BMW

Date Acquired:

04 Mar 2009

Year:

2009

Cost:

Fuel consumption:

20.1mpg w/skis

Odometer:

11,700

Servicing:

None to date

Annual Insurance:

£500

Other costs:

£570 (Performance Exhaust)

It started in mid-March, when I took a ski trip with friends to Courchevel in France. Three-up in the 135i with all our luggage plus four pairs of skis on the newly-purchased ski rack on the roof. We went in convoy with other friends in a diesel Audi A4 S-Line, which was depressing since the A4 got all the way from Calais to Chambery before needing to re-fuel, whereas the BMW, which has a stupidly small 53 litre fuel tank and was doubly handicapped by the unaerodynamic scaffolding on its roof, was by then stopping for the third time, managing just an eyewatering 20.1mpg at a steady 90mph or so. 

Never mind, at least my co-pilot and I had more fun. Once more, the little coupe ate up the miles in a masterful fashion and we learnt to ignore the sat nav's cautionary diversions at our peril - she is always right. I noted that once in the resort, the ski rack made up for its economy-bashing by proving very useful to have (and easy to use), and although in fact the roads were largely clear, the Kumho snow tyres were brilliant. They only finally relinquished grip when faced with sheet ice on an incline. Interestingly, our all-in cost of travel (Eurotunnel, petrol, tolls and food/drink) came to £150 less each per head for us compared to other friends who flew out and then took transfers. And that's before you factor in not needing to hire boots and skis. So, yes, it takes 2-3 hours longer to get there each way, but the savings are worth it.  

Then, 10 days later, I set off again, heading down to the Cote d'Azure via a stopover in Epernay and the famous Route Napoleon which runs from Digne-les-Bains to Grasse and is stunningly beautiful. I left the main autoroute south at Lyons and went via Grenoble and the fun, twisty RNs down through Sisteron and the Col de la Croix Haute, which takes you above the snow line before dropping down towards Digne. Highly recommended if you have the time - and take a convertible if you can (preferably one that makes a really great noise!).

This was when I slightly regretted not taking the Z1, but the 135i does definitely have plenty of its own appeal on these roads - it's never short of ample, surging power and the performance exhaust gives it a fabulously exuberant soundtrack that means driving with the sunroof and windows open is de rigeur to better hear the howl. You almost fear that you'll trigger a rockfall from too much sound booming around. But the sweet, grippy RWD handling and the powerful and reassuring 6-pot brakes really give you the confidence to attack these sorts of twisty little roads, so with luck you'd outrun any falling scenery. But don't do it if you suffer vertigo - the drop-offs and overhanging rock faces will give you heart-failure in no time.

Once arrived, I mostly spent time with family but I did escape for a day to explore the surrounding high mountain roads that run off the Grand Corniche 1,000 precipitous metres above Monaco, and along the French/Italian coastal border. The famous one is of course the Col de Turini (behind Menton) which forms part of the Monte Carlo rally course, but there are literally hundreds of tiny, snaking, switchbacking passes which are enormous fun if you enjoy driving (although some are a little too small, twisty and bumpy to be attacked at any great speed). They afford some truly spectacular views along the Cote d'Azur, that on a clear day stretch from San Remo in Italy, all the way to St Tropez, and even as far across the sea as the mountains of Corsica. Do it if you can. But at a quiet time of year to avoid tourists as there aren't many passing places...  

Heading home, I took the autoroute to Geneva via lunch in Aix-en-Provence. Stop here if you ever get the chance - Aix is firstly a charming, pretty old town and secondly it has quite a famous university and is therefore stuffed with charming, pretty 20-something girls, which is quite a winning combination. Spent two nights in Geneva, which is not a car-friendly city (expensive parking, stupid speed limits and unfathomable traffic layouts) but is incongruosly stuffed with beautiful and exotic cars, before heading home to London. All told, a good fun trip.

As a post-script, it was gratifying to note that, shorn of the ski-rack and weight, the 135i managed a creditable 29.5 mpg on the run from Geneva to London.

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