Inside Line drove the new 2009 BMW 135i in the Netherlands and we have lots of pretty pictures to show you.
It has a twin-turbo 306-hp engine with a six-speed manual transmission and reminds us fondly of the BMW 2002.
Read the 1 Series First Drive on Inside Line .
More photos after the jump...
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
desmolicious says:
12:15 PM, 10/23/07
Those factory performance numbers have to be conservative as the heavier 335 posts quicker real world results with the same motor.
Suh-weeeet!
flicmod says:
12:21 PM, 10/23/07
::le sigh::
hondacura4 says:
02:15 PM, 10/23/07
The design is starting to grow on me. I just cant imagine BMWs superb inline 6 TT in this "little" car.
SubyTrojan says:
02:44 PM, 10/23/07
BMW, please bring the hatchback here!
sunilb says:
02:50 PM, 10/23/07
I'm still confused as to why this car weighs almost as much as the 3 series. From what I've read, it's only 100lbs lighter. They could have done more.
stovt001 says:
02:56 PM, 10/23/07
Suby, I agree! I'm living in Oxford for the next few months, and I see the 1 series hatchback all over here, and it looks soooooooooo much better, and is far more practical too. I see no reason why the coupe is the better car, but sadly the American market has some idiotic dislike of hatchbacks. Sigh. Nonetheless, the 135 coupe is still on the shortlist of candidates for my next car a few years down the line. Its probably going to be pushing the limit of what I'm willing to pay, but it very well could be worth it. Desmo is right, those numbers are probably very conservative.
carlisimo says:
03:02 PM, 10/23/07
And yet again, BMW builds the perfect ugly car. They've been doing the same thing for decades, kudos to them.
I don't understand the lack of a mechanical differential though, even as an option. I thought those were basic accessories in RWD sporty cars.
SubyTrojan says:
04:07 PM, 10/23/07
I'll take a new STI! :o)
texases says:
04:07 PM, 10/23/07
I can't imagine them selling these for only $30k - they're not much different than the 335i
7driver says:
04:21 PM, 10/23/07
Isn't the 135i supposed to be under $30k? The last STi was ~$34k. I wonder whether they'll jack up prices on the new one. That could make the Bimmer the "bargain". Of course, this ignores the typical German practice of nickel and diming you on the options.
estreka says:
04:21 PM, 10/23/07
There's a guy up here that always brings his older M3 to the SCCA races. I hope he gets this so he can provide me some competition.
texases says:
05:25 PM, 10/23/07
The 335i base price is $41k, I can't imagine the 135i for less than 3/4 of this...
SubyTrojan says:
06:19 PM, 10/23/07
7driver, I can see the 128i being under $30k, but not the 135i. I'm guessing the new STI will be $35k-40k.