CD Article: 2008 BMW 135i cabriolet

[CD_Editor]

Test Drive:


Don't consider the 1 a "cheap BMW", says Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh; she calls the 135i Cabriolet "a sharp-handling, stinky-fast and extremely nimble compact with possibly the best engine on the market under its hood."
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Read the article | | All the Test Drives

[airbalancer]

There is a white one running around Cobourg, saw it for the first time yesterday
The wife parked beside it, she has a 2000 323CIC,  the over all length was about the same, 1 series appeared to be a touch narrower, but with top up the over all height was higher
Surprised to read there is no power seat on the 135

Did you have a wind screen for the time you had the car?

There nothing like cruising the back roads with the top down

[initial_D]

Don't know how the 135i cabio drives other than from reviews, but I don't really like the side profile of it from the pictures.

[initial_D]

There is a white one running around Cobourg, saw it for the first time yesterday
The wife parked beside it, she has a 2000 323CIC,  the over all length was about the same, 1 series appeared to be a touch narrower, but with top up the over all height was higher
Surprised to read there is no power seat on the 135

Did you have a wind screen for the time you had the car?

There nothing like cruising the back roads with the top down

depends on whose top is down? 

[evil_twin]

I'm not too big a fan of the looks in cab form.  Heck, I don't LOVE it it in coupe form either, but the 135i looks pretty nice (especially when you know what's underneath its skin ).

But the price $$$!!!

I just can't see ever wanting to unload $62k MSRP for this cab, when you could pay $43k MSRP for a stripper coupe with only the sport package.

Loading up a 1 with tons of options just doesn't make any sense.  At that price point, a LOT of desirable cars come into play.  If I were in the market for a convertible, I'd certainly get the 328 instead.

[BJB]

I'm a big fan of the looks of the one series, sort of makes the three series look bloated.  I'm not crazy about the pricing on it though, but I appear to be in the minority b/c these things are everywhere in Toronto.

[ovr50]

Personally like the looks of the Coupe, the Cab not so much.

I agree that the way to order this car would be a stripper Coupe with only the Sports Pack added. A hell of a car then....

I had 3 of BMWs 2002s back in their day and they were not cheap then compared to other choices. I had no problem justifying the cost then, and I would no problem justifying it now. It just depends on what you want to drive and how it feels.

[airbalancer]

I'm not too big a fan of the looks in cab form.  Heck, I don't LOVE it it in coupe form either, but the 135i looks pretty nice (especially when you know what's underneath its skin ).

But the price $$$!!!

I just can't see ever wanting to unload $62k MSRP for this cab, when you could pay $43k MSRP for a stripper coupe with only the sport package.

Loading up a 1 with tons of options just doesn't make any sense.  At that price point, a LOT of desirable cars come into play.  If I were in the market for a convertible, I'd certainly get the 328 instead.

It is a cap not a coupe, who the hell wants a coupe
The car is for someone , probably in their late 40's - 50's who's kids are gone , wants a Z4 but takes the 1 series so she can drive the grandkids around
And you probably can fit more in the 1 series trunk compared to the 3 hard top

[johngenx]

The base 135i is one of the best performance buys on the market.  As for Cabriolets, BMW drop-tops have never been cheap, and I think the 1-series cab (cap?) is not badly priced considering BMW's history of pricing this type of car.

[dave]

There is a white one running around Cobourg, saw it for the first time yesterday
The wife parked beside it, she has a 2000 323CIC,  the over all length was about the same, 1 series appeared to be a touch narrower, but with top up the over all height was higher
Surprised to read there is no power seat on the 135

Did you have a wind screen for the time you had the car?

There nothing like cruising the back roads with the top down

Power seats are optional in the 135i.  They are a part of the $3k(!) Comfort Package.  I've got the MSport package in my 135i and I certainly don't miss power seats.  Then again, I'm the only one driving it, otherwise, memory seats would be nice...but definitely not worth the coin in my eyes.

I'm not a huge fan of the look of the cabrio (or any cabrio for that matter).  If I wanted a drop-top I'd get a roadster -- no they don't look like an afterthough, chop-top.

If I were in the market for a BMW cabrio I'd go with the 328i for the money.  If you're looking at cabrios...your probably not as interested in the performance.  For the money, the 328i is better looking, has more room, a hard top and plenty of get-up-and-go.  If performance is the name of your game...stick with the coupe (and keep the options to a minimum) for a great peformance buy (no bias  )

Regarding the age of 1 series shoppers, 1addicts did a poll -- 49% were between ages 25 and 35, 12% between 45 and 60 years.  Not exactly a lot of grannies...

[airbalancer]

12% between 45 and 60 years.  Not exactly a lot of grannies...

I wonder how many are cabs in that group

By the way, Wife and I are 50 & 51 with 6 grandkids, and the oldest is 10

I was talking about the younger grandma's taking the grandkids out for a spin
When we had our one year granddaughter for the summer, she loved going out for a spin with grandma with the top down

Or just $1800 for the power seats, ouch