Background

Once upon a time, a BMW 1 Series hot hatch was a rather unique hot hatch confection, rear driven with a howling straight six engine - a car for the hot hatch cognoscenti. The sort of model a race track instructor would use as his day-to-day drive. But then in 2019 with the introduction of the mainly front-driven F40 version of this car, everything changed. Out went rear wheel drive; in came xDrive AWD and a four cylinder 2.0-litre powerplant for what was then called the 'M135i xDrive'. The replacement F70-era version of this car retains that mechanical set-up, but loses the 'i' from its name (that letter now used to designate BMW's EVs). More importantly, it gains a sharper look and redesigned screen tech. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

As with the previous generation M135i xDrive, this top variant has all-wheel drive, but its 2.0-litre four cylinder engine now offers fractionally less power (6hp less) than its predecessor, though the 300hp output isn't much different, so the 4.9s 0-62mph sprint time is only a tenth slower than the old model. Top speed remains electronically limited to 155mph. Oh and when you select 'Sport', the added fake 'Iconic Sound' soundtrack is remarkably satisfying and sporty. It sounds rather less appealing if you turn off the synthesised speaker accompaniment. Like the previous F40 M135i model, this F70 car has Launch Control and a mechanical Torsen limited slip differential to get its grip to the gravel. Which is much the same kind of approach that's on offer from obvious rivals like the Golf R and the Audi S3. There's not the same challenge in driving it that characterised the last decade's pre-2019-era F20 six cylinder model - but then, you might have expected that. This F70 M135 xDrive, like its F40 predecessor, differs from lesser 1 Series variants with its stiffer suspension set-up, which in combination with the 10mm-lower ride height does in truth make the ride somewhat over-firm for our country's terrible tarmac. That's despite the standard inclusion of M Adaptive suspension, which doesn't help much and is only controllable via use of the different drive modes. In our view, you'd be unwise to make the ride even stiffer by paying extra for BMW's 'M Dynamic Pack', which gives you a more focused 'Dynamic Chassis' set-up that the brand says can unlock 'a new character' for this fast hatch. In some ways, even in this standard form, it's already got a more focused character than it had before, courtesy of quite a few subtle engineering tweaks. At the front, the subframe features an extra couple of bracing bars for extra steering accuracy and the electrically assisted rack features a quick ratio of 14:1 (the standard 120 model is set at 15:1). Finally, the brake master cylinder is bigger than that of a more ordinary 1 Series for better response and more consistent pedal pressure.

Design and Build

As you might expect, the top M135 xDrive variant has its own unique 'M Performance' look. There's an M radiator grille with horizontal bars, M exterior mirror caps and four exhaust tailpipes to make this variant instantly recognisable as the top-of-the- range model. This F70-era model gets a sleeker nose, which sees swept-back headlights frame kidney grilles that now lose the previous colour-coded central strake, merging instead to form a single, large vertical panel. In profile, a previous owner will notice the embossed number '1' on the C-pillar incorporated within the use brand 'Hofmeister kink' over the rear wheel. And at the back, there are revised LED light clusters and a restyled bumper. The dimensions have changed a surprising amount, this 'MK4' car 42mm longer and 25mm taller than its predecessor. Even bigger changes feature inside, where the cabin gains a single piece curved infotainment display made up of a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.7-inch centre screen, the latter running the brand's latest OS9 software. This features 'Quick Select' on-screen short-cut functions, which further reduce the dashboard button count. Other changes include redesigned seats, a new steering wheel and a leather-free interior; customers can specify 'Econeer' upholstery made up of recycled PET. As before, this M135's interior is set apart by M seat belts and M sports seats. Otherwise, the recipe is as with the base 120 model. This car has the cabin feel of a larger, more luxurious product. Some of that's down to cabin quality - soft-touch surfaces and the sold feel of all the fixtures and fittings matched on a plusher model like this one by things like contrast stitching and intricate 'Extended lighting' door panel strips. Two adults can comfortably fit on the back seats without having to squash in their knees. And out back, there's a decently-sized 380-litre boot (or 1,200-litres with the rear seat bench folded down).

