Another California road trip
, another Pea Soup Anderson's (the Buellton location), but this time, we left the kid with her grandparents and grabbed the keys to the long-term BMW 135i. Heading to the wine country of Santa Barbara county (about a 3-hour drive) for a vineyard wedding allowed us the opportunity to try out the 1-Series' road trip capabilities.
As expected, the 135i was stupid-fun to drive, even in the stop-and-go Saturday morning traffic that we experienced for most of the drive out there. Seat comfort was good, though lumbar support in the driver seat would have been appreciated, and neither my husband nor I attempted to nap on such a short trip, so we can't speak to the merits of the power seats for longer trips.
And I know I'll get blasted for complaining about cupholders in this car, but here I go: they're too small and their placement causes any drink that's put there to get in my arm's way when I'm working the shifter. We resorted to storing our tightly closed bottles of water on their sides in the center storage area of the back seat instead. In the grand scheme of all things 135, not a huge problem, especially when you've got someone riding shotgun who can act as "water monkey," and I certainly don't expect this to be a deal-breaker for anyone considering buying the 1 Series, but it's an inconvenience, nonetheless.
Bryn MacKinnon, Senior Editor, Edmunds.com @ 6,204 miles
joefrompa says:
04:12 PM, 08/ 6/08
Can someone please spend 5 sentences describing the power of the 135i 6-speed? Such as "I left it in 5th at 15mph and it pulled with amazing flexibility back up to 65mph/3000rpms".
Or spend 4 sentences describing how the suspension reacts and makes you feel?
You guys seem to take just this stuff for granted nowadays and instead of actually describing systems, you say "It was stupid fun".
Ok, well, a 1990 Miata with a supercharged engine or a LS2 dropped in is stupid fun. A bald-tired RWD car in the snow is stupid fun.
Describe!
:)
Joe
aerodax says:
04:15 PM, 08/ 6/08
I, myself, would love to know how many RPM the car is pulling cruising at 80 MPH, that would be valuable information.
desmolicious says:
04:49 PM, 08/ 6/08
Just a comment about the center stack display being rendered invisible if wearing polarized sunglasses. Does this happen with all polarized glasses? I ask because in my BMW 330 the only way this happens when I wear my polarized Ray Bans is if I tilt my head to a 90 degree angle. Looking at the displays at any normal head angle reveals no problems whatsoever.
ahightower says:
06:14 PM, 08/ 6/08
I think poor cupholders are fair game for criticism. If I'm taking my "ultimate driving machine" on a road trip of any length, I'll want a convenient place for a drink. Why is that unreasonable?
chavis10 says:
06:29 PM, 08/ 6/08
That's the first flattering picture of the 1 series I've seen. It hides the rocker panel curve and huge greenhouse- nice.
johnmarco says:
08:25 PM, 08/ 6/08
Great photo --- painting the 1-series in a most attractive light. You guys just can't get enough of that vegan pea soup can you?
sgude says:
09:11 AM, 08/ 7/08
I agree with joefrompa. Be more descriptive. It is a driver's car, after all.
It's funny -- I think this car will become a design classic in the same way the 2002 is -- okay, well not the SAME way, but in a manner resembling it. I love that rocker panel curve and I like the shoulder line. It looks much better on the road than static or in a photo.
redwoodaggie says:
11:50 AM, 08/ 7/08
desmolicious, I'm guessing you have an E46 330. For some reason, in the E46, it is as you describe. They apparently rotated the covering in the E9x and 1-series (others?). I've driven both the 335i and 135i and if I tilt my head to the aforementioned 90 degrees, I can then SEE the radio through my polarized glasses.
desmolicious says:
01:03 PM, 08/ 7/08
redwood, my Bimmer is a 2006 330i. Not sure what the nomencalture for that one is. But like I said, no problems viewing the info unless I tilt my head 90 degrees.
joefrompa says:
01:14 PM, 08/ 7/08
Desmo - If your 2006 is a coupe or convertible, it's an e46 (previous generation bodystyle). If it's a 2006 4-door, it's an e90 (current generation). In 2007, the BMW 3-series coupe became the e92, the wagon became the e91.
Joe
noflash1 says:
09:05 AM, 08/ 8/08
Please use google for your common bimmer solutions.
There is a great aftermarket cupholder @ www.ultimatecupholders.com/
And there is film you can buy to correct the polarization on the radio.
Cheers, nf
P.s. Please bring the 123d and I will buy it.
desmolicious says:
01:05 PM, 08/ 8/08
Thanks Joe. It's a 4 door so it would be an e90.
Anyway, a girl in my building just got a black 128 convertible. I complimented her on it and judging by the grin on her face she's loving every second of it!
Sweet sweet cars.