Just got my 135i

[Mae]

Just traded my E46 in on a 135i and I can't stop smiling. BMW got it right with the 1 series.

new stablemates-

[doublevanosrc]

Nice pick up but that 2002 is CLEAN!!!!

[Brandon26pdx]

nice looking stable there

[3onDubs]

Congrats

I picked mine up over the weekend as well...can't stop making excuses to go out to the garage

[Ash83]

KOOL.. Congrats

[zamboni]

Congrat on the classic pair.

[vividracing]

Very nice, congratulations. Like the 2002 too (that's a lotta 2!) Cool garage

Graeme

[roo97ss]

Nice 2002.

What kind of e46 did you trade in?

[miiipilot]

Congrats on the new ride.

miiipilot

[Mae]

Thanks guys!

my e46 that I traded in was an '04 325ci- She was really good to me, just needed more power-

[jetblackone]

Hi there - nice stable ! Perhaps you'd like to compare/contrast the two cars ? BMW advertising says the 1 is the spiritual successor - do you agree ? Thanks.

[Mae]

You obviously can't compare the two on a literal basis. The 2002 is loud, stiff, bumpy, slow off the line, and you can't tell if it's coming or going due to the styling. However, 5 minutes behind the wheel, and your face will hurt from smiling. Be prepared to talk about the car with strangers everywhere you go. In comparison, the 135i is sleek, smooth, fast, comfortable and won't command as much immediate attention from passers by. It does deliver equal amounts of sheer "joy" behind the wheel, but is achieved through different means.They're both pure driver's cars and definitely have similar souls. The 1 series is the closest BMW has come to recreating an updated 2002 along with maybe the e30 325is.

[roo97ss]

Originally Posted by Mae

You obviously can't compare the two on a literal basis. The 2002 is loud, stiff, bumpy, slow off the line, and you can't tell if it's coming or going due to the styling. However, 5 minutes behind the wheel, and your face will hurt from smiling. Be prepared to talk about the car with strangers everywhere you go. In comparison, the 135i is sleek, smooth, fast, comfortable and won't command as much immediate attention from passers by. It does deliver equal amounts of sheer "joy" behind the wheel, but is achieved through different means.They're both pure driver's cars and definitely have similar souls. The 1 series is the closest BMW has come to recreating an updated 2002 along with maybe the e30 325is.

having not owned a 2002, i guess i probably shouldn't comment. but to me 'soul' is the one thing lacking in the 135. my e36m had soul, and was what i'd call a drivers car. The e46m was even a bit soft, but definitely more of a drivers car than the 1 is...I find it actually a toss up between my zhp e46 and the current 1, with the 1 having more power for sure, but lacked road feel and handling, esp in stock form.

The one thing i can't get over is the 'play' in the 1 susp. even with coilovers and real tires you still end up 'steering' the car even through a sweeper...what's up with that. in my previous cars once you picked a line, the car stayed with it; the steering is about as linear as my z3Ms were, constant adjustments.

maybe i just expect too much from my current car...but to me it's overall a disappointment...enough to make me think about a 335 sedan. same power, better ride and handling, and much more usable space while only feeling just a bit more disconnected.