Long-Term Road Tests

Wrapping up the week with another What You Said.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS: No Remote Start

Why Ask Why?
By lowmilelude on September 21, 2009 7:25 AM
"Why does someone in California need a remote starter?"
For the same reason anyone would want fog lights, MP3 inputs, automatic wipers, seat warmers, seat coolers, power windows, a convertible top, steering wheel controls, cup holders, back-up sensors, mult-zone climate control, navigation, or anything else that doesn't come standard on, I don't know; a 1977 CJ 7. It just makes driving that much more comfortable and/or fun.

Full disclosure: Had remote start on a manual transmission in my previous vehicle, and I live near the beach. It was meh. Used it a handful of times when I first got the car, then never used it again.

2009 Hyundai Genesis V6: Passes the Trunk Test

Fill 'Er Up
By tjpark01 on September 21, 2009 9:28 AM
The trunk is cavernous in this car. I worried about the rear seats not folding when I bot it, but it does have a pass through. Brought home a 10 foot pool net last week, no problem. Is there a better 35k car out there?

By stovt001 on September 21, 2009 11:33 AM
The hinges barely take up any room anyway. That is one really nicely designed trunk. Pay attention GM.

More after the jump...

Continue reading What You Said (9/20-9/26).

Categories: 2008 BMW 135i,2008 Ford Focus SES Coupe,2009 Audi S5,2009 BMW 750i,2009 BMW M3,2009 Dodge Ram 1500,2009 Hyundai Genesis V6,2009 Mini E,2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

The sun sets on the long term test of our 2008 BMW 135i. Photo by Andrew Reed.

I drove our 2008 BMW 135i for three weeks during the time it took to sell. As time passed I bonded more strongly with this amazing car. When a buyer finally stepped forward and the time to pass the keys arrived, I found it difficult to let go.

Surprisingly, it took a while to sell this car and although we got a fair price the buyer got a bargain. Here are a few details.

Continue reading 2008 BMW 135i: Farewell to an Outstanding Car.

Categories: 2008 BMW 135i

I guess I was a little overconfident when I first blogged about selling our 2008 BMW 135i. I reported that even at full TMV price of $28,600, I got several calls and emails about buying it in the first weekend.

The interest continues even as the TMV price has fallen to $27,000. I've had several promising phone calls from shoppers who ask informed questions and promised to come test drive it. This weekend I actually got an emailed offer of $25,000. "Fast sale," the email read. (I'm not sure what that was supposed to mean.) I countered with $26,500 and didn't hear anything back.

With a car as sweet as the 135i, it's pretty easy to hold your price. What's the worst that can happen -- we keep driving it? I'll take that risk.

Philip Reed, Edmunds.com Senior Consumer Advice Editor @ 27,650 miles

Categories: 2008 BMW 135i

Below are the fuel economy numbers for August 2009. We've listed the best, worst and overall average tanks.

As always, a couple of cars are out on the road or unavailable at the time of this writing. I'll continue to add them as they come in and let you know in the comments.

After the jump you can see the list sorted by best average MPG.

Continue reading Big List of Fuel Economy: August 2009.

Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX,2008 BMW 135i,2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR,2008 Pontiac G8 GT,2009 Audi A4 Avant,2009 Audi S5,2009 BMW M3,2009 Dodge Challenger R/T,2009 Dodge Ram 1500,2009 Ford Flex Limited,2009 Honda Fit Sport,2009 Hyundai Genesis V6,2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD,2009 Mazda 6 i Grand Touring,2009 Nissan 370Z Touring,2009 Nissan GT-R,2009 Suzuki SX4,2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI,2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS,2010 Honda Insight EX

(2008 BMW 135i, 27,000 miles later -- Photo by Andrew Reed)

We've had our fun and it's time to move on.

With a heavy heart I posted a for sale ad on Craigslist for our 2008 BMW 135i. I hoped the phone wouldn't ring. Then the call came. 

I'm being a little over dramatic. But it's true: two days after listing the BMW for full TMV price of $28,600 I got a call from a real buyer. It took four weeks for this to happen when I sold our 2008 Cadillac CTS at a fraction of the cost.  

The BMW caller said he would call back to schedule a test drive. We'll see.

Now for a few quick stats: We bought the BMW 15 months ago for $37,145. If we sell it for our asking price (unlikely) it will have dropped in value only $8,545 over 27,000 miles. Impressive.

Categories: 2008 BMW 135i

I've been told that last week's WYS was too long. So, I'm being really picky this week. Here are our favorite comments from last week.

2008 BMW 135i: It Defines Effortless

Whenever you can get in a Dukes reference...
By bkochuk on August 17, 2009 8:14 PM
sorry adrean8j. can I call you roscoe??

By adrean8j on August 18, 2009 8:09 AM
As long as you add "P. Coltrane" on the end of it ;-)

Everybody loves Erin
By jazzmanstv on August 18, 2009 5:47 PM
I'm in love with Erin. She's an automotive genius, and a great writer.

