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

jgf330xi submitted on 12/29/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 11:41 PM
from: driving.timesonline.co.uk

Tags: BMW 135i

BMW 135i

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

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. Read Article

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_43LE - 12/30/2007 12:19:48 AM

-5 Boost

I would tend to agree.

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pacotacolol - 12/30/2007 8:28:40 AMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

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".

EnnNorak - 12/30/2007 9:05:54 AM

+2 Boost

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.

dlin - 12/30/2007 1:33:00 PM

0 Boost

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 - 12/30/2007 6:37:16 PM

-1 Boost

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 - 12/31/2007 1:17:05 AM

-2 Boost

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 - 12/31/2007 5:09:18 PM

0 Boost

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 - 12/31/2007 5:16:07 PM

+1 Boost

Correction to 335 EU unladen weight: 1600kg.

rspect - 12/30/2007 12:26:30 AM

0 Boost

5-stars well-deserved! glad it gets jeremy's endorsement. can't wait to see the video review!

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Rupert - 12/30/2007 9:10:58 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

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.

Heyhuub - 12/30/2007 1:58:29 PM

+2 Boost

And the Audi R8

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 12/30/2007 2:57:03 PM

0 Boost

It should have a higher final drive ratio. That's why it doesn't feel that fast.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 12/31/2007 4:53:39 AM

0 Boost

i know. in real life its barely faster then the 130i sport

investor27 - 12/30/2007 1:49:58 AM

+2 Boost

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.

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EnnNorak - 12/30/2007 9:07:59 AM

-2 Boost

The 3 series has inadequate rear leg room so I can't imagine that the smaller 135i can improve upon that shortcoming.

EnnNorak - 12/30/2007 9:08:00 AM

-2 Boost

The 3 series has inadequate rear leg room so I can't imagine that the smaller 135i can improve upon that shortcoming.

JRobUSC - 12/30/2007 11:34:03 AM

+2 Boost

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.

enthusiastx11 - 12/30/2007 2:22:44 PM

+1 Boost

"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.

huu76 - 12/30/2007 2:00:11 AM

-2 Boost

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.

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enthusiastx11 - 12/30/2007 2:37:58 AM

+2 Boost

huu:

it's wonderful car. and "best" is just ONE man's opinion. don't take the everything you read so literally.

enthusiastx11 - 12/30/2007 2:37:07 AM

+3 Boost

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.:

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DaHarder - 12/30/2007 9:52:53 AM

+4 Boost

I Completely Agree!

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

Surely BMW could have found better inspiration?

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senorgato - 12/30/2007 3:49:29 AM

+1 Boost

It's a pretty costly car, though. That's the only thing that concerns me about its success.

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Jag_xfr - 12/30/2007 10:02:22 AM

+2 Boost

As with most BMW's this one is ugly and over priced, but it is quite quick though.

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enthusiastx11 - 12/30/2007 2:25:38 PM

+1 Boost

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...

bmwfan1513 - 12/30/2007 11:31:45 AM

+3 Boost

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.

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enthusiastx11 - 12/30/2007 2:26:54 PM

+2 Boost

the 550i is great. but i'll one-up you there. i'd have to say the M5 is simply the best of BMW.

investor27 - 12/30/2007 1:28:10 PM

+2 Boost

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.

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amazinBimmer - 12/30/2007 1:36:07 PM

0 Boost

1 series basicaly will steal all the a3/a4 customers although at a higher price point (as usual). well done.

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Heyhuub - 12/30/2007 2:00:08 PM

+1 Boost

Offcourse

Silly though that in Europe the A3 outsells the 1-series 2 to 1.

AUTO_UNION - 12/30/2007 7:12:00 PM

+4 Boost

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

GermanNut - 12/30/2007 3:35:20 PM

0 Boost

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

Anymore subjective arguements by the Idiot?

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huu76 - 12/30/2007 8:50:20 PM

-9 Boost

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.

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yrralis1 - 12/31/2007 1:52:48 AM

+1 Boost

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 .

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Porschinator - 12/31/2007 4:08:54 AM

+3 Boost

WRX is Toyota's secret weapon!!! HiiiYA! Fan Boys speak volumes here...

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BMW995 - 12/31/2007 1:00:09 PM

+1 Boost

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.

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Rupert - 12/31/2007 9:16:21 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

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.

pacotacolol - 1/1/2008 10:14:32 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Happy New Year!

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huu76 - 1/2/2008 11:43:20 PM

0 Boost

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.

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huntr - 1/3/2008 7:01:03 PM

+1 Boost

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 - 1/3/2008 7:07:34 PM

+1 Boost

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.

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