Edmunds reviews the new BMW 135i

theoptimisticpessimist submitted on 03/18/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 2:28 PM
from: www.edmunds.com

[67] user comments | category: New Cars

Tags: BMW,135i,335i, Subaru, WRX STI

Tag Links:

BMW

135i

335i

Subaru

WRX STI

Edmunds reviews the new BMW 135i

"From here it looks like a pot-bellied pig," says Chief Road Test Editor Chris Walton as he points to the nose and scooped-out door profile of the new 2008 BMW 135i Coupe.

"Check out the overhanging character line above the taillights," we prompt. "Is this the new BMW 1 Series or a Corvair?"

You'll have to forgive us. We're taking a break from flogging BMW's 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged wünder-coupe and, frankly, we're more than a bit giddy. Three hundred horsepower and a similar dose of torque will do that to you, especially when it's in a shrunken rear-wheel-drive coupe that weighs less than a BMW 335i that shares the same engine. Read Article

Comments:

Images hosted in your AgentSpace can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters):
[img]IMAGE URL[/img]
Example: [img]http://agent004.myautospies.com/users/150/Sample-Gallery/sample1.JPG[/img]

Whelan - 3/18/2008 3:10:05 PM

+1 Boost

So for $35k you can have a BMW that keeps up and smokes out an STi for $39k! Wow, if I only had the cash.

reply to this comment

VRstage2STi - 3/18/2008 3:42:44 PM

0 Boost

my STi will smoke this car...haha and what STi is 39k?

but good job with the 135i BMW...it really grew on me

Agent63 - 3/18/2008 3:50:19 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

The STi is in a different category. It's a luxury car. The Suby is far from that.

GTR35 - 3/18/2008 6:06:09 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

What? The 1 series aint no luxury car, it's simply overpriced. What does it compete with?- The A3, Elantra...

kthor - 3/18/2008 6:10:04 PM

+2 Boost

Grassroots Motorsports said this:

"The 135i is simply one of the finest track cars we've driven in recent memory."

And, it sounds great, feels great, has a nice ride, and it's fast.

JRobUSC - 3/18/2008 6:44:50 PM

+4 Boost

What does the 1-Series compete with? Well, I think that should be fairly obvious. What's the only car to "beat" the 335i Coupe in a comparison test? The G37. Why? Because it was cheaper. The G was smaller and it would lose every performance category, but ended up winning a couple of comparisons because it was cheaper. And even with the lower price and smaller dimensions it still lost most comparisons.

Enter the 1-Series. Similar size to the G? Check. Similar price to the G? Check. Performance that will absolutely demolish the G? Double check. Quadruple check. And since I'm sure most folks complaining about the "niceness" of the 1-Series haven't actually been inside one, let me assuage your concerns -- that cockpit is a nice place to be. Materials and fit and finish are top notch, and the layout is even similar to the E46 3-Series where everything is canted towards the driver (a common complaint when the E90 came out).

BMW haters can say whatever they want, the 1-Series is going to be a serious winner. Drive one.

S4cabriofoxone - 3/19/2008 7:37:16 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

"The A3, Elantra... "

Putting aside the fact that the A3 is a hatch, how could it ever be considered competition for the ELANTRA?

Also... the 1 Series is most certainly a luxury car. A fantastic one at that.

BMW995 - 3/18/2008 3:49:34 PM

-8 Boost

Let's see...I bought my iPod for $100 and BMW charges me $400 in order to play it through the speakers. A lot of mfgs just give the hook-up to you and swallow the costs.
Way to go BMW, you've just lost another customer.

reply to this comment

theoptimisticpessimist - 3/18/2008 4:14:32 PM

+6 Boost

All BMW come with a AUX set up to "play your Ipod throught the speakers" standard. The option is for a full integration (menus, play list etc), and is competitive with other manufacture.