Market and Model

BMW wants £43,000 for an M135 xDrive. That's £10,000 more than a 120 M Sport - but then you're getting a lot more power and 4WD for that. This M135, as you'd expect, gets all the features you'd find on an ordinary 'M Sport' 1 Series, plus a few more. There's an M rear spoiler, blue M Sport brake calipers and sun protection glass, plus drivers will be pleased to note the inclusion of M adaptive Suspension and an M Quad exhaust system. The M135 can be had with an optional 'M Dynamic Pack', which gives you 19-inch M Forged Y-Spoke wheels, a Dynamic Chassis Set-Up, M Compound Brakes with grey calipers and M Sport seats. As for other options, well your dealer is going to want you to add the 'Technology Pack' which gets you Adaptive LED headlights with a High-beam assistant, 'Comfort Access' keyless entry, an anti-dazzle rear view mirror and a wireless charging mat. The 'Technology Plus Pack' gives you all this, along with a Head-up display, the upgraded BMW Live Cockpit Professional cabin screen system and a 'Parking Assistant Plus' set-up that'll automatically park the car for you. On to safety. As well as all the usual airbags, standard 'Active Guard' camera features include the 'Driving Assistant' package with front collision warning, Lane Departure Warning, Exit Warning and Traffic Sign Recognition, as well as the brand's 'Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant' package. Most of the more sophisticated camera safety features though, cost extra, a few of them in the 'Driving Assistant Plus' pack (£700 more) but most of them in the 'Driving Assistant Professional Pack' (£1,700 more).

Cost of Ownership

BMW isn't developing any more combustion engines but it's doing its best to improve efficiency on the fossil-fuelled units it already has. Even this top M135 xDrive manages up to 37.1mpg on the combined cycle and up to 174g/km of CO2; which is vastly better than what you'd get from a rival Audi S3 or Mercedes A 35. If you can't quite stretch to an M135, the 123 xDrive is worth a look, fast but notably more frugal, managing up to 47.9mpg and up to 135g/km. Routine maintenance is dictated by 'Condition Based Servicing' that monitors oil level and engine wear, taking into account how long it's been and how far the car has travelled since its previous garage visit. You can check all of this using menus in the 'iDrive' centre-dash display; the centre-dash screen's 'Car' section tells you engine oil level, service requirements and (on a diesel model) your AdBlue level. Plus the car will give you four weeks' notice of when a check-up is needed so you have plenty of time to book it. A TeleServices' feature comes as part of the BMW 'ConnectedDrive' services you can also access through the iDrive infotainment system. Via this, before each service appointment is due, your 1 Series can automatically put in a 'TeleServices' call to your nominated BMW service centre, complete with detailed information on vehicle condition. You'll then get a call to arrange a service appointment, something you'll already have budgeted for if, at the point of original purchase, you opted for one of the two fixed cost 'Service Inclusive' or 'Service Inclusive Plus' packages which cover you for five years or 50,000 miles.

Summary

What you think of the M135 xDrive depends largely on the expectations you approach it with. If what you want is something track-tamed, like a Honda Civic Type-R or the old Hyundai i30N, then you'll probably find it a bit too repressed and buttoned-up for its own good. If, on the other hand, your shopping list in this segment includes AWD models like the Audi S3 or its similarly-engineered cousins, the Volkswagen Golf R or the top version of the CUPRA Leon (all of which share a more powerful 333PS 2.0-litre turbo engine), then you might well find this BMW an admirable alternative. True, compelling isn't the first word that springs to mind when considering the drive experience this car serves up, but it's undeniably impressive. You might, like us, find the ride a little over-firm, but traction out of corners, that thing you had to fight for in the old pre-2019 F20-era 1 Series rear-driven hot hatch model on damp roads, is superb. Plus the four cylinder petrol powerplant is a willing thing and sounds good with its synthesised accompaniment. In summary, the M135 may not be a unique confection. But these days, it's an undeniably more complete one.