View Full Version : 2008 BMW 135i: Not Much Fun for a Boring Driver
BHR4CE1
08-12-2008, 06:55 AM
2008 BMW 135i: Not Much Fun for a Boring Driver
Source: Erin Riches, Inside Line Senior Editor @ 6,538 miles
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/swflbear/KOTR/atthegasstation.jpg
I keep hearing from others how good our 2008 BMW 135i is, so this weekend I did my best to ignore its red-orange paint, eternally stunned expression and squishy seats. For the first 30 miles of errand-running, this was pretty easy: This car is quick. Not in an explosive, must-go-to-redline sort of way, but in an I-can't-believe-I'm-going-that-fast-because-it's-just-so-smooth kind of way.
But after I realized how easily I could make myself into the most beloved motorist on the freeway in the 135i, I got bored with it.
It doesn't ride well and feels much less refined than a 3 Series: When it hits an expansion joint, the 1 feels kind of squooshy as its springs compress, but then it rebounds more harshly than I think it should. The steering disappoints me, too. The ratio doesn't seem quick enough for the small, elfin BMW, and there's not much feel. I realize my observations contradict earlier things we've written about this car, so you should feel free to disagree with me on all points.
Now, I know I would have liked this car more if I'd been able to take it on a good back road, but that just wasn't in the cards this weekend. Instead it was 200 miles of mundane driving. I suppose that makes me a boring driver, but I think the 1 Series should have a little more of the Mini's effervescence. I can have fun with a Mini no matter what kind of driving I'm doing, but with the 1, I evidently have to get all serious about it if I want a conversation.
I get it that the 135i is meant to be a scaled-down, more affordable 3 Series, but why can't it have its own personality?
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/swflbear/KOTR/oilisabitlow.jpg
Unrelated to this, I asked the car's computer to check the oil (after approaching the engine bay myself and feeling foolish when no dipstick was there). As you can see, the computer says the 135i is "OK," but the oil level has clearly fallen below the halfway mark.
I bought of a quart of Castrol Syntec 5W30. I added a 1/4 of a quart, drove around a bit, checked the level again and the meter hadn't budged. Then, I put in another 1/4 of a quart and still no change. Didn't want to overfill, though, so I put the remainder of the bottle in the trunk and we'll check it again tomorrow.
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/swflbear/KOTR/addoil.jpg
As you can see, I was too cool to use a funnel and ended up slopping some oil around the cap. I tidied up with shop towels.
Erin Riches, Inside Line Senior Editor @ 6,538 miles
Richard in NC
08-12-2008, 03:45 PM
2008 BMW 135i: Not Much Fun for a Boring Driver
Source: Erin Riches, Inside Line Senior Editor @ 6,538 miles
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/swflbear/KOTR/atthegasstation.jpg
I keep hearing from others how good our 2008 BMW 135i is, so this weekend I did my best to ignore its red-orange paint, eternally stunned expression and squishy seats. For the first 30 miles of errand-running, this was pretty easy: This car is quick. Not in an explosive, must-go-to-redline sort of way, but in an I-can't-believe-I'm-going-that-fast-because-it's-just-so-smooth kind of way.
But after I realized how easily I could make myself into the most beloved motorist on the freeway in the 135i, I got bored with it.
It doesn't ride well and feels much less refined than a 3 Series: When it hits an expansion joint, the 1 feels kind of squooshy as its springs compress, but then it rebounds more harshly than I think it should. The steering disappoints me, too. The ratio doesn't seem quick enough for the small, elfin BMW, and there's not much feel. I realize my observations contradict earlier things we've written about this car, so you should feel free to disagree with me on all points.
Now, I know I would have liked this car more if I'd been able to take it on a good back road, but that just wasn't in the cards this weekend. Instead it was 200 miles of mundane driving. I suppose that makes me a boring driver, but I think the 1 Series should have a little more of the Mini's effervescence. I can have fun with a Mini no matter what kind of driving I'm doing, but with the 1, I evidently have to get all serious about it if I want a conversation.
I get it that the 135i is meant to be a scaled-down, more affordable 3 Series, but why can't it have its own personality?
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/swflbear/KOTR/oilisabitlow.jpg
Unrelated to this, I asked the car's computer to check the oil (after approaching the engine bay myself and feeling foolish when no dipstick was there). As you can see, the computer says the 135i is "OK," but the oil level has clearly fallen below the halfway mark.
I bought of a quart of Castrol Syntec 5W30. I added a 1/4 of a quart, drove around a bit, checked the level again and the meter hadn't budged. Then, I put in another 1/4 of a quart and still no change. Didn't want to overfill, though, so I put the remainder of the bottle in the trunk and we'll check it again tomorrow.
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/swflbear/KOTR/addoil.jpg
As you can see, I was too cool to use a funnel and ended up slopping some oil around the cap. I tidied up with shop towels.
Erin Riches, Inside Line Senior Editor @ 6,538 miles
Odd. Another 135i article I just read said it was more fun and tossable than a 335i yet had a better ride. Their only complaint was the cost was too close to the 3 series especially when considering the bottom line monthly payment.
chuck92103
08-12-2008, 06:39 PM
Odd. Another 135i article I just read said it was more fun and tossable than a 335i yet had a better ride. Their only complaint was the cost was too close to the 3 series especially when considering the bottom line monthly payment.
I think BMWNA should have said the hell with image and not imported the 1 series vert/coupe. They should have brought the 1 series 4 door hatch in a diesel. Fun, fuel efficient, and no competition with the 3 series. Instead the left consumers confused.
RicksM3
02-12-2009, 05:06 PM
Odd. Another 135i article I just read said it was more fun and tossable than a 335i yet had a better ride. Their only complaint was the cost was too close to the 3 series especially when considering the bottom line monthly payment.
