BMW M135i (F20)

[f6fhellcat13]

I'm sure Jackie would be a fan...

EDIT: I don't know how to spell Ickx.

[Kitdy]

Originally Posted by pimento

This. I'd forgotten about the s models. Then again, if they did an AWD model (I think they are?) it'd be the 135ixs, which is getting a little long. If they brought back the C for the coupes, you could have a 135Cixs... etc.

... and e for eta/economy, d for diesel...

135Cixeds.

[Simi]

highly controversial exterior design, looking great from some angles,beautiful interior etc. over all great production...

[Ferrer]

I don't think this is quite as bad as it seems though. There's already the original warm saloon, the E12 M535i and those just follow on this. It is also BMW's answer to the S Audi models. I guess standard "is" models just weren't cutting the mustard any more...

I don't understand why the M550d (which is a silly name, by the way) can only be available with four wheel drive though...

Originally Posted by pimento

This. I'd forgotten about the s models. Then again, if they did an AWD model (I think they are?) it'd be the 135ixs, which is getting a little long. If they brought back the C for the coupes, you could have a 135Cixs... etc.

Originally Posted by f6fhellcat13

I'm sure Jackie would be a fan...

EDIT: I don't know how to spell Ickx.

Originally Posted by Kitdy

... and e for eta/economy, d for diesel...

135Cixeds.

It's far worse than that, because when they are applied on a car that doesn't bear the usual numerical series they change it into words, like xDrive. I guess that they'll start calling their automatic car aTrans. And so on, and so forth...

Probably.

[Kitdy]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

I don't think this is quite as bad as it seems though. There's already the original warm saloon, the E12 M535i and those just follow on this. It is also BMW's answer to the S Audi models. I guess standard "is" models just weren't cutting the mustard any more...

I don't support your lack of disappointment in BMW.

This is almost as bad as the time that you liked the 5 GT, but yet nowhere near as bad as the time you bought an Audi.

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by Kitdy

I don't support your lack of disappointment in BMW.

This is almost as bad as the time that you liked the 5 GT, but yet nowhere near as bad as the time you bought an Audi.

Well this just follows the 1M in spirit, except for the wider availability and lower price tag. And everyone loved the 1M.

Yes, I agree that it's a bit pretentious, the name is probably a bit stupid and the M badge is unnecessarily tarnished. But all that's relevant is that this is a front engined, rear wheel drive, straight six, manual performance car. Forget the branding and marketing nonsense.

There's metal that's far more hateable than this, even within BMW's range.

And yes, buying an Audi was a mistake.

Probably.

[Kitdy]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

There's metal that's far more hateable than this, even within BMW's range.

And yes, buying an Audi was a mistake.

Probably.

We can all agree on those two things.

The 1M really overshadowed the 135i which in its own right is pretty solid.

The 335is is also forgotten alongside the 335i and M3.

Speaking of forgotten BMWs, I kinda think of the 507 as one of the great outshone cars. Absolutely breathtaking looks, a V8 in a European car when that was next to unheard, of, and yet it is always in the shadow of the SL.

As pimento would phrase it, teenagers (Wiki) say that the 507 cost 9-10.5 large USD when it was released, and sold poorly due to its price. The SL was released a few years earlier and was $7,500 supposedly.

[Ferrer]

Ah the 507, great car. But it certainly didn't have the charisma or pedigree of the Merc.

Anyway.

I've just though that in fact, it's the new (proper) M cars that are far more insulting than these M Performance thingys.

Let me explain it.

In an M Performance car to expect a bit of bastardisation. After all it's not a full on M car. So turbos, diesels and everything are tolerable and in return you can get pretty cracking little monsters, like this M135i.

However M cars have to be very special to cut the mustard. In my opinion the last M3 disappointed because, despite being an excellent car, it was far too cold and clinical, not exciting enough, it felt just like a big Bimmer. And that had a bespoke engine and a manual gearbox.

So these new M cars, which are little more than "is" versions of standard BMWs (the new M5 being a 550is for instance) have to be far more of an insult to proper car enthusiasts than their M Performance counterparts.

Probably.