Edmunds first drive of the 135i

[WRXtranceformed]

The numbers tell the story. The 2009 BMW 135i coupe gets to 100 kph (62 mph) in just 5.3 seconds and the standing kilometer (fast becoming a standard performance benchmark among Europe's more sporting carmakers) in 24.6 seconds. To give this speed some perspective, the new 2008 BMW M3 is just 0.5 second and 1.3 seconds quicker to the same marks respectively. Even more important, this 135i coupe will rip from 50-75 mph in 4th gear in just 5.0 seconds ÔÇö just 0.1 second slower than the latest M-car.

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Going to be surprisingly heavy at 3400lbs, but should be a great car nonetheless. Imagine once the tuners get a hold of it! hock:

[Apoc]

I wonder how the turbos are going to hold up. BMW isn't exactly known for their FI prowess and being the first year for a new config certainly leaves some questions out there.

[CaptainHenreh]

I wonder how the turbos are going to hold up. BMW isn't exactly known for their FI prowess and being the first year for a new config certainly leaves some questions out there.

Well, no one complains about the reliability of their diesels, and that's where alot of the tech came from.

But you're probably right to be concerned.

[ScottyB]

3400lbs

:!:


i can't wait to see what the aftermarket cooks up for this.

[G.Irish]

I wonder how the turbos are going to hold up. BMW isn't exactly known for their FI prowess and being the first year for a new config certainly leaves some questions out there.

Well the 335i has been out for awhile without a problem. The 135i has a tighter engine bay so maybe that will cause new problems but in general the mill seems to be stout.

3400 lbs though? That is flat out ridiculous for a car that is literally Civic-sized (maybe smaller in the interior). No thanks, even if it does have a lot of motor. I mean geez, the WRX is AWD and bigger and it weighs less than that.

[Jeff]

hehehe...the M1...I know what I would get on my plates. ".30-06"

[WRXtranceformed]

Honestly it's not that particularly attractive to me. I haven't liked the looks of most BMWs since the super sexy E46 M3. If I had to choose this or a base Vette for the same cost, I'd go with the Vette all day long.

[Apoc]

3400lbs

:!:

Is that really that surprising? I mean the S2000 is like 2900 and the Z4 hatch is like 3100... and they're both 2 seaters.

[CaptainHenreh]

hehehe...the M1...I know what I would get on my plates. ".30-06"

[G.Irish]

3400lbs

:!:

Is that really that surprising? I mean the S2000 is like 2900 and the Z4 hatch is like 3100... and they're both 2 seaters.

Those two cars are roadsters and have a lot of reinforcement in their chassis to make up for the fundamental lack of stiffness that a roadster has. A better example would be other similar sized coupes or sedans. A Mazdaspeed 3 weighs less, a Civic weighs a lot less (even though its a FWD 4 cylinder), a WRX or STi weighs less, even a TSX weighs less. I mean, whats the point of making a car smaller than the 3 series that weighs as much as a 3 series?

3100 lbs maybe. But 3400 lbs is silly.

[Hunter]

Well the 335i has been out for awhile without a problem.

There have actually been a lot of reported problems with people trying to run those cars on track. Nearly everyone that has tried to track the early ones has the car go into limp mode about 10 minutes into the first track session, due to overheating.

The newer ones have come from the factory with an oil cooler which has seemingly fixed the problem, however BMW people have been quoted saying there will be no oil cooler on the 1 series. :roll: Hopefully, that's just incorrect information, or it only pertains to the 128 and not the 135.

[G.Irish]

Well the 335i has been out for awhile without a problem.

There have actually been a lot of reported problems with people trying to run those cars on track. Nearly everyone that has tried to track the early ones has the car go into limp mode about 10 minutes into the first track session, due to overheating.

The newer ones have come from the factory with an oil cooler which has seemingly fixed the problem, however BMW people have been quoted saying there will be no oil cooler on the 1 series. :roll: Hopefully, that's just incorrect information, or it only pertains to the 128 and not the 135.

Not good.

[WRXtranceformed]

Wow that's going to suck if it's true, for anyone who is going to try to drive that car like it should be driven.

[Apoc]

I mean, whats the point of making a car smaller than the 3 series that weighs as much as a 3 series?

...because people want a smaller car? Contrary to popular opinion, not everyone tracks their cars and most of those people don't give a flying fudge how much their car weighs. If it's sporty and comfortable (creature comforts cost weight) why do they care what it weighs? Gas mileage? If they cared about that they wouldn't buy a car with 230+ hp. If anything, people might actually like that it's beefier because it will get less owned when hit by a 5000lb SUV.

The Civic and MS3 are economy cars, or based on an economy chassis. Economy cars weigh less because they have plastic and less "doo-dads."

Heck my car is 3700lbs and it doesn't bother me one bit.

[Evan]

MINE!

[Evan]

there is simply no more accomplished car for $30,000 than the 2009 BMW 135i.

this is major, all the guesstimates have been in the 35k-36k range for the 135, 30k or a hair under for the 128. if they get the 135 out the door for 30k? holy crap my pants.

[G.Irish]

I mean, whats the point of making a car smaller than the 3 series that weighs as much as a 3 series?

...because people want a smaller car? Contrary to popular opinion, not everyone tracks their cars and most of those people don't give a flying fudge how much their car weighs. If it's sporty and comfortable (creature comforts cost weight) why do they care what it weighs? Gas mileage? If they cared about that they wouldn't buy a car with 230+ hp. If anything, people might actually like that it's beefier because it will get less owned when hit by a 5000lb SUV.

The Civic and MS3 are economy cars, or based on an economy chassis. Economy cars weigh less because they have plastic and less "doo-dads."

Heck my car is 3700lbs and it doesn't bother me one bit.

Sure the kind of person who buys that kind of car probably doesn't care about weight but people who care about performance do. I just don't see how this car weighs just as much as the E46 yet is significantly smaller.

Yeah the Civic and MS3 are economy cars but they are just as big and probably bigger than the 1 series. I guess with twin turbo 6 cylinder engine you're probably adding at least 150-200 lbs to the car so that would put it around the weight of the MS3. Still too heavy but whatever I suppose.

[Hunter]

I just don't see how this car weighs just as much as the E46 yet is significantly smaller.

It's actually not that much smaller than the e46 though. With all these comparisons that have been made to the 2002, you would get the impression that this is a tiny car, but it's actually surprisingly big. Much bigger than the other cars that were listed above at least.

[G.Irish]

Eh, felt pretty damned small to me when I sat in one. But then again I think the 3 series is fairly small inside too.

[ScottyB]

Is that really that surprising?

it sure is. that doesn't mean it won't drive well, though. if BMW builds a twin turbo, 2 seat RWD coupe i would expect less weight, plain and simple. there will be a large amount of people that will buy it for performance oriented driving and BMW knows this. obviously weight is the enemy when it comes to that type of driving.

the picture Hunter provided clears things up...i thought it was way smaller, in keeping with what i thouht was a connection with the old 2002Tii. for that size, and with the weight of a twin turbo six up front along with the luxo goodies i can understand.