135 without a sunroof

[transient]

Just getting started with really considering a 1 series, and one big thing I need in the 135 is the lack of sunroof.

I'm a long-torso 6'8" sunroof frame on pretty much every car out there.. but fit okay in the 128's and 328's without sunroofs..

When casually talking to a local sales rep, he said he'd be able to get a 135 without the sunroof, but I was a little skeptical as that isn't an option on the website (well.. neither is the coral red interior, but you guys seem to be okay getting that still )

so, do you guys think it's a long shot to get the 135 without a sunroof here in the states, or completely doable?

What about getting a 335 -wagon- without a sunroof? kinda a stretch?

thanks guys

[GCSCCS]

I ordered my 128 without a sunroof.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by transient

What about getting a 335 -wagon- without a sunroof? kinda a stretch?

thanks guys

Ha! Good luck with that. I'd be all over a 335i wagon, even with a sunroof, but BMW NA doesn't import them. Looks like the 128i, 328i and M3 are you only choices for non standard sunroofs.

[Stratos]

Beware that electrical seats are higher than manual!

Manual seats allows you to sit a bit lower..

[Tom K.]

Since the sunroof is optional on the 128i, one would think that a sunroof delete would be a priority option on the 135i. But one would also think that lumbar support should be available without all the other garbage in the ZPP!

Also, do have info that the wagon will be available as a 335i? The US website shows the '11 model as still only the 328i - with or without awd.

Tom

[transient]

While I know the 128 can be had with out a sunroof, I don't think I'd want to give up the turbo in the 135..

Manual seat is also on my config list

After looking at CA smog laws, it looks like the N55 in a wagon isn't against the rules.. but might have to go to a ref to check it out (should be the same procedure as an engine swap). If BMWNA would actually let one of these configuration slip through is another question don't know why the don't allow it since they already allow custom orders..

[///M///M Good]

They can build you a 135i without the sunroof. The U.S. may be the only country where the sunroof is standard. Specifically, in the UK the sunroof is optional on the 135i, so it's just a matter of telling the computer to not put it in as standard. You'll probably end up paying the same as if you had it, but it won't be there.

[Cuz5150]

Good luck with that! One of the reasons that i waited almost 2yrs to get my 135i was hoping in late 09 they would make the sunroof an option. Well, that did not happen, I was able to get the M-pack option, but stuck with the roof I think i have open the roof 2 times......can care less about it. I was all about saving 40+lbs from a high point. Last i should not complain, because its not making any rattling or squeaking sounds.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by ///M///M Good

...The U.S. may be the only country where the sunroof is standard...

I think this is bc 99% of the buyers for these cars "want" a sunroof.

I think it also has to do a lot with US laws of certifing a new car design. Porsche years ago stopped offering the sunroof as an option(996's I think)... and just made them stadard across all US spec 911's. They found that they only sold like 9 cars out of some 2,000 911's that year. AND they had to crach one sunroof model AND non s/r model several times. Porsche just said that makes no sense, and stopped that s/r option. Since 99% of the customers wanted the sunroof. hey made the s/r standard package part of teh US spec cars.

To this day the only cars Porsche makes for the US market without a s/r are the GT3's (and maybe GT2's!?!?). Correct me IF I am wrong on that.

I think BMW see's this the same way. Why crash test a few cars and go thru that whole mess of red tape - just to sell a "few" sunroof delete cars!

I think its only us performance "squirrels" that would go for the s/r delete option.

[LJKelley]

Well my 128i does not have a moonroof, so it obviously can be imported (As different engines shouldn't alter crash test ratings). 2010 and newer 128i do not have moonroofs standard.

Just ask a dealer or several dealers if they will custom a 135i without moonroof. Or call BMWNA directly.

[tgxmike]

I Think you are pretty much doomed to be lying down driving the 1er, I have a 128i w/ manual seats and a moonroof and have about 1-2" of room over my head. I'm 6'0" with a 32" inseam (so somewhat short legs for my height)... and keep my seat fairly upright.

I've never hit my head on the roof, but ocasionally my hair will rub the headliner, which is really annoying.

If you can get a 135i w/o a moonroof, go for that otherwise make sure you have manual seats.

