It's easy to feel inadequate at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Money is everywhere. Big money. During Concours weekend, the parking lots of even the most humble motels on the Monterey peninsula overflow with Ferraris, Aston Martins and Lamborghinis. So it was with a flush of humility that I rolled up to the Lodge at Pebble Beach this past Sunday in our BMW 135i. Sure, it's not a bad car, but it's not going to be in the catalog anytime soon at Gooding and Company, either.
After the awards had been given out and the confetti had been sprayed, I merged our little 1-Series into the long line of traffic waiting to wind its way out. As I crawled past Peter Hay Hill, I pulled over to say hello to a friend who was standing next to a pair of shiny Spykers parked by the curb. As we spoke, I sighed and stared at the beautiful Dutch sportscars. After a few minutes, I turned to get into the 135i and head home.
"Just a minute," said a man in a chauffeur uniform, whose limousine was parked next to our BMW. "Someone wants to ask you about your car."
Haha, very funny.
But as I started the engine, an older woman in a dramatic hat, sunglasses and red pants emerged from the back of the limo and started waving at me.
"Just a minute, please. Tell me about this car. It's so cute!"
I spent the next several minutes explaining the 135i's powertrain, handling characteristics, cargo capacity, and its similarities to (and differences from) other BMWs. As we spoke, people who were walking by paused to listen, curious about the little cinnamon-hued coupe parked among near-$300,000 sports cars.
At the end of our conversation, something hit me that I'd already known, but had somehow forgotten amidst the vintage one-offs and multi-million-dollar auction lots and couture-clad trophy wives: A good car doesn't have to cost six-figures. And it's better to push the limits with a powerful, well-handling midpriced automobile than to parade some supercar up and down the street at 20 miles per hour.
I drove all 350 miles home beaming with pride.
-- Laura Burstein, Automotive Editor @ 7,500 miles
dougtheeng says:
12:38 PM, 08/21/08
Good post, and nice picture.
7driver says:
01:38 PM, 08/21/08
Any idea who the red pants woman was?
kentavos22 says:
02:39 PM, 08/21/08
From the description, it was probably Elton John.
edubya says:
03:08 PM, 08/21/08
Okay, I laughed out loud at that one, kentavos.
And it was a good post.
rtharak2 says:
03:49 PM, 08/21/08
You know, in that lighting and from that angle, the 135's styling really makes sense. (To me it usually doesn't.)
misterfusion says:
04:50 PM, 08/21/08
Great story, and well told. I'm not even a fan of the 135, but the sentiment rings absolutely true.
huyracing says:
09:15 PM, 08/21/08
like any automotive journalist would be parading a supercar around at 20mph...
plenty of affordable cars are a blast to drive around. the sport compact market is full of great options right now. really no need to spend more than $30k for a thrill ride.
i still don't like the 135i, but its definitely a performance bargain. right there with the 350Z, S2000, etc.
carnage says:
09:18 PM, 08/21/08
Hey, congrats. Personally, i'd rather drop the money on a used NSX/E55 AMG, but if a 135i can make you proud then more power to ya.
chavis10 says:
07:11 AM, 08/22/08
or you could just delay your purchase by a year and get the superior 335i.
opfreak says:
10:36 AM, 08/22/08
thats NOT what she said.
stingray454 says:
01:28 PM, 08/26/08
I was at Pocono raceway last weekend for an HPDE in my Z06, and I saw one of these 135's on the track. I gotta say, I was quite impressed with how that little car got around the track, especially a slower track (south course) with lots of tight turns. It didn't have the power of my car of course, but its handling and braking prowess were clearly evident. In the tight turns, it did very well.
beemerhead says:
10:54 PM, 08/28/08
It's not just about price. First, the BMW logo means something to the majority of people. Second styling and the message it sends is worth a lot. I have the 128Ci and it's a great "feelin' good" roadtrip car. I had a Mini Convertible which is fashionable in Aspen or on the daily commute. I think BMW gets is right in their cars and their unique character and abilities. I'll drive mine or an M Coupe next week to a Concours myself with no embarassment.