Agent250 - 3/19/2008 12:00:19 AM

-1 Boost

They also charge $1400 for real leather. I don't understand how a "luxury" BMW car comes standard with luxurious fake ("leatherette") leather.

S4cabriofoxone - 3/19/2008 7:38:02 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

There is not a single manufacturer that will give you the iPod hookup for free.

And, judging by their sales, for every customer lost, two new ones are gained.

cybernetck - 3/18/2008 3:52:22 PM

+1 Boost

The new STI touches right into the 40K with the BBS package, fog lights and nav checked off on the options sheet. Personally, I love it, but would rather find a 05 through 07 , if going the STI route. That's impressive for the 135, I'll have to see it in person before making my mind up about the car's styling. From certain angles, it looks a bit awkward to me, but you drive the car from the *inside* right? ;) Goes and handles like stink, thats good enough for me!

reply to this comment

w209w114 - 3/18/2008 3:58:51 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Funny, my friend said he saw the car on the street the other day and sait it looked "chubby" Now these guys say it looks like a "pot beliied pig" Funny since it doesnt look like that on pictures. I have to see it in person.

reply to this comment

kthor - 3/18/2008 4:19:56 PM

-1 Boost

It looks thick and solid in person. The whole effect is very charismatic. It feels tight and solid. Not only is it so effortlessly fast that people tend to spontaneously start laughing, but the steering is nicely transparent and brakes are a "10" in feel and power.

BMW4me4ever - 3/18/2008 4:30:33 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

Our 1-series has just arrived. We drove the 135 yesturday. That car is frickin amazing. Currently I own a 2006 330xi and 2008 535i. The 135 is just awesome. It is solid, handles very tightly and the brakes are unbelievable for a car of this size. I put my order in to replace my 330xi. Cant wait

MBKing - 3/19/2008 1:56:29 AM

+1 Boost

35k? Dream bigger brother. It's nice but not dream nice.

reply to this comment

bmwfan1513 - 3/18/2008 4:06:48 PM

-1 Boost

The 1 Series is such a nice car.

reply to this comment

1995e34 - 3/18/2008 10:37:51 PM

+3 Boost

i can see the pig comparison. i like the styling, but there is surely a chunkiness to it. but surely interior space would be the victim of a more svelte exterior.

some men long for a bean pole super model (ferrari), while others are more realistic and love the girl next door(135i).

reply to this comment

carnuts - 3/19/2008 1:21:11 AM

+1 Boost

At least they didn't F*ck it up like the LETDOWN XF.

reply to this comment

M35MT - 3/19/2008 8:07:06 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

1995, that was poetic.

reply to this comment

Heyhuub - 3/18/2008 5:02:52 PM

-1 Boost

Such an ugly car

reply to this comment

KZ258 - 3/18/2008 5:46:47 PM

+3 Boost

what a childish remark

Heyhuub - 3/19/2008 3:44:32 AM

-1 Boost

Wait till you see one in real life. I have seen them on the road for the past 4 years and they are ghastly. The coupe isn't any better.

Heyhuub - 3/19/2008 3:45:07 AM

-1 Boost

And i'll be the grown up here and not comment on your childish remark.

1970toyotamarc - 3/18/2008 5:33:58 PM

+1 Boost

Why do BMW fans apologize for the ugly designs so much. This was a great review. Good handling, engine, etc. But ugly as sin. Kinda describes most of the current lineup (3 coupe excepted). Just accept it.

reply to this comment

enthusiastx11 - 3/18/2008 9:31:09 PM

+2 Boost

1-series isn't a very attractive car. but you are sadly mistaken about the rest of the line-up....all the 3-series, the 7-series, X5, X6, M3, M5, M6...GREAT looking cars. and you'll never mistake them as a rebadged version of a people-mover.