2009 Hyundai Genesis: The Ice Breaker

Cars are all about the pick-ups and the weiners
By carguy622 on August 17, 2009 9:07 AM
I've gotten some nice compliments on the Miata. Once a lady getting into her minivan told her daughter: "Mommy is getting one of those when you move out".
Although once I was at a McDonald's Drive-Through with my TSX and the guy behind the window said to me: "Wow that's a nice car. If I had that car for one night I could do a years worth of women."

By smudge12 on August 17, 2009 9:27 AM
Once about my Protege...askin' if it was a good first car for his teenage daughter *sigh*

By miniharryc on August 17, 2009 9:30 AM
:) Had a MINI Back in 2002 (Early 2003 model) and it was a rolling circus sometimes. "What is THAT?"

By benjo3686 on August 17, 2009 11:05 AM
I got asked questions about my first car all the time, a 1975 Dart....and this was in 2002. Although as a sixteen year old, fielding questions from a bunch of 40something men isn't exactly what I wanted.

By misterfusion on August 17, 2009 4:11 PM
"Want attention? Drive Der Wienermobile or a BMW Isetta."
True story: Years ago, my company had an event where the Wienermobile showed up to serve refreshments. My friend was the coordinator of the event, and afterward he got to take a ride in the hot dog-shaped vehicle. When they stopped at a red light, he popped his head up through a hatch in the roof. Just then a convertible pulled up beside them. My friend in the Wienermobile caught the other driver's eye and said, "Pardon me...would you have any Grey Poupon?"

More after the jump...

Continue reading What You Said (8/17-8/22).

Categories: 2008 BMW 135i,2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR,2008 Pontiac G8 GT,2009 Audi A4 Avant,2009 Dodge Ram 1500,2009 Hyundai Genesis V6,2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD,2009 Nissan 370Z Touring

It had been a while since I had stepped foot in our long-term 2008 BMW 135i. We've had the darn thing since May of last year (we're about the sell it) and we've put over 26,000 miles on it. I've driven it quite a bit over those 15 months, but haven't given it a whirl or posted a blog about it since way back in June.  

Pure circumstance. I've always liked the 135i, so when the opportunity arose I took the little coupe home last night.

What a great car.   

Continue reading 2008 BMW 135i: Fun, Fast, Refined and Dead Reliable.

Categories: 2008 BMW 135i

I like to complain about our 2008 BMW 135i, because it proves that it's possible to for a very quick car to be boring. The torque curve is just too flat and accessible, I've argued, and the suspension too soft and/or too compromised by this particular run-flat tire compound.

Then, I went and put on a bunch of miles over the weekend and realized what an easy life I could have with the apparently boring 135i. Even with the twin-turbo inline-6 its de-reflashed state, the car accelerates from 70 to 130 mph on a closed course with ridiculous ease. Mountain passes might as well be tabletop plains.

Plus, I love driving this car at night. As often as I lament the cheapy leatherette upholstery and nonexistent Bluetooth (got the buttons but didn't the buy the option), it delights me that adaptive bi-xenon headlights are standard, because they address the one big problem about driving at night: not being able to see far enough ahead. Add in some precise steering and you've got a car that feels incredibly adroit and secure on dark roads.

Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 26,672 miles

Categories: 2008 BMW 135i

Here are our favorite reader comments from the past week. Did you make it into the recap?

2009 Nissan 370Z: DIY Brake Pad and Rotor Change, Part 1

The Quicker Picker-Upper
By ktinsd on August 8, 2009 10:24 PM
Great writeup. I've had good luck over the years using paper towels to wick out the excess brake fluid from the master reservoir. Just make sure to use something under the wet towel when you swing out from under the hood so you don't drip any on the paint.

2009 Nissan 370Z: DIY Brake Pad and Rotor Change, Part 2

We Call Him DIY Dan
By stovt001 on August 9, 2009 3:53 PM
I'm definitely interested in seeing more of this on the LT blog. I'd like to see a fairly balanced mix of DIY jobs, independent shops, and dealership visits. That will cover the whole range of car owners.

2009 Flex 750i Ram Genesis: The Oregon Selection

When I was a kid we just piled into a big sedan
By eclogite on August 9, 2009 6:04 AM
The fact that the family wants to take it on the family vacation AGAIN over a BMW 750 speaks volumes about the Flex. Thanks for keeping us readers in the decision loop.

By stephen987 on August 9, 2009 7:23 AM
Excellent post. This kind of info--what's the thing like to live with on a regular basis--is the best thing about long-term testing. Keep it coming! One more thing, while I'm at it: these criteria are the reason that multipurpose vehicles (vans and van-adjacent things) keep on selling. The Flex, like the Enclave from last year, just plain makes sense as a family vehicle. You know, the way station wagons used to. (And no, the Audi doesn't count. It's too small for a family wagon, but it's great for packrats without kids.)

By felonious on August 9, 2009 10:39 AM
That sure is a powerful sales pitch for the Flex! Too bad I'm so in the hole with my current family car, and my wife hates the hearse looks. :/

By stovt001 on August 9, 2009 11:14 PM
Wow, let that roll around in your head for a little while. His family literally said "please don't make us go in the BMW. We'd much rather go in the Ford." I don't know whether that says more about Ford or BMW (I'd say Ford, if pressed) but it sure says something.

