2008 BMW 135i: Not Bad

Wow, you really had to dig to find something uglier.. but you did it.

Ugly?! I for one think the 1 Series is a handsome little car. It looks much, much better in person; the pictures dont do it justice. It's not what I'd call pretty but its more distinctive and visually interesting than the swoopy 3 Series Coupe. And it's looks certianly aren't offensive. I love it.

Yes, thanks to its tall, goofy aftermarket spoiler and ratted-out condition, I'd agree that '76 to '78 Firebird sure is ugly.
 
But a '76 to '78 Firebird in nice condition is a lot more attractive than the bulbous 1 Series. A low sweeping roofline, well-proportioned and cohesive body style beats the awkward 1 Series with its sagging rocker panel character line and too-tall greenhouse any day.
 
That said, I love driving the 135. Like the E36 M coupe it's an ugly duckling that turns into a beautifu swan when you're behind the wheel enjoying its incredible performance.

Its not ugly, its average. Modern cars tend to either blend in like this one or stand out because they are ugly. Few modern cars are pretty. Its no Audi TT or Pontiac Solstice, but its no Pontiac Aztec either.

100% agree with huyracing.
I would in general BMW's design is getting bland. Its nethier really classic (except for the interior)
and not modern. Its kind of like a honda now. Neither inspiring nor offensive.
 
even though this is a csl:
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/features/2005/3-series-30th-anniversary/03-large/2004-m3-csl.jpg
 
I loved that bmw body styling more then anything today. Just screames bad a--

I dont think it looks that bad although the door sage on the side is strange. The main thing is the car is so small it doesnt seem like a luxury branded car. It like a RWD civic SI or something.

BMW's e30 coupe (3 series) was made from 84 to 91 and it was 170 inches long:
http://www.edmunds.com/used/1990/bmw/3series/218/specs.html
 
The e87 1 series is 171 inches long:
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2008/bmw/1series/100974974/specs.html
 
While BMW marketed the 1 as a return to the 2002 (166 inches), it seems the 1 is closer in actual size to the e30.
 
I've always considered the e30 M to be just about perfect in terms of size, power to weight, etc. Of course a dinan tuned 135 has a far better power-to-weight ratio than the e30 M, but it's saddled by too much of today's worthless technology.

Why does luxury have to be a certain size? Is a Porsche Boxster not worth it because of it's size?
 
Joe

The 1 is very stubby and that just screams B class clown car.
 
If your only picture is of the hood from above, the stub is out of sight and it looks just fine.

I think the car just isnt very photogenic. Ive seen a few 1s at my local BMW Store and its a pretty good looking car, especially that 1 certain 135i in black/red.
 
I will admit BMW styling isnt what it used to be as it seems the designers have erased certain critical design details. For example, compare the E92 M3 to the E46 M3. Both are good looking cars but the E46 just has something about it thats....classy and detailed, espeically the front end.

"Yes, thanks to its tall, goofy aftermarket spoiler and ratted-out condition, I'd agree that '76 to '78 Firebird sure is ugly."
 
I thought they were refering to the Celica.

I've got you all beat:
 
http://www.carspace.com/estreka/Albums/estreka%27s%20Album/acura.JPG/page/photo.html#pic

Joe, every inch of sheetmetal is directly related to the total worth of the car. A 4 door Chevy dualie pickup is obviously worth far more than a tiny Cayman.

lol, +1 BDC. I would pay MORE to have a smaller car. Bloated, oversized Infiniti or Cadillac? No thanks. Even my 335i coupe is bigger than I'd like it to be.
 
estreka, you win. WTF is that thing? Acura needs to send their "new" grille theme back to the drawing board.

Is it just me, or does it look like that darkened drivers-side headlight of the 135i is giving someone the stink eye?
 
Other than that, it looks ok to me.

compared to the POS below the BMW is a beauty. Compared to other $40K cars its ugly.

joe - space is luxury.

It's closer to ugly than it is to attractive. Frumpy comes to mind everytime I see one.

estreka - acura concept = a new, special kind of ugly. Foul looking really.

"I've got you all beat:
  
http://www.carspace.com/estreka/Albums/estreka%27s%20Album/acura.JPG/page/photo.html#pic"
 
My EYESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Is that real?!

It looks akward like the 3 sedan, the Coupe however looks WAY better than the sedan.

