From the logbook—BMW 135i

Three of us here at the Connecticut track have owned BMWs, as well as Jeff Bartlett in the New York editorial offices. (Personally, I came close more than once, but I suffer from that common engineer mutation where my arms can't quite reach the wallet in my pants pocket.) Interestingly, all four of them were 3 Series coupes, cars that sacrifice some practicality but emphasize the joy of driving.

Don't think that this stops us from being critical of some of BMW's recent efforts. We're chagrined that the current 5 Series doesn’t handle quite as sharply as the previous generation; when we tested that 2001 530i, it was our top-scoring sedan. We've also been frustrated by BMW's infatuation with overly complicated controls. Even if you skip the distracting iDrive, which one of us deemed similar to "using Windows at 65 mph," many of the ancillary controls aren't straight-forward, either. Although debates about BMW’s current styling trends are a staple of Internet forum debate and ire, we're neutral on that.

Beyond the complaints, there is a lot to like about current BMWs. The engines, long a BMW strong point, are smooth and return decent fuel economy and strong acceleration. Handling, also, remains a strong point, as do well-finished interiors and supportive seats.

Distill these virtues down to their essence and you wind up with our 135i. Although BMW pronounces that it is "Year One of the 1" in the car's interior, BMW's entry-level model has been selling in Europe for years. While we only get six-cylinder coupes and convertibles in the U.S., they get other body styles and a wide variety of engines. Our manual-transmission test car is modestly equipped: leatherette seats, sports package, and heated seats.

So how do we like our 1 Series so far? Let's go to the logbook for the team's first impressions:

“Lovely power delivery and torque, smooth and refined.”

“Don’t believe the reports of a small blue BMW drifting through Hartford.”

“Awesome engine, especially above 3,000 rpm. Only complaint is that it is so smooth and quiet that the car lacks the boy-racer character of the Evo and STI.”

“This is strictly a two seat coupe. No rear leg room.”

“Cabin is narrower and tighter than a 3 Series, but what a package of fun and performance.”

“I agree that it costs too much money, rides rough on anything but smooth roads, and that the back seat is useless. I don’t care – I’d drive this car everyday for the rest of my life.”

“Ride quite choppy but not too punishing.”

“Seat fits me like a glove.”

“I’d be happy with this on an autocross, track day, commute, or a cross-country trip.”

“Seat has tons of adjustment, but no lumbar.”

“A/C struggles to cool the all-black interior.”

“I think this car is magical—the best BMW I’ve ever driven.” [That sentiment was expressed more than once.]

“Certainly not perfect—shifter is a bit "sticky" in feel, stupid BMW controls, needs more lumbar, snug interior.”

“Wow. In this job, I drive some cars I hate, many that I like—but few that I covet. I WANT this car.”

The 135i sure isn't perfect. Nearly $38,000 for a small two-seat coupe with pleather seats is a big pile of money. Our folks with families find that the car is even more impractical than similarly-priced four-door speedsters like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution or Subaru WRX STI. But how do they stack up when it comes to acceleration, handling, livability—or just plain fun? We'll let you know when we finish testing these cars for the October issue.

—Tom Mutchler

Comments

[David]

Wow! I am looking forward to reading the October 2008 test group, as it shapes up to be one of the most exciting issues for 2008. Looks like we'll have 135, R32, Evo, WRX STi.

"Nearly $38,000 for a small two-seat coupe with pleather seats is a big pile of money." This really shows the concept of diminishing returns. For $20,000 more, you get the Cayman S - a car with less power than the 135 and without Xenon headlights (not that they provided any more visibility than most halogen) nor automatic climate control. You do get a lighter weight in a mid-engine configuration, with better (I supposed) handling/steering/braking car.

[Cale]

Ahh, the BMW mystique strikes once again.

What to do with my $38k? I could get the BMW 135 coupe or maybe give up a little here and there to get a nicely equipped car that's practical and still wicked fast. How about a $34k Audi A3 3.2? A $34k Lexus IS 350? Maybe a $33k VW R32? How about a $34k Cadillac CTS? Hmmm, these are still fast and fun to drive while being better equipped, roomier, a more flexible design... oh, and cheaper!!!

My point is, maybe fuel economy, 1 less second to 60, and handling alone isn’t reason enough to buy a diminutive BMW coupe. But then again, like you Tom, I've never succumbed to the BMW mystique.

I'm surprised that BMW lust, as evidenced in many of the fawning first impressions, would sway the usually more practical, and rational, minds of the CR testers.

It must be really fun to drive. :)

[David]

I am with Cale here.

