That's what I'm talking about. The last couple of days and nights in the 2008 BMW 135i reminded me of why I loved this car so much the last go 'round. Excellent steering and handling, mega brakes and that 300 hp (at least) twin-turbo engine in a compact body--it's just the way I like 'em.
A six-speed shift-it-yourself gearbox is great on mountain roads, but any manual just has to suck in rush hour traffic, right?.. Wrong. An impressively broad and table-flat torque curve pulls from way down low--about 1500 rpm--making frequent downshifting during my LA freeway commute largely unnecessary. And any gaps I see in traffic are mine, I tell you.
This is one sweet, inconspicuous ride. And it's still enjoyable when sentenced to a lousy 50-mile commute like mine. Sure, the 135i costs a bit if you get insane with the options sheet, but the level of refinement and detail, not to mention raw speed, make this one pretty damn desireable. I wonder if enough of the goodness remains in the more economical 128i to make that a winning proposition?
Dan Edmunds, Director of Vehicle Testing @ 4,445 miles
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I almost wish I had a *longer* commute so I had an excuse to drive my 335i 6MT more... Oh, and going insane with the options sheet is part of the fun of a German car. With the 5-Series, you can get so many options that the list will print completely off the window sticker!
Mr. Edmunds, I hope you will consider comparing the drivetrains for the 1 series. Based on how much praise you lay upon the twin turbo engine, it may seem like a no-brainer to purchase that engine, but it is about 23% more expensive than it's tamer sibling. I'd like to see whether your editors consider it worth it, at least by how much.
I finally drove a 135i....not under ideal circumstances, but you take what you can get.
It was fully loaded up with sport, premium, and auto. I test drove it with my wife (115 pounds) and a salesman (~170 pounds) in the back seat. A/C on.
Power galore. So much power. And then I shifted into sport mode. OMGWTFBBQ and all that stuff. Just instant on gobs of acceleration. I imagine a 6-speed w/o extra people and A/C would've been so much more fun. But as it was, with only 30% throttle application from a stop I was seeing DSC engage and I could feel a little wheel slippage.
Steering was very light (odd, since so many reviewers have mentioned it be heavy...), steering wheel was the thickness I've ever held, but perfectly small diameter. Ride quality was superb for it's level of handling.
But, honestly, it didn't sell itself too me as worth the price. I'd rather have the 4-door 3 series. The interior of the 1 was an exercise in controlled cost cutting. The cupholders would look cheap in a Malibu (and, in fact, they do, since I think the Malibu uses the same plastic). And they are crappy cupholders besides that. The visors would be unworthy of kia status (they are about 1/4" thick and flimsy as hell). The window-switch plate on the driver's side door is obviously from the 3-series sedan, since it has blank spots for 2 extra window switches.
And the cabin is small. I've heard lots of arguments on here about the size of 1-series being the same or slightly larger than an e46 coupe. It's not. The front, driver's seat leg-room is smaller. Same for shoulder room. It's not tight, just snug in a sports coupe way. But the back seat is a joke and I'm 5'10.
I came away from the car incredibly impressed by it's dynamics, but convinced that this is not meant to be an everyday car for me.
I give lots of credit to BMW. They took the 3-series....the standard for sports sedans and coupes. And they took a smaller, lighter, coupe body. And they tossed all the best 3-series bits inside of it, cut thousands off the 3-series price tag, and gave it into the hands of enthusiasts.
I'd buy one, except the 3-series 335i 6-speed sedan fits me better. And though it's cupholders suck, it's visors are rich to touch :)
Joe
Having driven both the 328i and 335i droptops, I can say theat the 328i is fine as long as you get the stick. I assume the 128i would perform even better.
I'm very interested in driving and testing the 128i--absolutely. I just haven't had the chance, yet. It'll happen.
"I'd buy one, except the 3-series 335i 6-speed sedan fits me better. And though it's cupholders suck, it's visors are rich to touch :)"
And to think those lousy cupholders are only standard on North American 3-Series cars.
"Sure, the 135i costs a bit if you get insane with the options sheet, but the level of refinement and detail, not to mention raw speed, make this one pretty damn desireable."
Too bad most here dont understand that!
128i vs. 135i sounds like a very good comparison!!
please??
"Too bad most here dont understand that!"
That's because most people don't have an unlimited supply of money.
The difference between the 128 and 135 is more then what I'm going to spend this summer replacing the roof on my house.
Sure it's better and an M3 is better then 135. When you work for a living and have a family to support, you have to draw a line somewhere.
