BMW 135 with sport package
I logged some time behind the wheel of a 135 with sport package and automatic transmission, not the manual. It was a very fun car to drive. I thought that the steering was numb, when compared to a 997 or 996 (which is not a fair comparison, I admit). However, the car was very feisty when near it’s limits, which I think makes it a handful and boat loads of fun to drive 
. However, at low speeds it was quite boring, which is great for driving it in traffic. I was surprised at how much interior room there was in that car! So much headroom and shoulder-room, and lots of legroom in the backseats! This is impressive for a such a small-looking car. I love the styling of the 135 as well. Very cute, but solid-looking!
Split personality
The engine was great, and brakes were great; very predictable handling as well; the steering is very heavy and solid, confidence inspiring… the car usually feels like it’s on rails. When nearing the limit, with DSC and all the electronic nannies turned on, it becomes a handful, which for me is lots of fun. One can get into serious amounts of trouble with this car, if one is not careful near the limit. The short wheelbase and power make this car very tossable in corners . If you like to turn off traction control and go sideways just for the fun of it, this is the car for you! When nowhere near the limit, the car is quite tame/boring. The car provided better feedback through the seats than it did through the steering wheel. I love the short wheelbase of the car, makes it a tad crazy at the limit, which is fun again (for some).
Awesome suspension
I thought the suspension was a dream. It wasn’t harsh at all, but very taut, and quite comfortable. It transmitted all the salient information about the road surface minus any discomfort . This car has my favorite BMW suspension . While I found the steering to be somewhat numb, I didn’t find it jittery/imprecise at all, on the contrary I thought it was quite solid and predictable. For me, the Mini Cooper JCW Mark I has to have the most jittery steering of all cars… it generates a lot of unnecessary sensations… lots of show, but not a lot of go . The Mark I Mini JCW is a great track car, don’t get me wrong… it’s just that it exhibits too much drama when not at the track .
Crazy fun
When I say “it’s fun to drive”, you have to take into account who’s saying it . I’m a bit crazy when it comes to cars… I ordered my 996 without any electronic nannies, because I wanted to DRIVE it. Having said that, I did wreck it a couple of times, and have pretty much spun on every turn at VIR (and many other tracks) . I’ve also driven it around with snow tires in the snow for long periods of time… mostly going sideways 
. I was inspired by the video of the guy driving a 996 C2 sideways around the Ring, in winter, with the entire track covered in snow! The 997S that I have now is quite tame when compared to the 996 I used to have… that’s the trend of modern cars though. However, the 997S and 997 GT3 are very serious cars, they don’t mess around! When driven at the limit, they are electrifying to drive… the new 997 chassis is such an improvement over the 996, it’s almost unfair to compare them . The 997S is a precision instrument of speed; it takes the minimalist approach in every sense to get you up to speed, no fuss, no muss. All “go”, and no “show” or “drama”. But I digress…
Bloatware
All BMW’s in my opinion are heavy; their cars have been getting heavier and heavier, and the 135 and the 335 and the M3 are no exceptions. My 997S is very light (not Elise-light), when compared to modern sports cars. Of course, my dream garage has to have a GT3 and an F430 . But that’s another discussion for another post.
Great daily driver
I love the 135. It’s a great car. I would get the one with manual transmission instead of the automatic, since it feels like it has a lot more power. The suspension is great, and when the mood strikes you, you can have some serious fun and a big grin on your face . I would occasionally take this car to the track, but would enjoy it mostly as a spiritied daily driver! I would have to make some changes to the springs before I made it a full time track car, and that would impact the magic-carpet-ride I love so much about this car! It’s also very big inside, and looks great! A great “pocket rocket” BMW for the driving fan! .
Enjoy!
Nazmul.
Great review, Naz!
I’d be interested in hearing a bit more about the steering. I drove a 135i with the manual and felt like I was wearing foam gloves the entire time (esp. compared to the 335i which I just love). I was also pretty surprised at the weigh – the 135 and 335 are really close in weight – if memory serves within a 150-200lbs or something like that. I can’t wait for the supersport / m / whatever they’re going to call it in the 1 series to come out.
Hi Sul
Thanks
. I didn’t drive the 135 with manual… I have to remedy this in the near future. The 135 steering (in the automatic car) feels very … disconnected. The steering wheel itself is rather thick… small diameter wheel, but very thick… I didn’t like the steering so much 
. It was a bit of a let down. However, I’m hoping that the manual will have sharper everything. When I drive that I car, I will be sure to update the review.
Personally, I’m not a big fan of BMW steering. I think steering feel in BMWs has gone in the wrong direction after the E30 M3
. I had an E36 M3 and the first generation M Coupe. Those had excellent steering feedback. Sadly, the newer BMWs seem to have number steering, the new M cars included. However, Porsche’s have always had, and still have, sharp/telepathic steering 
. One of my most disappointing experiences was driving an M5 (the previous generation) for the first time… they had recirculating ball steering in that car! Horrible! 
