As usual we have to wait for the pictures before getting some
serious wheel time in the car but while I’m waiting I take some time to examine
the Schnitzer engine upgrade statistics. Where the regular M135i develops a
healthy 320hp, the addition of a Schnitzer tuning box adds another 40hp
(developed at the same 5,800rpm as the standard car) while the torque curve is
significantly boosted too. Maximum twist is now an impressive 384lb ft – a gain
of 52 over the production car – and this leads to some decent performance
gains. 0-62mph for the eight-speed auto equipped model now stands at 4.7
seconds – a 0.2-second reduction over the standard machine while the 50-112mph
time that Schnitzer quotes sees a sizable 2.1-second gain at 10.8 seconds.
Bottom line is that the on paper stats suggest the car is hugely rapid.
AC Schnitzer BMW M135i Engine
With the static pictures in the bag it’s time to get some action
shots and pottering along for the camera reveals the M135i’s easy-going nature.
With the Drive Performance Control in its Comfort setting and the gearbox in
Drive this rapid hatch really is a doddle to drive moderately quickly. It’s so
effortless that you can imagine cruising down to the south of France, wafting
along on part throttle with the just audible symphony played by the Schnitzer
exhaust being a pleasant but unobtrusive companion. The suspension setup seems
to be just about spot on, firm enough to keep the car’s body in check, but
comfortable enough not to give a bone-jarring ride. In short, at lower speeds
it’s virtually indistinguishable from the standard M135i which in my book is a
very good thing.
After a few runs for the camera, photographer Earey gives me a wave
to say he’s done and I can now finally let the Schnitzered hatch off the leash
and see what it’s capable of. There’s a cracking section of road for me to play
on that has just about everything bar any really sharp corners, but it has long
straights, some wicked dips and crests and enough off camber fast sweepers to
give the chassis a real workout. Best of all it’s virtually deserted. I run up
and down at a fair clip just to make sure I know what is in store, and once I’m
happy there aren’t any hidden roads joining it or that a tractor is about to
pull out of a field into my path it’s time to enter maximum attack mode.
Standard four-pot brakes are excellent
The eight-speed shifter is flicked over to the left to engage Sport
mode and the Drive Performance Control switch is given a couple of flicks to
dial-in Sport+ which gives maximum throttle response and knocks the traction
control into its halfway house DTC setting. The rear end squirms under hard
acceleration as the winter Michelin boots struggle to transmit 360 horsepower
to the road but after a brief hiatus it hooks up well and the M135i hurtles
towards the horizon with the briefest of interludes as you grab the right-hand
paddle to shift up a ratio every time the needle whips round the rev counter.
The exhaust that was quiet and discreet under part throttle loads now joins the
party and sounds sublime, egging you on to delve further into the car’s
armoury.
AC Schnitzer BMW M135i Side View
