BMW M135i - More Performance For More Sporting Character

The joys of a good auto ‘box, and a quick road trip to the Peak District

A mid all the debate over the move to dual-clutch automatic gearboxes only in performance cars such as the Porsche 911 GT3 and Renault Clio 200 Turbo, it’s actually the conventional eight-speed auto in our M135i that has convinced me that there’s nothing to fear from this trend and plenty to look forward to. Dual-clutch ‘boxes are getting better all the time, but none in my experience has yet to achieve the all-round excellence of ZF’s torque converter automatic.

M135i proved highly effective on Peak District roads

I’m not yet in a position to state categorically that it’s superior to the six-speed manual version, but it’s hard to imagine the M135i being any better or more rewarding for the driver than it is when equipped with the $2400 optional auto ‘box. If you accept that having eight forward ratios is of benefit to fuel economy and emissions (which I do), a manual gearbox is pretty much out of the question anyway; you’d be far too busy. But beyond that, the auto works so well with the M135i’s sweet turbocharged straight six that I never find myself wishing for a manual shift or feeling as if I’m missing out in some way.

Eight-speed ZF auto in no way inhibits driving pleasure

When you’re crawling along in traffic or maneuvering in a car park, the auto ‘box is as smooth and easy to use as change gears manually via the wheel-mounted paddles, though, and it does exactly what you ask of it, crisply and with just enough forcefulness on upshifts to let you know that it has responded. You can make full use of the car’s giant-slaying performance by belting up and down the closely stacked mid-range ratios, using the ‘box to help slow and balance the car going into corners and then piling on the speed in neat, precise payers as the road straightens up again, without any hesitation or fumbling. I find it highly satisfying.

All of this was emphasized again on a quick 600-mile road trip to the Peak District recently, the objective being to explore the A57 Snake Pass between Sheffield and Manchester and the notorious A537 ‘Cat and Fiddle’ run from Buxton to Macclesfield, stopping off at the Derwent and Ladybower reservoirs on the way.

Wet conditions, heavy traffic and average speed cameras could have put a dampener on the trip, but the M135i was mighty over the Dales

Wet conditions, heavy traffic and average speed cameras could have put a dampener on the trip, but the M135i was mighty over the Dales, demonstrating a Jaguar-like ability to flow and breather with uneven roads that meant it could over the ground swiftly without disturbing its occupants. Point to point, I reckon the M135i would be hard to beat.

Other than generating a little more road noise than I’d like, the M135i is excellent on the motorway, too: really comfortable and planted. And having grumbled about its fuel economy so far, I was pleased to find that it recorded a respectable 31.6mpg on the first tankful and 33.1mpg on the run home – good enough for a range of nearly 400 miles. Given that it’s probably better than the manual car would have achieved, it’s yet another reason to think that the M135i auto is one of the best all-rounders you’re likely to find for $45k-$60k.