Did you also consider a 3 before you bought your 1?

[matmanx1]

I may be in a position to make a purchase as early as next week depending on how things go with my current car. I've driven a 2010 135i but have yet to drive a 3 series.

I originally zeroed in on the 1 series because of the size and the lower cost of a new one but now I've decided I'd rather go used (sticking around the 09 or 10 model years). It looks like there are far more 3 series (both 328i and 335i) out there than 1 series and more 135i's for sale than 128i's.

I know the 3 is a larger, heavier car but also roomier and with a little bit nicer interior. I need to go take a test drive but did some of you 1 series folk also drive a 3 and then decide to come back to the 1? And if you were in the market for a pre-owned car, as I am, would you still pick the 1 over the 3 at the same price point? Because from where I am sitting the used prices are very close.

[Maeiourk]

I bought a 3 (Aug 2011), new, kept going back to the service every two weeks because problems kept popping out. I drove it for 4 months, been to the service 8 times. In the end, my dealer considered it as a lemon car, and had to be replaced (Dec 2011). They asked me to pick something I want from the show room. Back then, when I was purchasing my 3, I fell in love with the 1 that was in the show room, but wasn't able to pick that one because of the price. It was $50k with some performance part. Too expensive. When the dealer told me to pick something I want from the show room, that 1 was still there. I was like, this is meant to be, for 4 months I've driven the 3, the car that I fell in love with was still there. I didn't take a look at any other cars. I just chose that one. Now, I've been driving it for almost a year now, from Dec. 09, 2011, from 23 miles to 30xxx miles and it hasn't given me a single problem. No regrets. I love it, and still loving it every single day. 1 is an amazing car. I wouldn't exchange it to any other cars. It is unique, and you don't see this car on the road every day, not like the 3.

[mike06612]

We replaced our 3 with a 1 after somebody rear ended us and totaled the car. We were looking for another 3, but fell in love with the 1. It's a bit smaller, but I think it's way more fun to drive.

[caseyfoster]

Yeah totally been looking at 3's, been reading all the stories of people having problems with their cars and am 100% on the 1 now.

[Bill B.]

Had an e46, and thought the e92 was too big when it came out. Held out for the e82, and have absolutely no regrets. In driving dynamics, it reminds me very much of my e46 which I loved.

I've driven the F30, and while it does handle great, it's just too big for my taste.

[matmanx1]

I should mention that when I say I am cross shopping the 3 I intend to stick with a sport suspension and probably a coupe to stay as "sporty" as possible.

The comparison should be interesting.

[matmanx1]

Originally Posted by caseyfoster

Yeah totally been looking at 3's, been reading all the stories of people having problems with their cars and am 100% on the 1 now.

Problems with the 3 in general or just the turbo cars? I still don't think I need the turbo and have seen a couple of 328i coupe's in the wild recently that are in my price range whereas the 128i's with the sport package seem to be few and far between in the used market.

[Bill B.]

Originally Posted by matmanx1

Problems with the 3 in general or just the turbo cars? I still don't think I need the turbo and have seen a couple of 328i coupe's in the wild recently that are in my price range whereas the 128i's with the sport package seem to be few and far between in the used market.

Nobody needs a turbo.

[caseyfoster]

Originally Posted by matmanx1

Problems with the 3 in general or just the turbo cars? I still don't think I need the turbo and have seen a couple of 328i coupe's in the wild recently that are in my price range whereas the 128i's with the sport package seem to be few and far between in the used market.

I was really only looking at 335i threads as I am only interested in the turbo cars. Ive owned NA bmws in the past and yeah they are fun, but I like my turbo cars more

[Ammonia]

Originally Posted by matmanx1

I should mention that when I say I am cross shopping the 3 I intend to stick with a sport suspension and probably a coupe to stay as "sporty" as possible.

The comparison should be interesting.

I've driven my friends modded 335i E92, and while is was glorious, the way it drove was alot different. The 135i just felt more alive. We had similar power, and this may seem blasphemous, but I love how the E92 looks! BUT, my E82 beat it hands down in the driving experience and my friend said the same thing.

