BMW 135i - Short Take Road Test, Hitting 60 mph in 4.7 seconds

fastonekiller submitted on 02/19/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 6:12 PM
from: www.caranddriver.com

Tags: BMW, 1-Series

Tag Links:

BMW

1-Series

BMW 135i - Short Take Road Test, Hitting 60 mph in 4.7 seconds

2008 BMW 135i - Short Take Road Test

Is smaller better? Hitting 60 mph in 4.7 seconds is certainly a compelling opening argument.

At 4.7 Seconds to 60, Smaller is Certainly Quicker

Aside from being slightly louder, driving the 135i is much like driving a 3-series. From behind the wheel in the spacious front seat—which includes plenty of headroom—the driver isn’t aware of the 1-series’ shrunken size. The four inches lopped out of the wheelbase are, however, noticeable in the back seat. Subjectively, the seats are slightly larger than a Mustang’s backseat—kids will fit just fine, adults will find it acceptable as long as the trip is short.

Zero to 60 mph: 4.7 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 11.5 sec
Zero to 140 mph: 25.6 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 5.5 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.3 sec @ 106 mph

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Porschinator - 2/19/2008 7:34:21 PM

-7 Boost

Interesting...last 0-60 figure I saw was 5.1s. Hmmm...???

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validus00 - 2/19/2008 8:58:58 PM

+5 Boost

what figure? the only number i saw in the article was 4.7. are you having trouble seeing numbers? do you have hyperopia?

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amazinBimmer - 2/19/2008 6:36:38 PM

-2 Boost

wow.... can a POS A3 do this? hahahah. another segment buster.

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EL34 - 2/19/2008 7:21:35 PM

-1 Boost

hmmmm.

Porschinator - 2/19/2008 7:36:49 PM

+1 Boost

I am still surprised the 135 is over 3400lbs. I am assuming most enthusiast that buy it will rip out the rear seats and truck interior. Prolly free up 20lbs..its something...lol.

EvoAudi - 2/19/2008 10:57:06 PMView My AgentSpace

-4 Boost

well no, but the S3 will wipe the floor with the 135i.

Heyhuub - 2/20/2008 3:09:44 AM

-1 Boost

@fastonekiller

Take it to the track, that is where the S3 really shines.

TheSailor - 2/19/2008 7:15:21 PMView My AgentSpace

+9 Boost

4.7?!?!? That is just amazing... fifteen years ago, you would have to cough up the money for a Ferrari or Lambo to get that sort of numbers... Today, you can do that in a relatively affordable compact coupé! Amazing...

This little pocket rocket is just proving itself better and better by the minute...

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Bmw8ter - 2/19/2008 7:15:24 PM

+5 Boost

At the cost of looking like a total hyopcrite, I must say, I'm falling for the 335. I plan on buying one here in the next few months, there's only one thing I don't understand. Why the hell did BMW put an LSD on the 135, and not the 335? Because of the open diff. setup, the 335i is only making use of one tire. Ridiculous.

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Bmw8ter - 2/19/2008 7:42:07 PM

-1 Boost

I was thinking about the 335XI instead. I do a lot of travelling in the winter states.

Bmw8ter - 2/19/2008 7:44:14 PM

+2 Boost

I've read some reviews stating the 335XI to be the better bang for the buck. I'm going to test drive them both, this weekend.

Chip - 2/19/2008 8:23:32 PM

+4 Boost

Bmw8ter: There is no need to make excuses for why you are suddenly falling for BMW cars. I was a former Audi owner who talked crap about BMWs....until I drove one. It was like someone pulled the rug out from beneath me. The differences in BMW and the others was like night and day. They continue to reward throughout your years of ownership.