As far as the weight goes, all BMWs are tubby
. This one is no exception. The 135 weights around 3400 lbs, the 335 Coupe around 3600 lbs, and the M3 around 3700 lbs. So they are all quite tubby 
. At least they’re built like tanks though? 
From what I’ve read so far, I don’t think there will be an M version of the 1 series, I think the 135 is pretty much it…
Take care
Nazmul
The tank comment is right – I bought a 335i 2 years ago and got hit by a drunk idiot running a red – totally the car, but I walked away only with a bit of an adrenalin rush…
Hi Sul
I pity the fool that gets into a wreck with a BMW
. I’m glad you walked away without a scratch! Stupid drunk drivers!!!
Take care and drive safe
Nazmul.
So I was over at the local dealer today and they said that there’s going to be some sort of performance version coming – lightened, normal upgrades, possibly a better engine. ETA of late next year.
Hmmm. I’ve known dealers to say a lot of things
. Unless your dealer has an inside line into BMW product planning, I would classify this as a rumor. I don’t trust dealers one bit 
. Most dealers don’t know the first thing about the products they are currently selling, much less future products that haven’t even been released 
.
I did some research on the Interwebs and didn’t find any information/leaks on a 135 upgrade that’s planned… I don’t think BMW would do it either. Doesn’t make sense if you think about the price points for the 1 series…
Take care
Nazmul
I’d guess he was just parroting this comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_1_Series#M_version
That “tii” rumor has been floating around since 2007. So I’m not so sure that the “tii” concept will ever become a production car. And with car companies headed towards much lower sales in this economy, I don’t see how this makes any sense for BMW to do… If the rumors do come true, that’s great; hopefully I will be in the market for a new car then
. I love the 135 
.
Dealers can be so misleading. You wouldn’t believe the stuff they told me at HBL of Tysons when trying to explain the diff between the Cayman and the Boxster. They themselves don’t understand anything about cars or driving they can’t possibly give any accurate information to buyers. It is hard to find a good car sales person. Also, I am sure they read that Wikipedia page about the 1 series and just tell customers it is fact instead of a rumor just to hype the car or something. Sales people tend to stretch the truth about stuff they are trying to sell.
At BMW/Mini of Sterling, where I got my Mini Cooper, the one I took to the track, they sold an aftermarket tuning kit. This was a kit that BMW of Sterling installed themselves, at their on-site tuning shop. They tried to push this instead of the JCW (John Cooper Works) kit that came from the factory, installed in their factory in England. The sales people promised that it wouldn’t void the warranty for the engine and other parts of the car they touched, but if you read the super fine print it said that it did. They told people that “all of the parts and work we do on your Mini are under warranty and our dealership guarantees them.” Can you see the bullshit? Well its great that my cold air intake (a small piece of metal) is under warranty but what about when my engine/transmission/etc explode because of your mods?!?! I was blown away by how BMW Mini of Sterling was duping their Mini customers with these lies… so i am REALLY REALLY hesitant to believe anything any dealership tells me. They don’t work for BMW, they are their own company and sell BMW cars… so they really have no motivation to give you accurate information about BMWs plans for cars (assuming that they even have access to new product info).
Ok I am doing ranting now
.
Hey everyone,
I am a current 135i (manual, sport package, in Montego Blue) owner and the response I have received by my friends and coworkers has been incredibly positive. The car handles exceptionally well for the price but makes for a surprisingly good daily driver (if a bit stiff). It has a great throaty sound for a turbo six cylinder that is always turning heads as I drive by. Corners are an immense pleasure in the car and the transition to oversteer is smooth and predictable. I’ve yet to take it to the track but I have plans to do so soon and I will be sure to post an update!
Later,
Marvin
Hi Marvin,
I think i might be getting a similar car once my lease is up on the 997. I might go for red tho…not sure. It is a great car, i drove it as well. Please feel free to post some pics of it. Here is a how-to guide for posting: http://drivelikeagirl.com/jing/edit.swf.
Izabel
Hi Marvin
Welcome to the DLG community! Thanks for sharing your driving impressions of the 135. I still haven’t had a chanced to drive the 135 with the manual transmission. That’s great to hear that it’s a great car! I’m looking forward to reading about how it feels on the track. You can sign up for an account and post pics of the car and an indepth review if you like. Here’s how – http://drivelikeagirl.com/?page_id=32#tutorial. Also, if you want to use your own icon instead of the automatically generated one that shows up beside your posts and comments, you should sign up for a gravatar here – http://gravatar.com.
Also, have you taken any high performance driving courses? BMW NA has some good programs they offer out of their Spartanburg facility. Porsche has some great stuff as well with their Porsche Driving Experience. I want to do the winter driving course in Colorado when I get the chance
. You can also join the BMW CCA and get started that way, if you haven’t already 
… what tracks are you planning on driving on?
I’m glad that the steering is more responsive in the manual transmission car (compared to the one with the auto tranny). It’s amazing how car makers can tweak subtle characteristics to make similar cars feel so different!
Like magic 
.
Take care
Nazmul.