The BMW M135i Is The New ZM Coupe

"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve)
05/17/2016 at 14:55 • Filed to: BMW, M

The evolution of the BMW Z car has gone through constant improvements, from the not very popular Z3 to the much better executed Z4. Currently, the Z4 is long on the tooth and one of if not the slowest selling BMW in the lineup. Through the history of the Z’s there have been the much more desirable coupes and the downright collectible M coupes. Everyone (Or at least I) was expecting BMW to release the current Z4 with an M badge on its trunk and the performance upgrades to back it up but sadly the idea faded away in the same way the steering feel did. Gladly though, it arrived in a package completely oposite to where you would expect to find it.

The allure of the ZM Coupes has always been their design. The only reason why you would get an M Coupe over the M3 Coupe is solely the looks. The Z3M or Clown shoe was an either adore it or abhor it design and I can’t help but love it. The later Z4 M Coupe was a much less audacious design but it was unbelievably sexy and (IMO) the best looking body that has housed the iconic straight six. But currently, BMW has been missing more daring looking coupes (i8 notwithstanding) and if you wanted M performance in a quirky body your best bet was an X6M. That was until 2012, when the stubby looking 1 series got poked with a stick.

When I first saw the reveal of the M135i hatch, I wasn’t blown away with the 5 door body style. The idea of a true RWD hatch is very enticing, but I wasn’t feeling it completely. That is when I saw the 3 door and then it clicked. It’s the new Clown Shoe.

A long hood, short rear, 2 massive coupe-like doors and a roof that extended right to the back a-la-shooting break. It was and is perfect. All of the right ingredients are there when it comes to the technical bits; A straight six engine, 6 speed manual, improved brakes and M sport suspension. Getting deeper into the specs it is a lot more obvious that this is indeed a modern Z3M Coupe, both weight around the 3,300 lb mark, both have a similarly sized wheelbase and te horsepower rating difference is as small as 1 hp between the two inline sixes. It may not share the controversial rear end of the Z3 Coupe, but BMW couldn’t have made it more similar if they tried.

As a lifelong Z3 M Coupe fan, I would love to get my hands on an M135i because I truly doubt it will keep living for much. 2015 was it’s refresh, but with the success of the X1 I doubt the 1 series will keep being RWD. This will be truly desirable car when the time comes because it follows the recipe of M performance with true quirk from one of the most stoic car makers in the industry.

DISCUSSION (22)

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Vicente Esteve
05/17/2016 at 15:04

It’s a shame we never got the M135i hatch in the US.

I still really want a clown shoe though.

Ash78, voting early and often > Vicente Esteve
05/17/2016 at 15:20

I’m still mad at BMW for not launching the entire 1-series as hatches first. The coupe we got, without having the hatch for context, looks awkward and forced — much like any small sedan that started life (or at least gained popularity) as a hatch: Mazda3, Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris, Ford Fiesta. All look amazing in hatch form, mediocre as sedans. IMHO.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Vicente Esteve
05/17/2016 at 15:38

No, no it isn’t. Not even close, and certainly no cigar

Opposite Locksmith > Vicente Esteve
05/17/2016 at 15:46

I refuse to believe you

-this space for rent- > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
05/17/2016 at 16:15

But like a cigar, it’d be better if it were on fire.

-this space for rent- > Vicente Esteve
05/17/2016 at 16:20

Does BMW challenge it’s designers to make every 1 series uglier than the last?

Textured Soy Protein > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
05/17/2016 at 16:23

Count me among the “BMW ruined their cars with electric steering” camp. I mean, they still handle well, but it’s not the same.

I came sorta kinda close to replacing my 135is and Grand Cherokee with an M235i xDrive but with the electric steering and automatic transmission it was a bit boring.

Instead I bought an E92 335i xDrive with a stick shift and I’m much happier with it.

B_dol > Vicente Esteve
05/17/2016 at 18:20

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Uhh no? The Z4M coupe is 185lb lighter than the E46 M3, has a tighter steering rack, CSL brakes (only on CSL M3) and ohh a stiffer chassis.

B_dol > Textured Soy Protein
05/17/2016 at 18:22

+1. Electric steering may get the job done, but it sure has a long way to go to match the days of yore.

Vicente Esteve > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
05/17/2016 at 20:04

A clown shoe is in my dream car list.

Vicente Esteve > Ash78, voting early and often
05/17/2016 at 20:05

The issue is hatchback perception as being “cheaper” than sedans. We do get it in Mexico, but there aren’t nearly as many models as in Europe.

Vicente Esteve > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
05/17/2016 at 20:06

Not even close? They are both RWD, 2 door, shooting-brake esque designs.

Vicente Esteve > Opposite Locksmith
05/17/2016 at 20:07

Why?

Vicente Esteve > -this space for rent-
05/17/2016 at 20:07

It looks much better in person. It somehow works, but in picture I have to admit it isn’t the best looking hatch out there.

Vicente Esteve > B_dol
05/17/2016 at 20:10

Didn’t know about the CSL brakes, but I still believe a lot of allure to the M Coupes was the styling.

Opposite Locksmith > Vicente Esteve
05/17/2016 at 20:39

S54 is just so inspiring to drive, and the Z3M coupe has such a clown shoe appearance compared to this run of the mill 2 door hatch

Vicente Esteve > Opposite Locksmith
05/18/2016 at 00:07

Oh yeah, I agree completely. The character of the S54 is very different to the new turbocharged unit. The appearance of the shoe is much more exaggerated but it is the closest thing BMW currently offers.

Ash78, voting early and often > Vicente Esteve
05/18/2016 at 07:52

Tengo mucho celos...it's amazing to me sometimes that European-built cars can be shipped all the way across the ocean and sold just over the border, but not here in the US. Yes, our specific cultures and tastes are different, but our vehicle needs and regulatory standards aren't that different.

Vicente Esteve > Ash78, voting early and often
05/18/2016 at 08:51

On one hand, we get some cool stuff that the US doesn’t like laser headlights. On the other, there are thousands of cars out there without ABS or airbags.

B_dol > Vicente Esteve
05/18/2016 at 10:44

Styling, low production numbers and it makes a much better track car (for those so inclined)

dogisbadob > Vicente Esteve
05/28/2016 at 10:56

Too bad we don’t get the 1-series hatch in the US :(

Vicente Esteve > dogisbadob
05/28/2016 at 14:17

Europe gets all the good stuff...