Why did you buy 135i ?

[bmwzone]

1) ENGINE
2) ENGINE
3) ENGINE
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Oh yeah, did I mention THE ENGINE?

Okay - and it's a BMW, looks cool, is small outside big inside, it's available in a stick with RWD and does 0-60 in 4.7s stock. The wheels are cool too.

[jeremyc74]

Why?

I wanted a fast, nimble, tunable, premium, RWD car that's comfortable on long trips. The fact that it's not as common as something like a Mustang is a bonus.

I test drove many other vehicles, and like the 1 the best.

[Ajumepke]

New generation of Z4 went out of my price range and between the Z4 and 135 - 135 is probably the more practical day to day option.

[rcracer_tx]

Originally Posted by BForbes

1.) Not everyone has HPFP problems. BMW covers the pump for 10yr 100k miles as well.

2.) Only a few people have reported high speed unstability. In comparison to what, is my question.

3.) The car in stock form balances a sport/soft suspension quite well. It is not a sports car.

Exactly, Coilovers will make the car more stable at high speeds, as well as new tires...

I bought a 135i because the 3 is too big... The 1 series was the perfect size for me, and it is easy to upgrade. I personally think the 1 series is the best looking BMW out right now, which is all that matters to me...

The 3 series is also a dime in a dozen around here, so its nice to have the only 1 in the parking lot.

[former]

I LOVED my '01 e46 330i sedan. It has to be one of my favorite cars of all time. However, I'm not a huge fan of the styling of the current 3 series and I don't particularly like the feel of the car any longer. My wife has a 335 coupe and it just doesn't have the same sporty nature as the 1. The 3 feels larger and less sharp. It's still a great cruiser, but more of a GT than a sports car. The 1 feels more sport than luxury to me.

I was looking for something unique, sporty and fun. The 1 series matched that the best out of everything else on the market.

I'm now at 6,000 miles and still really, really like the car. The first 1,500 miles were put on over in Germany and I was fortunate to log a lot of miles at > 100 mph. I found no issues of high speed instability. I noted that above 140 mph, the back end felt a little floaty, but not dangerously so. Just something that might require a bit of attention and caution.

The power is fantastic throughout the range, the manual is a delight and all the features really create a great package. I'm very pleased with my choice.

[schleppcar]

everyone has a different spin - me it was just my heart. I love to drive - mainly for the way it feels. I like character in the car - and this one has plenty. it's bullish, non traditional, controversial and has the heart of a lion. I'm not as technically knowledgeable as a lot of other clever owners in this forum but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the feeling of great technical superiority. It's enough for me - and if the car has a couple of idiosyncracies then that's just another reason to love her. If she was perfect I'd be afraid to drive her - she would sit in a heated garage. This baby is great at a lot of things - and not so much in others. She isn't perfect but she's damned good and that's enough for me!

[dmvsw]

1. I like more exclusive cars. E82 definitely beats E90/92 in that aspect, hands down.
2. Evo X, STi, 370z are a little too Fast and Furious for me.
3. N54 engine on a 3300 lb car is like heaven on earth.
4. I like the way it looks.
5. I am not married so why not get a small car to have fun with before I have to be responsible :P

Oh, and the handling aint so shabby either

[jraymond]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

Why?

I wanted a fast, nimble, tunable, premium, RWD car that's comfortable on long trips. The fact that it's not as common as something like a Mustang is a bonus.

I test drove many other vehicles, and like the 1 the best.

what he said, oh and i'm a bmw fanboy due to all of the things stated above

[cagekicker]

why did i buy the 135? simple, the current 3 series has gotten too big. the 135 reminds me of the old e30 except with a hell of alot more power.

[RPM90]

Well, I'll be enjoying all the good things about the 135i coupe.
Order is going in tomorrow.

Now, hopefully there will be one in the "pipeline" on it's way to the US, if not I'll have to wait for a fresh order.

In the final decision process I decided on the 135i after considering the 328Ci, 328i sedan, and even the 128i vert.
I feel in the love with the 135i when I first saw it in person at the Chicago auto show.
It was unique, looked different but still BMW.
Then, I test drove it, and that POWER is very alluring. I knew I wanted...no NEEDED it.
I went and test drove the 3 series, and the back to the 1, and back.