Richard I'n like you I read great things about the car as far as performance. I test drove one last week and I was pretty impressed. I think with a few mods it could be a great performance car.
Richard I'n like you I read great things about the car as far as performance. I test drove one last week and I was pretty impressed. I think with a few mods it could be a great performance car.
I agree, the only common thing that people complain about is the price. I test drove a 135i with an automatic several weeks ago on a wet day and the car had so much torque at low rpms that kicking the tail out was EXTREMELY easy (in a controlled way). If thats not fun then I dont know what is.
I actually liked the car so much that I ordered a 135i coupe with the above mentioned red-orange paint and its being delivered to the performance center right now. I should have it at the end of March and it should be properly broken in for the ToD in May. Its going to be a weekend/track toy because I'm keeping the E90 as a daily driver.
boxboss
02-13-2009, 05:17 AM
I agree, the only common thing that people complain about is the price. I test drove a 135i with an automatic several weeks ago on a wet day and the car had so much torque at low rpms that kicking the tail out was EXTREMELY easy (in a controlled way). If thats not fun then I dont know what is.
I actually liked the car so much that I ordered a 135i coupe with the above mentioned red-orange paint and its being delivered to the performance center right now. I should have it at the end of March and it should be properly broken in for the ToD in May. Its going to be a weekend/track toy because I'm keeping the E90 as a daily driver.
:thumb: :bravo:
I agree, the only common thing that people complain about is the price. I test drove a 135i with an automatic several weeks ago on a wet day and the car had so much torque at low rpms that kicking the tail out was EXTREMELY easy (in a controlled way). If thats not fun then I dont know what is.
I actually liked the car so much that I ordered a 135i coupe with the above mentioned red-orange paint and its being delivered to the performance center right now. I should have it at the end of March and it should be properly broken in for the ToD in May. Its going to be a weekend/track toy because I'm keeping the E90 as a daily driver.
So let me get this straight. The 135 is a cool car? The fact you ordered one when you have an E90 seriously makes me reconsider the 135. Or at least look at it.
:thumb: :bravo:
Thank You!
So let me get this straight. The 135 is a cool car? The fact you ordered one when you have an E90 seriously makes me reconsider the 135. Or at least look at it.
I really like the way the 135 looks. It is very similar to the E90, just a little smaller, a little lighter, and a little cheaper. All pros for me. Oh yeah, its also a whole lot rarer. I can write up a comparison between the 2 after I take delivery and put some miles on it.
Thank You!
I really like the way the 135 looks. It is very similar to the E90, just a little smaller, a little lighter, and a little cheaper. All pros for me. Oh yeah, its also a whole lot rarer. I can write up a comparison between the 2 after I take delivery and put some miles on it.
:woot: :bravo:
Richard in NC
02-13-2009, 03:26 PM
I agree, the only common thing that people complain about is the price. I test drove a 135i with an automatic several weeks ago on a wet day and the car had so much torque at low rpms that kicking the tail out was EXTREMELY easy (in a controlled way). If thats not fun then I dont know what is.
I actually liked the car so much that I ordered a 135i coupe with the above mentioned red-orange paint and its being delivered to the performance center right now. I should have it at the end of March and it should be properly broken in for the ToD in May. Its going to be a weekend/track toy because I'm keeping the E90 as a daily driver.
Nice! I'm looking forward to seeing it....
InsidiousSpeed
02-13-2009, 04:13 PM
I agree, the only common thing that people complain about is the price. I test drove a 135i with an automatic several weeks ago on a wet day and the car had so much torque at low rpms that kicking the tail out was EXTREMELY easy (in a controlled way). If thats not fun then I dont know what is.
I actually liked the car so much that I ordered a 135i coupe with the above mentioned red-orange paint and its being delivered to the performance center right now. I should have it at the end of March and it should be properly broken in for the ToD in May. Its going to be a weekend/track toy because I'm keeping the E90 as a daily driver.
:thumb: Congrats! There is a 135i coupe with that red-orange paint near where I live. It looks very nice. Bright under the sun, a distinctive colour that suits the 1 series. The only 1 series I have driven is a 120i hatch, which was nice to throw around and I could only guess what it must be like with that new TTI6 engine in it. :race:
:signthankspin:
I'm glad I have my :bmw: keeping me company while I wait for the lil' beast.
As a side note, I received a Snell 2005 rated helmet in the mail today so I am ready to register for the upcoming track events :race: I ordered a PYROTECT PRO AIRFLOW SA SERIES OPEN FACE, so far I like the fit but I need to wear it while I'm driving for about an hour to really get a feel for it.
:signthankspin:
I'm glad I have my :bmw: keeping me company while I wait for the lil' beast.
As a side note, I received a Snell 2005 rated helmet in the mail today so I am ready to register for the upcoming track events :race: I ordered a PYROTECT PRO AIRFLOW SA SERIES OPEN FACE, so far I like the fit but I need to wear it while I'm driving for about an hour to really get a feel for it.
I want to see a picture of you driving in town with your helmet on. Just for fun, go up to a drive up teller and argue with her that the ID is really yours.
I want to see a picture of you driving in town with your helmet on. Just for fun, go up to a drive up teller and argue with her that the ID is really yours.
:greenlaff:
I am thinking about it because the longest I wore a helmet was several minutes during auto cross. And I want to get used to it so it doesnt bother me at the track :mrgreen:
:greenlaff:
I am thinking about it because the longest I wore a helmet was several minutes during auto cross. And I want to get used to it so it doesnt bother me at the track :mrgreen:
First thing a soldier does before going into battle is test his equipment. Let's hope you don't have to test your airbags :mrgreen: