Jeremy Clarkson likes the BMW 135i so now you do too!
 

As if you can't tell by the title, I sometimes get a little annoyed with people who treat what Jeremy Clarkson says as gold. The truth is that he's just a dude who has an opinion. Just because he knows a lot about a lot of cars doesn't mean he knows what's going to be good for you. Yet, people seem to stand up and take notice when he says this or that about a car so I figure I will use this fanaticism to perhaps shed some light on a particular car known as the BMW 135i.

If you're like me you're in your mid twenties and think that BMW's are generally for yuppies and people who solely drive status symbols. While they have undoubtedly set the bar for what sports sedans can do, they have always proven to be less than inspiring in just about every way. The exteriors are simple, yet boring. The interiors are well-equipped, but unoriginal. Overall the cars have always been the Honda Civics of the luxury world. Capable, but uninspiring. With the particular exception of the M3, none of them ever seem geared towards people who wanted more sport than luxury.

As such, when I heard about the new 1 series I thought "great, BMW is making a cheaper version of the 3 in an attempt to lower the bar for them to take your money." While some of those motives may have been true, the 1, quite simply, is not a small 3 series. It has a back seat the size of a Mustang, weird shaped side skirts/fenders, and a rear wheel drive setup with no LSD. Yet despite all the unexpected oddities it has been regarded as many as quite an amazing car. It has the same 300 hp 3.0-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine that the 335i has in a smaller package for less money. And the plot thickens.


So rather than bore you with more of my opinions, I give you the review of who you really care about, JC -- http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol...cle3103294.ece. Again, don't take it as truth, but if it gets you to give it a second look, great.

This isn't an advertisement for BMW and it's not me trying to start an e-argument about whether my take on BMW was right or wrong. Fundamentally a forum is about the exchange of information. I know personally, I had a lot of biases to get over (some right, maybe some wrong) about BMW. I very nearly may have just passed it by without a second thought because of that. So, if you are in the market for a $30-40k coupe (or even hatch) you owe it to yourself to do some real research on this car. It may (or may not) surprise you.

Well, no real strong opinion about what you say, some of it has truth, some of it probably just a bit of opinion. I do see what you're saying, but the way I see it, most reviews are -usually- at least accurate as far as good-bad (it usually will either get a good rating, or bad rating... how good or how bad it is will often be up to taste and such).

I personally believe the best way to go about it is to gather all the different opinions and weigh them to find out if you want to look at the product, then at that point you look and decide for yourself. No matter what the reviews are, when you get in the car and drive it yourself, you'll either like it or not (except for those that are indecisive...).

Good review, I can see what you mean by bmw being a bit simple (maybe even a little bland) with its looks but I honestly don't mind it all too much. I kinda like the fact that you know a BMW when you see one. That being said, I like their 6 series the best, and probably because it has the most unique body styling compared to the rest of their car lineup. The 1 series looks like it could be a lot of fun, but until I get the chance to drive on, I wont be too decided on if it's worth the money or if there is something else for cheaper/similar price range that would be better suited for me.

I want to say in a previous thread I took issue with a lot of what you said about Clarkson and how he reviews cars, but I think that generally you're spot on here. And I think that you're onto something with BMW being the Honda (if not just the Civic) of the Luxury market. It's the benchmark by virtue of gradual refinement over the years, hence being conservative and somewhat boring like a Honda. But in the same vein, it IS rock-solid, albeit uninspired. Coming from a family who owns nothing BUT BMWs, I'm resolved that I'll never own one, more or less for the reasons you've cited. My brother has an '02 M3, and I was actually musing to myself yesterday that I like my car better. Surely his is faster, has sharper steering, better throttle response and in many ways is a better looking car, but there's something to be said for the feel of a car and how a driver interacts with it. BMWs have always seemed to be...slightly detached...in terms of a driving experience? Something. Can't put my finger on it.

In having seen one though, I do agree that the 135i certainly is small, is a bit oddly proportioned and should absolutely have an LSD for the money. But all that aside, I think I would love it; provided I could debadge it. The Tii concept I think is the perfect expression of what the car should be.

I think you are missing something fairly fundamental about Clarkson and the way he reviews cars, and you probably think that the reason I like him is because he is popular and a colorfully obnoxious writer. And I would bet that there's an element of truth to both, but I suppose that is the beauty of opinion?

Cheers, Saturn.

I've always liked BMWs and have been excited about the 135i for some time now. I got to see a 1-series in person the other day, and it looked awful stubby - but then, the black 1-series convertible on the lot looked a lot longer. This really bothered me because it didn't make sense, I've always thought convertibles tended to look shorter.

I'm no fan of the 135i from the get go. It looks hideously ridiculous. However at a recent press launch, I got to sample the 135i with the M3 coupe/cab. I was pleasantly suprised how stout the 135i is. It just felt proper vs. the big M3s. So it is still ugly as an undersized pee-pee, but it's the inside that counts?

