2008 BMW 135i: Interior Storage

I agree with your comments Brent, the 135i doesn't have a ton of storage space. However, I must side with bimmerjay, I keep the 328i I drive devoid of anything unnecessary. The manual goes in the trunk and the door pockets have nothing in them but some kleenex.

With regards to the center armrest storage, there is an option in all (or nearly all) other markets to have a large storage bin instead of two small ones. I think the reason BMW chose to force this option on the US is that there are probably more people here who own a phone which can pair to their car than in other markets.

Anyways, the part is available and you can replace the center armrest storage on your own. You can order the part through your dealer. Here is a link to RealOEM, a great resource for BMW part numbers (option 2): http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=UF91&mospid=48927&btnr=51_5509&hg=51&fg=35

Here is a link to a DIY on how to replace the center armrest: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14037

Aside from the owners manual, my weekday commuter beater (not a BMW) currently has in it...

glovebox: registration, insurance card, umbrella
driver's door pocket: tissue box
center armrest, upper: tire gauge, carwash coupon

That leaves...
center armrest, lower: empty
cupholders: empty
ashtray: empty
coinbox: empty
upper dash bin: empty
seat back pockets: empty
non-driver's door pockets: empty
trunk: empty

In this era, what more do you really need?

I think my biggest beef is with the glove box. I hate it when the manuals take up the entire thing. I have never considered storing that stuff in my trunk, just because I like the convenience of having it up front. That being said, I probably don't use it very often.

I like storing coins in my daily driver, but in the spaces described for the 135, I'm not sure which I'd use......the ash tray seems the most likely, but it would rattle too much methinks.

a bit off topic but I just have to say that the dash looks so good in that car. Nice, simple, functional.

I agree with you tmanz. It may not be as interesting as an Audi interior, but it's very clean and elegant to my eye. I really like it.

I test drove the Hyundai Accent sport coupe this weekend, and it was a blast around town. Only 2,300 lbs! Unfortunately, I didn't examine how much storage it had. Strange as it sounds, I would love to see this car in a coupe camparo, as I think it has a lot to offer, and I actually like the interior design better than the Civic Si or Mini Cooper. But, okay, the 135i looks better inside, even with weak storage!

"I test drove the Hyundai Accent sport coupe this weekend"

those are sharp looking little cars in my opinion.

It's a nice interior, but you're not really getting your money's worth. A BMW tradition, of sorts: pile the money into the chasis and engine.

Look at a G35 or an IS, much prettier interior. The semblance stops when you look at the G35's engine (competitive) and the IS (not so much, even if you go 350)

I absolutely love the interior storage of my sonata. Plenty of space in the glove box and the center console. Also the best cupholders ever. They can handle small drinks well, and they can handle huge drinks. Modularity is a great thing. I've actually found the center console is really handy for having my usb stick + writing utensils + misc papers + tools like small flashlights. Also there's a nice front storage bin for stuff like my cd case and another small spot that I use for my bluetooth headset. So much utility in this car!

"It's a nice interior, but you're not really getting your money's worth. A BMW tradition, of sorts: pile the money into the chasis and engine."

The design may not blow everyone's dress up, but the materials, switchgear quality, and assembly quality are first rate.

bimmerjay - BMW paying you by the post?

Opfreak - I've got to say, it's true. Interiors are mostly workmanlike (except the last generation 3-series BMW, which just had a perfect, timeless interior in my mind).

But the materials used tend to be impressive in quality, feel, fit and finish, durability, and just overall cohesiveness. I'm not saying BMW does the Audi-Haptic thing where they make sure every button in the interior has the exact same way of "clicking" on/off, but I'm saying they are really well put together interiors. Like a Sears rack suit vs. a custom made italian suit. Both get the job done and you might look good in both, but the details are vastly different. (I own a custom made Italian suit which was fitted to me at the age of 19 in Sicily on the Sigonella Naval Air Station. It was $200 (before the Euro took over) and still fits me like an absolute glove.)

The 1-series has some of the poorest materials I've seen used inside a BMW....the cupholder-area plastics are not that nice and the sun-visors are early 90's Hyundai quality. But everything else feels like it was made on purpose, and not an afterthought.

