2013 BMW M135i

This particular 2013 example is somewhat of a rarity, based both upon its extensive options list (more on that shortly) and the fact that BMW snuck a facelift N55 engine into a number of pre-facelift vehicles, this being one of them.  This is also the only example in modern times which is RWD.

First, the options. The original owner clearly had cash to burn, as they specified over £10,000 worth of optional extras. According to the vendor, the first two owners of the vehicle (the current owner is the third) were supercar owners who used the M135i as a daily driver, and it certainly wouldn’t seem untoward to assume this based on the specification.

The engine, too, is a wonderful selling point here. Being the later engine fitted to the facelift cars, the N55 benefits from a twin-scroll turbocharger, larger turbo outlet, electronic wastegate and a bump in power, boosting it to 322bhp. The eight-speed ZF gearbox with paddle shifts is a delight to use, and the vehicle is ULEZ-exempt, meaning even those in deepest, darkest London can enjoy the M135i without any extra charges for its emissions.

Having purchased the vehicle as a ‘sensible’ family car due to having a baby on the way, the owner has now found the ‘sensible’ part of their criteria no longer necessary, meaning this fantastic M135i is simply being sold on to make room for something significantly less grown-up and practical.

Key options fitted to this M135i:

• M-Performance LSD (One of the rarest options on any M135i, very few were fitted)

• M-Performance switchable exhaust system

• Sunroof

• harmon/kardon sound system

• Adaptive M-Sport suspension

• Reversing camera with front and rear sensors and automatic parking system

• Xenon adaptive headlights

• And many, many more!

Considering that this M135i is now 8 years old, you’d be hard-pushed to tell its age by the condition of the vehicle alone. The Black Sapphire Metallic paintwork is nigh-on immaculate throughout, with very little in the way of stone chips or gravel rash to the front end.

The wheels, too, are in pristine condition, with no kerbing or marks to be seen anywhere on the faces. The iconic ‘angel eye’ headlights are all working perfectly with no cracks or noticeable chips to the lenses, with the rear lights also being free from damage. There is no known accident history with the vehicle, and all the bodywork is lovely and straight with even shut lines and no sign of any body work having been carried out.

Clearly, the original owner had very good taste, as they optioned the carbon-fibre tailpipe trims, which are in excellent condition and sit very well against the black metallic paintwork of this hot hatch.

There is a minor pin dent on the fuel filler cap which has not broken the paint (and is incredibly difficult to see unless you’re looking for it) along with a small scuff on the front offside wing, though the appearance of the latter would likely be greatly reduced by a decent machine polisher. Given the overall appearance of the rest of the car, we’d hardly say that these two tiny blemishes bring down the condition of the vehicle.

Inside, this performance-oriented 1-Series shrugs off its age and mileage with ease, with the interior still appearing surprisingly modern in its design despite dating from 2011 when the F20 / F21 1-Series was introduced.

Everything in here is in excellent condition. The seats show very minimal sign of use with only slight creasing to the outer driver’s bolster and a small mark on the lower back rest. The passenger seat is in even better condition, while the rear bench seats (offering three, rather than the usual two seats seen in the 1-series) look as if they’ve barely been used.

The headliner is in virtually pristine shape, and the sunroof works with ease and has no leaks. The dashboard is in great condition, and shows only some very minor signs of wear to the high-traffic areas such as the central iDrive controller, steering wheel and gear selector.

All the electronics, driver aids, switchgear and infotainment system work just as BMW intended, with no faults or warning lights on the instrument panel.

It's worth pointing out that in addition to the options stated above the original owner also specifically chose some other great spec options including Sat/Nav, Cruise Control, Keyless Engine Start and Heated Electrically-adjustable seats (plus many other smaller options).

Being only eight years old, this M135i is in rude health, as confirmed by its recent extensive service and squeaky-clean MOT history with only a few advisories around tire condition back in 2016, before the vendor’s ownership. There are the expected surface ‘bloom’ patches on exposed areas such as the exhaust, but these are no cause for concern and are simply the result of regular use.

Pushing the starter button, the turbocharged inline-six engine roars into life with an initial exaggerated bark, before settling down into a lovely smooth idle. The M-Sport exhaust allows the M135i to exhibit a deep burble on idle which won’t offend your neighbours, but under heavier acceleration the N55 engine is allowed to sing to its full extent; Lovely stuff!

Having been serviced in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2020, it is clear that this hot hatch has been regularly maintained by both the current and previous owners. Unfortunately, the BMW paperwork was not present with the vehicle when the vendor purchased it, and BMW won’t release it due to GDPR conflicts. However, all the servicing records are stored within the car’s infotainment system, and a photo of these records can be seen just ahead of the documentation photos below. Prior to 2020, the services were all carried out by BMW main dealers, while the vendor chose to use specialist Grosvenor BMW for the latest major service as they offered a more in-depth experience than the dealers.

Included with the vehicle is the original BMW book pack, V5 document showing 2 prior owners, invoice for the 2020 service, and details of the extended BMW warranty plan, the balance of which will be transferred to the new owner upon purchase.

If you’re in need of a family car that has incredible performance wrapped in a practical and stealthy body, then the M135i is the car for you.

Offering impressive and engaging driving from its 3.0-litre N55 engine, lightning-fast changes from the ZF automatic gearbox and still having enough room to fit all the family and a week’s worth of groceries in the back, there are very few cars that offer all this, and still manage to fly ‘under the radar’ in the way the M135i manages to.

This particular example is loaded to the gunwales with desirable and rare options and presents in outstanding condition throughout. If you didn’t know already, you wouldn’t imagine this was an eight-year old car from looking at it!

With a history of regular servicing, clean bill of health and a fully transferable balance on the BMW extended warranty, this 2013 BMW M135i is ready for its next owner to enjoy many miles of spirited, yet reliable and practical motoring. We estimate it'll fetch £10,000 - £15,000.

This vehicle is not with us at The Market’s HQ, which means we have had to rely on the owner’s description of it, in conjunction with the photographs you see here, to compile the listing. With this in mind, we would encourage potential bidders to contact the owner themselves and arrange to view the car in person, or to arrange a dedicated video call in which they can view the car virtually and ask questions.