[Rugs]

First of all, I was surprised at how much better the 135i looked in person.

I have to admit, from the magazine photos I didn't care much for the Squatty-Dumpy look.
The car I drove was Black Sapphire Metallic w/Coral Red Boston Leather and looked Great. Admittedly, the Black color probably softened the lines a bit. The offsets on the 18" sport wheels where Very agressive with the tires hung out dead even with the top edge of the wheel wells. The whole package just looked Mean!

Equipped:......................Sugg.Retail $34,900.00
Premium Pkg.....................$3,300.00
Sport Pkg.........................$1,000.00
Steptronic........................$1,275.00
Paddles..............................$100.00
Destination Charge...............$775.00

Total Sugested
Retail Price:.....................$42,825.00

Driving Impression:
Coming out of my Heavy E93, the 135i felt like a Go-Kart w/ suspension. My first impresion was how quick the steering responded, the car could be flicked from one lane to the next with little effort. The N54 & Step felt really strong and it rode nearly as well as my E93. The 6 piston front & 4 piston rear brake calipers where really sweet looking and feet strong. I kept thinking, "what an Awesome Track car this would make".
As you can tell, I came away very impressed with the whole package which could easily be a baby "M". And a little guilty I was so quick to judge this Menacing little car just from the photos...

(I'll post pics soon. My floors are being refinished and my Mac is packed up for a few days with all my camera & photo software)

[bciDoc]

Interesting, I suppose I'll have to stay posted for further reviews.

[UdubBadger]

sick... glad someone decided to look past the weird press photos we've all seen. I keep telling my buddy to look at these since you get the turbo 6 for under $35k and he doesn't need the room of a 3 series. Even on paper they are rockets, low weight and 300hp/tq... this thing IS the quickest non M car BMW makes right now... surprised they don't get the attention they deserve.

[BlackSapphireZ]

saw someone driving one today. first time seeing it on the road

not bad too small though(and i'm driving a Z4 lol)

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by slammedbimmer

43K!!!!

true... but closer to $37k with ZSP and steptronic so maybe a good option for people who want the engine but not the toys.

[E82tt6]

Hmm, I'm getting $41,350.

[Robert]

Mine is 40625, shouldn't have gotten the nav. Would have been 38k ish.

[herbz]

Originally Posted by slammedbimmer

43K!!!!

I fail to see anything funny about a $40k car that can wreck cars twice the price.

You can pay $70k for an optioned out 335i vert. That's just as ludicrous to me. And its not like the 335i is the prettiest machine on the road either, if that's what you're trying to laugh about. All new BMW's look japanese so I don't think you have any room to laugh.

[UdubBadger]

My 135i Coupe
3.0-liter, turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine
Rear-wheel drive
See all standard features
Base MSRP $34,900
Alpine White $0
Black Leatherette $0
Glacier Silver Aluminum Trim $0
Sport Package $1,000
• M Sports leather steering wheel with paddle shifters
$100
STEPTRONIC automatic transmission $1,275
18" wheels w/performance tires (style 264) $0
Destination & Handling: $775
Total MSRP as Built $38,050

figure talk the sales guy down $500-$1000

Again, I think its a good option for people who want a BMW, don't need space and want the turbo'd 6 engine. BMW is expanding its market which is good.

Similarly equipped 335i would take you up to $43k+

[5soko]

mine came out to 45k, but not any longer

[Negotiator]

I don't know, when I went to the dealership, I was actually dissapointed with the look. I figured I'd dig it from the photos I've seen, since it's kind of like the BMW version of my car, but the styling just doesn't look good to me. I will probably still order a 335i in the summer, even though I was considering the 1 until a few days ago

[hellrotm]

Equipped:......................Sugg.Retail $34,900.00
Premium Pkg.....................$3,300.00
Sport Pkg.........................$1,000.00
Steptronic........................$1,275.00
Paddles..............................$100.00
Destination Charge...............$775.00

Total Sugested
Retail Price:.....................$42,825.00

How does that add up to $42,825.00????

Should be $41,350.00

The same equiped 335i coupe is $46,600.00

So for some saving $5250.00 for more performance oriented car is a good thing.

Some others need the bigger car.

[thomasdk]

I would the look!

[herbz]

Originally Posted by BlackJetE90

Equipped:......................Sugg.Retail $34,900.00
Premium Pkg.....................$3,300.00
Sport Pkg.........................$1,000.00
Steptronic........................$1,275.00
Paddles..............................$100.00
Destination Charge...............$775.00

Total Sugested
Retail Price:.....................$42,825.00

How does that add up to $42,825.00????

Should be $41,350.00

The same equiped 335i coupe is $46,600.00

So for some saving $5250.00 for more performance oriented car is a good thing.

Some others need the bigger car.

Seriously, I agree. Both the 135i and 335i are great cars with different purposes and target markets. A lot of people will cross shop the 135i with the STi, Evo and other cars like that. The 135i offers a lot more than those cars at the same price, particularly in the refinement category. It can hang with them and even be better in performance as well. A lot of people will opt to save $5 grand and get the 135i and deal with the slightly uglier looks.

The 335i these days competes more with Audi's, Lexus, Infiniti etc. The 3 series got bigger over the years, it's as big as the old 5 series used to be. Not all of us like that, and want something slightly smaller, more in line with the e46 3 series. For others, more space is a good thing.

Point is, they are both good cars, and the flaming of the 135i makes no sense and all to me.