the engines in both much better (IMO of course), I would also say that adaptive suspension is a must if you are looking at a car (unless you are swapping suspension out anyway)
The N55 in the M135i is superb, very revvy and bags of torque, and with simple mods 400bhp is reliably possible, you cant go much faster in comfort reliably in all honesty. the only downfall is the handling side in all honesty, to get any decent handling you need a LSD, suspension changes and LCAS's etc, they can be quite wallowy and skitty at high speeds. The only thing you may miss if you are coming from an impresa is the 4wd grip. There is much more driver involvement in the M135i/M140 which is a plus point to some I guess.
That aside the car is absolutely immense, my m140i standard is easily faster than previous impreza (just not in the wet or in the twisty stuff), but as a daily car they are very very good cars. If your budget allows I would defo stretch to the M140 as the B58 engine is just incredible (and 450bhp achievable with basic mods) if that's your thing
Personally I would only get this car in auto as the auto just compliments the engines in both much better (IMO of course), I would also say that adaptive suspension is a must if you are looking at a car (unless you are swapping suspension out anyway)
04 January 2019 | 06:02 PM
#5
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From: Cross Green, Leeds.
I have owned my m135i for about 5 years now and would echo everything barnshaw said to be honest, mines a 13 plate auto with adaptive.
The ZF auto is a great box but obviously if you want true driver involvement then you should go for the manual but for every day driving
i find the ZF perfect. Slightly bigger turbo fitted to the post July 2013 cars when they went to electronic waste gate control which tend to make slightly more power when mapped. Handling as mentioned above is a bit wallowy but can be improved with lowering springs, Motech springs and spacers seem to be a
popular option at the moment. All in all a good car, seriously quick in a straight line and make a good every day driver, as barnshaw said, if you can stretch to the m140 the b58 engine makes circa 450bhp off a remap.
The ZF auto is a great box but obviously if you want true driver involvement then you should go for the manual but for every day driving
i find the ZF perfect. Slightly bigger turbo fitted to the post July 2013 cars when they went to electronic waste gate control which tend to make slightly more power when mapped. Handling as mentioned above is a bit wallowy but can be improved with lowering springs, Motech springs and spacers seem to be a
popular option at the moment. All in all a good car, seriously quick in a straight line and make a good every day driver, as barnshaw said, if you can stretch to the m140 the b58 engine makes circa 450bhp off a remap.
05 January 2019 | 05:35 PM
#6
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Joined: Sep 2015
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From: Scotland
I've owned a MY14 M135i 5dr Auto (in Valencia Orange 
) for about 6 months and 6k miles. I bought it after selling my 330bhp classic STi Wagon as I needed a daily and have no regrets! The lack of traction in the wet takes some getting used to but I can honestly say it feels as quick as the scoob but is supremely comfortable, refined and is capable of high 30s MPG. Running costs seem very sensible for the performance. I will not be modding mine (I have 3 points and want to keep insurance sensible) but can honestly say it feels PLENTY fast enough out of the box. I can understand why some may wish to improve the handling but for my purposes it is just fine.
) for about 6 months and 6k miles. I bought it after selling my 330bhp classic STi Wagon as I needed a daily and have no regrets! The lack of traction in the wet takes some getting used to but I can honestly say it feels as quick as the scoob but is supremely comfortable, refined and is capable of high 30s MPG. Running costs seem very sensible for the performance. I will not be modding mine (I have 3 points and want to keep insurance sensible) but can honestly say it feels PLENTY fast enough out of the box. I can understand why some may wish to improve the handling but for my purposes it is just fine.
05 January 2019 | 05:45 PM
#7
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 213
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From: Cross Green, Leeds.
I've owned a MY14 M135i 5dr Auto (in Valencia Orange ) for about 6 months and 6k miles. I bought it after selling my 330bhp classic STi Wagon as I needed a daily and have no regrets! The lack of traction in the wet takes some getting used to but I can honestly say it feels as quick as the scoob but is supremely comfortable, refined and is capable of high 30s MPG. Running costs seem very sensible for the performance. I will not be modding mine (I have 3 points and want to keep insurance sensible) but can honestly say it feels PLENTY fast enough out of the box. I can understand why some may wish to improve the handling but for my purposes it is just fine.
) for about 6 months and 6k miles. I bought it after selling my 330bhp classic STi Wagon as I needed a daily and have no regrets! The lack of traction in the wet takes some getting used to but I can honestly say it feels as quick as the scoob but is supremely comfortable, refined and is capable of high 30s MPG. Running costs seem very sensible for the performance. I will not be modding mine (I have 3 points and want to keep insurance sensible) but can honestly say it feels PLENTY fast enough out of the box. I can understand why some may wish to improve the handling but for my purposes it is just fine.Trending Topics
07 March 2019 | 02:28 PM
#9
Another M140 auto owner, amazing cars as above handling isn’t anything like an Impreza LSD. Is supposed to make a big difference. The car is a real Jacqal and Hyde it can be very sedate if you want it to be and it can be bonkers fast, not to mention it can quite easily achieve 45+mpg on a long run
08 March 2019 | 08:54 PM
#10
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Harrogate
My buddy at work has one. Absolute peach of and engine and gear box. I’d probably have one in a heartbeat on that alone although I’d lean towards a 335/340i due to size. The major sticking point for me when I took it for a spin was putting the power down. I simply couldn’t live with that on a daily basis unless the weather in the uk swapped with Malibu 
It handles way better than my RS3 ever will but no way would I make the swap unless BMW gave them X-drive.
It handles way better than my RS3 ever will but no way would I make the swap unless BMW gave them X-drive.
08 March 2019 | 10:37 PM
#11
Wouldn't money be better spent on an M3,M4 or M5?...
11 March 2019 | 09:14 PM
#13
Had mine nearly 18 months M140i SE, coming from 600bhp imprezas it was a big change but with a few mods its A delightful daily driver. Its running about 480ish and surprises pretty much everyone when you drop the hammer!
Last edited by banny sti; 12 March 2019 at 09:32 AM.
12 March 2019 | 10:30 PM
#15
I loved my M140i, The lack of traction in the wet took a bit of getting used to & straight line on an uneven road would have seriously benefitted from an LSD as it tended to get a bit out of shape or certainly felt that way. But all in all the B58 and the ZF 8 speed was a perfect combination. I've just traded mine back in for an M2 Competition & that well is completely different animal.
23 August 2019 | 12:40 AM
#17
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: UK
I am considering the M135i or M235i as similar performance to a CLA 45 but a hell of a lot cheaper to buy.
23 August 2019 | 04:22 PM
#18
I've a '13 plate M135i auto. Great all rounder. I average 30mpg but with the auto it is effortless but at the same time, i can go manual via paddles/stick and it comes alive in sports mode. Mines the older N55 engine, the newer (b58?) engine is even more capable. Up to 400bhp from basic mods and remap
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