For $4k more, at $42k, you can get a nicely equipped BMW 335, which is bigger and rides better than the 135. For $5k less at $33k, you can get a base but nicely equipped Infiniti G35 Sport sedan (soon to be G37 sport with 330 hp), which is again bigger and rides better than the 135. For those looking for an automatic transmission, the 2009 G37 sedan will be equipped with 7 speed transmission. I don't know why anyone would want this BMW 135.

[Tom Mutchler]

Sure Cale and David - there are definitely other fun-to-drive cars out there that are a lot more practical and cheaper than this 1-Series. But if you've got the money and fun to drive tops everything else...and yeah, it's really fun to drive. :-)

I've seen a lot of other reviewers compare the price of the 3-Series to the 1-Series. That difference isn't exactly peanuts (although it probably washes out if you lease the cars.) I also get the feeling that, for a small segment of buyers, the smaller car is more appealing (but this still isn't quite a revived 2002.)

Relative sales of the 1 vs 3 will probably show that most people will go for the somewhat bigger car. And I'm pretty sure the alternatives you list, save the R32, will outsell the 135i too.

As for me, I came really close to buying an used 318ti and, later, a new 323i touring. But in each case, I paid a lot less for something nearly as fun to drive. Can't say I regret either decision (a G20t and a Passat wagon, respectively).

[Rob]

The "BMW mystique" you refer to is rightfully earned. 2008 sales in this horrific market for first-half 2008 BMW were a record. The engine in the 135i and 335i won best engine again in 2008. Need I go on?

Enjoy your VW or Nissan.

It's not a BMW.

[Cale]

Rob,

BMW brand sales were down 9% this year compared to the same period in 2007. Only the Mini brand showed an increase in sales.

Cale

[David]

Tom,

"Fun to Drive" sounds like the selling point for the BMW 135. Based on the write up and your response, I infer that the 135 is more fun to drive than the G35 RWD. I bet this group's cars are also fun to drive. So, how does the BMW 135 compare with the other "fun to drive" cars listed in the annual issue? Will CR be issuing a new list soon or will the list be updated in the April issue?

Here are the fun to drive cars listed by CR (in order of most fun).
* Porsche 911 Carrera S
* Porsche Boxster
* Honda S2000
* Mazda MX-5 Miata
* Chevrolet Corvette Z06
* Mercedes-Benz SLK350
* Infiniti G35
* Mazda RX-8
* Volkswagen GTI
* BMW 328i
* MazdaSpeed3
* Subaru Legacy GT
* Mini Cooper S

[Tom Mutchler]

David, I don't know the answer to that yet until we have test results. If we run the list again (April content fluctuates somewhat from year to year), it sure will be updated.

[Phil]

Last weekend, I attended the BMW performance driving school, hoping to have a chance to zip around in a 1-series. I learned firsthand about BMW "mystique". After a day and a half in 335i's and 550i's, I had a great time in the 135. With the same responsive engine as the 335 in a smaller body, it's a great-handling rocket! The only more "fun to drive" car in the class was the 6-speed M3 (we also drove the M5, X5, and X6).

Now, before I buy this car and drive it "every day for the rest of my life", I hope CR will guide me on what else to test drive. I haven't driven any of the others in your upcoming test group, but I'm also curious about the Audi A3.

[Tom Mutchler]

Phil, the list David posted in the comments above is a good place to start (editing out the high-end stuff, of course.)

The A3 drives similarly, but not quite as sharply, as the GTI - and of course it costs more money than the VW.

[David]

Grassroot Motorsports magazine tested the M3, 335 and 135 coupes in the current issue. There were 5 drivers. Here is their conclusion.

M3 - Pick this car if money is no object. Performance was superior to 335 or 135.

335 - 4 non-expert drivers preferred this car over the 135. They thought 335 was a more stable car than the 135 in addition to being quieter, roomier and more comfortable. There was no noticeable difference in performance between the 335 and 135. Naturally, 335 is more expensive than 135.

135 - Expert (race car) driver prefer 135 over the 335.

All transmissions tested were manual.

In another magazine test of M3's DCT, the VW DSG was still the better transmission than the DCT, even thought DCT was a significant improvement from the previous M3's automated manual transmission. The magazine said DCT needs programming changes.

[PMC the 1st]

Shouldn't we as Consumer Reports readers be worried about what we're reading when reading an evaluation on a car is being done by CR Experts?
Consider these quotes from the logbook, above:

“I agree that it costs too much money, rides rough on anything but smooth roads, and that the back seat is useless. I don’t care – I’d drive this car everyday for the rest of my life.”
“I’d be happy with this on an autocross, track day, commute, or a cross-country trip.”
“Wow. In this job, I drive some cars I hate, many that I like—but few that I covet. I WANT this car.”

