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CD_Editor
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« on: June 08, 2008, 11:03:10 pm » |
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 Test Drive:   "Tossable" handling, "impressive" horsepower and torque, and a "nicely-engineered" manual shifter are the highlights of the 300-hp BMW 135i coupe, reports Contributing Editor, Chris Chase. But its starting price of $41,700 is "a lot of coin", he says. More:Read the article | View the photos | All The Test Drives
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initial_D
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« Reply #1 on: June 08, 2008, 11:32:57 pm » |
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Want one.  |
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The Mighty Duck
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« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2008, 12:26:38 am » |
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Demosthenes [noun], dem-aws-thene-s
1) (384 BC – 322 BC) the greatest of the Ancient Greek orators
2) pseudonym used by Valentine Wiggin in Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game to alter the events of world history
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speed12sil
Learner's Permit
 OfflineVehicle: The Kiu
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 174
 
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« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2008, 02:46:49 am » |
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This or an used Boxster S? Hmmm... |
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Giant Dwarf
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« Reply #4 on: June 09, 2008, 03:16:11 pm » |
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This or an used Boxster S? Hmmm...
Having driven a new Boxster a few times and experiencing Dave's new 135i yesterday (albeit only as a passenger), I can tell you the only solution to that quandry is to have both.  The thrust of that engine in the little Bimmer is awe-inspiring. So solid, so refined... it's a sublime machine. If or when they start leasing out at around the same as a new 328i is right now (a comparably-priced car), I cannot fathom me wanting anything else. Until then, I will keep dreaming and drooling... |
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Wolfe
Drunk on Fuel
OfflineVehicle: Mazda Miata
Gender: 
Location: Tronno
Posts: 2806
BOO!
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« Reply #5 on: June 10, 2008, 12:11:58 am » |
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This or an used Boxster S? Hmmm...
Having driven a new Boxster a few times and experiencing Dave's new 135i yesterday (albeit only as a passenger), I can tell you the only solution to that quandry is to have both. "I came to the fork in the road and I took it."  |
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To err is human, to blame it on someone else is even more human.  |
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speed12sil
Learner's Permit
OfflineVehicle: The Kiu
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 174
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« Reply #6 on: June 10, 2008, 01:40:24 am » |
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This or an used Boxster S? Hmmm...
Having driven a new Boxster a few times and experiencing Dave's new 135i yesterday (albeit only as a passenger), I can tell you the only solution to that quandry is to have both. The thrust of that engine in the little Bimmer is awe-inspiring. So solid, so refined... it's a sublime machine. If or when they start leasing out at around the same as a new 328i is right now (a comparably-priced car), I cannot fathom me wanting anything else. Until then, I will keep dreaming and drooling... You're not helping ya know   |
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Giant Dwarf
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« Reply #7 on: June 10, 2008, 02:28:59 pm » |
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This or an used Boxster S? Hmmm...
Having driven a new Boxster a few times and experiencing Dave's new 135i yesterday (albeit only as a passenger), I can tell you the only solution to that quandry is to have both. The thrust of that engine in the little Bimmer is awe-inspiring. So solid, so refined... it's a sublime machine. If or when they start leasing out at around the same as a new 328i is right now (a comparably-priced car), I cannot fathom me wanting anything else. Until then, I will keep dreaming and drooling... You're not helping ya know True, but I'm in marketing, all I know is how to spend money, not make it. |
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Leowin
Learner's Permit
OfflineVehicle: 2007 Infiniti G35X
Gender:
Posts: 24
member
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« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2008, 11:39:35 pm » |
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I have scheduled a test driving on Jun 20th, will type in my review after that.....cant wait for the friday..... |
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auto_enthusiast
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« Reply #9 on: June 16, 2008, 12:22:46 am » |
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Excellent engine and chassis - I just wish it looked better. While it looks a bit better in real life, it's still looks very ungainly and oddly proportioned. |
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safristi
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« Reply #10 on: June 16, 2008, 07:22:39 am » |
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Wot Forkin' road was this.........and where is it located?  ?......I'm wearing my Boxter S types FIT snug around tha Biummer..............  |
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THERE IS NO CURE FOR "LOTUS"......ONLY TREATMENT.....
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2hondas1BMW
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« Reply #11 on: June 16, 2008, 05:25:04 pm » |
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I saw a black one last weekend in Toronto. I wasn't sure if it was the 135i or the base model, but it looked pretty bland. Performance, on the other hand, is far from bland. |
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Mine: 2004 Acura TSX
Family: 2005 Honda Odyssey EX, 2006 BMW 330i
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sirAQUAMAN64
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« Reply #12 on: June 16, 2008, 05:30:26 pm » |
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Seen a few on the road and they're FANTASTIC!  |
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BJB
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« Reply #13 on: June 16, 2008, 07:00:46 pm » |
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These things are everywhere now, I like how they look. Every time I look at a 3 series coupe now I feel that it's too large and bulbous. |
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safristi
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« Reply #14 on: June 16, 2008, 07:11:41 pm » |
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THERE IS NO CURE FOR "LOTUS"......ONLY TREATMENT.....
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Giant Dwarf
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« Reply #15 on: November 17, 2008, 11:10:53 am » |
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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.
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airbalancer
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« Reply #16 on: November 17, 2008, 11:15:19 am » |
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a baby seat will actually fit in the back of that thing on rare occasion
We could not fit a rear face car seat in a E46 CIC, I would not think it would fit in a 135 |
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Mitlov
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« Reply #17 on: November 17, 2008, 11:16:25 am » |
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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... Having looked at a 128i in person (and having had a BMW salesman refuse to let me put a toddler seat in the back of it to see if it would fit), my guess is it wouldn't work out that well, even if it would technically work. Of course, a 335i sedan only weighs about 100 lbs more and offers a huge amount more practicality. |
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"Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies. Those whom nature hath so joined together, let no man put asunder. What unites us is far greater than what divides us." -- John F. Kennedy, addressing Canadian Parliament.
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quadzilla
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« Reply #18 on: November 17, 2008, 11:16:41 am » |
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You MUST experience this car for yourself. Does that mean that Dave will let us all take a rip in his car? I love the looks of these and wish one was in our driveway. |
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How is it possible that after electricity has traveled through hundreds of miles of power line then hundreds of feet (or yards) of romex in our home, that changing the last three feet of wire with something exotic, expensive (cool looking, and packaged in a pricey box) is going to make a difference?
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evil_twin
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« Reply #19 on: November 17, 2008, 11:36:30 am » |
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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.
My thoughts exactly GD. With a home purchase on the horizon in 2009 combined with the current economic conditions, I'm beginning to entertain the idea of keeping the ol' stang for another year to save up for what I truly desire. It will not be easy.
Of course, a 335i sedan only weighs about 100 lbs more and offers a huge amount more practicality.
Yes, Mitlov it does only weigh slightly more, but the driving experience is certainly different. I encourage you to drive both at some point. (maybe you have) That isn't to say I would prefer a 135i to a 335i (I wouldn't), but if sporting driving is your goal, the 1 definitely has the 3 beat. |
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