JRobUSC - 3/18/2008 5:45:27 PM

+1 Boost

I thought the 135i in black with the red leather looked really good in person. The 128i I didn't like nearly as much -- the bodykit the 135i gets makes a big difference, as do the larger wheels.

reply to this comment

JRobUSC - 3/18/2008 5:47:24 PM

+1 Boost

oh, and I was surprised at how much nicer it was inside than I thought it was going to be. I hadn't seen the red interior before on the 1-Series, though I'm a fan of it in the 3-Series. It looks really good with the grey wood or the textured aluminum (the aluminum looked similar to the textured aluminum in the S5).

528i - 3/18/2008 6:49:38 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

great car, but ugly.

reply to this comment

Homer008 - 3/18/2008 8:02:34 PM

-6 Boost

Ugly, Overpriced Elantra, Un-reliable as heck...
Just wait 2-3 yrs. and buy it used if you want one.
You'll able to buy one for half of the price as these bmw's resale $ plummets like a bank vault thrown over the bridge over water.

reply to this comment

theoptimisticpessimist - 3/18/2008 8:56:27 PM

+5 Boost

God your delusional, the 135i is one of the most sought after, if not the most sought after BMW's on the road. I just love when the Lexus fan boys rip on this car, they just don't get it. This car is pure BMW, more than any other BMW out there. Small, fast and a blast to drive. Maybe that is why they hate BMW so much, they just don't get fun to drive.

Keep hating and BMW will keep selling the 135i.

vman1013 - 3/18/2008 9:12:49 PM

-4 Boost

No top of the line BMW is worth half its price after 2-3 years. And the 135 is the top of the line 1-Series. My 2002 E46 M3 convertible is worth $33k, stickered at $67k with every option and the hard top. So 6-years later the top of the line E46 is worth half the sticker....

pushrod27 - 3/18/2008 10:14:46 PM

+4 Boost

you're an idiot, and that's nonsense. BMWs hold their resale value very well, better than most cars.

carnuts - 3/19/2008 1:22:38 AM

+3 Boost

Not as ugly as the hideous IS-F, that just got wooped by 4.4 seconds a lap by the M3.

investor27 - 3/18/2008 9:10:33 PM

+1 Boost

I can't believe people are comparing the 135i price to the Audi A3 and calling them over-priced. If any car is over-priced, it's the Audi A3, NOT the twin turbo, 300hp/300tq BMW 135i.

reply to this comment

AE86 - 3/18/2008 9:28:42 PM

0 Boost

Nah, they are both overpriced. Euro Delivery does take some of the sting away and make the 135i tempting...

1995e34 - 3/18/2008 10:42:53 PM

+1 Boost

i was reading on some other site that bmw has a concept based off the 1-series that will debut in a few months. it is not an suv. no other details were provided.

i have a feeling it may be a sedan or a z2 roadster (next z4 will grow to allow this).

reply to this comment

huu76 - 3/19/2008 12:47:16 AM

-4 Boost

"options jack up the price of the 135i so it no longer makes sense"
Hence the vast majority of posers who downgrade from the 3-series will be opting for the 128i.

Still funny that the 6-cylinder turbo charged 135i can't outperform a 5-passenger, 4-banger hatchback. Throw in some snow or rain and see which car really cleans up.

reply to this comment

carnuts - 3/19/2008 1:20:02 AM

+3 Boost

4.4 seconds

desertwindauh - 3/19/2008 1:46:40 AM

0 Boost

the 1 has become the 3 the 3 has become the 5 and the 5 is still ugly.

reply to this comment

M35MT - 3/19/2008 8:06:07 AMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

I like the how the interior is remeniscent of the last 3 series, and I'm sure the materials are top notch, but it still looks stark and dare I say dated.

I can't seem to 'love' the exterior because I like the 3 series sedan/coupe much more.

Performance wise, it sounds awesome. But in NE AWD is a must. Awesome car if you live in the south and want extreme performance for unde $40k (w/o a loaded car that is...)