Side note: As a 06 Civic SI owner (same setup as Edmunds, Galaxy Gray, no Navi, all-season tires stock), I have to completely agree. I have ruined myself and my wife on interior storage and functionality. All other cars fall so far short.

I'm not a gadget freak, but I regularly have the following secure and in it's own spot within easy reach:

1. Bottle of water held steady by spring-loaded cupholder retainers
2. Coffee mug held steady again, but recessed within a deep cupholder so if it does spill the spill is retained within (happened once)

(did I mention the cupholder area has a retractable cover, for which I stuff my wallet, cell phone, watch, wedding ring inside when I go into the gym?)

3. Cell Phone & chapstick in tiny curved nook in front of cupholders

4. Various paperwork I should've thrown out 3 weeks ago and blackberry in storage area behind shifter/in front of dash.

5. A few coins and spare set of sunglasses in rubberized nook above #4.

6. Car manual, all associated paperwork, navigation unit, navigation mounting unit, navigation charger, and spare space left in glovebox

7. Under extendable armrest - Swiss Army Knife, canister of clean wipes, Ipod, Ipod cords, about 15 pens (mostly used up), Leatherman, other stuff.

8. I still haven't used the spacious door bins or random cubby underneath the headlight stalk.

I have an urge to fill up all these nooks and crannies. My trunk also has a small portable tire-inflater/compressor, tire gauge, jumper cables, a bag full of spare clothes, an extra bottle of washer fluid, and usually an extra quart of oil.

Maybe you guys don't need lots of storage, but I obviously do :)

Joe

In an episode of SPEED Test Drive, Hans Stuck eluded to why cupholders in BMW seem to be in awkward locations and not well thought out (almost an afterthought). Europeans don't drink or eat in cars.

Like the 135, the cupholders in the E46 are obscured by the shifter and armrest and the cupholders in the E36 are just useless for anything larger than an 12oz can. I've replaced my cupholder in my E46 w/ the short-version Euro box tray. I'm looking for someting similar for my E36.

I just did a 2500mile road trip in my 1st gen Miata. It's got a tiny glovebox, a tiny armrest cubby, a cubby under the radio, and one aftermarket cup holder. Somehow we were fine and didn't want for more. I find all those cubbies and stuff just get filled up with garbage and junk in most cars.

Unlike alot of people on this forum, I think the interior design and execution of this car is really attractive as its rather simple, understated but still has enough detail and substance to make it interesting. Ill take simplicity and substance over style anyday of the week. As with most current BMW interiors its a bit cold, stark and uninviting. If BMW could warm it up just a hair Id like it better. I like the Edmunds LT BMW X5's interior as its a bit warmer than the 1,3 and 5.

Its not overstlyed with chrome or garish trim nor is the overall design forced to work. It just comes together naturally and it seems very driver focused. I cant comment on the quality of the materials as I have yet to sit in or drive a 1 Series although the cup holder/rear part of the console look a bit on the cheap side.

The only thing that I find odd or dislike about the interior is the push button start as it seems as if it was just "placed" on the dash.

The car has far more storage space than I would ever use. ever. My cooper doesn't have anything in any of its bins, boxes, etc. Cars are not storage devices.

there are two more huge cupholders in the back... with seatbelts.

"....the cupholder-area plastics are not that nice and the sun-visors are early 90's Hyundai quality."

Joe,

Oddly enough, the E90 3-Series had these nice, softly padded sun-visors trimmed in the woven headliner fabric for the 2006 MY. Then in 2007 they switched the covering to an awful vinyl-y material. It seems they've since switched back to the woven fabric on the 3 (I have the woven ones) but alas, perhaps the 1 is left to suffer with the vinyl ones.

Joe,

I think that Honda has the storage thing nailed. I had a 2003 CR-V/5 speed before a rear ending by an F-350 totaled it within 6 months, but I remember having little cubby holes in the passenger side dash, a tray between the seat with little holes, a little thing in the dashboard with a door to keep anything from escaping... just fantastic. Though I wanted to go for something more powerful (and did with an SRT-4) I still miss that CR-V for how it had an endless supply of storage. Never thought I was anal expulsive until I had such space at my fingertips.