Experts test the BMW 135i expecting a quick, thoroughly enjoyable ride, and the BMW delivers. In fact, in the "fun-to-drive" category, the car seems to exceed expectations.
But the reason why I'm worried, is because these experts aren't just expressing their pleasure toward this car; they're exposing some serious flaws in what they constitute a good car ride from a bad one. Every quote I cut 'n pasted above tells us not just the Experts enjoying the dynamics of a particular car, but what these Experts constitutes every day liveability in a car in general.
One Expert tells us he's drive this car for the rest of his life, which tells us as subscribers to CR that this expert does not value ride comfort, spaciousness, correct ergonomics or value in any vehicle he tests. He does value acceleration and an engine note, however.
Another Expert tells us this is one of a few cars he actually "covets". Which, like the aforementioned Expert, any vehicle he tests for CR will get rated highly if it has the right engine, but low if the car has other priorities, such as technology and features.
A third Expert says he would be happy in this car on a cross-country trip, despite the overwhelming evidence that points to this car as being an abysmal grand touring car. For this reason, we have to assume that this Expert will always rate cars such as the Toyota Avalon, Buick Lucerne and even the Lexus LS 460 lower than what they deserve, because these cars are designed for cross-country travel.

Do you guys agree that I have reason to be worried?

[Jeff Bartlett - Consumer Reports]

Nothing to be worried about here, other than the staff exposing some candid automotive enthusiasm. As regular readers know, each vehicle is evaluated based on more than 50 tests at our 327-acre Auto Test Center, where science and statistics play a leading role in the formal road tests and Expert Reports (available in the New Car Buying Kit). Road tests are NOT based on our personal preferences. The logbook blog posts share our first impressions as a vehicle goes through its break-in miles, giving an early look at a model that may be weeks or months away from a formal, methodical review. Our careful, repeatable approach to vehicle evaluation makes our road tests unique. We have honed this testing procedure over decades of testing. Without it, all we could provide is our raw opinion, biased by the writer, rather than reflect the collective expertise of our trained automotive engineers.

[Peter Glenn]

In Australia the 135i coupe is $40k cheaper than 335i coupe.And the Aus dollar is almost 1 to 1 with US $.So the 135i is a much better buy here.So you guys in the US don't complain because you can get a 135i and 335i for the price we pay for a 335i!

[Alan Fish]

Do the European delivery and the price of the car equipped exactly as tested drops to 34,800. Oh, and to anyone questioning why you would buy this car over something else more practical, just drive it. It will take you days to get rid of the grin. Besides, practicality is relative. For a single person, this car is eminently practical.

[Alan Fish]

To: PMC

In short, no, we should not be worried. The testers should already have dispelled any worry you might have. The only reason you are even talking about this is because they have spelled out quite clearly that despite it limitations, this car has still won their hearts. You should get worried when they start glossing over the details. Every car is a series of compromises, and the 135i is no exception. What the reviewers are saying is that the compromise in ride is worth the payoff in fun factor to them. They are in no way saying that they don't value things like ride comfort and ergonomics. They are balancing all factors, and in this case they feel that the end result is a good one. It might not be to you, but that is why there are so many different makes and models of car available.

It should also be pointed out that the amount of compromise in the ride is not all that drastic. Yes it rides stiffly, but it is not punishing like many sports cars, and simply changing the tires can achieve a great improvement in the ride in this car. The stock run-flats ride awful. Also the rear seat is not useless, I am 6' even, and if the the person in front slides the seat up a few inches(which they have plenty of room to do comfortably) I am fine in the back seat. It is somewhat limited when it comes to riding behind the driver depending on their height though.

[Ron]

I owned an 07 3 series, and just traded it in on lease for a 135i. Yes there is a difference, the 3 series coupe has more room, and is bigger and seems a little more stable at higher speeds (over 120mph) but most drivers will not even see these speeds. The 135i has a shorter wheel base so it feels a little touchy at very high speeds, but that isnt nessesarily its forte. The back coutry winding roads are the 135i's home!
In the flip side the 135i is a German hot rod! It blows the doors off of every car out there....seriously I have watch mustangs, porsches, Nissan...specifically 350z's fade in the mirror. The 135i is not an "entry level" BMW, maybe the 128i is, but the 135 is for tht driving purist that likes to feel the road a bit, and feel the power in the seat of their pants when stepping on the gas. I has sooo many cool performance upgrades from factory, and even more from BMW to slap on it after you break it in...dont forget Dinan!
I absolutly love this car! I cant stop driving it! People always comment on the car, and it looks waaayyy better in person.
Drive one you will not regret it....make sure its a manual!