Bad things/drawbacks for the 1 Series?

[M3Newbie88]

For me obviously like everyone else the RFT's and one that no one has mentioned yet I think... Peopling saying that the 1er is the cheapest car in the BMW line up even tho the 135i is pretty high up there in price compared to the 128i and maybe even the 328i's..

[BMW Dreamer]

^^^The cute thing is bad^^^

[TagMan]

Originally Posted by Nice1

a lot of people think it's cute...

LOL! That dreaded "C" word. I don't like it either.

[TagMan]

Originally Posted by 1LazyBmw

For me obviously like everyone else the RFT's and one that no one has mentioned yet I think... Peopling saying that the 1er is the cheapest car in the BMW line up even tho the 135i is pretty high up there in price compared to the 128i and maybe even the 328i's..

Darn... another "C" word! (cheapest)

Let 'em think what they want. They might very well be jealous!

[rks1222]

My list based on a test drive:

1. Window sill is too high. I like to drive with my arm resting on the sill, but in the 135 that puts my arm above my shoulder. There's an arm rest inside the door that may be a decent substitute.

2. Side mirrors. They seem too small to provide as much coverage as I'd like. This might just be a thing I'll get used to.

3. (Related to #1) A little less glass overall than I'd like. My two previous cars (E30 325is and a '97 Honda Civic) both had tons of windshield/window area, so they gave a very open feel, as well as making it easy to see for lane changes/backing up.

Bear in mind, these are all very minor issues -- the test drive was fantastic and I put down a deposit immediately upon returning to the dealer.

[rks1222]

Almost forgot. The steering wheel blocks the gauges for me too, as others have mentioned. I didn't fiddle with the seat settings too much, so maybe it's possible to get comfortable and still see the gauges.

[Nice1]

Originally Posted by rks1222

Almost forgot. The steering wheel blocks the gauges for me too, as others have mentioned. I didn't fiddle with the seat settings too much, so maybe it's possible to get comfortable and still see the gauges.

have you tried adjusting the wheel?

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by rks1222

My list based on a test drive:
Window sill is too high. I like to drive with my arm resting on the sill, but in the 135 that puts my arm above my shoulder. There's an arm rest inside the door that may be a decent substitute.

I agree, but this seems to be endemic to most late model cars. Modern convertibles, especially, are designed for minimal wind buffeting at speed - thus the high door sills and accessory wind blockers. To comfortably rest my arm on the windowsill in my Z4, I need to raise the driver seat up to the highest setting. Of course, nothing compares with the cutaway doors on my first sports car, a '55 TR2 where your elbows dragged on the pavement!

Tom

[TP 135i]

Originally Posted by BrownBoy

I appologize. When I test drove the car, I might not have pushed on the arm hard enough but from what I experienced, you had to hold it down to have the blinker operate. What you described is absolutely perfect! I withdraw my comment.

Does it tell you how to customize this in the owner's manual?

Hmmmm...after re-reading the setting procedure in the owners manual, I see that the "3 blinker function" is either enabled or disabled thru the I-Drive menu. It doesn't seem that you can vary the number of flashes...it's either "3" or it's off and if it is off you would have to hold the stalk down for the lane change.
So, what you experienced was a car that had the setting disabled.
Either way for a full turn it would operate normally when pushed past the resistance point.

[TP 135i]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

While I agree, my experience with 3 BMWs has been that the rears wear out about twice as fast as the fronts if not rotated - so replacing only one axle shouldn't be a problem. BTW, if you are near DC, have you tried Radial Tire in Montgomery Hills?
Tom

Good point about the rear tire wear. We will just have to replace them separately. Not a big issue however. I have noticed this on my wifes' Cayman as her rears need replacement but the fronts are still OK.
I'm not near DC....I'm up near Westminster, so I have never heard of Radial Tire.

[Captain Obvious]

Originally Posted by rks1222

My list based on a test drive:

1. Window sill is too high. I like to drive with my arm resting on the sill, but in the 135 that puts my arm above my shoulder. There's an arm rest inside the door that may be a decent substitute.

I think that serves as better protection from side impacts by Ford Excretions and similar, pointless vehicles.

[Jaguar66]

edit

[Robinc]

A few drawbacks for me:

• Lack of storage space inside the cabin. The center armrest has room for sunglasses and a pack of gum and not much more.
• The side mirrors are too small. I can't seem to find the right position for them.
• More wind noise inside the cabin than I anticipated.
• Not a big fan of the RFT's and no spare.

Im just being nit picky though, we all know the real reason we bought this car, and it has nothing to do with any of this stuff.

[fedex]

Can someone tell me the issue with RFT's... why can't you just replaced them regular tires?

[BrownBoy]

You can...but then you won't have a spare tire incase of a blowout...

[3toM]

Originally Posted by TP 135i

Good point about the rear tire wear. We will just have to replace them separately. Not a big issue however. I have noticed this on my wifes' Cayman as her rears need replacement but the fronts are still OK.
I'm not near DC....I'm up near Westminster, so I have never heard of Radial Tire.

Interestingly, I just had to replace both front RFT's on my 2006 325i, while the rears are still doing ok. :iono:

[thesmokingone]

so wait you dont even get a donut?

[rocketpop]

I have always replaced my RFT with normal tires, I have done this for the last 5 or so years without any problems (knock on wood) I carry a "mobility kit" (tire goo, tire plugs, air compressor, etc) BMW actually sale a kit but you can pick one up at any auto store. You can most likly fine a donut to fit if you want to go that route.

[Call]

Is it just me...isn't it hard to reach back to get the seat belt?

I also just assumed the fog lights would be standard...misssed that one!

Call

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by Robinc

A few drawbacks for me:

• Lack of storage space inside the cabin. The center armrest has room for sunglasses and a pack of gum and not much more.
• The side mirrors are too small. I can't seem to find the right position for them.
• More wind noise inside the cabin than I anticipated.
• Not a big fan of the RFT's and no spare.

Im just being nit picky though, we all know the real reason we bought this car, and it has nothing to do with any of this stuff.

I'm with you on the mirrors.

[iamthewalrus]

Originally Posted by happywalmartcustomer

I also think it was a mistake on BMW's part to alter the exterior details of the 128 and create a noticably uglier car than the 135. Sure it makes me want the 135 that much more when comparing the two, but it also makes me want the 128 less if it were the only car of the two I was considering.

Can you elaborate on this? What are the real differences between the 128 and 135 visually besides the wheels and the front air dam? I don't really notice much, but maybe I'm not looking in the right places. Thanks!

-James
Seattle, WA

[curtdragon]

all you guys crying about flats when was the last time you had one?