What made you choose the 135i vs 335i or another car?

[AchtungF80]

"...smaller, faster and more maneuverable, just like the enemy MiGs!"

[ptack]

The 3 just seems to big and common. As soon as I found out how much a new 335i coupe was going for I knew I never gave it another thought.

[BMW86]

The 3 series is definitely more elegant and classy but I really do enjoy the size and dimensions of the 1 series coupe. It feels nimble and manoeuvrable, I couldn't imagine driving anything any bigger at this stage in my life. The best way to describe it is a pocket rocket

[nordique14]

I wanted a 4-seat soft top convertible. The 3-series is a hard top convertible so I had no interest in it. Same engine, lighter car and a soft top plus the 1-er vert is $10k less than the 3-er vert. No brainer to get the 135. I appreciate that BMW still offers a soft top convertible. If not I would have had to buy an Audi. ugh.

[Totti]

My mother made me test drive one. Honest.

She wanted me out of the WRX (Speed / Image) and had no idea the 135i was a 3.0L TT

..She still doesn't know.

[otterdoc]

Used to have an e46 330ci and loved the car. I drove a Camaro SS, G8 GT, CTS, 370Z, Genesis Coupe, G37, and a 335. Picked the 1 because it met my all-around daily-driver needs better than any of the others could. Everything else had way too many compromises. The 3-series was out due to price and feeling too big and too posh. I almost always drive alone and the 1 fits me far better. The 1 is far less common, too, which is nice.

I don't regret it at all. Not one bit, not one penny, not one day.

[chbj]

I chose the 1 because I wanted a small, entry level, understated car.

[Why Knot]

I had driven a 2000 323Ci for over four years and got the itch for something new. I went to a 2004 Audi TT and then a 2006 Volvo S60 R. Both were good cars, but nothing like the 323Ci.

I bought a 2007 335i and thought I was driving a 5 series. Better than the Audi and Volvo, but still nothing like the 323Ci. On a whim I took a test drive in a 135i and it was all over. Everything the 323Ci was and more. I know my wife does not believe me, but this could be a car to last 5 or more years unless keeping it up gets too expensive once it is out of warranty in 2013.

[majorswoosh]

The 135i to me is the modern version of the E30 325is from back in the day when I couldn't afford one. Boy did I lust after that car! While by badge number the E92 335i is the modern successor to the E30 325is, it doesn't have the character that made the the 3 legendary. As others have said, a back-to-back test drive between a 135i and 335i will tell the whole story.

Part of me says that the 335i is more elegantly styled by modern standards - but the 3 was never about sleek GT styling until the E92 came along. It was about sheer grins in a refined package. The 135i is a shameless grin-generating machine that happens to be quite classy. It's a real 3 to me.

[Black_Magic]

Thanks guys,

I have gained some good insight to why you made the choice you did.

So basically the e90 is the new Five Series, and the 1 series is the new 3 series. I know 3ers have always been known as the little brother bmw, quick, light, tight, and fast. And those seem to be the characteristics of the new 1, which is more of what I'm looking for.

I've driven a 335i, I can't say it felt fast but I watched the speedometer climb with endless power. I got up to 145 mph and after about 10 minutes the owner told me to slow back down. I did like how it just floated at higher speeds but I'd rather have a since of control over the road and not have the boat in water feeling.

[SV Concepts III]

Originally Posted by Black_Magic

Thanks guys,

I have gained some good insight to why you made the choice you did.

So basically the e90 is the new Five Series, and the 1 series is the new 3 series. I know 3ers have always been known as the little brother bmw, quick, light, tight, and fast. And those seem to be the characteristics of the new 1, which is more of what I'm looking for.

I've driven a 335i, I can't say it felt fast but I watched the speedometer climb with endless power. I got up to 145 mph and after about 10 minutes the owner told me to slow back down. I did like how it just floated at higher speeds but I'd rather have a since of control over the road and not have the boat in water feeling.

I wouldn't go that far, the 3-series is no 5-series...they are completely different sizes and classes of cars. Just that the 3-series has grown with each generation both in size and weight. Not enough to change it's classification as a Sports Sedan/Coupe but enough to make a difference in how the car feels. Drive an E36 and then drive an E9X, you will know what I am talking about.

