34 Votes

"The best car BMW makes.." per Jeremy Clarkson

jgf330xi submitted on 12/29/2007 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 11:41:39 PM

74 user comments | Category: Reviews | Source: | SOURCE: driving.timesonline.co.uk

Tag Link: BMW 135i

The fact of the matter is this.

The 135 coupé is the best car BMW makes. I have no hesitation at all, then, in giving this long-awaited return to form the rare accolade of five stars.

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— jgf330xi (View Profile)

User Comments

I would tend to agree.
— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 12:19:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5

highs: great quality, bmw-prefect styling,
lows: rather pricey, little big on the scales, verdict: this is just what bimmer needs to really start 2008 "fresh".
— pacotacolol (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 8:28:40 AM | | Votes: -2

It can't possibly be the best as BMW can make a larger more practical car for small incremental additional cost. It would be best only where divers are constrained by narrow streets and lack of proper parking spots. Cities that offend drivers this way should be demolished and rebuilt to modern standards.
— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 9:05:54 AM | | Votes: 2

What really disappoints me about 135 is the weight. It's smaller than my E46 and it's 200lb heavier.... what?

Weight is almost everything. I'd rather see a 3150lb 130 than a 3450lb 135. BMW should stick to its belief of driving, not HP game, especially for an entry level line.
— dlin (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 1:33:00 PM | | Votes: 0

According to 1 series brochure from BMW international, it weighs 1560kg w/o package.

Do your math, I don't know where you hide the 100 lb.
— dlin (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 6:37:16 PM | | Votes: -1

The unladen weight in international brochure is calculated based on EU standard: 90% tank filled, 68kg driver, and 7kg luggage.

Unladen weight of 335i is 1650 kg. The difference is thus 40kg, plus 6.5kg from gas. Final number is 102 lb, no way 200 lb.

Be critical and precise when it comes to data analysis.
— dlin (View Profile)

Posted on 12/31/2007 1:17:05 AM | | Votes: -2

You are apparently not a material for engineering. You don't even show how US regulated "Unladen Weight".

I only trust data from BMW German site and I've shown you how to calculate weight, step by step. Maybe you just don't even know how many lbs equals 1 kg?

Once again, be critical and precise when it comes to data analysis. No fast-food style allowed.
— dlin (View Profile)

Posted on 12/31/2007 5:09:18 PM | | Votes: 0

Correction to 335 EU unladen weight: 1600kg.
— dlin (View Profile)

Posted on 12/31/2007 5:16:07 PM | | Votes: 1

5-stars well-deserved! glad it gets jeremy's endorsement. can't wait to see the video review!
— rspect (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 12:26:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

That's only the 3rd ever 5 star score he's given.
First to an Aston DB9, then to a Nissan Murano (for doing absolutely nothing wrong), and now this.
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 9:10:58 AM | | Votes: 1

And the Audi R8
— Heyhuub (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 1:58:29 PM | | Votes: 2

It should have a higher final drive ratio. That's why it doesn't feel that fast.
— SevorbeupstryIsBack (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 2:57:03 PM | | Votes: 0

i know. in real life its barely faster then the 130i sport
— SevorbeupstryIsBack (View Profile)

Posted on 12/31/2007 4:53:39 AM | | Votes: 0

I'm really surprised by this. I respect his opinions. But I remember him hating the 335i, so I don't understand why he would love the 135i. All the other critics love the 335i, but have commented on the understeering nature of the 135i as a BIG NO NO.
— investor27 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 1:49:58 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

The 3 series has inadequate rear leg room so I can't imagine that the smaller 135i can improve upon that shortcoming.
— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 9:07:59 AM | | Votes: -2

The 3 series has inadequate rear leg room so I can't imagine that the smaller 135i can improve upon that shortcoming.
— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 9:08:00 AM | | Votes: -2

hey there, genius, it's a compact coupe. You don't buy them for rear seat room. Complaining about the backseat of a compact coupe is like complaining you're dating the "ugliest" supermodel -- it just makes no sense.
— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 11:34:03 AM | | Votes: 2

"The 3 series has inadequate rear leg room"

have you been in the current 3-series? i'm 6'3" and i have plenty of headroom and enough leg room.

what compact sport sedan has more? not the A4 or IS as i can't fit in those.
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 2:22:44 PM | | Votes: 1

That's sad when the 135i is considered your best car. No wonder BMW is expected to give 10% of their workers an early Christmas present.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 2:00:11 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

huu:

it's wonderful car. and "best" is just ONE man's opinion. don't take the everything you read so literally.
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 2:37:58 AM | | Votes: 2

great car. i'm sure it will be a total blast to drive! classic bmw talents...

