Bad things/drawbacks for the 1 Series?

[jpick]

Okay, I've read most of the thread. Love the 135i. Minor complaints:

1. Useless second cup holder (under arm rest/center console thingy-mabob [technical term ])

2. Left driver AC/heat vent is useless - can't turn it toward you

3. AC seems a bit weak - drove my 06 GTI yesterday, and while the 135i is a much better car overall, AC in GTI seems better.

4. Stock radio is rather funky and inconvenient to operate. Took me 15 min to program it. Also, it takes a few seconds to scroll through saved channels when using the steering wheel buttons. Each time you hit the button, you have to wait 2-3 seconds for the station to come up.

5. Oh yeah -- no fog lights!

Car is a blast though. GTI is a good car but 135i blows it away. I like the clutch/stick in the 135i much more -- much more precise. I have put about 4k on it in 5 weeks - yikes! I am driving the GTI this week!

BTW - I have been getting around 24-25 mpg in mixed driving. This sounds better than other people. I use the cruise on the highway 70-75 mph, and stay within 5 mph of the speed limit usually in town. I have 4k on the car already....I remember on my GTI, the mpg seemed to increase after a few thousand miles. I dunno.

[123D-M]

1. Lack of storage space (although I deleted the smokers package so at least I have an extra space for keys or a passenger's phone).
3. Lack of cupholders. The one under the armrest is hopeless and iDrive deleted the other one. And I refused the optional cupholder because it is bog ugly. Why couldn't BMW engineer the pop out cupholders like the 3er has? They appear to take up almost no space...

[adc]

Originally Posted by 123D-M

Why couldn't BMW engineer the pop out cupholders like the 3er has? They appear to take up almost no space...

They seem like an elegant solution, but are completely worthless. The folding mechanism employed ensures they are not deep enough except for something the size of a soda can.

A bottle of water will fall of at the slightest movement. Ask me how I know...


I'll take the ugly but functional 135i aux cupholder...

[uofmtiger]

They seem like an elegant solution, but are completely worthless. The folding mechanism employed ensures they are not deep enough except for something the size of a soda can.

A bottle of water will fall of at the slightest movement. Ask me how I know...

I hated them in my 3 series because condensation would build up on the cup and drip down the dash. However, I would take them in a pinch.

[1080eyes]

Had our 128 vert 2 weeks now. The radio and sunglass, and cup holder seem like complete after-thoughts.

[imported_mega]

same radio bmw has used for a decade, that's a long afterthought

[thesmokingone]

can i please get a little more range on my keyless entry

[jgprather]

The negatives for me are:

1. useless 2nd cupholder (so much incredible german engineering but a cupholder is partially blocked. Did ANYONE see this?)
2. location of lock/unlock button

Minor complaints really. The cupholder still baffles me.

Oh well, I LOVE the car otherwise.

[MatthewDFW]

Maybe it's just me, but I'm not wild about the 14 gallon fuel tank (US 135i). All things being equal, I'd have preferred a bit more range between fill-ups on long drives.

That, and... oh, yeah... anybody mention run-flat tires? DOH!

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by MatthewDFW

Maybe it's just me, but I'm not wild about the 14 gallon fuel tank (US 135i). All things being equal, I'd have preferred a bit more range between fill-ups on long drives.

That, and... oh, yeah... anybody mention run-flat tires? DOH!

Range was one thing I also thought should have been better. There are trips I could take in my old car (similar EPA) that with the 135i required a fuel stop. Maybe it's mentioned already, but the exterior gloss trim around the side view mirror is annoying with the reflections. I also prefer when BMW places the window switches on the center console (i.e., E46). The placement on both the 1er and 3er are odd, but for opposite reasons. Runflats and CDV should be high on anyone's complaint list, although those apply to most BMWs. Finally, the 7.5 inch front wheel. BMW should have flared the fender to allow more space to fit a proper wheel, and the tire profile's are too low (making them too prone to damage and adversely affecting ride quality).

[135iUSN]

Originally Posted by rocketpop

High interest rates for financing and leasing ?

Im getting 4.5 though my credit union. I've seen other post here geting under 5% as well.

got 3.95 at my CU.

