Vehicle: 2008 BMW 135i Coupe with M Sport Pkg, Premium Pkg and Comfort Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$49800

Performance: The 1-Series, as with its 3-Series silibings, is powered by both normally aspirated 3.0 liter DOHC 24-valve straight-6 and the same powertrain with twin turbos. Hence the 128i and 135i designations. We will reviewed the 128i in future episode. The highlight of this review is the 135i with whooping 300hp and 300 lb/ft of torque. As with the 335i, this engine performs amazingly even if its BMW’s first effort for turbocharging for the gasoline motor in the last couple of decades. The last BMW turbocharged sports sedan was 2002tii, which is another piece of amazing machinery. With only 1560kg to pull along this little 1-Series with 300 ponies, the performance is nothing less than staggering. The throttle response is instant and responsive, even if its a bit too sensitive on the travel. As expect from such a well-engineered powertrain, the turbos spool up quickly and efficiently without any drama. That drama is called turbo lag. Because of the 300 lb/ft of torque available at such low rpm, there is a slight wheelspin when driven hard off-the-line. Not to mention this twin-turbo straight-6 is as equally rev-happy as BMW’s normally aspirated straight-6 engine. Equally impressive is the slick-shifting 6-speed manual gearbox. The throws are short and precise, with a clutch that is light and progressive. The blipping point is just about perfect. Gear ratios match amazingly with this wonderful engine. Consider its 0-100 km/h arrives in a short 5.4 seconds, that’s as fast as the outgoing M3 with 3.2 liter I-6. The difference is M3 needs to rev high in order to get the best out of the box. In the 135i, however, all you need is to drop the anchor. Its all done in a more relaxed manners.

Handling: With 50/50 perfect front to rear weight distribution for rear wheel drive/front engine configuration, along with usual BMW goodies called a wonderfully stiff chassis. The 135i handles like its on rail on both track and city streets. Even with the run-flat tires and M sports suspension, its ride quality is civilized without being harsh and uncomfortable. The ride quality has the usual suppleness and firmness we expect from BMW suspension. On the other hand, the suspension handles every curves with grace. The cornering is almost flat thanks to the smartly calibrated M sports suspension and stiffer springs. Steering, as expect from BMW, is precise and provide plenty of feedback. We had the chance to sample to drive both 1-Series with or without Active Steering. Active Steering remains an option that isn’t worthy to get for any driving enthuisasts. It just taken away the typical BMW steering feel. All it does its to give artifical steering feel and non-linear left-to-right transitions. The DSC-3 is a stability control that remains totally uninstrusive until the driver really needs it. BMW has designed a system that has 3 settings that allow for complete shut-off, partly instrusive or completely instrusive. Even if you set it in completely insturisve mode, it remains uninstrusive for daily driving until driver rears its ugly heads. There is a slight understeer when pushed for safe control on daily driver. However, once the DSC-3 completely shut off, 135i can get totally sideway with all the oversteer that one needs on the racetrack.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and ABS, 135i’s braking performance lives up to its propeller badge, The stopping distance is short. Pedal feel is exceptional without any brake fades after lots of hard stops. Both the pedal modulation and bite have to be considered as some of the best I have ever tested. ABS only steps in when necessary.

Interior: If you need to travel four passengers, 1-Series certainly isn’t the right car for you. Although it got a backseat that covers in nice Boston leather, the legroom is almost non-existence and headroom is at a premium. The trunk space is equally narrow. Beware of the trunk lid hit your head when open due to its height. Its a little larger than the hatchback silibings we tested last year. Spacious is definitely not the word to describe 1-Series coupe’s backseat and cargo space by any sketching of standards.

The front, however, is a true driver’s environment. Everything else from the pedals, steering wheel, instrumentation gauges and shifter are in perfect position for driver. The leather sports seats provide awesome back and side supports. Stereo is placed on top of the automatic climate control for excellent ergonomics. What is really surprisingly is the level of materials used in the 1 compares to the 3. There are richer interior materials used in this 1-Series than all the latest generation of 3-Series we have tested. Despite that, we are still able to find some cheap plastic pieces in minor areas. However, there is one minor pet peeve. The wood trim looks totally out of place in a sports performance car. Since BMW already offered choices of wood and aluminum inlays in the 3-Series, why not for the 1-Series? BMW interiors of the last couple of years can only be describe as better than average.

Conclusion: The 135i has aplentry of pace and grace for those who are looking for both performance and cachet in a small package. Here lies the rough. If you happen to opt the 135i into the max, its already entered into the 328i’s territory. Despite of lower performance, 3-Series provides better residual value and much superior interior space. That is something the consumers have to put serious thought when considering the 135i. The 128i, however, opens up another can of worms for cannabalizing into a Mini Cooper S. As nicely driven as a 1-Series, its market positioning might be the single biggest reason that is going to hurt itself in the long run.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2008 BMW 135i Coupe
=====================================
Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 1/5
Value-for-money: 4/5

Overall rating: 4.5/5