"Then you leave the motorway and the road gets twisty and it’s like settling into your favourite armchair. The steering, the feel, the way you can adjust your line through the bend with the throttle. There is no other car made today in this sector of the market that gets even close. If you love driving, this is up there in a class of one.:
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 2:37:07 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

I Completely Agree!

http://imgcar.dcinside.com/review/elantra/36.jpg

Surely BMW could have found better inspiration?
— DaHarder (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 9:52:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

It's a pretty costly car, though. That's the only thing that concerns me about its success.
— senorgato (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 3:49:29 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

As with most BMW's this one is ugly and over priced, but it is quite quick though.
— Jag_xfr (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 10:02:22 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

yeah, not nearly as beautiful as the jag s-type (tacky). or the magnificent x-type (ford contour). or the winning last generation xk (just sad). please...
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 2:25:38 PM | | Votes: 1

The 135i is an awesome car. I personally think that the 550i is the best car that BMW makes because of the size of the car, the available features, and the engine. The sport package makes the 550i look awesome.
— bmwfan1513 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 11:31:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

the 550i is great. but i'll one-up you there. i'd have to say the M5 is simply the best of BMW.
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 2:26:54 PM | | Votes: 2

The 1 series will be a success in the US, even though it is expensive. BMW will only allocate 11,000 of them (128i, 135i, and convertibles combined) here, and they will all be sold out. It's only successful to BMW if they sold out their intended target numbers/allocations. This is by no mean successful overall in terms of sales number compared to the 3 series, which sells over 120,000 cars in the US each year.
— investor27 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 1:28:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Offcourse

Silly though that in Europe the A3 outsells the 1-series 2 to 1.
— Heyhuub (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 2:00:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Why do you have to bring Audi into every discussion if you are so sure BMW will demolish it. Visit a shrink, please!
— AUTO_UNION (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 7:12:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

Higher price point than the A4, amazinIdiot? I think not......

Anymore subjective arguements by the Idiot?
— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 3:35:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

fastone,
Toyota already has a 1-series killer, it's the WRX.
I'm sure someone will bring up 335i, so we'll just remind them of the WRX STi. BMW is outrun, outhandled, simply outmatched (if the rumour are true, BMW is going to be out of money too)
I'm still waiting for the boxer engine to be stuffed into a Scion tC.

It's too bad Clarkson didn't do a best BMW ever pick. The last nice BMW was the E46 M3, everything after that is just garbage only worthy of a fob.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 8:50:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -9

The 135i has the engine without the fat and it's not to criticize the 335i but the "1" will be more of a driver's car .

Being smaller, lighter, and balanced , while at the same time priced less facing higher gas prices and slower economy I can't see how this car would be viewed as anything else but rational for those who want that BMW growl .
— yrralis1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/31/2007 1:52:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

WRX is Toyota's secret weapon!!! HiiiYA! Fan Boys speak volumes here...
— Porschinator (View Profile)

Posted on 12/31/2007 4:08:54 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Interesting that Clarkson states that BMW's best car is the 135i. For that matter same goes for MBenz, Audi, and Lexus.
C-Class
A3
IS250/350
The premium auto makers spend more on their small car's development than their larger brethren. They have to get those cars right since they're usually the biggest sellers.
— BMW995 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/31/2007 1:00:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Merc's best car is still the S class - always will be.
And I think Audi's best car would either be the R8 or the new A4.
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 12/31/2007 9:16:21 PM | | Votes: 1

Happy New Year!
— pacotacolol (View Profile)

Posted on 1/1/2008 10:14:32 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

LOL, what's funny is that the WRX and STi are faster and handle better than anything BMW has, and they don't need V10s or turbo sixes to do it. Actually, the 1-series is more of a feeble attempt at a WRX killer.

I see that the usual suspects realize this considering the chorus of nothing other than supposed good humour.

What's really funny is that Toyota's first serious attempt at performance already matches the history of BMW (IS-F vs M3).

Just out of curiousity what is the LF-A competitor from BMW? MB has the SLR, Audi has the RS8, Nissan the GT-R, Chevy's Vette, Dodge's Viper. What's BMW got besides a couple of propellors and a bunch of wannabes? What, the Z10 that's further back in development than even the NSX (eventhough it's basically an M5 engine with a new body). The concepts I've seen make it look like a cross between a Ferrari and that old ugly LF-C concept.

Yup, when money starts to run low, R&D will always take a back seat to marketing at BigManWheels.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/2/2008 11:43:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

I would like to know why some of you think an E46 chassis is superior to the E90 is it just weight? The E90 chassis is much stronger than the E46 and carries a much better suspension especially in the rear of the car. Also to Huu76 Dude get a clue BMW spends more money on R&D than car companies ten times larger. And the WRX and the STI are the same models the Sti is a variation of the WRX. It is quite obvious that you read some about cars however you seem to actually know very little about them.
— huntr (View Profile)

Posted on 1/3/2008 7:01:03 PM | | Votes: 1

Ohh and one more thing huu, the Dodge Viper is even with a M-roadster on the track, the only thing is the M-roadster is at a 200hp disadvantage.Jeremy Clarkson did a comparison on these two cars and they were dead even on the track the Dodge had the muscle and iffy handling and the BMW was well a BMW, perfect balance of power, handling and fun.Jeremy was off on the spec's because he used euro hp spec's on a US version car for the M-roadster. What I do want BMW to do is make a bit bigger rear sway bar to get rid of the inherent understeer, they do it for liability sake.
— huntr (View Profile)

Posted on 1/3/2008 7:07:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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"The best car BMW makes.." per Jeremy Clarkson

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