2008 BMW 135i: Gathering a Crowd

I like the look inside and out. It fits me quite nicely, though strangely it feels smaller then my MINI on the inside. Price notwithstanding, i would definitely love to buy this vehicle.

Like I've read from a couple of others on this site. I'd rather spring for a 335i (yes, even the 4 door, but I'd prefer the couple) before I paid out for a 135i.

I can see it if someone picks up a base model 128i because they're stretching their budget just to have a BMW. However, once you get into the 135 range, you might as well spring for the 3-series. You'll pay a little bit more for similar performance, more space, more room (yes, there's a difference), and (subjectively) a better looking car.

The 135 is a great little car, no doubt about it, but I got tired of the lack of elbow room just driving it around town for about 30 minutes. I just can't see it as a daily driver for someone who every needs to carry anything around in the car with them. It's more in a class with a Z4 than a 3 series IMHO.

I have the 335i sedan (I have kids, the coupe or the 135 just wouldn't work) and, while it's a great car in most respects, I've had some troubles with it. The high pressure fuel pump was replaced at 2500 miles (That's not the fuel pump in the gas tank - it's the one on the engine that powers the direct injection), and my car has the Turbo Lag on it that BMW formerly claimed was non existent. Now they have an official statement on it:

http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/11/18/bmwna-official-statement-n54-turbo-lag/

It's annoying at best, and false advertising at worst.

Anyways...

300 horsepower
300 ft/lbs of torque
two identically sized turbos (I had a shop foreman tell me one was little and one was big)

300 HP seems rather tame for 3 liters and two turbos, but once the car gets past the lag it's a beast.

The 335i sedan will run about $6k more than the 135i base/base. To me, it seems that if you're going to pay $40,000+ for a car anyway, the extra couple grand won't matter that much considering the utility you're getting and the minimal amount of performance you're losing.

The 135 is fun, but again, it compares more favorably with the Z4 than the 335.

A fine close-quarter sport car for sunny climes and S. Calif/Nevada. Give it NW/NE weather and like any RWD'er. ensuing thrills can get un-nerving, very expensive, and are usually the car's choice, not yours ;-) .

I'd like a MT car, but I don't know about the whole traffic thing as it can and does get pretty bad where I live. Plus in a college parking garage and i kinda get squirmish about it. IMO, now isn't a good time for me, a MT newbie... Maybe if my dad bought a MT 2nd car to help him out with gas mileage, I'd get more practice and would feel more confident about it. But for now.... (Squirm)

I wish BMW brought over the 2.5 engine or a 4cyl engine. I'm pretty sure the price of the 1series would drop to about $23k-$26k. Then again, I wish bmw brought over the 1series hatch!
-Cj

I agree with the shifter, I own an 07' 328i coupe and the shifter has long throws. I always find the right gear, but the throws could be shorter.

I own an 08' 135i coupe and I can honestly say it is worth every single penny. My mother has a 335i coupe, their comparable but different at the same time. I drive them both a lot. The 135i gets significantly more attention the 335i. I get the same questions Scott was getting during his trip with the car. Im surprised there arent more posts on the 135i. Good post nonetheless.

Shaddai -

The shop foreman was probably thinking of the specs for the 3.0 liter diesel, which has one small turbo and one larger turbo.

The lag which you feel is, from what I understand, a byproduct of the latest ECU flash BMW does....sad, since when it first came out it had no lag.

300 hp might sound like little, but it's because you get 300 lb/torque at 1400 rpms.

1400.....RPMs....in the car the that redlines at ~7000 rpms.

To get that, they had to make a sacrifice. And they sacrified top-end maximum power.

You probably already know that a simple reflash will get you another 50-75 HP and torque.

I've driven 3-series and a z4 and didn't like the shifter. Maybe I'm just used to the Audi/VW feel, but I find the BMW's very notchy.

blankfocus-

Yeah, BMW shifter's tend to be that way. Some people prefer it, others hate it. Personally, I like the way the gears kinda snick when you put them home, but I can understand why someone who was used to a much smoother shifter wouldn't like it.

joefrompa:

Yup - fully aware of the software thing. I've been following it over at e90post.com for a very long time now. Of course, with the lag, you don't really get 300 ft/lbs of torque at low RPM's...

Dyno says you do, the lag just delays the kick :)

I.e. if you floor at at 1000 rpms in 4th gear, you get 300 lb/ft at 1400 rpms....even if there was lag at first.

I like BMW shifters except for the clutch delay valve (CDV).....it's an abomination they've been putting in their cars for, what, 15 years?

The 2001 BMW 540i 6-speed I drove recently had a hilarious shifter. It moved like 3 feet laterally (slight exaggeration) and each gear was spaced about 12" apart. It's actually a marvel of transmission technology, as somehow it takes that much motion but the transmission is still relatively compact. :)

Try driving a turbocharged Subaru 5-speed manual. Takes some getting used to, as the all-time all-wheel-drive (no electronic clutches here!) makes the throttle-input vs. clutch let-off into a whole new experience. Instead of driving one wheel (open diff) or 2 wheels, you are driving 3-4 wheels in the Subaru....which requires ALOT more throttle input to balance easily as the clutch starts to grab.

Joe

I've been hearing about the CDV for awhile now. Can someone explain it to me? Purpose, etc.? Or a link would be good, thanks.

I was not impressed with the rear seat room on the 135i. In that regard, the Mini Clubman is actually far more useful. I'd consider the Mini with its clown interior over this expensive tweener, but I do like that engine!

A short shifter is one of the best things I did to my E46. I wish I had done that to my old '99 M3. Right now, I want a 135i so bad it hurts. I've driven 2 without restraint and it reminded me of my old M3, except for slightly more comfortable and faster acceleration. Everybody complains about the price, but when I consider that and my M3 stickered at $45K in 1998 with out as many amenities, it seems like a bargain.

I love the comments about how the 135i would be useless anywhere but in a dry climate.
Funny thing is that they are made in Germany, where it rains a lot. Snows a bunch too. Especially if you go next door to places like Austria and Switzerland.
They don't seem to have any issues with the rear wheel drive platform and I see plenty of them there. Maybe I should tell them they should be getting Subaru econoboxes for the same money?...

True, though many of those RWD cars in Germany have very small, low-output engines. There is a big difference between 110 hp RWD in the snow and 300 hp RWD, particularly when that power comes on suddenly at low rpm.

Here's a link on the CDV:

http://www.zeckhausen.com/CDV.htm

I must admit I don't notice it's effects, but maybe that would change if I removed it.

Add me to the list of those who think the stick has too long of a throw. Even just a shorter shift knob would make things better...

I suspect the CDV is there for a reason, to keep the tranny from being abused. Drive a 94-01 Acura Integra thats been driven like it was stolen all its life and you will find the synchros arent too happy.

If I was a single man with my current income I truely believe Id have a 135i 6MT in my garage. Fortunately, Im not single and have kids so Id easily opt for a 335i Sport 6MT sedan.

hondacura4-

thank you. very informative