Topic: Test Drive: 2011 BMW 135i Cabriolet

[bluelines]

It really is a hideous car, and I'm with everyone who's complained about the bloat. It's built on what is essentially the E90 platform, so you get virtually all the weight of the three with far less practicality and much worse looks. I believe the 135i coupe weighs only about 70 kilos less than the E92 335i, for example. Seriously, who would buy one of these?

[rrocket]

It really is a hideous car, and I'm with everyone who's complained about the bloat. It's built on what is essentially the E90 platform, so you get virtually all the weight of the three with far less practicality and much worse looks. I believe the 135i coupe weighs only about 70 kilos less than the E92 335i, for example. Seriously, who would buy one of these?

I think there are a couple of people here who have the 1 Series.  I dislike the car too, but it's their money, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  If they are happy, I am happy.

Different strokes for different folks. 

[TopGun]

This thing makes the Mini look like a bargain.

Heck, it may even have more practicality...ah yes...but it is "wrong wheel drive"...and thus handles badly.

[CanuckS2K]

It really is a hideous car, and I'm with everyone who's complained about the bloat. It's built on what is essentially the E90 platform, so you get virtually all the weight of the three with far less practicality and much worse looks. I believe the 135i coupe weighs only about 70 kilos less than the E92 335i, for example. Seriously, who would buy one of these?

I think there are a couple of people here who have the 1 Series.  I dislike the car too, but it's their money, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  If they are happy, I am happy.

Different strokes for different folks. 

Yep, that about sums it up perfectly.  While I am not a fan of the car personally, I would certainly never chastise some one for buying it. 

[Yeah!]

"Price as tested: $60,045"

 

Poor mans BMW with plastic seats....oh yeah the POS costs over 60K....great idea....a rag top in CANADA....lol

[CanuckS2K]

"Price as tested: $60,045"

 

Poor mans BMW with plastic seats....oh yeah the POS costs over 60K....great idea....a rag top in CANADA....lol

Yeah, like no one in Canada should own a rag top.  Troll perhaps?   

[Flinter]

If I didn't know better I'd have to conclude that people think the 1-series is ugly. 

They say people get dogs that reflect the owner. I'm starting to think that the same can be said of the cars they drive. I am kinda short and stubby like my 128, and as I get older, my sagging belly line is beginning to show. However, if you can get past the looks and jump on board, everyone enjoys the ride. 

[CanuckS2K]

^ Hahaha, well put.  Glad you are enjoying your ride, that's ALL that matters.   

[Julie]

If I didn't know better I'd have to conclude that people think the 1-series is ugly. 

They say people get dogs that reflect the owner. I'm starting to think that the same can be said of the cars they drive. I am kinda short and stubby like my 128, and as I get older, my sagging belly line is beginning to show. However, if you can get past the looks and jump on board, everyone enjoys the ride. 

Haha, great sense of humor Flinter.

[tpl]

I looked at the 1-er when I nearly replaced my 330 with another BMW.   For the money and, like Flinter admits, being not quite as Adonis like as I was, I would have bought the 3 series.   But had there been the Euro 1-er HATCHBACK that would have been a harder decision.  Either way I would not have bought the cab.

So for me its not that it is ugly it is that it needs to be a bit bigger...just a bit... like a 3-er.

[Ex-airbalancer]

this car is about the same size as a E46 cab

[dave]

It really is a hideous car, and I'm with everyone who's complained about the bloat. It's built on what is essentially the E90 platform, so you get virtually all the weight of the three with far less practicality and much worse looks. I believe the 135i coupe weighs only about 70 kilos less than the E92 335i, for example. Seriously, who would buy one of these?

I would.

I loved the 335i coupe but could not afford it.  The 328i coupe, while *pretty*, doesn't do much for me in terms of performance.  The 135i coupe, properly optioned (ie, M Sport package only) can be had for well under $50K and will show cars that cost much more (Cayman, TTS, G37) it's rear end while keeping pace with cars that are far less practical and also more expensive (Cayman S, 370Z).  Great bang for the buck, practical enough for my family of 3 (+ dog), and I love the aggressive look of the "pot bellied pig".