[tzsgti]

Doesn't BMW Individual allow you to order your car pretty much any way you want? Have you tried that?

[transient]

Originally Posted by tzsgti

Doesn't BMW Individual allow you to order your car pretty much any way you want? Have you tried that?

dunno.. hadn't heard about this service before.. but quick searches make it look like just a way to get more leather pieces, a better stereo, and special paint colors..

I this individual program something you can talk to someone locally about, or does it go through the phone/web??

Sorry for the somewhat silly question.. still figuring out how BMW works

[nordique14]

Interesting article in the newest issue of Roundel. They were doing a write up on a pre-production 335is. The writer asked the BMW execs/engineers on hand if the 335is could be ordered without a sunroof. They put their heads together and said "since we certified the 328i without a sunroof in the US we can delete the sunroof from a 335is".

That is interesting because starting in 2010 the 128i is certified (i.e. crash-tested) without a sunroof in the US. So they could import a sunroof-less 135i into the US if they wanted too. When I asked back in 2008 (and the 128i has a sunroof standard) they said 'no'. I wonder if they would change their minds now if someone in some authority were to ask?

[Lester]

Originally Posted by tzsgti

Doesn't BMW Individual allow you to order your car pretty much any way you want? Have you tried that?

BMW Individual program is not available on the 1 series.

[jpd]

You can contact customer relations at BMW in N.J for an answer. My best guess is no way to delete sunroof on 135 in U.S. Three series is another matter where sunroofs are optional.

[nordique14]

Originally Posted by jpd

You can contact customer relations at BMW in N.J for an answer. My best guess is no way to delete sunroof on 135 in U.S. Three series is another matter where sunroofs are optional.

sunroofs are optional in the 128 starting with the 2010 model.

[///M///M Good]

So have you actually been to a dealership yet and asked? Make sure it's from someone there that actually knows, not just someone who tries to put you into something different just to get a quick sale. There are all sorts of things that can be done that the configurator on BMW's website tells you are impossible. A lot of times, people confuse having a car built to order from the standard options as a "special order".

[Angry3]

Originally Posted by ///M///M Good

So have you actually been to a dealership yet and asked? Make sure it's from someone there that actually knows, not just someone who tries to put you into something different just to get a quick sale. There are all sorts of things that can be done that the configurator on BMW's website tells you are impossible. A lot of times, people confuse having a car built to order from the standard options as a "special order".

The odds of the OP (or anyone) getting a straight answer from a regular CA are near zero. If you want something done that's outside the scope of what BMW says they'll do you need to talk to a CA that's connected with the mothership and knows who to go to to get that type of stuff done. Best thing to do is find a forum member who was able to get a custom order done (like the guy on E90Post that ordered a 335d with the M3 premium audio or an M3Poster who got a non-production color) and get a reference.

Good luck OP.

[tritonx]

It's not as simple as switching a computer, like someone said. They have different rules/regulation, thus different model/production lines for each country. Ie, in canada there is no M package for the 128i, can't get the shadowline trim no matter what, except lots of $$$. It seems they made the sunroof standard, good luck getting a US model without it. Maybe a swapped 128i .

[///M///M Good]

I saw an article on the 335is that said they could delete the sunroof, but it wasn't an option the dealer had access to. The customer's BMW CA would have to call BMWNA to get it done. Have your CA call BMWNA. They probably have a similar option for all their cars that they don't talk about.

The article I read about the 335is sunroof delete is here:

http://www.bimmerfile.com/2010/04/12/injects-sport/

[IS+1]

Importing a 135i from Canada would be an option, but unfortunately with the current price differential I doubt you would go to those lengths.

Being in Canada, I feel privileged not to have a sunroof forced upon me, and wish that more people would appreciate the advantages of forgoing this option. It's unfortunate that a focussed driver's car such as the 135i is not available without a sunroof in the US - one of the largest automotive markets in the world. However, in this day and age where the prevalent mentality seems to be "more is better", and where 90% of BMW buyers can hardly be called car enthusiasts, it looks like we are fighting a losing battle.

Although I was able to avoid the sunroof this time around, I have resigned myself to accepting that my next car will likely have a sunroof, through no choice of my own...