Those poor Blizzaks didn't stand a chance.
We had an important mission ahead of us. One that would test our mettle as men. One that would try our patience. One that would cause great suffering and personal sacrifice. Dave and I had to shuttle the BMW M6 across town and I needed to follow him in his 135i yesterday. The distance we needed to travel was literally only a few blocks... but of course with that kind of machinery at our disposal, we took the loooong way around town. Tough gig, huh?
With Dave in the M6 ahead of me, I needed to quickly get my bearings in the 135i. The brakes were a little grabbier than my mostly-worn ones on the Mazda, and the clutch was a little stiffer with a lower catch point... but it took me all of about 2 blocks to get the feel for it and then we were off. This car just feels like 'home' to me. (those sport seats are probably the most comfortable I've experienced as well).
I was a fan of this car as soon as I heard it was going to be introduced. A smaller car with the glorious twin-turbo I-6 from the 3-series? Sounds like a no-brainer to me. And it IS a no-brainer. This car is fantastic. A few months ago when Dave first got the car, I was a passenger in it and commented above how impressive it felt.
But as a passenger you only get to experience a small fraction of the glory, especially since it's so well-insulated and refined. As soon as you feel the shifter slide into gear... the solid feeling of the controls... and then that incredible thrust as a DRIVER, you'll really understand why this car is worth every penny.
The roads around Kitchener-Waterloo yesterday were less than ideal. A little bit of slushy snow remained on some streets, but most were just a little damp in spots, so a reasonable amount of caution needed to be exercised. Nonetheless, the remarkable torque of that engine was felt even in stop-light-to-stoplight urban traffic. It comes on so low and the pull is so strong and effortless right up into the upper revs that it really does just feel like a naturally aspirated V8, NOT a turbo-charged car at all.
Driving it the way I was (which is to say "spiritedly" but with caution of not wanting to ruin my buddy's pride and joy; my license; or my life) and trying to keep up with the 500 hp V10 beast ahead of me, one might expect a little bit of sideways slip coming out of the corners -- and indeed it was there. And I grinned. Every time. But what I didn't expect, was when Dave found a nice, clear, open (and mostly dry) patch of rural road and prodded the snarly M6 ahead of me, that putting the pedal down in 5th at nearly 100 km/h would trigger the traction/stability control in the 'baby Bimmer'. That twin turbo 3L has just that much power... and again, those poor Blizzaks certainly don't offer anywhere near the traction that the summer rubber normally would. Still though, there's no denying, the power in this little car is addictive and sublime.
Naturally, with the snow tires on and the weather what it is now, I wasn't able to get a full appreciation for the handling of the car. But, unlike some of the larger BMWs I've driven in the past, the 1-series feels just right -- compact enough to be nimble and excel at traffic carving (or perhaps in an AutoX event)... but solid enough to also feel like a real piece of well-built machinery. I hope I'm fortunate enough to get another opportunity to drive it again when the snow is gone and the summer tires are back on the car.
So, I'm convinced. IF I can afford one next year... and IF I can convince my wife that a baby seat will actually fit in the back of that thing on rare occasion... and IF... well, there are probably a half-dozen other things that will need to come together to make this happen, then I believe the 135i will be my next car. At least I surely hope so. And if it isn't... despite how happy I might appear to be when I end up with a WRX 265 or the new Genesis Coupe, or whatever it is... know that I'll always be envious of the 135i owners out there.
Oh, and another thing: I will not entertain a single criticism here about how it's too heavy or too expensive or too funny looking... or anything else that people who HAVE NOT driven the car might go on about. You MUST experience this car for yourself.
Cool write up GD!
Couple of things though, I really doubt you will get a rearward facing car seat in there, I had trouble fitting one in the back of the Impreza, the front passenger had virtually no legroom 'cos the seat was so forward. But if you and the missus both have cars then there is no reason to have two practical cars. If there is no room for a baby seat then you might as well look at 2 seaters too!
It's a real shame that BMW don't sell the Z4 coupe (non-M) in Canada as that could also be an option, why not, anyone know? What about any other 2 seaters...? The S2000 is a bit long in the tooth, SLK to hairdressery? New TT, used Boxster? Anything else on the list..?
See, in Mukluks!
And practical too!