Question is...do you just get the last M3 instead? With around 25-30k miles I sure it'll be in the 35k range.

reply to this comment

MPowerDK - 3/19/2008 9:32:57 AM

+1 Boost

Here in europe we have the coupe and it looks pretty good, even det 1 series 3 door look good, the 5 door is the worst looking of these 3. But i dont find it ugly. I have driven the 5 door 130i and that car is something speciel, it makes you smile from ear to ear.

reply to this comment

investor27 - 3/19/2008 10:26:09 AM

+1 Boost

Why would you want to spend $35 grand on a used, 25-30 thousand miles, last generation M3 when you can have a brand new 135i for the same price? Everyone has said that the 135i out-performs the last generation M3.

reply to this comment

xlr8 - 3/19/2008 10:54:47 AM

0 Boost

actually to be honest I wish they brought the hatch over with this engine...I would buy one in a second!!!

reply to this comment

1995e34 - 3/19/2008 1:12:37 PM

0 Boost

i'm well versed in multi variable calculus and differential equations, and your math is confusing me.

reply to this comment

gsh23 - 3/19/2008 12:46:49 PM

0 Boost

wow price as tested is 39k+. G37 still cheaper? check. G37 still has more equipment for the money? check. G37 still looks better? check. please...people need to wake up and realize there is no "best" car, only "best" cars.

reply to this comment

JRobUSC - 3/19/2008 2:40:40 PM

-1 Boost

a Journey package G37 is the same price. Where's the "wow" for that one? Even if the G comes with more equipment the BMW includes maintenance, so there goes the savings on the Infiniti. Plus, if you're going to give the G extra credit for extra equipment then you have to give the BMW extra credit for the rather large helping of extra performance.

When I see the numbers it looks to me like worst case they cost basically the same. And I'm pretty sure that's what BMW was shooting for when they created the car.

gsh23 - 3/19/2008 4:38:36 PM

+1 Boost

im not sure where you are getting your pricing. based on msrp, similarly equipped the 135i will still be 1-2k more than a G37S, both manuals.

even then i dont see the rather large helping of extra performance. a tenth of a second to 60? it used to be that 3 series coupe buyers justified the extra 8-10k for that 0.1 seconds. so in a way the 135i is what the 335i should have been.

believe me i would be driving a 135i if it wasnt so ugly. i spend 4, maybe 5, days out of the year on the track and anyone who has done enough time at the track knows that the hobby is mighty expensive. to truely be fast, no luxury car can be considered a good basis.

JRobUSC - 3/20/2008 8:17:09 AM

+1 Boost

the MSRP of the G37 came from the Edmunds Inside Line test of the G37, just as the 135's did in the article this thread is about. Let's say the MSRP is $1-2k different, what does that buy you?

1) maintenance included, easily worth $2k,
2) 0-60 5.0 seconds, 1/4 mile 13.3 versus 5.5 and 13.9
3) 60-0 109ft versus 113ft
4) 0.89g skidpad versus 0.86g
5) 72.4mph slalom versus 71.3mph

All those figures are from the Edmunds tests as well. Some of the figures are close, some aren't. But in ALL of them the 135i's are better. So yeah, there's a performance difference for your $1-2k. And the maintenance. And finally, you get a BMW instead of an Infiniti. I'm not trying to sound like a bradge whore but there is a difference between the perceived levels of those two vehicles. If similar money to an Infiniti buys me a similar BMW that also happens to outperform the Infiniti, be as nicer or nicer than the Infiniti (and I've been in both, it is), and include maintenance, sorry, but I'd driving the BMW. As would most people.