[ptack]

Originally Posted by MatthewDFW

Maybe it's just me, but I'm not wild about the 14 gallon fuel tank (US 135i). All things being equal, I'd have preferred a bit more range between fill-ups on long drives.

That, and... oh, yeah... anybody mention run-flat tires? DOH!

+1

[HondaGoneRogue]

iPod controls blow majorly, good luck getting to Artist->Album->Notoriuos B.I.G. takes forever turning that damn wheel 1000+ times (no iDrive). And the rain sensor auto wiper function status light can't be seen behind the steering wheel. Took me forever to figure out if it was on or not. Oh well, still love her tho.

[1HungryMan]

1. Door handles. Can't believe how stupidly placed they are.
2. Lack of storage.
3. Door gong. Please tell me how to turn it down. (no idrive).
4. Back seats mostly useless for real adults.
5. Run flats equal bumpy ride. Hate them.


Otherwise, an absolute pleasure to drive. LOVE LOVE LOVE this car.

[esscolab]

1.Don't like the cruise control stick, wish it was a button on the wheel.
2.The reading light switches are a bitch to find in the dark...
3.Handbrake, have to pull it up to the last click before it properly holds the car.
4.The alloys have an almost "magnetic" affect when attracting brake dust.
5. BIGGER TURBOS!!

and the most annoying thing is THE BLOODY SEATBELT CHIME!!!

But I do love my 135i overall.

[MatthewDFW]

re. SEATBELT CHIME...

+1.

Yup. Wouldn't it be great we could record our own "warnings" and upload them to car via BlueTooth or iPod. Imagine your own custom "seatbelt", "door ajar", or "low fuel" alerts... (I'd go with Mr. T saying "Get Gas, Fool!")

[jgprather]

Originally Posted by Jeff1962

The hubcap gaskets are hard to get off to clean.

Very true.

I also would add having to scroll and scroll on the right button (furthest away from driver) to go through music selections via the iPod integration. I assumed this was operational though the steering wheel when I ordered my coupe.

Oh well. Still a phenomenal piece of machinery!

[future135i]

Originally Posted by MatthewDFW

re. SEATBELT CHIME...

+1.

Yup. Wouldn't it be great we could record our own "warnings" and upload them to car via BlueTooth or iPod. Imagine your own custom "seatbelt", "door ajar", or "low fuel" alerts... (I'd go with Mr. T saying "Get Gas, Fool!")

A lot of people would record no sound and make it silent which might violate some car manufacturers regulations or something.

[kovu401]

Originally Posted by MatthewDFW

re. SEATBELT CHIME...

+1.

Yup. Wouldn't it be great we could record our own "warnings" and upload them to car via BlueTooth or iPod. Imagine your own custom "seatbelt", "door ajar", or "low fuel" alerts... (I'd go with Mr. T saying "Get Gas, Fool!")

Heh, that reminds me of "I'm Gonna Get You Sucka." The door voice was a pleasant female African American voice: "Your door is ajar.... Your door is ajar... .... I SAID shut the DOOR motha f**ka!"

[bozola]

I wish I could pull the Temp knob and adjust both sides at once.

[ocinek]

I bet no one will relate to my list, but:

1) Suspension is horribly boaty just like every stock car
2) There is turbo lag
3) The design is so-so. My E46 looked much better
4) That BLINGGG sound pisses me off
5) Run-flats are not my thing
6) Stock shifter needs SSK badly

None of these are really an issue, TCKLine makes coilovers, plenty of swaybars, tune will fix the lag, design makes it more of a sleeper, tires will be replaced so I get more beloved road noise.

Things that are good:
1) Engine N54
2) Transmission M5/M6 6mt
3) Brakes (this actually sold me on the car)
4) Steering is not overboosted like many cars

[MatthewDFW]

Originally Posted by ocinek

Things that are good:
1) Engine N54
2) Transmission M5/M6 6mt
3) Brakes (this actually sold me on the car)
4) Steering is not overboosted like many cars

re. great brakes... +1

re. run-flats...

Lots of gripes about the run-flats (including my own). Interestingly, there are many veteran BMW owners over at BimmerForums.com who are pretty high on them. It's worth noting that not all those folks are 1-series owners, which makes we wonder if BMW puts different types of run-flats on different models (possible difference in manufacturer, brand, type...?).