Had a short test drive of one yesterday, so thought I'd add a few comments.
Car was a 5-door manual in the seemingly obligatory Estoril Blue.
The interior seems to have been improved slightly over the previous generation of E8x 1er, with the centre console seeming to have a subtle sweep towards the driver, more like the old E46. The brushed aluminium trim looked a bit more substantial than the stuff offered back in the E9x, and more importantly wasn't located in areas that would get clobbered by the seatbelt like the E90. Apparently there have been supply issues with the glacier aluminium trim which are delaying builds, so the brushed ally is being offered instead.
The test car was fitted with the BMW performance gearstick, which looked great as a lump of alloy with an alcantara surround. But, for me I found it to be too small in diameter and more likely that you would miss it when going for a quick shift.
Firing up the engine it sounded pretty muted from inside the cabin, probably even more so than the coupe I had a year ago. The note is also deeper and gruffer than I remember, but probably just down to the difference between the N54 and the N55.
On the move it was more of the same. The old N54 135i coupe threw some loder bass notes at you in the 2~3k rev region, and could sound just a bit busy and tinny when pushed up to the redline. The M135i by contrast seems to maintain a refined note throughout the rev range and sounds a bit more refined at all times, but with a slightly deeper note.
Fortunately the lights on a dual carriageway caught us, so there was a chance to give it some beans from the lights. As the videos posted here show it pulls strongly, and will put a smile on your passengers face, let alone yours. The power seems to be more linear than the older car, just smooth and relentless, something that almost makes it feel slower. The old 135i you could feel accelerating faster as the revs built, and then even more so right at the top end. In some ways the M135i almost felt slow... and then I looked at the dots in the rear view mirror that had just been annihilated.
Didn't get chance to really throw it about, but it rode well, and hammering it around a few roundabouts inspired confidence.
The manual box was good, with precise shifts and a smoother action than the E8x and E9x models I have driven. Much more like the feel of the MINI, smooth slick and positive. It just needed a better gearstick. I can't help feeling that the auto would suit it better though. At motorway speeds-ish there's plenty of reserve in top, but you just know that a flex of the right foot and the auto would drop a couple of gears and headbutt the horizon.
The adpative drive stuff I barely bothered with. Sport did seem a little sharper than Comfort, but out of respect for the car I didn't try Eco-Pro, and out of respect for my unfamiliarity with the car the Sport+.
All in all a very impressive car. Not as all out bonkers as a full M car, but one that you could potter about with being all smooth and refined... and then switch to sport and enjoy.
Visually to the uninitiated it looks just like any other 1er, and I'm sure that some will confuse it with a 114d only to find it has 3.5 times more power! Traffic lights against Corsas and Saxos would be interesting, let alone the Escort diesel van that tried it on.
Sure it has grey wheels and mirror caps, and the twin pipes will give it away to those in the know, but debaged it could be a serious Q-car.
Although the press coverage is generating interest, the motor industry is having a hard time in Europe, so there are offers out there. PCP at about 4% and 50/50 0% finance deals are there to be had.