DownshiftArtist
08-07-2009, 07:28 PM
So after 3 months and 5000km i thought I'd share my experience. Now the look and shape of the 1 is loved by some hated by others but the first time I saw this car I knew I had to have it. Coming from a long line of small cars, it seems like the most logical choice of :bmw: for myself. And naturally the idea of having 300hp and 300ft-lbs of torque is more then enough motivation to at least intrigue those on the fence. Its interior almost feels like it was built with the sole intention of allowing a capable driver feel most comfortable and the intoxicating sound emitted from the tail pipe make this thing just addictive to drive. And performance....lets just say this car would find a home on almost any track...and probably will.
Knowing the problems that can be caused by beating on the N54 while still green I did my best to keep the needle below five grand on the tachometer. I know some of you are thinking "five grand? what the hell is that?". Since peak torque arrives at 1400rpms and hangs on all the way until 5300rpms, keeping under 5000 was not all that bad and in 6th gear at 5k, I'm at about 142mph....not that I would ever be going that fast:sht:. For those who haven't driven an N54 powered bimmer, it's like this; imagine sitting in a rolling chair in the hall out side your office and suddenly a linebacker rushes you chair sending you flying down the hall almost instantly and just when he starts to feel winded, you switch gears and a new line backer takes his place...hopefully you haven't run out of hallway.
Needless to say this car has enough power to satisfy. Sure there are faster cars out there, but this car is balanced and for the price, despite being relatively hefty, it more than holds it own. Although some may say a 335i coupe would be the better choice due to a sleeker design and being only a few grand more, but that shorter wheel base and odd shape give the 1 series its charm. More than once have I found myself at a light with some poor sap sleeping on what was actually nest to them. My fist victim was a Charger SRT-8. At the light on a quite road in Jersey, I'm on my way to work and this Charger that's been closely tailing me since the highway pulls up next to me. I look over and see the HEMI badge staring back at me and begin to understand a little more. The light turns green and we're off with him getting the jump on me. I"m pulling forward as I shift in to second, passing as I hit third and by the time I'm halfway up the tach, I'm pulling away. Yes I went above 5k, but it was for a good cause :mrgreen:
As great a ride it may be, its not without its faults. If i was given the choice to upgrade only one item, it would undoubtedly be the suspension. Having the M-Sport version I expected the suspension to be a bit stiffer. Owning a Z4 previously which was almost like having steel bars for shock absorbers, this was quite a change. Don't get me wrong the suspension is very capable and the car handles very well, but near the limit and at high speeds it gives a little too much for comfort. That being said, it never truly dissapoints and for the average drive its more than enough, but I don't have the title Downshift Artist for nothing:race:
The other item I have issue with is the brakes. The Six piston brakes up front and dual piston rear are enough to stop this car from any speed in time for an alert driver. But its not the performance of the brakes that's the problem but the noise. After a few hard stops the brakes become quite loud and even start to squeal when they aren't being applied. But I guess that's the price for having brakes that feel like the hand of God is pulling you to a stop.
So there you have it; a capable little car that can put a smile on any ones face despite its short comings which can be over looked after one spirited drive down a twisty road. And the fact that Dinan has a 398hp, 414ft-lb upgrade for the 1 is down right scary. So anyone in the market for a small weekend racer or just a pocket rocket in which to terrorize the streets, take the 135i for a spin. You just might like it.
Knowing the problems that can be caused by beating on the N54 while still green I did my best to keep the needle below five grand on the tachometer. I know some of you are thinking "five grand? what the hell is that?". Since peak torque arrives at 1400rpms and hangs on all the way until 5300rpms, keeping under 5000 was not all that bad and in 6th gear at 5k, I'm at about 142mph....not that I would ever be going that fast:sht:. For those who haven't driven an N54 powered bimmer, it's like this; imagine sitting in a rolling chair in the hall out side your office and suddenly a linebacker rushes you chair sending you flying down the hall almost instantly and just when he starts to feel winded, you switch gears and a new line backer takes his place...hopefully you haven't run out of hallway.
Needless to say this car has enough power to satisfy. Sure there are faster cars out there, but this car is balanced and for the price, despite being relatively hefty, it more than holds it own. Although some may say a 335i coupe would be the better choice due to a sleeker design and being only a few grand more, but that shorter wheel base and odd shape give the 1 series its charm. More than once have I found myself at a light with some poor sap sleeping on what was actually nest to them. My fist victim was a Charger SRT-8. At the light on a quite road in Jersey, I'm on my way to work and this Charger that's been closely tailing me since the highway pulls up next to me. I look over and see the HEMI badge staring back at me and begin to understand a little more. The light turns green and we're off with him getting the jump on me. I"m pulling forward as I shift in to second, passing as I hit third and by the time I'm halfway up the tach, I'm pulling away. Yes I went above 5k, but it was for a good cause :mrgreen:
As great a ride it may be, its not without its faults. If i was given the choice to upgrade only one item, it would undoubtedly be the suspension. Having the M-Sport version I expected the suspension to be a bit stiffer. Owning a Z4 previously which was almost like having steel bars for shock absorbers, this was quite a change. Don't get me wrong the suspension is very capable and the car handles very well, but near the limit and at high speeds it gives a little too much for comfort. That being said, it never truly dissapoints and for the average drive its more than enough, but I don't have the title Downshift Artist for nothing:race:
The other item I have issue with is the brakes. The Six piston brakes up front and dual piston rear are enough to stop this car from any speed in time for an alert driver. But its not the performance of the brakes that's the problem but the noise. After a few hard stops the brakes become quite loud and even start to squeal when they aren't being applied. But I guess that's the price for having brakes that feel like the hand of God is pulling you to a stop.
So there you have it; a capable little car that can put a smile on any ones face despite its short comings which can be over looked after one spirited drive down a twisty road. And the fact that Dinan has a 398hp, 414ft-lb upgrade for the 1 is down right scary. So anyone in the market for a small weekend racer or just a pocket rocket in which to terrorize the streets, take the 135i for a spin. You just might like it.