Yes, another new 1 owner! Mini-review inside...

[TazioNYC]

So picked up my SGM 135i. First off, sorry I don't have any pics to share yet, but I will hopefully have some soon. Second off, I made the leap to accept the offer of testing a new, fully-loaded M3 coupe before getting into the 1 for the first time. Bad idea? Not really. The M3 is fast and makes a great sound, but the 1 is a special car. I usually have trouble getting comfortable in cars because I'm tall -- it took me a few hundred miled to get comfortable in my old STI and 944. But, what do you know, after some careful fiddling with the seats and the wheel, I was at one (no pun intended) with the car as soon as I pulled out of the dealership. Like everyone else here, I've read all of the early reviews from our European friends and the lucky few first 1ers in the States. So we know the following:

1) It's fast (it is)
2) It's REALLY fast (it is)
3) You can get great accelration in any gear at any speed (you can, to the point you can leave it in 5th gear on the highway and forget about it)

But here's some of what surprised me:

1) It's a pretty car in person. Especially from the front, the way the fenders curve in to the lights. It is, I swear. It looks MUCH better in person, trust me.
2) The doors are huge, like half the length of the car. That's the one thing I don't like about the look
3) Steering is AMAZING...much better weight and feel than the M3 I drove first. It's about as good as modern 21st century boosted steering can be. So impressed with that aspect -- it makes ALL the difference in terms of driving pleasure.
4) Clutch is perfect -- not too light, not too heavy. Hard to mess it up.
5) You can actually hear the exhaust -- it's no F1 car, but if you open the window, you can really hear an enjoy the engine. And it sounds really great.
6) It doesn't feel heavy AT ALL -- it feels lighter than my 944 Turbo, although I think it is several hundred pounds heavier. And it feels much lighter than the 335. Again, it's no Elise, but I think that this part of it has been overblown.
7) There is NO storage space in the front for sunglasses, CDs, what not. It's a joke. I've got 5 CDs jammed in the door sill
8) The throttle is senstitive with the clutch engaged -- I gave it a little stab, I mean little, to match the revs from 3K to 4k, a whoom, right up to 6K. Whoops.
9) The gearshift, in my opinion, is just decent. The knob has a great feel, and it's in a great location, but the feel is vague and rubbery to me. The throw length is ok, but it will not stop short shifter fans from installing one.
10) The M sport wheel is great. Almost the best part of the car -- holding it makes you feel like Schumacher (or Jean Alesi, if you're a fan like me) -- it's so small, yet sturdy. Sport package is worth it just for the wheel.
11) The rear legroom is ok for what the car is. I'd say under six foot could sit beind under six foot, but if you're over six feet, only a 5'5" or smaller person could fit.
12) The car does roll and lean when pushed. I think all of the talk about aftermarket suspension is valid if you are taking the 1 really seriously -- for track or autox or whatever.
13) The brakes are different from other BMW's I've driven, not as grabby. They're very progressive and have better feel.

and the best part....

14) It is just so MUCH FUN to drive. Toss it in this corner, power out of it, squeeze the throttle and just feel the surge of power, whatever. There are so many ways to have fun with it: you'll find it impossible not to practice your lines on highway on ramps, to shift for no reason, to take that corner on your favorite road a *little* faster than you did last time, to shoot from 60-90 in a blink of an eye just because, well, just because you can! And the best part -- you're always in control. The 1 never drives you, it does exactly what you want and nothing more.

What a great car -- can't wait to get in it tomorrow!

[scs]

excellent!

[asv]

excellent review !

[TazioNYC]

Thanks ASV -- I am loving the SGM too. It's very sharp, esp with the shadowline. Still in love with your car?

[slipkmaggot]

That was a really awesome review, makes me want to drive one now:wub:

[Troyn]

Great write up!! :thumbup:

[0002s]

Great review and good choice of color

[Templedogg]

Nice review

[pumaknight]

Cracking review. Thanks.

[bimmernet]

After driving the 135i last week (at full tilt boogie I might add), you are right on the money.

