Checking out a 2010 and 2011 135i this weekend

[Gimmeyo]

Never drove a 1 series but the car has always caught my attention. Especially since I have been a fan of the e30 ever since I could remember. Found a 2010 135i black hardtop and a 2011 blue convertible. Both automatic. Not new to BMW since I am currently driving my 9th one which is a 750li. That one has been more expensive than any of the others including an M3. Anyway, I am hoping the test drives go pretty good. Also a little worried about getting used to the small amount of room. I'm 5'11'' at 241lbs so not a little dude. My 750 is super roomy however I hardly use that much space. I do have young ones but they are only in my car on the weekends. Mostly ride with mom in her SUV. Should be an interesting weekend.

[Esteban]

Well, good luck and let us know what you think of our little 1 series. I think the front seats have plenty of room but the back seats are better for short people and short rides.

[Gangplank]

Interested in hearing your thoughts on the comparison. 2010 is n54 vs 2012 is n55.

Info on differences by years:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=414111

[Gimmeyo]

Well I drove BOTH cars this past weekend. I did a PPI on both vehicles which took some time and delayed my test drives. Nothing major showed up on either one. Both needs some wear/tear items replaced or refreshed.

Started off with the 2010 135i. This one was a hardtop and 6MT which was really fun to drive. No other goodies besides the stock options. I was really blown away how fast these tiny cars are! Shifts were pretty good and feedback felt awesome. Mileage was just over 52k miles but felt like 22k miles. Super tight! Only issues I took exception to was small wear on drivers side seat and rear brake lamp in the trunk was out. The black looked super sexy but also super hot for the summer.

Two days later I was able to finally drive the 2011 135i. I have never been a "convertible guy" but this one caught my eye. Blue with tan top. DCT with navigation. Also has comfort access and sport package. I have to say this transmission is amazing. Shifts are super smooth! Didn't even notice there was a sport button until after the drive. Service records show new battery, new tires, replacement of all 4 wheel sensors. Out of all my previous BMW's I have not once replaced a wheels sensor. Anyway, the other items are a couple door dings and possibly have to re-paint the front bumper.

Soooo, after thinking over both cars I ended up purchasing the 2011 convertible. Since I will have to get the door dings fixed and bumper re-painted he matched the price of the 2010 I was looking at. Car was over 300 miles away and the drive home was awesome! Enjoyed the whole trip home. Current mileage is right at 49k so I am pretty sure there will be some items needing done at 50K.

Haven't had time to research these items on the forum yet but here is some items I need to look into.

1) Wheel sensor replacements? Why and how often
2) Comfort access does not work like my previous BMW's. When I go to grab the handle it doesn't automatically unlock. Also requires the key to start?
3) Couldn't find Bluetooth streaming for iPhone

Excited to have this one in the garage and looking forward to researching these items and learning more about the baby beemer.

[drogods]

Congrats on the new car. Some pics are definitely needed! I wish I had looked for a newer car with the DCT. The 6 A/T isn't bad but the DCT is definitely better.


I believe the wheel sensor has to do with the tire pressure monitoring system. The ones on my 2010 135 are fine but my dads Subaru forester and my moms 328i sedan both needed replacing recently.

[Vigilante375]

Wheel sensors are more than likely the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). They are replaced when the tires are taken off the rims for any reason and if one or more goes bad (very rare). Its a big debate but just change them or have them rebuilt, which rebuilding is cheaper than having a new one.

I don't have comfort access so can't help you there.

Make sure the iPhone can be found is my advice on the bluetooth.

[Esteban]

Welcome and congrats on your new (to you) 1er vert. As mentioned above, we need pics pronto. I have the DCT as well and find it very quick shifting and a lot of fun, especially driving in manual with the sport button pressed.

I don't have comfort access but I know it has a replaceable battery in the fob and that seems like the cheapest and easiest way to fix it, so maybe change the battery if you haven't already.

[Gangplank]

1) Wheel sensor replacements -
-- From what I've read every 5-6 years due to battery life, but have not seen any go bad on the forums so who knows. It probably depends more on drive time than age.

2) Comfort access -
-- on my wife's mini you have to press the button on the handle for it to unlock. Not sure on bmw b/c I don't have it. As suggested check the battery in key fob?


3) Couldn't find Bluetooth streaming for iPhone-
-- no music streaming on 2011s as far as I understand it. I bought a Viseo Tune-2-Air which works great. Which model you need depends on what stereo option you have. I posted a thread about it here on 1addicts if you search around. No better device for streaming via iPhone.

[Matticus91]

Congrats and welcome to the crew!

For comfort access it could just be that the battery is dead, if your door handles have the little ridges on them near the right side that will tell you if you actually have CA. You should be able to open the door and start the car without the key ever leaving your pocket. You can also lock the car by holding your finger on the door handle ridges until it locks. My key never leaves my pant pocket anymore lol

[EndOfAnEra]

Congrats on your 135i! Good luck to you. These cars are awesome. This is by far the funnest car I've owned!

