135i the good and the bad?

I currently drive a 05 g35 coupe but im really interested in the 1 series, but i want some info about it at least from peoples experience.

also im in NYC can someone recommend a good dealer in the area because i went to a couple in Long Island and the salespeople are dicks.

I want to know experiences from 135i owners, what do you like about the car and don't like?

would you buy the car or just lease it? is it problematic with overheating or anything?

I wrote an article that I posted on 1addicts and that subsequently had been cleaned up and made it into the KC Chapter BMW CCA newsletter. It's a *.pdf and you can see it here: http://www.kcbmwclub.com/index.php?o...d=17&Itemid=37

I came out of a pretty much stock 2000 Mazda Miata so the 135i is a bit soft (suspension), but MUCH better brakes, and SIGNIFICANTLY better acceleration. ; -)

does being an ugly car count against it?

Originally Posted by atr_hugo

I wrote an article that I posted on 1addicts and that subsequently had been cleaned up and made it into the KC Chapter BMW CCA newsletter. It's a *.pdf and you can see it here: http://www.kcbmwclub.com/index.php?o...d=17&Itemid=37

I came out of a pretty much stock 2000 Mazda Miata so the 135i is a bit soft (suspension), but MUCH better brakes, and SIGNIFICANTLY better acceleration. ; -)

well it has 6piston front brakes and 2piston rear so i assume they are really good. i thought the 135i came with a sport-tune suspension or no?

Originally Posted by wkw

does being an ugly car count against it?

i would not call it ugly per se, but it has an acquired look, you have to learn to like it.
when i saw it in person its nice i just hate the really cramped back seats.

Originally Posted by mawells787

well it has 6piston front brakes and 2piston rear so i assume they are really good. i thought the 135i came with a sport-tune suspension or no?

Depends on your definition of sport. ; -) It's pretty soft to me - you'll want to test drive it.

The brakes are Brembos, though the bums put a permanent bridge from side to side on the calipers, which precludes quick pad swaps.

Go to 1 addicts and check in the dealers forums or the reagional forums. There are fair number of NYC members there. One of the mods is in Manhattan and garages his car there, but bought and registered it in NJ.

Try Ricki Shamen in NJ. She's pretty cool. Many people here bought cars from her.

Originally Posted by wkw

does being an ugly car count against it?

Well.. my mom drives 128i and believe 135i has def. better lookin' than 128i..

Originally Posted by mawells787

I currently drive a 05 g35 coupe but im really interested in the 1 series, but i want some info about it at least from peoples experience.

also im in NYC can someone recommend a good dealer in the area because i went to a couple in Long Island and the salespeople are dicks.

I want to know experiences from 135i owners, what do you like about the car and don't like?

would you buy the car or just lease it? is it problematic with overheating or anything?

A friend of mine still has a g35 coupe and he's tagged along when I've taken my 128i out for autocross, a track day, mountain biking, ski trips, etc.

To compare the two:
- The 1's have more usable space inside than the g35 coupe. We couldn't believe it at first but it's infinitely easier to stuff a lot of luggage into the 1er (we had to take the 128i skiing because we couldn't fit the luggage in the g35).
- The 6MT on the 128/135 feels much better than the g35
- The steering on the 128/135 inspires more confidence than the g35 (so much he pushed the 128i too hard and spun it the first time I let him drive it at an autocross).
- The 128i seems to be about the same speed as the g35 around a somewhat technical track that doesn't have long straights. (Obviously this varies driver to driver & track to track. In this particular instance the 128i was pulling away from the g35 but with equal drivers I'm willing to bet they'd at least be even.) Just imagine what a 135i would do

Good:
Engine
Brakes
Gearbox
Excellent Sport Seats (w/ sport pkg)
Exclusivity

Bad:
Possible HPFP failure
Unusually high wheel offset which makes aftermarket wheel options extremely limited
Skinny run flat tires
Sunroof rattle
Twitchy at highway speed b/c of the short wheelbase
Suspension is a bit soft
No LSD option

Originally Posted by ucbsupafly

Bad:
Suspension is a bit soft

What non-M3 BMW option would you recommend to get a tighter suspension?

Open Road BMW in Edison NJ. Excellent dealership, they put me in a 135i coupe Premium, Cold weather, Sport, Navi, Comfort Access and Premium Audio for 36 month lease 12K miles $2000 out of my pocket $499 a month. Awesome people to deal with, granted this was a 2008 right when the 2009s were coming out, but Ive gotten my last 3 BMW's from them and they always hook me up. (plus free all weather mats) As for the car itself, I absolutely love it. Only down side are the tires, 18's dont mix well with all the damn pot holes on Staten Island.