[jeremyc74]

It's really in a class of its own IMO. There aren't really any other compact, premium, RWD vehicles out there in its price range. I wasn't a huge fan of its looks when I first saw it, but the idea of the 335i powertrain in a more compact vehicle kept me interested. When I decided I was going to trade the GTO, I looked at a lot of vehicles, but I really liked the way the 335i felt more than any of the others, so I waited on the 1 to hit the dealerships, test drove it a couple of days after they came off the trucks, then ordered one on the spot.

If I had to replace it right now, I'm really not sure what else I'd buy.

[sub7]

Like the look of the 1

[Jaguar66]

Main reason for me, I have owned the smallest sport sedans from BMW since 1981, except for the 318ti( E21 323i, E30 325i, E30 M3, E36 M3 LTW, E46 M3), and with each version the cars became heavier and bigger until with the E46, I said enough, too much. No more M3s, too big. Then I heard the 1 series was coming. I had seen the earlier E46 compact series in Germany which never came to the US. The E46 323i Compact with 189 HP was probably a pretty quick car.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Compact#E46

And the 1 was the successor, and I knew that was the car I wanted.

[burlington-track]

Every time I test drive another make of car, I am happy the 135 can do so many things well that other cars can`t. A few mods for the track, still 99 percent stock,and the car is very track capable.

[BMW86]

I'm loving this thread and the overall enthusiasm towards our 135i's. IMHO the 335i has never been an option over the 135i. Seriously, why would you pay so much more for a slower and heavier car (which in almost every other aspect is the same). The 335i's curves are much nicer but when you park either car in your driveway you will be happy either way. I see the 135i as a real alternative to the M3 but anyone who goes out and buys a 335i over 135i today really confuses me.

[ctgallo]

I chose the 1 series on a fluke. I have owned the last 2 models of the 3 series (328s) and I was sure I was getting an 09. I tried several and was basically deciding colors and features but they drove just like my 07 and didn't really pique my interest.

So then I tried the 5 series. With the 08, I thought they looked a lot better and the color combo the dealer had was very nice (Monaco Blue with the saddle brown interior). The drive was nice, totally different than the 3 but felt more like a Lexus, kind of a point and shoot, smooth drive.

As I was walking out of the dealer for the 3rd time of testing, I saw the 1 again and thought "hmmmmm." He had a 128 coupe in champagne silver (my description). We took it for a drive with my 5 year old daughter in the back and I immediately knew this was the one.

It was like driving my 3 series in "S" mode all of the time.

My daughter said "daddy, this car is so much faster than yours." Well, it wasn't but it was fun as can be. Cornering, accelerating, the big puffy steering wheel--I was giggling the whole time.

Right away I wanted that car and set the dealer on a chase for my colors in a 135i, which I got last weekend.

Chris

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by BMW86

anyone who goes out and buys a 335i over 135i today really confuses me.

People who want a bit more room/luxury/refinement will buy a 335i, which are valid reasons.

[imported_mega]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

People who want a bit more room will buy a 335i, which are valid reasons.

I fixed that for you, and it's only valid with the 4 door's

[KWY91]

I got an E92 335i Mainly because of the design. Not to say the 1er looks ugly or anything like that but because I love the design cues of the E92 especially the lines at the sides! The availability of the M-tech kit was also one of my choices and the availability of more aftermarket choices!

Lastly, I needed the space for ICE and more legroom for my family and buddies to fit in!

[miro2296]

smaller, cheaper (a lil), and same engine as the 3.

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

People who want a bit more room/luxury/refinement will buy a 335i, which are valid reasons.

I understand but why not buy an M3 instead, it's like a 335i on steroids and the king of the 3 series. I can understand if somebody chooses a 335i over the M3 if they have big plans to modify and it will then be arguably better than the M3 because then it's all about dominating in style. As for anyone buying a 335i and planning on keeping it stock I really don't see the point, save yourself some money and get the faster, smaller and lighter brother. I'm mainly referring to those enthusiasts that are actually on these forums reading these threads as I know many owners of the 335i drivers that I come across are just everyday people who just want a nice BMW and the 335i happens to fit the bill perfectly.