More after the jump...

Continue reading What You Said (8/10-8/15).

Categories: 2002 BMW M3,2008 BMW 135i,2008 Pontiac G8 GT,2009 Audi S5,2009 BMW 750i,2009 BMW M3,2009 Dodge Ram 1500,2009 Ford Flex Limited,2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD,2009 Mini E,2009 Nissan 370Z Touring,2009 Nissan GT-R,2010 Honda Insight EX

Remember the Focus' faulty door grab design, which places the handle too far forward, preventing you from getting enough leverage to easily open the door? And at the same time causing the grab itself to pop out?

Well, the 135i isn't that bad, but it could use another door grab located somewhere in the middle of that armrest. Not only would it be easier to reach, but it would require less effort to close the door.

James Riswick, Automotive Editor @ 26,293 miles

Categories: 2008 BMW 135i

Does anyone really think the 1 series is the spritual sucessor to the 2002? I don't, here's why -

Continue reading 2008 BMW 135i: Spiritual Sucessor?.

Categories: 2008 BMW 135i

Since we got the 2008 BMW 135i last April, its time in our fleet is nigh. Tear. So last night as I was enjoying this fun, little ride all around town, I started daydreaming: Heyyy, what if I bought it? It would suit my lifestyle perfectly as a single lady living in L.A. I like its small size, love its ride and handling, and it's easy to even drive during stop-and-go traffic. Plus, I know its previous owner is diligent about its maintenance schedule.

So I went on our site to do the numbers, you know, just to see. If I configured the car correctly on our used car appraiser, it would cost a bit under $30K to buy (originally it was $37K). Um. And according to our True Cost to Own calculator which factored in everything from maintenance to depreciation to repairs, etc. over five years, it would end up costing me $57,139. Hm. Ah well.

Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 26,269 miles

Categories: 2008 BMW 135i

I don't mean to imply with this entry's title that there's something wrong with our 2008 BMW 135i's suspension. Everything's working fine. But after all these months, this car's ride quality still doesn't feel quite right to me. Well, at least it doesn't feel right to me on the freeways and a lot of the city streets in the LA area.

Every time I get in our 135i, I'm struck by how compliant it wants to be. Its ride isn't just smooth, it's downright soft. But as soon as I hit an expansion joint or an uneven patch of pavement, I realize I'm mistaken. Initially, the suspension compresses in its soft, forgiving manner, but then, a big dose of damping brings it back hard and you feel the brunt of that road imperfection. The sequence gets old after you realize what's happening, and it made my passenger queasy.

To me, the car feels conflicted, like the chassis engineers couldn't decide whether the U.S.-spec BMW 1 Series needed to be a cushy cruiser for people who ordinarily wouldn't buy a BMW, or a full-on sport coupe for people who think the 3 Series has gotten too big and luxurious. So it's both -- and neither.

Given how much engine is in this car, I'd vote for giving it an unapologetically firm, highly controlled ride. Save the cushy stuff for the 128i.

Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 26,217 miles

Categories: 2008 BMW 135i

No sense waiting around for the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races, I figured. You'd just spend the weekend looking at the back of people's legs instead of old historic racing cars. Most of the same machinery always runs the vintage racing event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca the weekend before, an event fondly known as, "The Pre-Historics."

So I pointed the 2009 BMW 135i toward Monterey and looked forward to seeing some interesting cars, notably one of the John Wyer-run Porsche 917s in Gulf Oil colors that raced at the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans and gave Steve McQueen's Le Mans its timeless appeal.

And after I put a couple tanks of gas into the 1 Series over the course of 800 miles or so, I noticed that a lot of us have been choosing the smallest BMW for long-distance travel. Just check the odometer.

No mystery, as this car combines a great driving position, excellent visibility, supple suspension and an engine with a powerband so wide and seamlessly elastic that you never really have to use the gearbox unless you want to.

Continue reading 2008 BMW 135i: Pre-Historic.

Categories: 2008 BMW 135i,Vehicles

Last night during a 25-mile drive home from the San Gabriel Valley, our long-term 2008 BMW 135i coupe began showing its standard "!" within a triangle alert within the trip computer display. I'd seen this alert before when the car was low on fuel, but that wasn't the case this time. So when I arrived home, I ran an electronic check of the oil using the car's fussy control stalk for the trip computer.

Within 30 seconds, the car told me it was thirsty for a quart of oil. (Note: I didn't get a picture of the display at the time; this photo was taken this morning after the 3-mile drive to the auto parts store. And that is why the engine isn't fully warmed up here. Please do not worry. Everything is fine.)

Page 117 (or is it 118?) of the manual says full synthetic 5W40 or 5W30 is approved for the 1 Series. I put in 5W30 Castrol Syntec, because that's what Kragen had. Spillage was zero thanks to my yellow funnel.

Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 26,199 miles

Categories: 2008 BMW 135i