[bimmernet]

BTW: If you take pictures as well as you write I wanna see 'em! I changed my color to SGM and I think you'll do it justice just as you did the driving aspects in written form.

[peppebmw]

I really enjoyed your review. I completely agree and noticed everything you mentioned. I was spoiled in my A4 with the under seat storage compartment. I thought the armrest was going to be larger inside. Thank God I use my Ipod instead of CDs. My sunglasses fit in the door pocket. Oh and I think the exhaust will open up as the car breaks in. My brothers 535xi exhaust sounds much meaner after 10K miles!

[itr-tribute]

Originally Posted by TazioNYC

7) There is NO storage space in the front for sunglasses, CDs, what not. It's a joke. I've got 5 CDs jammed in the door sill

What is this thing you call a "C,D."? Do people still use those?

Just joshing you Tazio but you should really invest in some sort of mass storage and take advantage of your USB or AUX port.

[BMW Dreamer]

Great review, very happy for. I have to wait 321 days and its getting harder by the day, hour, minute, second. I have a hard time going to sleep. I wonder if its much faster then my Civic Si ?

JUST KIDDING. E N J O Y ! ! !

[TP 135i]

Great review.......Thanks for putting into words everything I've been feeling since picking mine up last Tuesday.
I agree with each and every comment.........

[atr_hugo]

Tazio - great writeup - loved the Jean Alesi reference. : -)

[4wheelcycle]

[[13) The brakes are different from other BMW's I've driven, not as grabby.]

I agree. I picked up my 135i yesterday and I was all set for grabby brakes, based on driving my friend's new 528i. I never noticed anything grabby at all with my 135i's brakes.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by itr-tribute

Just joshing you Tazio but you should really invest in some sort of mass storage and take advantage of your USB or AUX port.

You can also burn MP3 CDs and fit much more than the 5 CDs worth of music. :smile:

Great writeup Tadzio. I agree with all, and add one to your list:

For all of you who have not gotten a chance to drive the 135i, PLEASE, you owe it to yourself to witness this incredible little car. It just has the precision feeling of a fine camera or firearm... just point n shoot, and it captures exactly what you were aiming for, while simultaneously enveloping you with BMW touches of greatness.

[TazioNYC]

Originally Posted by itr-tribute

What is this thing you call a "C,D."? Do people still use those?

Just joshing you Tazio but you should really invest in some sort of mass storage and take advantage of your USB or AUX port.

Yes, I know, it's lame. I'll get with it eventually.

[TazioNYC]

Originally Posted by Jeff1962

Great review, very happy for. I have to wait 321 days and its getting harder by the day, hour, minute, second. I have a hard time going to sleep. I wonder if its much faster then my Civic Si ?

JUST KIDDING. E N J O Y ! ! !

You know, my friend had the first model Civic Si, and the 135i made me think of it a bit. You would just get into the Si, everything would be exactly where you epected it and worked exactly as you expected it, and the car just begged you to drive it hard. It was just a damn fun to drive car.

[asv]

Originally Posted by TazioNYC

Thanks ASV -- I am loving the SGM too. It's very sharp, esp with the shadowline. Still in love with your car?

I am, I can't wait to get past the break in period. I just put a clear bra on yesterday to try and reduce the PA rock assault

http://alexvalentine.org/gallery/mai...2_itemId=20296

[TazioNYC]

Originally Posted by larryn

You can also burn MP3 CDs and fit much more than the 5 CDs worth of music. :smile:

Great writeup Tadzio. I agree with all, and add one to your list:

For all of you who have not gotten a chance to drive the 135i, PLEASE, you owe it to yourself to witness this incredible little car. It just has the precision feeling of a fine camera or firearm... just point n shoot, and it captures exactly what you were aiming for, while simultaneously enveloping you with BMW touches of greatness.

Agreed -- it all comes together in an amazing way, and, incredibly, seems to be more than the sum of it's parts. Also, I can't tell you how different it felt that the 335i despite their shared components.