Topic: 2011 BMW 135i Cabriolet; Day 1

[Flinter]

I'd agree that many cars costing thousands less would have been extremely enjoyable on my little excursion last weekend. Cars like the Genesis Coupe, WRX, GTI, Mustang, 370Z, EVO and so on are all great alternatives I'd encourage anyone to take a look at.

What can I say, there's just something about the overall feel of 128i that so far has been "tickling me in the right spots" .

A bunch of subjective things really:

- I like the smaller size and stiff, solid feel of the chassis.
- The smooth linear power delivery of inline 6 engine and the lovely sounds that go along with it.
- The shifter and clutch feel.
- The terrific brakes.
- The nice weighting and direct feel of the steering.
- The stiffer suspension tuning and resulting nimble feel of the car.
- Excellent seats.

I guess it comes down to the fact I just really enjoy driving it.... ALOT. Hopefully that continues.

Good answers...that's what I was looking for.  I was just wondering why you were digging the 1 Series more on that road than say your old WRX.

And yes, there's just something great about an I6.  I really fell in love with the I6 in the Supra and our IS300.  You really need an exhaust to really appreciate the fantastic sounds these engines make..

Glad you're enjoying the car!

Thanks Rocket, there`s not doubt that I`m missing certain aspects of my old WRX. The amazing traction and mid range power of the WRX is a joy to experience. It`s a car that makes you want to drive like a holligan. Winter will not be the same. 

That said, I`m really digging the I6 in the 128 and all the goodness that comes with that. Very different engine... very different car. I`d have both if I could afford it.
 

[huota]

So who said "Suggesting that only those who could afford to purchase one have a right to comment..."? No one said that, but some of us said why so much hate for the car, if you don't like it or think it overpriced, fine, but no need to badmouth it. Elitist snobbery? Where? 

I can't afford a Ferrari or a Bugatti either, but I don't go around badmouthing the cars because of that. "Value" is in the eye of the beholder.

See exhibits A and B below:

What is with all the hate for $50-60G sport cars? If you can't afford one, too bad but don't dislike it because of that.

There is also the 128 for those who think the 135 is too much money. If you still think the 128 cost too much, this is not the car for you, move along, nothing to see here.

  Exactly, well said. The sense of entitlement is baffling.

Imagine that - those who can't afford to purchase the car feeling entitled to comment.  I mean, really.  Who lets the riff-raff in anyway?

Hey Over50 - I didn't see you jumping in to ask the dude quoted above why he thinks that those who don't like the car or think it is overpriced are simply "hating" it because they can't afford it?

Jaeger

I didn't mean that those who can't afford to purchase the car are not entitled to comment, of course they are - sorry if anybody read it that way and took offense. I mean that I don't see the point of complaining of a car's price just because someone doesn't the "value", since value is subjective and means different things to different people.

For the record, I'm wouldn't be interested in this car even whether I could afford it or not, regardless that it's my "beloved brand"

[tortoise]

Julie,

You've commented that the 1 series could be preferred over the 3 series due it's lighter weight.  In fact there's only a 200 lb difference between the 1 series coupe and the 3 series SEDAN despite the difference in size.  BMW.ca doesn't list the weight of the 3 series coupe.  I recall that portly weight has been a knock against the 1 series.

Fantastic car no doubt but I've always wondered why it's not significantly lighter.

[Jaeger]

Julie,

You've commented that the 1 series could be preferred over the 3 series due it's lighter weight.  In fact there's only a 200 lb difference between the 1 series coupe and the 3 series SEDAN despite the difference in size.   BMW.ca doesn't list the weight of the 3 series coupe.  I recall that portly weight has been a knock against the 1 series.

Fantastic car no doubt but I've always wondered why it's not significantly lighter.

One of the many reasons I simply don't get the 1-series appeal - particularly when optioned up comfortably into 3-series territory.  I don't know who stands in a BMW showroom, with a variety of beautiful 3-series offerings just sitting there - and walks right past them to this ugly stepchild as says "Right, I'll have this."  But hey, they do.  Honda sells a bunch of Crosstours and I don't get that, either.

Jaeger

[wing]

128 vs 328 = 110lbs
135 vs 335 = 220lbs

220lbs is pretty significant although not hugely.  3300lbs for the 1-series is quite portly when you consider it is the size of a compact car a Corolla is about 2800lbs but another solid german compact like the VW Jetta is actually 3200lbs

[tpl]

It would be interesting to see the equivalent mass of:
The euro 1-er hatch with the same engines ( if available)

The euro 1-er hatch with the diesel.

( pause while he goes to BMW.CO.UK)

Not much difference  the 123D, the most expensive 5 door is 3289 lbs.

The 135M coupe is 3432 lbs   for comparison a 335M sedan is 3542 lbs   BMW UK figures.

All of which proves that the car ( as are most cars) is too damned heavy.

[wing]

Interesting fact I just learned.  You cannot drive this vehicle with the door open, it puts itself back into park!

[aknutson]

Interesting fact I just learned.  You cannot drive this vehicle with the door open, it puts itself back into park!

So much for the 'door ajar!' warning - this thing just parks your @$$! Oh those Germans...

[Jaeger]

128 vs 328 = 110lbs
135 vs 335 = 220lbs

220lbs is pretty significant although not hugely.  3300lbs for the 1-series is quite portly when you consider it is the size of a compact car a Corolla is about 2800lbs but another solid german compact like the VW Jetta is actually 3200lbs

Given the amount of horsepower and torque available to motivate that extra 220lb (in the case of the 135 vs 335), I would imagine that on the road the difference is all but negligible.  Add 220lb to a Yaris, and yes, you'd notice that.

