Road and Track's full review:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=6590Highlights: -"The 135i revs freely to redline, and in testing it hit 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds. The quarter mile was covered in 13.4 sec. at a speed of 104.0 mph."
- "While not in the same league as the M3, this hotted-up version of the 1 Series is best described as an "M2.5." The reduced weight and muscular powertrain deliver at least two-thirds the excitement of the 414-bhp V-8-powered M3 Coupe. So in this respect, the 1 Series does live up to its expectation as a sort of entry-level vehicle into the world of M."
- "The large tires and taut suspension give tremendous grip, enabling the car to pull 0.91g on the skidpad. And in braking, the posted stopping distances are 204 ft. from 80 mph and 114 ft. from 60."
- "The 135i is a driver's car, a "gotta have" car. The question, though, is at what price. The Euro has not been so kind to the dollar and that's reflected in the 135i's base price of $34,900. Throw on a premium package that includes the glove-soft Boston leather and you're in the neighborhood of $39,000. Add navigation and you've zoomed past 40 large, which puts it solidly in the larger and more comfortable 3 Series territory. So the question is — do you want comfort and size, or do you want to drive?"
Data sheet: http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/download/0508_RT_BMW.pdfSweet!