2008 BMW 135i vs. 335i Review

62 Responses to “ 2008 BMW 135i vs. 335i Review ”

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• Claude Dickson :
  April 21st, 2008 at 2:36 pm
  
  

  This review fails to that the cheapest 335i is the sedan, not the coupe. The 4-door sedan not only offers greater utility, but is thousands of dollars cheaper than the coupe. Once you take into account the cheaper price of the 335i sedan AND the fact that discounts below MSRP are available for the sedan, choosing the 135i really makes no sense!!!

• Joshvar :
  April 21st, 2008 at 4:34 pm
  
  

  To me, this car, with that motor, at that price point, is very funny. BMW (and Audi, and MB) in the US is completely different than BMW in Europe. It seems that they’re doing everything they can to hide the fact that their EU lineup is more complete on the low-end, and preserve their status as a “status” brand over on this side of the pond.

  It fascinates me to no end that if BMW sold a 4 cylinder 1 series 5 door at a base price below $25k, it would some how change the desirability of the upper models. Or, because a car is popular, no matter how good it is, it suddenly becomes less desirable. That sounds more like fashionista than pistonhead.

• andyduncan :
  April 21st, 2008 at 5:05 pm
  
  

  One thing I think is interesting that people keep bringing up, is how close in weight the 135 is to the 335. It’s actually a bigger difference than the 335/535:

  135i m/t : 3373 lbs
  335i m/t: 3571 lbs
  335i sedan m/t: 3594 lbs
  535i m/t: 3660 lbs

  That’s a 200lb difference between the 135 and the 335, vs a 90lb difference between the 335 and the 535.

  I’m not saying the 135 is light, but it is light compared to other BMWs with the same engine.

  Now, when do we get a 300-ish HP turbo-four tii model weighing under 3k?

• speedlaw :
  April 21st, 2008 at 7:30 pm
  
  

  The 135 has a lot of world market, but here in the big PX, the size difference is not taxed, there’s no weight or power penalties, unlike Bermuda (size), Germany (horsepower), or France (engine + trans type).

  I saw the 135 at the NY Auto Show. I drive an E46 330i sport. I came away with, if my beloved 330 was stolen or crashed, a desire (huge) for the four door M3, or the 335i (chip and cooler, here I come, toss the run flats), but the 135 struck me as something rich dads will buy for their girls.

  Here in the big wide US of A, there is not sufficent differences, and at the same price, basically, I think BMW is set up to fail.

  Had the 135 been sent to us light, without i drive or the typical option overload of BMW (read: way to raise the price beyond the reasonable starting price), it would be a winner.

  Most of us thought “new 2002″. What we got was 5/8 335i, which was already done well by the real 335i.

  Strip this, keep the big motor, ditch the leather and the overpriced options. The guy who wants that stuff will buy a 335i…anyway

• rkeep820 :
  April 21st, 2008 at 8:02 pm
  
  

  Well, someone had to provide at least 1 bad review of this car compared to the other 99 great reviews! 135i is the finest car from BMW in years.

• Claude Dickson :
  April 21st, 2008 at 8:12 pm
  
  

  This review on touches on an issue which should receive MUCH more attention. How many reviews have we all read which evaluate a car like it would spend all its time on the track. We’ve all read too often of car criticized for its handling at 9/10ths limits, max lateral force, top speed, etc, when most of us really want to know how the car will do in our daily commute

• dean :
  April 21st, 2008 at 9:32 pm
  
  

  I haven’t see one in person yet, but I actually like the look of the car. It is definitely evocative of the 2002, albeit with ample Bangle-ization.

  I will echo the comments of many, though, in that it completely fails in meeting the spirit of the 2002. I think there was room between current 1er pricing and the Cooper S for a 1-series with about 200HP and a sub 3000lb curb weight.

• zbladejr :
  April 21st, 2008 at 10:51 pm
  
  

  Here's what I would suggest, go to 1addicts.com and read opinions of actual 135i owners, many of which drove any number of truly excellent BMW's and other fine vehicles prior to taking delivery of their 135's. I have yet to read someone disappointed with 'twitchy' and 'bucks and snaps like a cheap Kia'. I drove an automatic 135i as well as an automatic 335i. They're both very good. I really don't think that I could say anything other than the 1 feels more sporty, the 3 feels more elegant. No problem, but please, do us a favor and stop the abuse. It's been pointed out on this thread numerous times as well for this article and the prior one. It's hard to take your 'criticism' seriously when so many owners, testers and otherwise auto enthusiasts do not have the same points to criticize. And no, all testing is not done at the limit, or at a track. I cannot wait until you guys give this little car some time. Then we'll see if your doom and gloom scenarios came true. Go to 1addicts. Learn the truth. Down with haters. Long live the 1!!!!!

• theoneandonlychristian :
  April 22nd, 2008 at 1:14 am
  
  

  It seems like everyone is just out to punk the 1, I’m glad to see something smaller and so different in styling. I for one don’t want to drive another of the 23098540923409832 3 series BMW’s on the road, why look like everyone else when you can have something a little quirky and different.

  I also find it hard to believe that something on the track could be so horrible on the road! I drove both the 128 and 135 and found it to be a stable, toss-able fun little ride. Yes it’s about 6K too much but we have some folks in the government and stupid homebuyers to thank for our tanked dollar.

• Mike Solowiow :
  April 22nd, 2008 at 1:33 am
  
  

  @ Christian

  “I also find it hard to believe that something on the track could be so horrible on the road!”

  Lotus Elise sound familiar? Perfect track car, can’t stand it for more than 15 minutes on real roads.

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