I've seen a couple of these on the road and I still don't like it. If you saw a 135 parked next to a 335, there's no comparison. The 1 looks positively cartoonish in the shadow of it's good looking big brother. I certainly wouldn't pay the asking price for an awkward looking car when a much classier design is available for a few thousand more.

the problem is that the 1 series makes the 3 series look gorgeous when in fact the 3 series has received a lot of criticism for its design compared to its predecessor.

I'd say the only thing to change on the 135 is the front fascia, all the other lines look great. If the kidney grills were shorter in height and the headlamps less wide-eyed, it'd look fantastic. just imagine this car with the current M3 front end, then it'd be 'bite the back of my hand' gorgeous.

Chavis, it's in the eye of the beholder. To me, the 3 series coupe looks like a Camry Solar - big, fat, wide and bland. Like an accident or a car left in the sun that's melted. It's not six series ugly, but it's close.

I like the 335i coupe, especially the rear. Clean, timeless simple lines.
 
The 3 sedan looks like a economy car from the rear. The 3 series line as a whole lost the taught lines and detailing of the E46.

Is Edmunds comparing a 3.0Cs to the 135? And the Firebirs is not ugly, the wing is.

The Nissan looks better than the back of that Firebird, wing or not.

135i looks good to me. I like how the nose looks canted forward like the old 2002.
 
The goofy flared out sills on the rocker panels are the only real misstep in an otherwise nice car.
 
I wonder when BMW will abandon the butt-ugly overstyling of their cars....
 
If you're rockin' a mullet, i'm sure that Trans Am is the perfect ride to go pick up a 6er of Pabst in your wifebeater.

cruiserhead1, Brian is all about the flannel and trucker cap. =Þ
 
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=125645

BMW needs to fire this Bangle guy and steal some designes from Alfa Romeo

"Chavis, it's in the eye of the beholder. To me, the 3 series coupe looks like a Camry Solar - big, fat, wide and bland. Like an accident or a car left in the sun that's melted. It's not six series ugly, but it's close."
 
The only thing the two cars have in common is two doors and four wheels. The 335 looks nothing like the horrid Solara. Its the best looking BMW model out, by far. The 1 series looks OK for $30k but not so hot as a $50k loaded compact.

I think the e36 was the cleanest looking 3-series. The e46 was more muscular, more masculine, but not quite as well proportioned. The e92 really doesn't work for me.
 
As for the 1-series, I think it's a little stubby looking, but I'd take it. Preferably a 128i (or 130d), with a manual transmission, sport seats, and as little junk on it as possible.

Blueguy- the Solara is quite possibly the ugliest two door ever created while the 335 might be the prettiest. Your taste is questionable.
 
I think the 335i coupe or hardtop are the only BMWs I'd ever drive. The rest are ugly or have weird body features. 5 and 7 are out since they come standard with iDrive. I remember trying to tune the radio in a 530 and it made no sense whatsoever. Thank goodness for the current CTS...

I have to cancel out all this ugly with a link of my own:
 
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/detroit/2008/mazdafuraiconcept.html

I usually hate it when people put "eyebrows" -- paint-colored strips on the upper part of the headlights to make the headlights look slimmer -- but the 135i needs them badly. The front end of the 1 looks like it was designed by an overzealous plastic surgeon working on Joan Rivers.

"The front end of the 1 looks like it was designed by an overzealous plastic surgeon working on Joan Rivers."
 
Now that you mentioned it...
 
YES!!!
 
I don't think the 1er is bad looking, as matter of fact it is not a bad looking car by any means. However, after seeing the 3er Coupe naturally people's expectation would be high. It's very obvious to me that BMW didn't meet that expectation with the 1-coupe.

m_thrizzle, I think a lot of people refer to them as "eyelids."
 
http://www.performancebay.com/BMW/3_Series/9.gif

^Thanks Suby, I did mean eyelids. So if someone just puts one eyelid on his car, is he winking?

Chavis, to each his own. :) The e92 (3 series coupe) ranks as the 3rd ugliest car sold today. The 6 Series and Solara are at the top (or bottom), in that order. They hit every branch of the ugly tree on the way down.

Once again, the debate over personal tastes makes for yet another riveting read...

looks are subjective but most seem to agree the 335i coupe is attractive. Sometimes there is almost universal agreement about a car's styling.

I don't see the ugliness. To me the 1-series looks muscular and sporty while the 3 series looks like something you see the average housewife driving everyday.