[1N4ttro]

Originally Posted by Gimmeyo

2) Comfort access does not work like my previous BMW's. When I go to grab the handle it doesn't automatically unlock. Also requires the key to start?

See post 7 and 8 for Comfort Access.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1344209

[Gimmeyo]

Will look into the replacing the batteries. I also noticed the trunk doesn't pop unlock when hitting the trunk button. I did check the glove box to make sure the switch was actually switched to open. Still no luck. Weird because both keys are are not working properly. Will grab some batteries this weekend and give it a nice wash. Will toss up a couple pictures after the bath. She is pretty dirty girl right now.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by Gimmeyo

Will look into the replacing the batteries. I also noticed the trunk doesn't pop unlock when hitting the trunk button. I did check the glove box to make sure the switch was actually switched to open. Still no luck. Weird because both keys are are not working properly. Will grab some batteries this weekend and give it a nice wash. Will toss up a couple pictures after the bath. She is pretty dirty girl right now.

The trunk won't open when hitting the button on the trunk itself, or on the key?

Do the other buttons on the fob work just fine?

[blue135]

Are you sure you have Comfort Access or is it simply the standard remote that requires punching buttons and must be inserted into the slot to start the car?

[zx10guy]

As Matt has stated, an easy way to check to see if you have Comfort Access or not is to look a the door handles. If you have the ridges over where the key slot would be, then you have Comfort Access. Also, if your FOB has a replaceable Lithium battery, then you have Comfort Access.

If you change out the battery in your FOB and it still doesn't work, chances are the Comfort Access module is shot. I didn't really use Comfort Access on my car when I first got it. I had my car in for service for a weird electrical gremlin. They replaced the junction box in the trunk when they found it full of water. The tech tried to start my car without inserting the key in the dash slot and the car wouldn't start. They wanted the spare key to make sure my key wasn't bad. The spare did the same thing. They tracked it down to the Comfort Access module being faulty.

[Gimmeyo]

I am hoping both batteries are dead. Will swing by tomorrow after work and pick up some batteries. Build sheet shows CA. Am I missing any other options?

here is the build sheet:

Vehicle options
S217 Active steering
S249 Multifunction f steering wheel
S2MR BMW LA wheel, dual spoke 261
S2TC Sport transmission w/ dual-plate clutch
S2VB Tire pressure display
S319 Integrated universal remote control
S322 Comfort access
P337 M Sports package
S394 Softtop dark beige
S430 Interior/outside mirror with auto dip
S431 Interior mirror with automatic-dip
S442 Cup holder
S459 Seat adjuster, electric, with memory
S481 Sports seat
S488 Lumbar support, driver and passenger

Vehicle options
S494 Seat heating driver/passenger
S4A3 Fine-wood trim walnut light
S4NA Interior mirror with digital compass
S4UT Load-through hatch with int. trans. sack
S502 Headlight cleaning system
S507 Park Distance Control (PDC), rear
S521 Rain sensor
S522 Xenon Light
S524 Adaptive Headlights
S534 Automatic air conditioning
S540 Cruise control
S563 Light package
S570 Reinforced power supply
S5AC High-beam assistant
S609 Navigation system Professional

Vehicle options
S615 Expanded BMW Online Information
S620 Voice control
S639 Preparation f mobile phone cpl. USA/CDN
S655 Satellite tuner
S688 Harman/Kardon Surround Sound system
S697 Area-Code 1 for DVD
S6AA BMW TeleServices
S6AB Control for Teleservices
S6FL USB/Audio interface
S6UH Traffic Information
S704 M Sports suspension
S760 High gloss shadow line
S7XA M Leathr. wheel+shift paddle+multifunc.
S840 High speed synchronisation
S8SC Telematics access request,country-spec.
Vehicle options
S8SP Control unit COP
S925 Dummy-SALAPA
Vehicle options
S321 Exterior parts in vehicle color
S473 Armrest front
S645 BMW US Radio
S823 Hot-climate version
S845 Acoustic belt warning
S850 Dummy-SALAPA
S853 Language version English
S876 Radio frequency 315 MHz

[Gimmeyo]

So I picked up new batteries today. Now when I grab the door handle the doors do unlock. However, when I try to start the car with my key in my pocket it still will not start and doesn't recognize the key. Also when I press the the trunk button it doesn't unlock it. Can't figure this one out.

[Rallim]

Originally Posted by Gimmeyo

So I picked up new batteries today. Now when I grab the door handle the doors do unlock. However, when I try to start the car with my key in my pocket it still will not start and doesn't recognize the key. Also when I press the the trunk button it doesn't unlock it. Can't figure this one out.

Does the car have tint? Theres some posts that say tint affects it quite a bit.

I'm in a similar boat, my doors work, but keyless start and trunk don't work. Trunk works from the remote but not the CA sensor. Doesn't bother me much, but if its a simple fix I'd like to know as well.

[Gimmeyo]

No tint, yet. I do plan on getting it. My 750 has tint and no problems.

[NorthernDancer]

Join BMWCCA. There are a whole bunch of CCA members in Atlanta most willing to help you out plus access to best BMW tech info (Mike Miller) within 24 hours.