Welcome to the family. Now please change your name ;)

Also per your question, I would recommend the 335xi if you drive in winter conditions (plus its a tad quicker.) The ride height is increased slighty however.

henbmw - 2/19/2008 9:03:36 PM

+1 Boost

As they say, once you test drive a BMW, you buy a BMW

Bmw8ter - 2/19/2008 9:42:50 PM

+9 Boost

My name implies fondness for the BMW 8 Series, or
"8-ter". IMO, the 8 series is the sexiest bimmer ever made. I'd buy one now, but the maintenance costs to owning one, especially as a daily driver, are very high. The car just doesn't make sense at this time.

kablaam - 2/19/2008 10:47:32 PM

+3 Boost

It also has 4 piston brake setup vs 1 piston setup of the 335i. I recall BMW saying they added this, along with the ELSD, due to the fact that the main demographic for this vehicle were more likely to go to the track.

1BadMan - 2/19/2008 7:15:53 PM

+4 Boost

This little car will do big things in the upper level of the lower market. That is what BMW AG calls it. White looks really cool. Put in some Recaro's, UUC shift kit, Dinan software & intake with heat shield and a full supersprint exhaust system and go get'em!

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Chip - 2/19/2008 7:54:53 PM

+8 Boost

We knew this was coming. Those are numbers that put cars like the 911, Cayman, SL, CL, S5, S6, S8, ISF on notice. You have to have a supercar to keep up with this thing.

What a fast little car, I cant wait till one spanks my 335i out on the road (inside I will be grinning with joy that the glory days of BMW are back.)

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Brembo - 2/19/2008 8:00:04 PM

+9 Boost

Every time I hear about this car. It always kicks ass. So cool.

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SteedPub - 2/19/2008 8:14:30 PM

+7 Boost

Sounds great all around. But, 3420 lbs is still a lot of beans for such a small car. It's not porky, but not light.

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EvoAudi - 2/19/2008 11:00:16 PMView My AgentSpace

-4 Boost

E46 3-series parts....

EvoAudi - 2/20/2008 12:04:28 AMView My AgentSpace

-4 Boost

the 1-series coupe is riding on the E46 chassis. at least that is what was reported. i could be wrong.

LexSucks - 2/21/2008 11:02:31 AM

+1 Boost

Car and Driver said that the 1-series was based on the E46 chassis. They were wrong and later corrected that statement. You guys are a bunch of BMW hating retards.

henbmw - 2/19/2008 9:01:32 PM

+4 Boost

That car just screams fun although BMW really should have shaved off a few more pounds.

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investor27 - 2/19/2008 9:30:35 PM

-1 Boost

The 135i really needs to come in at around 3100-3150lbs. 3400lbs is over-weight. Hopefully, BMW will make good on the Tii when it comes out, and bring that one in closer to 3100 lbs.

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Autoegr525 - 2/19/2008 10:23:46 PM

+3 Boost

Removing 300 pounds from a car is really quite impossible for any reasonable amount of money

Homer008 - 2/19/2008 9:41:57 PM

+5 Boost

cool looking small car with performance gallore.

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enthusiastx11 - 2/19/2008 11:00:51 PM

+10 Boost

lol.
the ISF is also ugly, $25k more and, well, it's still a lexus.

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07G35J - 2/20/2008 11:13:48 AM

+5 Boost

"IS250 is faster too with ultra slick 6 speed Lexus manual..."

Josh, the IS250 is the "basic" IS (204hp). You know there is also a 306hp IS350, right? Even a Nissan Altima 3.5SE, which would be considered a lesser car, has more power than your dad's IS (270hp). Get real.

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Rupert - 2/20/2008 1:03:15 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Oh that 6 speed manual from the Toyota Avensis, with that horrible grey gearlever.

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85bmw745i - 2/20/2008 7:56:05 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Wow I didn't know the 1 series competed with the ISF, and I didn't know Toyota made CVT transmissions unless they are only available out of the U.S.

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Htay7500 - 2/20/2008 7:57:04 PM

+2 Boost

"Toyota and Lexus make some of the best transmissions in the business." what makes you say that? your only 14, and you can drive for anything yet. and lexus doesn't have a stick available for the 1S350 when BMW and infiniti offer it in the 335i and g35.

