Engine & 6MT
The engine is superb, it covers all bases. Docile if you need to be efficient but drop into Sport mode and the pick-up is ferocious. The engine note in the cabin is refined in Eco and Comfort but very pleasant indeed in Sport, Sport +, great sounding I6, I’ve missed that! Yes it’s got active sound but it sounds great. The 6MT is my favourite part of the car, it been so long since I enjoyed a proper 6MT transmission. Shifting is easy, short and precise but not Porsche levels. I had doubts about the not exactly sporty looking shifter but it fits like a glove. Thoughts of mod’ing this now gone.
Adaptive Dampers
A first for me and really impressive. Comfort is more comfortable with less road jitter than the passive 520D MSport on 18s. Sport controls body roll almost completely but as yet I’ve not pushed on I’m still running in. My wheels are 19s PZero and I only noticed a day in that they are actually are RFT’s, oops! Still says a lot for the Comfort setting. I still got the compressor in the boot so might try non RFT’s on tyre change. Must have for £500.
Steering, Ride & Handling
What I loved about my M135i test drive was the cars nimble size and quick turn with the VSS. This is night and day vs an F10. If I’m honest I actually prefer this light approach to the full on M4 cars steering setup, weird yes I know. Not very manly perhaps to state this but it just works better for me as a car I drive. I agree the M4 steering is fantastic but it felt very very heavy to me. One thing I can advise is that this car will drift at will. I’ve got nowhere near 5k RPM yet in any gear but on a few feisty corners could feel the back end beginning to lose traction on the damp pick up weekend I collected the car. Motorway cruising is much less refined than an F10 as expected but not many are a smooth as the F10. You do notice the shorter wheelbase in the ride too. Vehicle weight is down by over 200kg and you can feel it everywhere, braking is much reduced. This car is just fun to drive.
Size
It’s not everything. I’m loving being able to park this car anywhere, parking at the supermarket does not require advance planning. As I’ve said elsewhere, a 6ft driver in front and 6ft rear passenger leg room is possible, head room gets a bit tight for adults on longer trips, best for younger family kids or occasional use in the back Love it, this car is the perfect size for my needs right now, it’s why I changed. I know some are avid dogging fans on Bimmerpost…but this might not be the car for you
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M Performance Kit
So being honest when specing this car myself I might not have gone for any of it. However once I saw it with all the sparkly bits added it just looks immense and IMO more than just a 2. The Sports exhaust is lovely, really great feature. I think I’d need to spec this on most cars from now. Again fits the BMW Jekyll and Hyde model well, quite a beast in Sport mode. Also noticed that a little like the Jag F Type the car starts up with a bit of a roar, pleasant. One word of warning, warn the kids about the protruding exhaust. Son got a shock at the weekend when his bare leg touched it, obviously it sticks out a bit when you look at vs other beemers. He’s ok BTW, phew. Also the M Performance stickers add at least 15hp, Fachhhht.
Other Bizarre Bits
DAB. My first in a car, it’s great to not have Talksport crackle under power lines. Love the track names on music stations too. 21st century at last for me. Takes longer switching between stations than an FM though.
Door bins. These are huge and possible make up the 100Litres of boot space lost. Decent 3 compartments too and nicely sectioned. The usually bit of lower model scrimping here with no nice soft touch lining as in an F10 and F30.
Aircon. Seems just as good to me as the F10, X1 felt a bit weedy, pleased about this obviously.
Auto Start Stop Off. Easier to reach located on the top of the start button rather than under it.
Pro Nav. You all know about this already, for me it looks great. Early days yet but it likes my left handed writing and the new voice recognition is superb. Mode button on the new sports wheel is also clever, it cycles only through the Audio sources available rather than also cycling though your empty Aux etc.
Folding Mirrors. Don’t have them and wouldn’t say you need them on a 2.
Sliding Armrest. Perfect for the 6MT, comes forward just enough, Hbrake still easily accessible and iDrive wheel.
Negatives
Obviously this package isn’t going to win any MPG awards. You need to go into this proposition with eyes open and prepare for maybe 30-40% fuel cost uplift. I’ve got this covered but it’s still a shocker. The tank is also not huge at 52 litres I think? Makes the range sub 400 miles for the first time in…forever but hey ho more time at petrol stations tills looking back at the car.
Space, well I’ve lost about 100litres of boot. Mrs ChesterM4 will come to the rescue with the mini changing to a larger car for trips and weekends.
I’m going to list my favourite feature as a negative too, the 6MT. Only 3 days in yet and thankfully I’ve not had a traffic jam yet but this will not be fun when it does happen. Plan will be just stick her in Eco so the stop and go pulling away isn’t as jerky.
Instrument Binnacle. No temp gauge, not great for some but I really don’t care. I’ll drive steady for the 1st 5 minutes and then if the car warns me it’s hot fair enough. Just be aware. It’s actually a nice compact view with Speedo and Rev Counter.
Had 1 rattle in a rear pop up head rest, quickly sorted as it wasn’t 100% seated into the holder. Dealer wouldn’t really have tried this so fair enough only happened when I messed with the pop up headrests.
Summary
Great, great car. It’s getting quite a few accolades and deservedly so. The M2 will be a classic but I wonder if I might just stick with her. Only time will tell, so that’s obviously a no! Very very happy customer right now. If it’s in anyway practical for you to have this car or the 228i with some toys on, it should be first on the list to test drive. Sorry to ramble all questions and photo requests welcome. Chris.
PS Sorry I know this is the F30 forum but its got the best UK attendance and I thought a few would be interested