BMW M135 - long-term review - Report No:3 2025
Yet I find myself very happy about the M135's efficiency. Now, let's be clear that this is not some miserly gazillion mpg superstar, In fact, officially it's not wildly better or different than its closest rivals. Even so, 37.2mpg for a car this fast and practical seems pretty amazing to me. The fact I've recently come out of the voracious Ford Ranger Raptor probably helps, admittedly.
I hate to talk about fuel consumption. It's a big issue for so many people and understandably so, but I've always avoided focussing on miles per gallon. To do so is to consign yourself to a life time of misery - denied the pure pleasure of enjoying a great engine because every rip to the red line has a defined cost attached to it.
However, what's more impressive still is that I'm not a million miles away from achieving BMW's claims. Usually I am miles apart from the theoretical efficiency of any given car, but the M135 seems almost as good as its word even when driven with a bit of enthusiasm. So while the Beemer isn't quite setting my hair on fire, nor is it melting my credit card.
I guess the other side of this coin is the reality that I'm not quite myself in the M135. It's pretty rare that I select Sport mode or shift gears manually to feel fully immersed in the driving experience. Mostly because when I do the car's reluctance to feel truly energised is a disappointment. I'm still awaiting one moment of magic to switch me on to the M135's way of doing things. Wet weather helps as you can push hard enough to experience the edge of grip, whereas in the dry you're mostly left guessing due to the smooth but feel-free steering. Yet even when the heavens open the BMW remains competent rather than compelling.
Good stuff? Pure point-to-point speed is pretty impressive, should that float your boat. The sheer breadth of ability is another plus point. Like all the great hot hatches the M135 seems to fit any road and any journey really well. I hate the expression, but this thing is a superb 'daily.' It just blends seamlessly into life. And, honestly, in a world of hybrids and EVs, I do appreciate the straightforward nature of BMW's hot hatch.
If only the dynamics were a bit more of a throwback to super-sharp, highly-charged hatches that created such a cult following for the breed. To me, everyday usability and precise, breathless dynamics are not mutually exclusive. Often they even go hand-in-hand. A car that's adjustable and intuitive when pushed is usually a very natural and easy thing to drive at low speed, too. These cars reveal their magic on every drive. Right now I'd just settle for some once a week. Once a month? I'm easy. Just soon would be good.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Auto Blog
2 hours ago
- Auto Blog
These BMW Models Will Be Most Affected By Imminent Price Hike
If you want a new BMW, now is a good time to buy one. Not All BMWs Will Be Affected, Though If you want a 2026 BMW, the time to buy one is now. On July 1, 2025, the German automaker will be increasing prices of its 2026 models, according to Cars Direct. Depending on the model, you could be paying up to $2,500 more from July, with an increase of up to 3% on selected models. Although it's easy to assume these price hikes are a result of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, the report suggests this isn't the case. Instead, BMW suggests this is a more usual increase that takes inflation into account. So, which models are impacted by the July price increase? 0:03 / 0:09 Audi A5 replaces A4: So, what's changed? Watch More High-Performance SUVs Receive Largest Price Hikes Source: BMW BMW's X5 M and X6 M Competitions will be $2,500 more expensive from July, which represents the biggest increase in dollars – but not necessarily the biggest increase percentage-wise. While the MSRP for the hottest X5 is $127,200 now, it will rise to $129,700. The X6 M is currently listed for $132,100, so will go for $134,600 once the increase takes effect. Fortunately, more modest increases await BMWs at the more affordable end of the scale. The cheapest BMW 4 Series will be $1,100 pricier; it currently starts at $51,500. The same $1,100 increase will apply to the base BMW Z4. The six-cylinder Z4 M40i, which will remain in production for longer than expected, may receive a slightly higher price bump. Cheapest BMW M3 Still Under $80k Source: BMW A few days ago, the pricing of the 2026 BMW M3 was leaked, and it's going to be $2,380 more expensive than before, now reaching $78,400. This price excludes the destination charge. The quickest M3 Competition with xDrive all-wheel drive will cost $87,700 before destination charges. Despite this increase, the base M3 is still a lot cheaper than the 2025 Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance, which starts at $86,050. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. EVs Not Affected By July Price Increase BMW i5 eDrive40 — Source: BMW Not every 2026 BMW will see a price hike in July. All EVs are excluded, along with the M2 and any 2025 models. Furthermore, the cheapest new BMW currently costs $39,600, and that's for the 228 Gran Coupe. Even a relatively small increase would mean that there are no more new BMWs for below $40k. However, the 2026 Gran Coupe will also be excluded from the price jump. On the whole, it appears BMW has done a decent job of mitigating the effects of tariffs. We know that BMW, along with fellow German automakers Volkswagen and Mercedes, are in talks with Washington to reach a potential tariff deal. If successful, the deal could lower or offset tariffs for models imported into the United States. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