[kensington]

If you have kids of need to haul a 3rd or 4th person regularly I would get a 3. But I have no kids and only my wife and I use the car, so we are happy with the 1.

[Adam135]

I originally wanted the 335, drove both cars and preferred the 135 hands down.

[brusk]

I looked at the 335i and as dumb as it sounds the cupholders is what made be start looking at a 135i. I didn't trust the cupholders in the 3 and didn't like where they were.

[caseyfoster]

Originally Posted by brusk

I looked at the 335i and as dumb as it sounds the cupholders is what made be start looking at a 135i. I didn't trust the cupholders in the 3 and didn't like where they were.

Hahaha thats hilarious. I sold my e39 M5 because of the cup holders it had.

[Qunadry]

My first BMW was a 2000 323Ci. Great car, good size. I next had a 2007
335i. Way to big (more like the 5 series in 2000) and much less fun to drive. The 135i is great. The only things I preferred on the 323Ci were non run-flat tires, a dipstick and a full sized spare on the same wheel that came with the car. Those days are gone.

[andybui82]

i used to own a 3. the feel of the 1 made me fall in love when driving. the way it hugs corners, you have more control.

[doublevanosrc]

I did as well, but the 1 series just felt more nimble and more fun to drive. The 3 is still and excellent machine and would never hesitate to own one.(E90/92 of course)

[Rukuss]

I had a ZHP 330, e46 M3, an e92 335i, i like my 135i better then all it just drives and feels better, also with a drop, a performance spoiler, a front lip makes them look fantastic Good luck.

[BuddhaPilot]

Matmanx1,

If you look at the difference in interior measurements, there is so little difference between the two that its pretty insignificant. The significantly smaller look of the exterior makes most think there is a huge difference. The backseat headroom of the 1 is actually better than the 3 due to the different shape of the roof.

It was funny to look at the 92 Mustang 5.0 coupe parked next to me when I picked my kids up from school the other day. My 135 looked bigger than it! I used to own a 93 coupe and that thing felt Iike a much larger car than my BMW does.

[andybui82]

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

I did as well, but the 1 series just felt more nimble and more fun to drive. The 3 is still and excellent machine and would never hesitate to own one.(E90/92 of course)

Couldnt say it any better. Loved my e90 but man this is fun

Originally Posted by BuddhaPilot

Matmanx1,

If you look at the difference in interior measurements, there is so little difference between the two that its pretty insignificant. The significantly smaller look of the exterior makes most think there is a huge difference. The backseat headroom of the 1 is actually better than the 3 due to the different shape of the roof.

It was funny to look at the 92 Mustang 5.0 coupe parked next to me when I picked my kids up from school the other day. My 135 looked bigger than it! I used to own a 93 coupe and that thing felt Iike a much larger car than my BMW does.

This is what i have been tryign to tell my friends! They don't believe me when I explain it to them.

[ChristianReyess]

Drove both, and as everyone said, the 135 felt quicker, more alive... just more me, coming from a Z, I just felt like it was the best transition to a 4 seater BMW.

So yeah the 335i felt VERY large, as the 1 only feels a little large, and has the similar wieght as my Z. The 1 is a bit harder to drift than the Z. The 3 was even harder...

[matmanx1]

Originally Posted by BuddhaPilot

Matmanx1,

If you look at the difference in interior measurements, there is so little difference between the two that its pretty insignificant. The significantly smaller look of the exterior makes most think there is a huge difference. The backseat headroom of the 1 is actually better than the 3 due to the different shape of the roof.

It was funny to look at the 92 Mustang 5.0 coupe parked next to me when I picked my kids up from school the other day. My 135 looked bigger than it! I used to own a 93 coupe and that thing felt Iike a much larger car than my BMW does.

I just looked it up and I see what you mean. The largest difference is front shoulder room at about an inch and half more on the 3 series coupe. Every other dimension is more like half an inch and the 1 series actually has more back seat shoulder room than the 3 series coupe. They are much closer in terms of interior size than I thought! Thanks for the info, that's helpful.