"The design may not blow everyone's dress up, but the materials, switchgear quality, and assembly quality are first rate."

The same could be said about virtually every luxury car on the market today. Thats not a BMW exclusive in 2008. The interior is blocky and dated looking.

Also, I am perplexed by this idea that its not BMWs fault that you cant store squat in the car because it's actually the driver's fault for trying to carry anything but keys to the car. People drive more than ever and its inevitable that people have stuff in their cars. I don't know anyone who's car is totally empty except for the owners manual. Let's be realistic.

I don't think the interior of the 1 is dated, but I could do without the wood trim. I like seeing such a simple stack layout. IMO, far too many car companies over design the center stack. Its also refreshing to see and Edmund's vehicle without a huge factory NAV screen.

I agree that its nice to have a car with no nav since most buyers dont opt for this feature. Naturally, car magazines get loaded cars for testing because it's not their money but in the real world most buyers are very conscious of price and forgo the most expensive trim levels and options.

That interior is about as dull an unimaginative as it gets for a brand new model. There is nothing refreshing about a design that looks like its from MY 2000.

I love that steering wheel (if you've never gripped the 1-series sport steering wheel, you are missing out on something special) and I love the more organically designed 3-spoke design than alot of the current brand of three harsh spokes sticking into a leather wrapped circle....it creates a harsh awkward spot when the hand hits the spoke.

The gauges and doors are done right. And the shifter.

But I have to say, in the picture above I really don't like the disparity between the radio/climate controls (driver oriented) and the vents right above them (facing straight forward).

It looks unnatural and awkward. I've driven the 1 series and didn't feel that way, but that picture definitely does not make me like the mixed-driver oriented design.

For those who aren't BMW nuts...the 2009 3-series now offers an "Oyster" leather interior. I think this is one things that BMW does great....very light colored seats with dark doors and carpets. It really makes it appear less dark and stark, more warm and inviting, while at the same time providing you with a sporty interior that offers a cool seating surface in the summer.

I'm really looking forward to the 2011/2012 3-series re-design, but 2009 is looking pretty good too :)

Joe

the varying angles of the center stack and vents is a little odd. That's why the wood trim is shaped that way. Maybe nav would make this look like a $40k car inside. Maybe not.

I love my E46's interior, and have enough storage space for the crap I carry around. I have switched to 12-oz cans in order to avoid hitting bottles during shifting.

I've driven the 135 and E92 M3 back to back and I have to say, the side pockets on the doors in the E9x are just about worthless. They're much better in the 1. I like the 1's cupholders better than the pop out dash ones in the E9x as well. I've never seen a BMW with decent cupholders though. My E36 was the worst, current E46 is a little better. The 2nd one is definitely worthless for anything but a "tall" Starbucks cup and it appears the 1 is the same. Apparently I am the only person that carries change in the car though and I use the change holder in the E46. I have some excess change in the armrest storage and don't have any rattling from that though.

Things I carry in the car:

1. Sometimes drinks if I have a longer drive or just REALLY need caffeine on my 22 mile commute to work.

2. Cell phone

3. tiny bottle of disinfectant for after gas station use (grimy!)

4. gum

5. lip balm

6. sunglasses, sunglass cleaner

7. maps - rarely needed, but useful when I do. No point in spending money on a nav system I'd rarely use.

8. tire gauge

9. manual in the glovebox, along with some napkins and insurance card.

"For those who aren't BMW nuts...the 2009 3-series now offers an "Oyster" leather interior. I think this is one things that BMW does great....very light colored seats with dark doors and carpets. It really makes it appear less dark and stark, more warm and inviting, while at the same time providing you with a sporty interior that offers a cool seating surface in the summer."

I wish Oyster was available on the coupes, right now it's sedan-only for 2009. It's probably my favorite right now, it looks stunning with a black exterior!