JRobUSC - 3/20/2008 11:53:22 AM

+1 Boost

and before you say "Edmunds times for the G37 are slow" please note that their times for the 135i are also slow. It's because they don't allow the 1 ft rollout other magazines do for acceleration testing. Other magazines have gotten 0-60 in 4.7 seconds for the 135i, as did Edmunds when they used the rollout. So the performance difference is still a half second or so 0-60 and in the 1/4 mile. That's a pretty big difference for two cars that are priced and sized very similarly.

gsh23 - 3/20/2008 1:40:19 PM

+1 Boost

based on the specs these cars are nearly identical. on a track it really would be the difference in the driver and tires. there is give and take on both. but hey, if you feel the badge is more important then get your BMW. im not sure if youre saying that you only see the badge and that most others are like you, but im willing to bet most people arent badge whores.

you can be honest, im not some fanboy. you can tell me that even if the G37 had better numbers and higher price you would still get the BMW.

JRobUSC - 3/20/2008 3:01:40 PM

+2 Boost

gsh, the Infiniti is marginally cheaper at best, and that's offset by the maintenance anyway. It's also slower in every measurable dimension by about half a second, doesn't brake as well (though close), doesn't handle as well (though close), isn't as nice inside (though better than before), etc. And I'm not talking about "on the track", where most 135i and G37 owners will never go. The around town performance of the 135i will be significantly better than the G.

So it's not about buying the 1-Series because of the badge. With all those things going in the favor of the 1-Series frankly the only reason to buy the G is because you are either in love with the looks, hate the 135i looks, or because you actively refuse to purchase BMWs (kind of "reverse brand whoring"). In every measurable way the 135i kills the G, and without the "value card" to throw down anymore I just don't see any reason to get a G. The fact that for the same price the 135i does everything better than the G AND is a "higher tier" brand is almost like a bonus.

gsh23 - 3/20/2008 4:25:03 PM

+1 Boost

no one is pulling 0.89g in "around town" driving. the only bonus you get being able to say that the 135i kills the G is because its slightly faster. but then again its moot because if youre not racing on the track, then performance numbers are not so important.

im still confused why you think BMW is a higher tier brand. a 135i wont garner as much respect as an M6, despite the brand association. its clear to me that image is very important to you. but i think you are forgetting some of the more visceral characteristics of a car which leads someone to choose it.

JRobUSC - 3/20/2008 6:29:12 PM

+1 Boost

"im still confused why you think BMW is a higher tier brand"

Really? Seriously? Are you being sarcastic or are you really not sure why I (and pretty much everyone else on earth) considers BMW a higher tier marque than Infiniti?

If you're really asking, I guess it's because Infiniti aims every vehicle they make at BMW and sells by offering them as "value alternatives" to the BMW models. They're not trying to "out luxury" Lexus or Mercedes. They're trying to be sport oriented technology laden cars (sound like BMW? You bet) for less than BMW. They do very well with that strategy. But higher tier brands don't sell based on "our car is a more affordable version of the car we're emulating". The higher tier marques are the ones BEING emulated. And they sell because people aspire to own one, dream of being able to drive them, etc.

And that is why BMW is a higher tier to me than Infiniti.

autopro - 3/19/2008 5:27:12 PMView My AgentSpace

-3 Boost

Another cheap BMW trying to beat Lexus sales numbers.

reply to this comment

Targa - 3/21/2008 1:12:43 PM

+1 Boost

They always beat Lexus in sales.........

helmacc - 3/20/2008 10:33:40 AM

+1 Boost

While I like BMW as a whole. I must say leaving the Bangle design behind and going back to old (safe) design isn't working for me. That 1 series coupe looks like an unfinished 3 series sedan. The rear just looks quite bad actually and so is the pricing as well. Why are you abandoning your daring designs BMW? Dont you see how every one was copying the bangle butt and sharp lines? So why why why I ask?

I was first excited about this car, however the design is just too crappy for me. No excitement. This should have been a fuse between the 3 and the Z, not a half 3.

reply to this comment

huu76 - 3/20/2008 11:37:10 PM

+1 Boost

carnut,
keep on dreaming, that's what hope is for.

reply to this comment

To post a comment for this story, you must first Login.

If you do not have an account, you will need to Register (It's Free!).

	theoptimisticpessimist No matter where you go, there you are. -Buckaroo Bonzai
	View My AgentPage