It’s a bit easy to be confused by the monikers of various models over 135i production. All 135i models came with most of the sport features that you’d associate with what BMW traditionally had labeled “M Sport†models, but in the case of the 135i the actual M Sport name was only given to models with option code P337A, which gave you Style 261 wheels and an anthracite headliner. The 135i could also be had with a Sport Package, which gave you all the stuff of the M Sport but with a light-colored headliner and Style 264 wheels. Making it even more confusing is that when you decode VINs on non-M Sport models, the term M Sport pops up in S704A – the suspension – of all 135i models. There was a non-Sport 135i available, which gave you different wheels and no sport seats, as well as chrome trim – but they’re almost all reserved for convertibles.
Ready to be more confused? For its last model year, the M Sport Package was dropped and replaced by this model – the 135is denoted by code P7MFA. The 135is had few changes from previous models; outwardly, they are virtually identical to the prior year’s M Sport. Or, for that matter, they’re basically identical to any other 135i. There are three ways to identify a 2013 outwardly; a single “s†added to the back, the wheels, and the polished exhaust tips. The new S2NFA M Double Spoke Style 313 wheels shared their design with the 335is, but were smaller and more narrow. They were also actually available as M Performance wheels from the dealer, and some were made by Speedline. Dynamically, there was a small change. Still carrying the N55 single-turbo inline-6, the last model year got the bump in power that was optional on 2012s. The remapped ECU gave you 20 more horsepower and 17 lb.ft of torque – not a big gain, but a gain nonetheless. This option was also available for any 135i from your dealer as the power kit. Still, the 135is was the “best of the best” for the non-M E82s here, and with only around 500 sold they’re fairly desirable. This one has some miles and a checkered history but still looks good, so is it a deal for a rare car?