So there.   

[Flinter]

It really is a hideous car, and I'm with everyone who's complained about the bloat. It's built on what is essentially the E90 platform, so you get virtually all the weight of the three with far less practicality and much worse looks. I believe the 135i coupe weighs only about 70 kilos less than the E92 335i, for example. Seriously, who would buy one of these?

I was trying to avoid getting sucked into this but... Where do I start... See tables attached for data.

1) I think it's clear from any forum here involving the 1-series that the styling is not for everyone. I'd agree that it is polarizing but styling is a subjective thing and believe it or not, lots of people don't have a problem with the 1 series styling.

2) It is also my understanding that the 1 series shares many structural, chassis, powertrain, hardware and electronic elements with the larger 3 Series. Based on my review of the specifications listed on the CanadianDriver website, the 128i Coupe (3252 lbs) is approx ~100lbs lighter than the 328i Coupe (3351 lbs) and the 135i Coupe (3373 lbs) is ~200lbs lighter than the 335i Coupe (3571 lbs). The difference may not be as big as many would think but 3-6% is still nothin to sneeze at. If you don't need the size of a 3 series, I fail to see how a slightly smaller lighter car with the exactly the same powertrain is a problem. 

3) One thing you failed to mention in your rant was MSRP. The table below shows the MSRP for the base model 1-series and 3-series vehicles. You can see that the price premium to step up to the 3 series from the 1 series ranges from $5700 (128i vs 328i sedan) up to $20400 (135i Cab vs 335i Cab). 

So let me answer your question:  "Seriously, who would buy one of these?"

- Someone who has grown to like the styling of the 1 series.
- Someone who doesn't need the size, space and associated weight gains of the 3 series but wants a similar driving experience.
- Someone who doesn't want to pay the significant price premium associated with the 3 series.

Someone like me.

[dave]

It really is a hideous car, and I'm with everyone who's complained about the bloat. It's built on what is essentially the E90 platform, so you get virtually all the weight of the three with far less practicality and much worse looks. I believe the 135i coupe weighs only about 70 kilos less than the E92 335i, for example. Seriously, who would buy one of these?

I was trying to avoid getting sucked into this but... Where do I start... See tables attached for data.

1) I think it's clear from any forum here involving the 1-series that the styling is not for everyone. I'd agree that it is polarizing but styling is a subjective thing and believe it or not, lots of people don't have a problem with the 1 series styling.

2) It is also my understanding that the 1 series shares many structural, chassis, powertrain, hardware and electronic elements with the larger 3 Series. Based on my review of the specifications listed on the CanadianDriver website, the 128i Coupe (3252 lbs) is approx ~100lbs lighter than the 328i Coupe (3351 lbs) and the 135i Coupe (3373 lbs) is ~200lbs lighter than the 335i Coupe (3571 lbs). The difference may not be as big as many would think but 3-6% is still nothin to sneeze at. If you don't need the size of a 3 series, I fail to see how a slightly smaller lighter car with the exactly the same powertrain is a problem. 

3) One thing you failed to mention in your rant was MSRP. The table below shows the MSRP for the base model 1-series and 3-series vehicles. You can see that the price premium to step up to the 3 series from the 1 series ranges from $5700 (128i vs 328i sedan) up to $20400 (135i Cab vs 335i Cab). 

So let me answer your question:  "Seriously, who would buy one of these?"

- Someone who has grown to like the styling of the 1 series.
- Someone who doesn't need the size, space and associated weight gains of the 3 series but wants a similar driving experience.
- Someone who doesn't want to pay the significant price premium associated with the 3 series.

Someone like me.

Take THAT bluelines' beliefs!   

[Flinter]

Take THAT bluelines' beliefs!   

Yeah.. Power to the "pot bellied pig" lovers.