The 2025 BMW M135 is the sporty member of the 1 Series family, with a stylish look, updated equipment, and excellent power. It provides a luxury driving experience because to its aggressive design, upgraded interior, and strong 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. However, it has a few limitations, like being less practical and offering less excitement than competitors. However, if you want a fast, elegant car with a prominent label, the BMW M135 could be an excellent alternative. But does it warrant the price? Let’s find out.
Exterior Design
On the exterior, the M135 features some design upgrades over the standard 1 Series. The grille has horizontal slats with the M badging. The lower front bumper is more aggressive. Moving down the side, the BMW M135 has 18 inches alloy wheels that come as standard, but optional 19-inch wheels are available.
For a sporty touch, BMW has added gloss black door mirrors and side skirts. At the rear end there is a more pronounced roof spoiler and a redesigned lower bumper with a fake diffuser. It also has the quad tailpipes that look great.
Interior Features
Inside the BMW M135, the interior changes depending on the options chosen. It packs a tone of Standard features that include a sports steering wheel, sporty seats, M-colored accents on the dash, M kick plates, and LED lighting.
Moving to the M Package Pro, this car includes upgrades like an M sport steering wheel with a red center marker, tri-color stitching and snazzier gear selectors. The M Sports seats are more body hugging and also features an illuminated M logo. Beyond these upgrades, the rest of the interior is like a regular 1 Series, including the infotainment system, which is responsive but overly complicated.
Back Seats
Moving to the back seats you get a tri-color seatbelt accents, which are optional for the standard 120 as well. Red seat inserts add flair, but headroom and kneeroom is limited for taller passengers. A Honda Civic Type R offers more space.
Engine & Performance
In terms of engine and power, The M135 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine producing 300 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. It drives all four wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. When it comes to performance from 0-60 mph the 2025 BMW M135 does that in just 4.9 seconds, however, in our tests, it recorded 4.6 seconds and a quarter-mile time at 13.29 seconds.
Cargo Space
The boot is not as spacious compared to its rivals such as the Honda Civic Type R. However, it offers a decent square shape boot that comes with a hands-free door.
BMW M135 Cons
- The M135 has less power and torque than its predecessor, the M135i.
- It weighs 100 kg more, resulting in a lower power-to-weight ratio.
- The car lacks adaptive dampers and has basic “passive” dampers instead.
- Driving modes are overly complicated and distracting.
- The exhaust sound is artificial and played through the car’s speakers.
BMW M135 Pros
- The M135 offers more boot space than the standard 1 Series due to the absence of a mild hybrid system.
- The M Dynamic pack enhances handling with stiffer suspension, lightweight wheels, and improved brakes.
- There are plenty of customization options, including 10 exterior colors, 4 interior trims, and 5 alloy wheel designs.
- A mechanical limited-slip differential improves grip on the front axle.
- The M135 chassis is upgraded with stiffer springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars.
Driving Experience
When driving on country roads in our test, the BMW M135 offers decent grip, but it lacks the exhilarating drive of competitors like the VW Golf R. The steering and chassis feel disconnected, and the gear shifts are slower than expected. While the suspension is firm, it does not feel truly connected to the road.
For regular driving, the car is reasonably comfortable, though the suspension is slightly stiff. The Fuel efficiency averages around 30 mpg. The M135 is best for those who want a fast, stylish car with a premium badge rather than a thrilling hot hatch experience.
Cost and Value
In terms of pricing, the base model of the M135 xDrive costs £31,000 in the UK, however the M135 version is a bit pricier because it has more performance features.
Verdict
The 2025 BMW M135 xDrive is a good hot hatch with powerful performance with modern technology for daily use. However, It might not satisfy enthusiast looking for the rear-wheel-drive specs of previous generations.
