by "Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
Published 08/11/2017 at 13:30
by "Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
Published 08/11/2017 at 13:30
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STARS: 5
I realized that I replaced the 135i without ever writing a review of the thing. Better to do it now before I look back at it with glasses too heavily fogged with nostalgia. I replaced the car with a Subaru WRX STi, which is different from the BMW in almost every way, except for horsepower. Here we go.
Appearance: 7/10
The styling is divisive, which only makes me like it more. People compare the look to a bulldog, which is accurate, except this car drools less. I think the proportions from the side are perfect, the rear end is perfect, but the headlight design lets it down. The white “eyelids” that were added in 2012 only make it worse. Even though it’s not that old, the design pre-dates the current trend of cars looking like they are angry and want to kill you. The goofy, slightly dopey, appearance of the 135i combined with it’s giant powerplant under the hood makes for a fun combination.
Interior: 9/10
Simple, functional, no screens, and nice quality materials. Some have called BMW interiors, especially of this era, “boring,” but tasteful and ergonomic would be more accurate. There is a little bit of German weirdness to some of the control placement, but every part that matters feels fantastic and is exactly where it needs to be. The M steering wheel is so so good, marred only by the Takata timebomb buried inside.
Acceleration: 8/10
Nobody expects a small car to be this fast. The 3.0L turbo N55 has torque everywhere (ok at 1200 RPM and up), sounds great and pulls hard. After a tune, you’ll be well over BMW’s claimed 300 horsepower and there aren’t many cars that can touch it, even today. My only complaint is the relatively low throttle sensitivity, but it fits the character of the car. It’s not a 1M after all...
Handling: 7/10
Once properly fitted with some non-run-flat tires, the handling of the 135i is beautiful. It has immense grip, and plenty of feedback through the hydraulic steering. On the street, the turn-in is quick and the car corners nice and flat. On track, or autocross, you can feel that the suspension is set up more for comfort than hardcore performance. Still, the body roll is progressive and adds to the feel of what the car is doing. The negatives? With the stock suspension, the car understeers more than most people would like, even though it’s not nearly as bad as the internet claims. Due to the short wheelbase, when oversteer does occur, it happens fast and you better be paying attention. I think it makes the car fun and a little unpredictable, but I’d understand those who would prefer something like a Mustang or Camaro that sloooowly step the back out with plenty of time to correct things (or not, Cars and Coffee joke, ha ha, dead horse, ha ha ha lambo dude, grounded to the ground,hhhhhaaaaa).
Turn Signals: 1/10
This is no excuse for BMW owners not to use their turn signals, but the turn signal stalk in this car is weird and overly complicated. It springs back to the center and has detents for a 3 second blink vs constant blinking and you have to push it away from the currently blinking direction to turn it off without pushing it too far and turning on the opposite direction. It’s annoying, and pointless, since turn signals are a thing I thought we had collectively figured out.
Overall: 8/10
This car was a delight to own. It was reliable and BMW Seattle was great to work with, in contrast to literally every other dealer I’ve ever been to. I took the 135i on many adventures, tracked it, autocrossed it, caressed it, licked it... um, you get the picture. The N55, though it’s lacking the twin-turbos of the N54, is an amazing engine. It has power and character and tons of refinement. The M-sport goodies like the brakes and suspension make the car just good enough that I didn’t constantly pine for a real M-car. This car was the end of several eras: hydraulic steering, no screens,
The 135i was my first (and only so far) BMW and I completely get it now. I will own another German car and probably another BMW. There are so many things that other car manufacturers flail around trying to get right that BMW just does correctly as if it’s the simplest thing in the world.
The car is by far my favorite car I’ve ever owned. I’m doing the Subaru thing right now for some variety, but it’s only a matter of time before I return to the sweet embrace of ze Germans.
"Dasupersprint - base trim is enough" (dasupersprint)
08/11/2017 at 13:37, STARS: 1
I test drove one in 2008 when it came out and I’ve been wanting one since then!