Yah....I'm still not financially secure enough to make the leap to BMW (I still have to save up 3-6 months income in an emergency account, attempt to max out my 401k, have plenty left over for regular investments, yearly vacations, and discretionary spending....at least, according to my wife. I'm ready to spend spend spend now :))

But the 2009 335i sedan is the first e90 series that is finally "there" enough for me to consider it. I needed a sedan, 6-speed manual, tons of low end torque, rear folding seats, decent MPG, without a chrome moustache (2006-2008 BMW 3-series sedan) and without those squished taillights. And I wanted it with light colored seats and dark carpeting/doors.

So 2011 will offer some nice CPO's for me :)

Joe

1487,

"I don't know anyone who's car is totally empty except for the owners manual."

Time for me to pay you a visit in my weekend ride. Or I can just bring my commuter beater leaving the tissue box and tire gauge at home. :-)

There are people who drive with empty cars, but it's uncommon. Most folks do have a cell phone, CDs, miscellaneous small items and occassionally a drink in their car so it makes sense for your car to be able to hold stuff. I dont like clutter so I want my car to have room to stash items out of sight. German cars have never been known for accomodating the real world needs of American drivers. Germans wouldn't even give you cupholders until recently since they determined you dont need such things in "real" cars.

I don't like clutter either. So I just don't carry anything in my car. :)

And then their cupholders are designed with disdain for the concept.

My father asked me to install his aftermarket cupholder in his Porsche Boxster (of recent questionable development in it's longevity...). I laughed at him....there's nothing like a floating plastic cupholder being installed in a german sports car that just says to me "cognitive dissonance"

"So I just don't carry anything in my car. :)"

well then I think that settles it, BMWs should have interior storage. Thanks.

meant to say "shouldn't have interior storage".

"meant to say "shouldn't have interior storage"."

It's a European-sized car. If you want American-sized storage space, get an STS or an M35; a compact luxury coupe is probably not for you. It's common on BMW fan sites to see mass complaining whenever a new model is released that is larger than its predecessor. I am one of those people, within reason I want as small as possible. I don't give a crap about rear seat or trunk space and I don't want any junk in my car. I dislike the fact that my 335i coupe is as long as it is. A BMW fits my needs (performance, luxury, SMALL) and that's why I buy them.

The moral of the story is that people should buy cars that meet their needs - there is no one size fits all and lots of storage space only appeals to SOME consumers, not ALL.

"Most folks do have"...

..."a cell phone". Stays in my pocket (thank you Bluetooth!)

..."CDs". They still make those? I use MP3/AAC. Some are even stored in my cellphone. Can't wait for A2DP to become more popular so I can send those from my pocket to the stereo via Bluetooth as well.

..."miscellaneous small items". What could you need that isn't on your cellphone?

..."and occassionally a drink in their car". I personally don't and I think it's generally unwise, but I'll grant you this one.

The STI doesnt have a ton of interior storage, but for comparison...the center cupholders are wide and deep enough to fit a regular water bottle, starbucks grande, etc. The door pockets have the bulge to fit a large bottle, with room to keep a mp3 cd wallet (when I forget my ipod), an old pair of sunglasses (when I forget my good pair). All 4 doors have good size storage bins. There is no change holder and the small space at the bottom of the dash is ok for a money clip and ipod but not much else

Of course you all are missing one thing that needs to get stored in the car (when parked)...the radar detector. :-) the center armrest in the STI fits that and more.

"The moral of the story is that people should buy cars that meet their needs - there is no one size fits all and lots of storage space only appeals to SOME consumers, not ALL."

Actually every car should have as much storage space as possible, regardless of size. A larger vehicle can have more total storage because it has more real estate but that doesnt mean a small vehicle cant have innovate and useful storage spaces. I never said anything about the 1 series needing to be larger or heavier. Not sure how this is a "european sized" car when there are tons of similar sized cars sold in America and Europe. It's a compact car just like a Civic or Focus.

7driver,

there are exceptions to every rule, hence my mention of what the average person has in their car. Not everyone is as tech savvy as you are (I know it's a shock) so many folks still use CDs and non BT cell phones. Stop making excuses for the lack of storage space in the car. BMW should at least offer you the OPTION of stashing items.

Other stuff? sunglasses, change, parking passes, GPS, ipods, registration and insurance info, etc.