BMW 135i Coupe Part 1: Design Review

The BMW 135i is one of the German company's newest entries in the American market and is based largely on BMW's best-selling 3 series. As the numerical nomenclature would suggest, the 1 is positioned below the 3 both financially and dimensionally.

The BMW CS1 Concept car launched - not coincidentally - at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show, gave us a glimpse of the car everyone expected from BMW - the spiritual successor to the iconic BMW 2002.

To the relief of BMW fans the world over, the flame surfacing design language that had caused so much controversy for BMW to that point was muted to a large degree on the CS1 concept car. After all, it wasn't much of a secret that the showcar was a thinly disguised version of the upcoming entry-level BMW.

Available in coupe and convertible form in the U.S. - and also as a 3 and 5 door hatchback in Europe and Asia - the 135i has stocky proportions not seen on a BMW since the E30-based 3 series built from 1984 until 1994.

The dynamic lines of the 135i promise the kind of small sporting car that has been a BMW tradition for years. We can best see its dynamic character from the rear three-quarter view, where the car seems poised to launch into motion. The bone line running along the sides of the car and dissolving cleanly into the trunk is meant to recall the defining character line of the car that created the sport sedan segment - the inspirational 2002. Subtle as the connection may be, its surfacing detail catches the eye and moves your focus along the car's sides, again suggesting motion. There's beautiful subtle surfacing happening at the top of the trunk as well - although the functional lip spoiler distracts from the great modeling just a tiny bit.

Less successful and the single largest fault aesthetically is the sagging line that defines the rocker panel. Looking as if a giant accidentally stepped on the car, this drooping part line and the corresponding surfacing above it distracts from the rest of the 135's clean, tension-filled lines and details.

Things get better at the front of the car where we find an aggressive face that wouldn't be out of place on a BMW M-car. Clean and crisp with BMW's typical short overhang, the front end is all business and very well done.

We find more inspiration from its spiritual ancestor in the greenhouse, which features relatively thin pillars that give the 135i an airy, open feeling as well as great visibility. And while the pillars are nowhere near as thin as those of the 2002, in today's world they are thin and you can rest assured that they're considerably stronger than those found on any of its predecessors.

The back-to-basics 135 is a fresh-looking BMW coupe. Its short and stubby proportions contrast the long, low and sleek look of the more expensive 3 series coupe. Aesthetically, this differentiates the two quite nicely.

With its tidier dimensions, the 1 series creates a nice spot for itself in a BMW lineup that is now wider than ever. To those who find it too stubby and small, there will surely be a BMW salesman to point them toward the excellent 3 series. But to those who've longed for a return to a true small, rear-drive coupe with more upright and compact proportions, your car awaits in the form of the BMW 135i.

Watch the video
Read Part 2: Interior & User Experience
Read Part 3: Performance

BMW 135i

Performance
- Acceleration: Nearly imperceptible turbo lag and short gearing add up to impressive acceleration
- Handling: Tons of grip - quick steering, but a bit overboosted - lack of limited-slip differential results in spinning inside tire when you try to put the power down
- Braking: Very effective with little fade - great pedal feel - a little squirrelly at the limit

Design
- Exterior: Stocky, upright proportions look great - a true entry level BMW
- sagging line of rocker panel the only real fault aesthetically
- Interior: Clean and simple with premium materials and great build quality

Utility
- Comfort: Good ride/handling compromise - typical great BMW ergonomics
- Space: Surprisingly good front and rear given its footprint - decent trunk size

Safety
- Dynamics: Quick reflexes and predictable reactions
- Technology: Airbags galore, defeatable traction and stability control and Great brakes (w/ABS & EBD)

Value
- Price: Not the greatest value proposition when optioned up
- Mileage: Not too shabby if you can manage to stay off the boost (which is nearly impossible)

Emotional Appeal
- Heart thumpin' factor: A true entry-level BMW with proper old-skool proportions - still, the 3 series coupe doesn't cost much more...
- Fun to spank: Throttle steering not on the menu due to lack of LSD - fun to drive nonetheless

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Front engine / Rear wheel drive
Engine: 3.0 liter, twin turbo Inline 6
Power (SAE): 300 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque: 300 lbs-ft @ 1400 - 5000 rpm
Redline: 7000 rpm
Gearbox: 6 speed manual
Curb Weight: 3350 lbs.
0-60 mph: 4.8 sec.
1/4 mile: 13.4 sec. @ 104 mph
Top Speed: 150 mph (electronically limited)
Mileage: 17 city / 25 highway
Base Price: $34,900
Competitors: BMW 328i/335i coupes, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR, Used E46 M3?