The 1 series simply allows you to get into a BMW for less. This difference in price is actually a big deal, despite it being "only" $5000... and it should be enough to sway buyers away from cheaper brands like Lexus and Infiniti who could not afford a 3 series. And as i've said before, this is one of THE BEST performance bargains out there! This car would also be cross shopped with the STI, EVO, S2000, 350Z, RX8, as well as maybe some more expensive competition like Porsche. This thing is a freakin' winner!
"I wonder if enough of the goodness remains in the more economical 128i to make that a winning proposition?"
Good question. That's why many of us wished you had chosen the 128 instead for the long term test. That's the one we're more likely to afford.
"Sure it's better and an M3 is better then 135. When you work for a living and have a family to support, you have to draw a line somewhere."
That's a very relative statement. Someone in the market for a Kia could say that about a Toyota.
For some reason it just seems to really bug an awful lot of people that BMW year after year makes the best and most fun cars to drive.
""Sure, the 135i costs a bit if you get insane with the options sheet, "
Do any of the dealers have one that isn't loaded?
A quick check of ones on lots within an hour away found nothing under 34,000 for a 128.
Are there some that are more willing to special order?
From prior experience most salespeople must not plan to work there for long enough to make the commision when the special ordered car comes in. The Audi dealer got a massive attitude and insulted when I didn't want the car they had in stock.
And seriously, what is up with vinyl seats on a base BMW? Sure leatherette sounds classy, just like a pleather jacket :)
"For some reason it just seems to really bug an awful lot of people that BMW year after year makes the best and most fun cars to drive."
Everybody hates a winner. Oh wait, I mean everyone's biased. Yeah, that's it.
"Are there some that are more willing to special order?"
BMW dealers (should) have no problem ordering - at my dealer here in NorCal a majority of the cars they sell are customer-ordered and not from dealer stock. Some manufacturers discourage the practice but BMW encourages it, this also shows in the way they package options so the car is more customizable. A couple options (known as "Priority 1") are actually only available via a customer order. *Every* BMW I've owned has been custom-ordered.
I guess since of BMW's things is their European Delivery they would have to be better at special ordering. Now that sounds like fun!
"I guess since of BMW's things is their European Delivery they would have to be better at special ordering. Now that sounds like fun!"
I did my last European Delivery in September - it's addicting!
Bimmerjay's right, ED's awesome. I'm probably a few years removed from getting another BMW - most likely a 1 - but when I do it, I'm going ED again.
"Do any of the dealers have one that isn't loaded?"
Well, there's at least one. Rusnak here in SoCal had one...and we bought it. Also, a dealer I talked to would've been happy to order one just as we'd like it, however, its 8-to-10-week build time was problematic for our purposes.
"I've heard lots of arguments on here about the size of 1-series being the same or slightly larger than an e46 coupe. It's not."
THank you Joe, thank you very much!
By the way, if you ever get a chance to sit in an ISX50, let me know if it's smaller than the 1er.
Louis - Well, now you are going to be upset :)
I have only sat in and messed around inside a ISx50 at a car show.
I would say that the ISx50 has less front-to-back room from the back-seat cushion to the rear of the front seat than the 1-series. But it has alot more head and shoulder room. And it has more lateral knee room. So overall it might be roomier, but your knees are getting squeezed. Get me? :)
Joe
Oh well, I just checked the interior dimensions of both cars and the 1er has more room in every dimension except front legroom and front shoulder room. So I guess you are right.
But 2 extra doors make all the difference though...
"I've heard lots of arguments on here about the size of 1-series being the same or slightly larger than an e46 coupe. It's not."
Joe, maybe you've just gotten fatter since the E46? j/k :-)
I'm generally a fan of handling, feel and NA power. So I expected to like the 128i when I tested it. I had even found the 135i to be "too much" almost, if there is such a thing.
Not to be... Somehow the 135i is something special, the 128 is not. In fact, every time I've tested the 230hp 3.0 engine, I've not liked it. The 255 3.0 (330/530) sounds & feels better.
I was very lucky. I went to the local BMW dealer in FL and he found the exact 135i that I wanted at a dealership in SC. I did not want any extras only the base model with manual trans. He had the car shipped at no charge and I had it in 2 days. This was the only base model in the entire South East region.
My salesperson did give me option of ordering from Germany but only the 2009 was available and the price is higher. Since there are no significant changes I went for the 08.
I am pleased with the service that I received.