2010 BMW 135i Coupe Road Test Review

2010 BMW 135i Coupe Road Test Review

SINCE ARRIVING on our shores midway through last year, the BMW 135i coupe has been hailed by many – both here and abroad – as one of the best sports cars to come from the Munich-based company.

Equipped with the same twin-turbo powerplant as the bigger 335i and flashier Z4, the 135i is pitched as a more focused, less compromised vehicle.

Luxury and space take a back seat to power and pace, and the 135i promises to thrill those looking for a purer driving experience.

For 2010 BMW has added some extra fuel-saving technology to the 135i’s spec sheet, but with a starting price in excess of $72,000 is the pint-sized Bavarian simply a very expensive small car, or a bona-fide performance bargain?

Styling

Although motoring journos and the general public alike were reluctant to embrace the 1 Series’ unique styling after it launched in 2004, the coupe bodystyle launched in 2007 boasted a broader appeal.

The “startled cat” headlights and the rest of the 1 Series hatch’s front sheetmetal are applied to the coupe, but the bubble-topped roofline and truncated boot are unique and endearing features of the two door.

It might look a tad top-heavy to some, but others could justifiably draw parallels between the 135i’s shape and the 1960s-vintage BMW 2002 – or indeed the first-gen E30 M3.

The 135i is bigger than both of them in width, length and height, however, and although it’s the smallest BMW on sale today, it’s spiritual ancestors were even smaller.

But while it might be small by modern standards, the 135i is no shrinking violet. An M Sports bodykit adds an aggressive visage to the 135i’s front and rear, with a deeply contoured front bumper and a sporty rear bumper with a blacked out diffuser-esque panel and a subtle bootlip spoiler. A flexible chin spoiler sits beneath the front bumper.

Aside from looking good, the front bumper is also a functional performance part. The cheek vents funnel air behind the 135i’s front wheels, actively helping to cool the brakes, while the central aperture channels more air into the engine’s intercooler and radiator.

The metal window frames that are normally chromed on the 1 Series are finished in black chrome on the 135i, and are matched by a pair of black chrome exhaust outlets under the rear bumper.

The 135i’s Xenon headlamps are equipped with BMW’s circular daytime running lights, while the LED tail lights look fantastic when lit up at night.

The 18-inch alloy wheels are sized perfectly for the 135i’s wheelwells, and their staggered width and optimal offset give the small coupe a purposeful stance, like a sprinter crouched at the starting line.

There are a lot of smooth, flowing curves in the 1 series coupe’s sheetmetal. The combination of concave surfacing with taut, drawn-back creases gives the 135i an organic appearance, like it’s almost alive.

It’s a characterful, yet purposeful shape. It may be small and missing the outright athleticism of its bigger brother the M3, but the 135i’s shape has a more playful personality that makes it easier to like.

If the M3 is a greyhound, the 135i is a Jack Russell – smaller, cuter, but full of boundless energy.

Interior

Like most BMWs, the 135i’s cabin is well-built and well-presented.

Being based on the budget 1 Series means the some parts of the dashtop and centre console may not feel as top-shelf as other BMW products, but there’s definitely an upper-class ambience about the 135i’s cockpit.

Boston leather upholstery is standard, and is offset with a choice of Burr Walnut, Poplar or brushed aluminium trim. The door inserts are clad in matching leather, and the gearknob and M Sports steering wheel are also covered in cowhide.

A black headliner adds a sporty feel to the interior, and the cabin feels tight around the driver without being claustrophobic. The cockpit is undeniably small, though, and there are some annoying compromises as a result.