[Joe AUTOID]

As we have been long-time F20 M140i owners and our recently acquired F70 M135i, we wanted to share some honest thoughts on how the new generation stacks up. They’re very different cars and for those of us who fell in love with the F20 for its raw, RWD character, that’s both a blessing and a curse...

Performance & Driving Feel
The F20’s B58 engine is a gem as we all know. Out of the box, 335bhp and 500Nm makes it a rocket, and with a simple stage 1 map and downpipe, you’re pushing 400+bhp easily. The rear-wheel-drive platform delivers a proper BMW driving experience - balanced, tail-happy, and engaging.

Jump into the F70 M135i and the vibe changes completely. It’s powered by a B48 2.0L four-cylinder making around 300bhp. It’s quick thanks to xDrive and a 7-speed DCT, but it lacks the theatre, noise, and tuning headroom of the B58. The steering also feels more muted compared to the communicative front end of the F20.

If you love driving - not just getting from A to B the F20 is still the one to beat.

Handling & Chassis
The biggest change? The F70 ditches RWD for a front-biased xDrive setup. For many of us, that’s sacrilege. And yes, it definitely feels more like a mini than a traditional BMW... which it is under the skin.

That said, in real-world, wet B-road conditions, the F70 is fast and confidence-inspiring. With mods like Eibach springs, coilovers, and a stiffer rear anti-roll bar, you can bring back some of that lost playfulness and make it feel sharper and more fun.

Still, it’ll never give you the rear end liveliness of the F20 and for some, that’s non-negotiable..

Interior & Styling
The F20’s charm lies in its simplicity and sleeper looks. You know where every button is, and it feels mechanical in the best way. Being on the cusp of technology taking over.

The F70, on the other hand, looks sharp and feels way more modern inside. Digital dash, slick infotainment, and better cabin materials make it a nicer place to daily. But if you're the kind of driver who uses muscle memory to control your car, the F20 will still feel more natural.

Tuning Potential
This is where the F20 really separates itself.

The B58 loves to be tuned. Tuning box, downpipe, exhaust, intake - 450bhp+ is easily achievable. The aftermarket scene is massive, and parts are everywhere.

The F70’s B48? It’s getting there. A stage 1 map and bolt-ons like an Eventuri intake will get you to around 360-370bhp. It’s not bad, but it doesn’t match the M140i’s headroom. Mod options are growing fast though - styling, intakes, exhausts, suspension - so give it time and we think this will be the next contender for the Golf R.

Which One’s Better?
If you’re reading this in the F20 forum, you probably already know the answer...

The F20 M140i is a proper driver’s car - fast, tunable, rear-driven, and full of character. It’s one of the last and still the best of its kind, and it shows.

The F70 M135i is a better product in many ways. More refined, better tech, and more capable in all weather and you'll likely feel more confident pushing it down a B road harder. As a daily, it makes more sense. But if you’re here for the drive, the feel, the involvement it’s F20 all day.

Final Thoughts
We’ve lived with both and while the F70 is growing on us as a daily, it’ll never replace the F20 in terms of raw driving enjoyment.

That said, if you’re open to modernising and modding the F70, the aftermarket is evolving quickly and it’s shaping up to be a very capable hot hatch in its own right. Alternatively for those holding their F20s tight to their chest the aftermarket support that is existing is a great way to squeeze more out of these special machines. Head on over to AUTOID to level up your build.



Would love to hear what you guys think?