biggest dislike about the 1-series?

[Texan Engineer]

1. Door handle too far forward. At least the two sides are symmetrical, unlike our bigger cousin the E90

2. No spare tire (but this applies to all BMW's of late) - and the stupid RFT's that come with it.

3. They gave us the bastardized N52 instead of the full-blown 260hp version. Really guys? OK, I guess that gets too close to 135i territory but still...

4. Shifter action is very notchy. Granted, it's still only got 500 mi on it, but I've already missed going into gear several times. Actually ground a few synchros (mostly 2nd and 3rd) >.< trying to go into gear too slow - hopefully not too much lasting damage. I like the precision that I get in my Civic's shifter; with that 5spd I can feel exactly where the synchros kick in and how well they grab the dog gears - in fact I could double clutch just so and I'd feel them just lightly grab the next gear. Hopefully my BMW's 6spd will be similar once break in is over. It's already smoothed out in the higher gears, where the syncs aren't as necessary.

[Mr. Toad]

Originally Posted by dm135is

Driver's seat bottom. Can't get comfortable, left thigh bolster intrudes on my left thigh, like the whole seat's canted 5-10 degrees to the right.

^ This. Throughout my 30-40 minute drive to/from work, I have to keep shifting the position and extension of my legs in an effort to minimize the actual ache that develops in my thighs from the overly firm seat cushion and the intrusion of the left bolster.

[Pkaia524]

Roof should be two inches lower, and the car three inches wider, with wheel haunches.

[Andrewcoja]

Originally Posted by Pkaia524

Roof should be two inches lower, and the car three inches wider, with wheel haunches.

Z4?

[macoutu]

Originally Posted by Andrewcoja

Z4?

Or 911 Carrera 4s
Either way, you didn't get the right car

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by Pkaia524

Roof should be two inches lower, and the car three inches wider, with wheel haunches.

Uh, did you think about this before you bought the car in the first place?

[ASAP]

Small Gas Tank (if you run on e85, it's really bad)
Runflat Tires (already replaced on mine and it's a different car)
Brake Dust
Arm Rest Squeak (Is there a fix?)

I would say those are the biggest.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by alexmtl_135i

1- GPS. I'm surprised no one mentioned it !!
2- Seating position for tall people (have to get my head in the sunroof so I can fit because the seat won't lower enough, or go too far back to be safe in city driving)
3- Open diff and general traction issues besides hot sunny days
4- Armrest squeaking and other rattles
5- Mileage
6- Brake dust
7- Black paint get scratches too easily
8- Harsh ride with M Sport package

4- Yes, I have no idea why its this bad.
8- is 99% a function of stock tires, nothing is harsh w a solid set of non rfts

Originally Posted by 3002 Tii

Interior quality, I've been in VW's with better quality trim. Also the interior in general feels a bit outdated but that's understandable considering how long this car has been in production.

Vw's with better quality trim LOL? I certainly hope you don't mean the "plastic special" new jetta or passat. If you mean Touareg, then sure, but there is no VW that feels as solid inside as the 135i... the car's interior feels like a brick.

[other_evolved]

Brake pad squeal

It's ridiculous that BMW says it's normal.....

[thl70]

Originally Posted by Pkaia524

Roof should be two inches lower, and the car three inches wider, with wheel haunches.

Higher roof was why I got the car!

[alexmtl_135i]

Originally Posted by other_evolved

Brake pad squeal

It's ridiculous that BMW says it's normal.....

Oh yeah I forgot about it. Really annoying! it disappeared with my new pads though

[jmcphillips1]

The dashboard pop that happens when it's hot and the cool air thru the vents makes the plastic pop.....ugh i hate it

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by spiff dude

Or 911 Carrera 4s
Either way, you didn't get the right car

[Rockchops]

I've had mine 2 months and put about 3k on it so far.