"AM3R, lost another burner" (am3r17)
08/11/2017 at 13:38, STARS: 0
Lovely 1 series. How do you like the STI compared to it? I’m a big bmw guy and love my 335i but there’s something about STI’s (and the fact that they hold value so damn well) that has always attracted me.
I’d love to do a little write up on my E92 if I had authorship again.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
08/11/2017 at 13:42, STARS: 1
I had a 135is (basically a 135i with the PPK and PE) and I very much enjoyed it. On the runflats with the stock open diff and floppy rear subframe bushings, the back end could get a little squirrelly when trying to put down the power in a straight line. On back roads with the traction control in dynamic mode, it was better at simulating an LSD effect.
My modded 335xi is like a freight train in comparison, hold on because it just squats down and goes. That’s because of the awd and all the suspension mods including stiffer rear subframe bushings.
Biggest thing I miss about the 135is is the steering ratio. The xDrive steering ratio is stupidly slow so I have to crank the wheel a lot more.
"DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back" (karsonkinja)
08/11/2017 at 13:57, STARS: 0
Did you buy it new? How was maintenance?
"ZoopZoopLoops" (zoopzooploops)
08/11/2017 at 14:05, STARS: 0
Everyone wants a sports car with a little bit of practicality. I have always thought this 135i would be a great platform now that the 3 series has gotten bigger. Size, power, rwd, number of seats all seem to be correct.
It seems like this car is just a tune and coilovers away from being that car that everyone wants. It has finally dropped enough in price where I’d be willing to splurge on mods. Though manual transmission seems somewhat rare on CL.
My fear is if coming from an S2000 that I would want a sharper steering rack, a shorter shifter, etc. A deep rabbit hole of modifications that the 1M has proven to be correct.
"AM3R, lost another burner" (am3r17)
08/11/2017 at 14:12, STARS: 0
Hmm. May have to look into a rear subframe bushing for my E92.
"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
08/11/2017 at 14:29, STARS: 0
CPO, with 16k miles. Maintenance was not a problem up to 55k when I sold it. Just oil changes and a couple small things covered by warranty.
"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
08/11/2017 at 14:31, STARS: 0
I think you’d be happy with the steering, but the shifter won’t compare with your Honda shifter. It also might feel heavy to you.
"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
08/11/2017 at 14:38, STARS: 0
The STi is a very very different beast. It’s more fun, more direct, and more raw than the BMW with all of the pros and cons that that entails.
"AM3R, lost another burner" (am3r17)
08/11/2017 at 14:43, STARS: 1
That really sounds like what I want in my next car haha.. was thinking M3 or tracking down an RS4... but STI is looking real nice.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
08/11/2017 at 15:04, STARS: 0
Installing them requires dropping the subframe. Installing a rear swaybar also requires dropping the subframe. Rear upper brake hoses are easier to do with the subframe dropped but not required. So...do all of them at the same time. ;)
I have the Whiteline KDT917 kit which fully replaces the bushings. There’s also the Whiteline KDT918 which is poly inserts for the voids in the stock rubber bushings. Easier to install and helps, but I wanted to do the full bushings.
A lot of people do the M3 bushings but they take a special tool to do right. The Whiteline KDT918 full bushings are stiffer than the M3 bushings, cheaper, and easier to install.
"650whpbmwn54" (650whpbmwn54)
06/04/2019 at 06:37, STARS: 0
1/10 turn signals? I think you are using them wrong. Push a little harder they are like any other turn signal. With just a press before the click into full turn it gives you a 3 blink (can be adjusted 1,3, or 5 blinks) as a “lane change signal” push slightly further and it clicks like any other car. In terms of the overall review it’s fair. The car is far higher quality than an STI imo and with a couple grand in bolt ons not much will touch you on a road course or a roll. It’s crazy how well the STI holds its value that’s a huge knock for the BMW, however makes it more justifiable to modify at the price you can steal one for now.
"Blklacker" (jvpnw)
06/19/2019 at 11:54, STARS: 0
I much rather have the N54 imo the throttle lag is non existent and it makes power at even a lower RPM twin turbo is superior on this car. 0-60 is faster than a E90