M135i vs 128ti Driving Review - Is More Always Better?

When we drove the F40 M135i a few years back we were by and large fairly impressed with BMW's latest 1 Series, whilst acknowledging the tough act it had to follow - That of a 6 Cylinder RWD Hot Hatch.

A few years on we're getting behind the wheel of the M135i once again, but this time to put it up against it's younger sibling, the 128ti. BMW promise a more drivers focused car that's lighter weight and lower powered. Have they done it, or in this case is more better?

Intro Music:

#M135i #128ti #BMW #Review #HotHatch

[EvolveAutomotive]

We said it was a ZF gearbox, but after further research believe it is actually manufactured by Aisin. Either way we were impressed by the gearbox which is why we believed it was a ZF. It's much improved compared to the Aisin 6 speed in the GP3 we had.

[Anouk]

I drive a 128ti as a daily, and I absolutely love it! The handling is awesome, the power is more than enough, and the extra details just finishes this car!

[igqornl]

My 2 pence worth. Test drove both a year ago (before things got totally mad with delivery times). Coming from 7 years in Golf Rs, 2 x hatch & 1 x estate, so hopefully pretty open minded as to which to go for. 135i is def quicker, but 128ti is more fun. Opted for ti. You get a quick, refined fast hatch which ever go for, with a decent interior (unlike the mk8 Golf!)

[Hcarmad]

Nice comparison and also liking that you weren’t automatically favouring the 135i for its 4WD set up.

[derekwhyle]

A major 128 plus for me is that if you’re careful with the options you can have one under the £40k LCT limit.

[moonbaby]

be interesting on your thoughts on the revised M135i and the 128ti as of now. Those suspension changes you spoke of, BMW must have been listening.

[samcourt]

The new 1 series has a great interior; it’s really well made and is a step up from the F2x and it retains useful things like actual buttons but the mandatory safety systems are annoying (lane assist, speed limit warning etc).

[zangr]

This video has come at a perfect time. Currently debating whether to pull the trigger on either of these cars and I think I’m leaning towards the 135i!

[harryfff]

You should’ve tested the alcantara interior makes it so much nicer😍

[CRLD]

I’ve a 128ti, really like it. Can’t say I’ve ever felt that I need more power. It’s engaging and fun. Works fine on school run but then once the kids are out it’s ready to play.

[danielbittar]

Would you recommend to stick with the 19inch over 18inch wheel’s? I’ve just ordered.

[markrhoden]

I was offered the Ti but ultimately i went with the m135i 2022 model, id have felt short changed no matter how good the Ti is, i do wonder if the 2022 build with its modest chassis tweeks a step forward over the initial m135i build 🤔
Saying that and being more sensible, if you have a budget and still want quality and performance then yes the Ti is a good choice.

[t-macadventures]

Nice open roads to have a good spirited drive.

[comet]

You need to do this with the MY22 M135I with the suspension updates.

[andybellgardt]

I have since 2 Years the 128ti, I love my " Sugarsnaile " it is a real fun Car. I'm very happy with that so Special BMW !
Best wishes from Hamburg....Andreas

[davidpalmer]

You didn’t mention the price difference, and hence which is best value for money. Also, the April 2022 updates to the 135i seem to be doing exactly the same thing as you were considering, which probably makes the 135i the best bet now.

[martinmagee]

My wife has a 128ti and I have an RS4. Very different but the bmw is a really fun drive around country roads.

[ronnie]

The question can be also from another perspective. I live in Switzerland and I will always choose a 4WD car myself. It is a pity that you now only have the choice of the 120d xdrive ( I drive the older 2015 120d xdrive at the moment, great car) or the M135i). It can be the reason that my next car will not be a BMW anymore. I don't want a diesel, they are unfortunatelly banned and doomed by law and EU government and I don't need 300HP, or at least I spend the 20k euro extra rather on other things in live. I drove the X1 once, but the driving is not an emprovement to say it politely, to my current 1 series.

[liamstuart]

Just got a 128ti and test drove both, definitely feels more engaging than the m135i because it’s not all wheel drive, while the m135i has more power it felt less fun to drive

[Holdeenio]

How do these engine and gearboxes compare to the B58 paired with the ZF8? Naturally being a smaller engine and cheaper gearbox I’m not expecting the same potential, but could you give an indication of tuning potential? And with the gearbox? Is this 8-sd the same as in the Mini?