Top Gear
3 hours ago
- Top Gear
Hydrogen cars are definitely (maybe) still going to happen
Future Tech People are still trying to make hydrogen work for cars. Here's how fuel cells still might make it Skip 2 photos in the image carousel and continue reading They've been a long time coming, but hydrogen-powered cars are definitely still on. Maybe. "Hydrogen is coming after everything else. Solar, wind, batteries; all went through a massive cost decline curve," insists Chris Jackson, founder of hydrogen solutions firm Protium. "The problem with [hydrogen] is everyone wants to jump to the end." Feels like it's been that way... forever actually. How many false dawns and dead ends has hydrogen led us to over the years? Advertisement - Page continues below But speaking at a forum organised by BMW last week, the project managing chief for its hydrogen tech, Dr Jürgen Guldner, observed: "We need to get over those few first 10,000 units where economies of scale make sense, and then the cost curve will come down." So here's a theory: the road to hydrogen cars is via trucks. Guldner points out that 12 per cent of HGV operators planning to introduce hydrogen vehicles within the next five years: doesn't seem like a lot, but that's because businesses are worried about infrastructure. You might like Jackson steps in: "Hydrogen infrastructure is more expensive because a 50kW EV charger services up to 10 cars a day, versus a hydrogen refuelling station doing 400 vehicles a day. 'That's why in Europe [the attitude is] 'let's get the heavy-duty vehicles out first'. Create the demand, create the backbone. Then that creates confidence and certainty to bring in passenger vehicles." Advertisement - Page continues below Feels like we've had this chicken and egg debate a thousand times over, but despite the beleaguered progress of the tech since the 1966 Chevrolet Electrovan, people are still trying to make it work. Hyundai's got the next-gen Nexo coming later this year, and BMW's iX5 pilot was so successful the German carmaker is readying a production fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) by 2028 using Toyota technology. According to Toyota, there are 75,000 fuel-cell vehicles (FCEVs) on the road globally, with the Mirai accounting for around 28,000 of those. The UK's contribution to that sum is 230 Mirais... and roughly 20 hydrogen buses in London. Don't judge, eh? But here's the scale of the problem: here in Blighty there are three publicly accessible car refuelling points, with a further three planned. And four publicly accessible bus refuelling points, with a further... two planned. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. In total there are 16 hydrogen refuelling stations across the UK, and funded plans to build enough to enable north-to-south travel (roughly 65). Calculations suggest the UK would need around 1,300 to put every driver 30 minutes from one. So the gap is big. Really big. Refuelling hubs can take one of two approaches; one where the hydrogen produced elsewhere arrives by tanker, the other where the hydrogen is produced on-site. Jon Hunt, senior manager of Toyota's Hydrogen Transformation division, says: "What we've learned is while it's very good [to produce on-site], it does need scale to make it economically viable. So it's better to centralise large-scale production and look at the distribution routes." Meanwhile hydrogen is being used in other places, powering sound systems at music festivals and lighting motorway towers – things which should help drive costs down. So going to see Oasis this summer is actually you doing your bit for the planet. "You gotta roll with it! You gotta take your time!" Ahem. Add in fancy innovations like the portable hydrogen cartridges (pictured) that Toyota's been working on, and some cars to actually run on the stuff, and the pipe dream might not be dead after all. Maybe.
Reuters
7 hours ago
- Reuters
Twice Superbike champ Razgatlioglu to ride for Pramac in MotoGP in 2026
June 10 (Reuters) - Twice World Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlioglu will make the switch to MotoGP in 2026 after agreeing to join the Prima Pramac Racing team, Yamaha announced on Tuesday. Razgatlioglu, the first Turkish Superbike world champion who is known for his showmanship and has 63 wins, won his first title with Yamaha in 2021 before making the switch to BMW, winning the title again in 2024. Pramac made the switch from Ducati bikes to Yamaha this season. Razgatlioglu is currently second in the 2025 Superbike championship. "Toprak, the most victorious Yamaha rider of all time in Superbike, has proven to be an exceptional talent, securing the WorldSBK Title twice, which is no mean feat," Paolo Pavesio, the managing director of Yamaha Racing, said in a statement. "His transition to MotoGP is both a 'homecoming' and an exciting new challenge that's been set up with the clear goal of progressive growth over time." Razgatlioglu had previously tested the Yamaha bike in 2023. Pramac currently have Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira as their riders this season, with Yamaha saying the 2026 lineup will be confirmed in due course. Current WorldSBK leader Nicolo Bulega is also set to join Ducati's MotoGP test team next year ahead of a potential switch in 2027 when MotoGP's new regulations come into effect.