Jaeger

[quadzilla]

Interesting fact I just learned.  You cannot drive this vehicle with the door open, it puts itself back into park!

What happens if you were driving down the hwy and did that?

[wing]

I suspect it wouldn't go into park... perhaps I should try?

[mmret]

I suspect it wouldn't go into park... perhaps I should try?

Yes, follow it up with a barrel roll out onto the pavement just before the car hits a launch ramp or something equally cool.

[Weels]

I suspect it wouldn't go into park... perhaps I should try?

Yes, follow it up with a barrel roll out onto the pavement just before the car hits a launch ramp or something equally cool.

Make sure to get that on video! 

[nbbimmer]

IIRC the 135 cab is about 200kg lighter than the 335 cab.  Thats a big difference.  I have a 335 cab.  Great (awesome) car but sometimes you do feel the weight and I am thinking about the 135 cab because of this.  There aren't a whole lot of other options with similar driving dynamics in terms of 4 seat convertibles (kids can go in the back).  I don't think its valid to compare the price of the 1er cab to 3er sedans and coupes because it is a convertible. An equally optioned 335 cab is going to be at least 15-20k more.  As far as the 60k price goes, its expensive but fits into the BMW price structure for convertibles below the 335i, 335is, and M3, all of which are significantly more expensive. One could say all the BMWs are overpriced which is a different discussion altogether but I like them and will keep buying them for the driving characteristics and technology. Equally invalid in my opinion is price comparison to 2 seat convertibles (Boxsters etc).  Also some of us aren't all that interested in buying used, particularly from the US, so its a fun game to see what your 60k will buy, but not all that relevant for someone like me.

[quadzilla]

Now I'm curious. With my DSG if the car is in neutral and moving at X speed, it is locked there until you slow down. What does the 135 do? Do this one before the hwy door opening, just in case you break it.

[huota]

128 vs 328 = 110lbs
135 vs 335 = 220lbs

220lbs is pretty significant although not hugely.  3300lbs for the 1-series is quite portly when you consider it is the size of a compact car a Corolla is about 2800lbs but another solid german compact like the VW Jetta is actually 3200lbs

Given the amount of horsepower and torque available to motivate that extra 220lb (in the case of the 135 vs 335), I would imagine that on the road the difference is all but negligible.  Add 220lb to a Yaris, and yes, you'd notice that.

Jaeger

Yes, it's probably negligible for most road driving, esp. highways, but start pushing the corners and I bet that the weight, together with other variable such as wheel base and track, will be noticeable. YMMV.

[dave]

What an interesting thread...so many disagreements  .  I guess I'll throw in my 2 cents:

I think the 135i has great bang for the buck.  Mine is a manual coupe with MSport package, metallic paint, and iPod - all for well under $50K.  I don't care about executive packages or premium packages...I just wanted that engine!  I couldn't afford a 335i coupe at the time so I was originally looking at a 328i coupe.  Then the 1 series came out and I got a taste of the N54 engine...there was no looking back at the 328i/128i.

IMO there are not a lot of (new) cars with this kind of performance for the money.  Sure, there are other cars that will keep up for less than $50k, but not with this blend of performance, luxury, and yes, practicality.  It's ALMOST in it's own niche.

I agree that $60k for the optioned out cabrio is excessive.  I don't like cabrios to start with...so my $60k would go elsewhere.  I've driven a lot of cars in this price range (including the 328i, 335i, G37S coupe, 350Z, WRX, and recently a new S4) and for the money I have no doubt that I made the right choice.  The 335i sedan and S4 were great, but the performance difference was negligible and I dont need the extra doors (yet).  The back seat of the 135i is more than adequate for my needs (occassional 3rd passenger, dog, brief case), great rear headroom and the trunk will easily fit 3 sets of golf clubs (unlike the G37S's which is a joke).

I've also driven a few cars that cost a LOT more than the 135i (M6, '08 911 S, C6, etc.) and came away underwhelmed.

Lastly, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  I think the coupe or cabrio optioned with the M sport package is really sharp.  The 335i coupe and sedan are definitely more pleasing to the eye...but the 1 series has a really nice aggressive look that really I dig.

2 years of ownership (ALL year round...this is definitely not a summer only "toy") and it still gets my blood pumping!

[dkaz]

I can't afford the 1 series but I like it.

There's a 2008 135i with 6 speed manual and M, Premium, and Sport Packages for $740/mo lease take over 16 month remaining with $28,000 buy out. So in a couple of years, we can expect to see a bunch of used 1 series for $30,000 or less.

[tpl]

I can't afford the 1 series but I like it.

There's a 2008 135i with 6 speed manual and M, Premium, and Sport Packages for $740/mo lease take over 16 month remaining with $28,000 buy out. So in a couple of years, we can expect to see a bunch of used 1 series for $30,000 or less.

I make that over $43K owing   assuming that the 740/mo includes taxes. If not then its  $45k.    May as well just buy or lease  a new one maybe take a longer term to buy rather than lease

[Julie]

Julie,

You've commented that the 1 series could be preferred over the 3 series due it's lighter weight.  In fact there's only a 200 lb difference between the 1 series coupe and the 3 series SEDAN despite the difference in size.  BMW.ca doesn't list the weight of the 3 series coupe.  I recall that portly weight has been a knock against the 1 series.

Fantastic car no doubt but I've always wondered why it's not significantly lighter.

You have a good point.  I'm surprised there is only that (relatively) small difference, and that it's heavier than a Jetta.  It doesn't look that way...

Interesting that they're using the N54 (135, 335, etc. engine)...  Yes, as the review noted, the twin-turbo sound is quite mute.  Which makes it sound nice and refined, but not sure that's what you want in a M car!