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MattB - 2/22/2008 4:09:24 PM

+1 Boost

Sure the IS-F might be faster, but it's a lot more expensive too. Not really a reasonable comparison.

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528i - 2/19/2008 11:37:10 PMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

Am I the only one who think this ugly?

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07G35J - 2/20/2008 11:15:21 AM

-1 Boost

Yes, I believe you are.

tattedtwice - 2/20/2008 11:48:35 AM

0 Boost

It's excusably ugly, like the RX8, because the driving dynamics are brilliant.

SixxFive - 2/19/2008 11:53:40 PM

-1 Boost

Wow- nice but very heavy. 3400 pounds is very heavy for this size car. EPA rating must be around 14-16 mpg.

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huu76 - 2/20/2008 12:34:14 AM

-6 Boost

Great economic plan. Who wants to buy a 335i now when you get the same speed and badge for much much less?

It's pretty sad when I was at the Toronto Autoshow and saw a Mazda-6 fastback priced at 37K and thought I'd have to downgrade to a cheaper BMW 128i at $33,900.

BMW must be panicking since they can't even properly price there cars anymore.

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validus00 - 2/20/2008 1:29:46 AM

+7 Boost

to price something wrong means either there's either no demand at market price or there's no marginal profit per unit sold. since bmw didn't screw up either, you must be retarded or plain ignorant to say bmw didn't price the 135i right.

last time i checked, a toyota avalon 3.5 is more expensive than a es350 with the same engine. it must mean that toyota can't properly price their cars right?

JRobUSC - 2/21/2008 1:22:49 PM

+3 Boost

Huu, watch out, Josh just agreed with you and called you unprejudiced. Since Josh is a fictitious troll character, that should prove to you and everyone else that you are completely wrong.

fuelfool - 2/20/2008 4:23:35 AM

+2 Boost

Great car. Definitely at the top of my consideration list, though I have to take exception to the BMW bias expressed by this author when he writes that "Slightly more engine noise and exhaust hum enter the 135i cabin than in the 335i, but the sounds are good enough to forgo turning on the radio."
When an Infiniti G37 displays slightly more engine noise and exhaust hum than a 335i it's a sign of inferiority. When it's a BMW allowing engine noise to intrude into the cabin it's "enough to forgo turning on the radio."
Seriously, BMW builds amazing cars. The bias just isn't necessary.

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tattedtwice - 2/20/2008 11:44:01 AM

+1 Boost

That's some pretty pisspoor logic there. The 135 and the 335 share the same engine, a sweet-sounding one, that has been praised for its mellifluous mechanical noises. So, if the 1 lets more of that noise in, it's just more of a good thing.

The g, by comparison, sounds unrefined and anything but harmonic. And since the engine is swollen to almost V8 size, and since nissan has shown they don't know much about NVH reduction, the noise that gets into the cabin is overpowering and unappealing to the ear. That's why more noise from it is a bad thing.

Get it now?

bmwfan1513 - 2/20/2008 7:41:31 AM

-2 Boost

If the 135i can go that fast, then why didn't BMW put those 0-60 times on their website.

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85bmw745i - 2/20/2008 8:40:19 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

plus their measuring 0-62 mph or 0-100km/hr

xphilter - 2/20/2008 12:29:51 PM

+1 Boost

how much weight do you guys think the power seats add? is this weight difference taking into account manual 1-series vs. power 3-series?

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Bmw8ter - 2/20/2008 1:42:58 PM

+1 Boost

I think there was a review done, that said the 135 coupe has more room in the backseat, than the 335 coupe.

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investor27 - 2/20/2008 1:59:41 PM

0 Boost

Not that I can recall, and I pretty much read every reviews of the 135i that has been released so far. They all say that the back seats of the 135i has LESS room than those in the 335i.