I still think the 3 series suspension is better sorted, and the subtle redesign of the sedan makes it look much better. I kept saying things to myself like, "the 3 sedan is more practical. The 328i engine has plenty of power to make it fun. Is there enough headroom in the 135i?"
My decision to go with the 135i is also in large part, an emotional one. That's not a bad thing at all in this case, because the 135i simply invokes a passion about it. Yes, there are other cars and BMW's that are more "practical", but I really get most excited thinking about taking the 135i out for drive simply for the sheer joy of driving it.
Yes, I been turbonized! And, I must have it!

Now, I just have to make the final decision on colors outside and in.

Oh, and as far as comments that the 335i is "only" about $5000 more, well, look at it this way, the 335i is $5000 MORE. The question is, is the 335i worth $5000 more?
$5000 is a good deal of money. On a lease it's at least $100 more per month
Yes, I can afford, but I don't know that I want to. Actually, no, I don't want to.

Sure, I too wish the 135i was lighter than it is. But, it's also a very solidly built car.
If BMW would have cheapened the materials to bring the cost down, a lot of reviewers would then be criticizing BMW for being "cheap" and not building a car up to BMW standards. The 1 series is unique and different, and it has all the BMW DNA.
The overall performance isn't that much greater than the 3 series, and in some areas, to me, it lacks a bit. Still, overall the 1 brings out more passion about the car and about driving it. It's quirky looks draws people to it. But, many of us think it's proportioned just fine. I actually don't like that the 3 series has gotten as big as it has. The E46 hit the limit for me as it was still small enough to toss around and big enough to carry 4 people. The new 3 sedan and coupe aren't too big now, but in another sense, yes they are. Now, they look nearly the same size as the previous gen 5 series.

The sweet siren song of the twin turbo's is calling, and I MUST obey.

[ajc]

Originally Posted by RPM90

A 335i looks and handles like a Honda Accord coupe?

Ok, now, I'll say YOU'RE crazy.

No, way does the 1 series handle and ride better than the 3 series, especially the 335i.

Granted, before the 2009 appearance refresher, the 3 series didn't look as "sporty" or even nice as the E46 3 series, but to compare it to a Honda Accord, and the to say the 135i is better, makes me say you either didn't have a 335i or you're being a 1 series fanboy.

The 135i has a much better ride than the 335i.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by ajc

The 135i has a much better ride than the 335i.

Ok, but we'll just have to agree to disagree.

The 335i has a longer wheelbase and that translates to a better overall ride, especially on the highway. The 3's suspension has always been "magical" in how well it rides along with giving a near sport car like handling.

Now, if you say the 135i handles better, well, then we're getting closer.

[AZ135]

I don't think the 135 is unstable at high speeds. It's not quite as stable as my mom's G35 coupe, but it is by no means unstable, IMO. Unstable was my Wrangler with a lift and floaty tires at 105 mph (downhill, no way I could do that on flat land). The 135 feels QUITE stable after that car.

[Brix]

The 135i is a smaller, more compact, fresher... Different. Like others said it grabs you more than a 3-eries. It's kinda like a baby M3. It's technically no M product, but its close if you not super particular. I have 15k miles and its only getting better... the torque in this little monsterbox... it handles so sweet for a comfy daily driver. Its super baby bimmer.

[andrew9223]

I'd like to see some info on how the 3 vs 1 suspension differs. From a cursory look they seem pretty much the same. Are they that much different?

[rcracer_tx]

Originally Posted by ajc

The 135i has a much better ride than the 335i.

QFT

The 3 series just feels like a big ass car now, where the 1 series still feels decently sized...

[Qunadry]

Originally Posted by RPM90

A 335i looks and handles like a Honda Accord coupe?

Ok, now, I'll say YOU'RE crazy.

No, way does the 1 series handle and ride better than the 3 series, especially the 335i.

Granted, before the 2009 appearance refresher, the 3 series didn't look as "sporty" or even nice as the E46 3 series, but to compare it to a Honda Accord, and the to say the 135i is better, makes me say you either didn't have a 335i or you're being a 1 series fanboy.

Before the 2007 335i coupe, I owned a 2000 323Ci, so the 135i is my third BMW. I have also owned many other cars, including Porsche 911's, an Audi TT and a Volvo S 60 R. The 135i is easily the best, followed by the 323 Ci and the Volvo S60 R. I know you are going to call me crazy again, but my wife calls me worse. What is really great is that there are cars like the 135i and 335i for us to argue over.

As far as the 335i looking like an Accord Coupe, someone called it even worse when they asked me how I liked my Pontiac.