1) DCT throttle lag from a stop. Sometimes its atrociously long while the gearbox thinks. Talking to a SA about it tomorrow, I've heard that there are some instances where they'll just flash you with PPK and see if it helps. OTOH maybe I should launch control every stop sign....

2) The dealer that I bought it from. Incompetence doesn't even begin...

3) RFTs, like everyone else. Saving up for a set of VMRs and decent tires, but probably not until after winter

4) Water (and dirt) drains in the middle of the door, leaving an immediate and very noticeable streak down the rockers.

That's pretty much it. I absolutely love the car and can't wait to JB4 it once its out of warrantee.

[Rockchops]

Originally Posted by 3002 Tii

Interior quality, I've been in VW's with better quality trim. Also the interior in general feels a bit outdated but that's understandable considering how long this car has been in production.

VW has superb quality for its segment and competition, but nowhere close to the 1er. I drove a mk6 GTI for 2 years before trading it for this. It was nice, the interior probably its biggest selling point for a $22k car. Even the CC was about on par with it in terms of design and quality. Spend a lot of time in a VW and you'll start to see where they cut corners with materials and such. All the hard plastics in mine squeaked after a year or so, typically around the fasteners -- have to imagine the body flex didn't help. Switches looked nice but were a bit flimsy and cheap feeling (aside from the windows, those switches felt great). The only place the 1 resembles that sort of cheap feeling is in the steering wheel buttons, which just don't feel high quality. I would say however, that the Audi interiors I've been in have felt better than the 1.

VW interiors are just well designed so a lot of people simply don't notice the areas in which they compromised cost.

[scott_b]

The 135, especially with either the sport or M-sport package, should have dual exhaust.

[five_timer]

Originally Posted by Pkaia524

Roof should be two inches lower, and the car three inches wider, with wheel haunches.

Obviously, there's something to this statement. I'm sure we're all familiar with the name-calling regarding the styling of the 1. This is mainly due to the proportions of the height to width. If I were to have one criticism of the 1, it's that it's too chunky looking, not sporty enough.

I get transfixed every time I see an Audi A5, with those great proportions. However, there's too much mechanically about the Audi to keep me from buying it. Maybe the new 2-series will improve on this.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by five_timer

Obviously, there's something to this statement. I'm sure we're all familiar with the name-calling regarding the styling of the 1. This is mainly due to the proportions of the height to width. If I were to have one criticism of the 1, it's that it's too chunky looking, not sporty enough.

Thats why I got a vert. No roofline kills the awkward proportions. Also, those awkward proportions are really fun. Nobody love bug-eye sprites because they are sleek and stylish. They love them because their quirky brand of awkward is just too fun to ignore!

[five_timer]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Thats why I got a vert. No roofline kills the awkward proportions. Also, those awkward proportions are really fun. Nobody love bug-eye sprites because they are sleek and stylish. They love them because their quirky brand of awkward is just too fun to ignore!

Agree that my vert looks way-cool with the top down, and there's a "charm" to the top-up styling - not unlike the Mini Cooper. I just can't stop thinking about a 2002-2003 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet, as they can be had now for about equal money (to my 3 yr old car).

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by five_timer

Obviously, there's something to this statement. I'm sure we're all familiar with the name-calling regarding the styling of the 1. This is mainly due to the proportions of the height to width. If I were to have one criticism of the 1, it's that it's too chunky looking, not sporty enough.

i actually think the styling of the 1 is one of THE best parts about it. I love the boxy, chunky lines.....reminds me of older cars and classic coupes from the 60s and 70s. I just posted this photo in a different thread on this forum, but worth posting here as well just make the point about boxy and chunky designs.

the NSU TT, a car that surely influenced some aspects of the 1er design along with the 2002 and E30:

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by five_timer

If I were to have one criticism of the 1, it's that it's too chunky looking, not sporty enough.

You could make the same claim for the 2002... And it's a classic now.

[Billup]

The days I don't have music going, I hear the air whistling through the top corners where the windows meet the pillar.