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85bmw745i - 2/20/2008 8:11:34 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Ha, Yeah they need help from GM to design an ancient pushrod engine that throws rods, help to make a cheaper harder plastic, help to make sure the panels are of an inconsistent texture and make sure they don't line up. I bet they also need help to make faulty fuel pumps, alternators and starters that have to be replaced every 60,000 miles, faulty instrument clusters in which I have replaced more than I can count. Lets get rid of those smooth bulletproof inline 6 cylinders and install a rough crude pushrod v6 and add tons of torque steer by making it front wheel drive with an ancient suspension and steering design. Maybe they can take that great brake pedal and steering feedback and replace them with novacane like systems instead. Oh they might want to put those failure prone plastic intakes from the 3800 v6 along with the failure prone coolant temp sensor. Lets replace that high quality leather with some cheap thin leather that will crack and peel in less than 2 years. Oh lets take away that 4 year free maintainence and the crash worthyness of a German car. And last replace all of the electronic with that cheap failure prone Delco junk. Thats just a start. You are retarded. Its cool to be loyal to your brand but be realistic! None of my BMW's have ever let me down. My 2002 Land rover did however. Engine failed at 70'k ( bought it used with 67,000 miles) piston skirt broke and I never derove it hard. can you guess what kind of engine it has? an old GM v8!!! so howz your precious GM now. I have repaired more GM cars in 6 months than all other makes combined in 3 years, mostly engine replacements and electrical problems. Oh and GM cars are the most difficult to repair. Intake manifold gasket on a 03 malibu 8.5 hrs labor plus parts. According to mitchel. remove all of the electronics, alternator, power steering pump, tensioner pulley assembly, remove valve covers remove all rocker arms and pushrods to get lower gasket off. Not to mention all kinds of other misc. parts to remove. try a timing belt on a 2.4 quad 4 engine, and God don't even think about a northstar in a Cadillac, most pain in the @$$ engine I have ever worked on. every repair, even minor ones are a total pain to do on a GM car. try a tune up on a camaro with the LT1 engine. Ok I'm typing way too much but if you knew what I knew as an experienced mechanic you would dis-own GM.

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Rupert - 2/20/2008 7:05:22 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

Um...the twin turbo GT-R disagrees with you.
Subaru? Mitsubishi? They use turbos...never mind the fact that Merc don't make any turbo cars (bar diesels), Audi have only 1 in the US (2.0T), and BMW have 1 in the US (#35i). Sure they use turbos elsewhere, but only 1 petrol turbo.
The M3, RS4, S4, C63 AMG - all NA engines.
And wasn't the last "fast" Corolla supercharged?

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85bmw745i - 2/20/2008 8:19:17 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Yeah every other 4 door car outhandles the M5 and M3. and the 3 series is such a bad handling car that is loses every comparison even though I have seen them outhandle most every car it is compared to. Please, BMW makes some of the best handling cars and sedans this side of the supercar world. I wont way they are the best cars because it is all on what the driver wants. for the performance oriented driver who likes a firm suspension and a car that keeps its balance and composure even when driven at 9/10ths of the limit BMW is one of the best if not the best. want a little softer car but still spirited, look at a Mercedes. if you want a car that rides like your sitting on a cloud in a laz-boy recliner get a lincoln, cadillac or better yet lexus if you want better reliability than American luxury cars.

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njshift - 2/20/2008 4:38:19 PM

0 Boost

3420lbs is pretty porky for a compact car not matter how you twist it.

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06STI - 2/21/2008 9:08:38 AM

0 Boost

Has anyone heard through the grapevine if BMW will be making an AWD version of the 135.

A 135xi would be an interesting alternative to the EVO/STI.

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BMW4me4ever - 2/21/2008 11:30:51 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

There is not going to be an Awd version of this car. It is going to be a very limited production car. BMW is only bringing 17k cars to the US. Of those cars only about 1/4 of them will be the 135 versions of coupes and convertibles.

I cant wait til I get my 135 coupe. Can you imagine installing the Dinan Chip and getting 384 hp and 421 lbs of torque out of this smaller car? This car is solid. I like the extra weight, cause it feels secure and tight unlike alot of other cars.

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