Right on about BMW's. Mind you, I have only driven a mid 90's 3 series, so my experience is limited.

I have always wished they build a barebones M3, without all the extra non-essential features that add weight to the car. To make it a true M3, not just an upgraded 3 series with a powerful engine. Maybe keep the current M3 and call it M3L (L is for Luxury) :).

I've always found BMW's to be... just sort of okay. My dad tossed me the keys to an X5 when I was 16 once, and then I was thrilled, but I'm just not into luxury now.

i dunno, guys.
I've been very tempted by the 135i. The interior is a bit bland around the center console area, but other than that the car is a very refined german powerhouse for not too ridiculous of a price (granted, a loaded 135i costs almost as much as a 335i). I started looking at this car before Clarkson reviewed it, but his review is unsurprising. My only complaint about the 135i (or BMW's in general) is the lack of limited slip.
I have yet to see one in person, but I did see a 128 hatch the other day and it looked a lot better than they do in video, but still a bit awkward. I was planning to go test drive one today at lunch but I got sidetracked by this thing called work.
Oh well. maybe i'll leave early.

i think this whole LSD thing is over hyped. the new E9x 3 series handles GREAT. You dont need LSD in 99% of everyday driving anyways. those little cars handle a lot better than a lot of cars with LSD.

I'd never buy a 135i, but that thing is fast in a straight line. I passed on a M3 because I wasn't the least bit impressed, nice engine but thought the RX8 was a much better overall car. Oh well, to each their own. BMW is way better then a Benz or Audi in my opinion.

I think you said it right about a sports sedan.

Get real, drive a sports car!

Jeremy Clarkson hated the Porsche Cayman. I for one thing love the Cayman and so does many other people. Each individual has the right to their own opinion. I for one thing don't take Jeremy's reviews seriously. Top Gear more about entertainment purposes since its funny and everything. Fifth gear is more of a review about cars they go in depth. I for one thing look don't take reviews 100% until i test them out myself. As for the 135i, I think its an awesome car. Its lightweight and the power for it is tremendous. But like I said I id rather go for the Cayman than the 135i. Just personal opinion. it looks better :lol:

Since when? He drove a V6 Mustang thinking it was a V8, he has no idea what drivetrain loss is, he thinks AWD cars are slow off the line because they "bog" when he drives them, etc.

He likes cars, yes, but to say he knows a lot about them isn't true at all. There were plenty of times where he looked like an idiot when he was talking about vehicles.

He's a show-host and nothing more, IMO. I'll never take his word for gold.

i just love him, don't care much for the review, he is hilarious XD

i think BMW's are fantastic cars. they definately set the standard in car manufacturing. i'm not being biased because i make a living off of them, but they are engineered quite nicely. although, i would never own one for what they are worth...new that is.

the chris bangle designs are somewhat 'iffy' and takes some time getting used to. i never liked the E60 5 Series, but the M5 looks pretty damn good. the facelifted E65/66 is much better than the earlier ones, and the B7 definately kicks ass. the 135i is a nice little package, you really have to drive one. i can't stand the new E90 M3, but i'm sure i'll get used to it.

It is hard to fault BMW when you look at there competition. I think the Honda analogy is an excellent one. BMW has consistently offered sporty fun to drive cars when others like MB and Audi were poking up and deleting fun from there cars. However i think that BMW has strayed a little in that the buy in price for on is still too high for there entry level car. IMO the 1 series seems a little bit pointless. It has a lot less space then the 3 series but weights about the same? :uhh: I really think they need to offer the 4 door and the 5 door to make the car a little more practical and IMO if i am paying that much for a performance car it needs a LSD. But still i like the car it is just like every other car and has some problems.

I can't get over the porky mask. I like the rear though.
https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1207093406

^ That is the greatest picture I've ever seen on this forum. Haha!

Secretly, though, it makes me want it even more!

It's still not that light (~400lbs more than an RX-8), and it's still a front engined car with a high cg.

The RX-8 is better, it just needs more power.....

who is Jeremy Clarkson?

Man, it's tough drawing with a mouse! :)

I'm going to play Devils advocate here with Top Gear. Everyone is leaning here towards their opinion is crap on cars, however they did like our 8 when they test drove it. Or at least Hammond did. I dont think its fair just because you disagree with their opinions on the 135 series saying that they don't know much about vehicles, and they are only talk show hosts.

BMW's are usually overall the best cars. They have enough power, good handling, fairly good reliability, free maintenance, etc... Can't beat that. They've always set the standards for sports sedans, especially the 3 series.

They started doing horizontal led tail lights and I bet in couple of years, most manufacturers will start using them as well. :)

Not a big fan of 1 series, it has bugs eyes, but 3 series is drool-worthy.

what about this one:
http://static.kickapps.com/kickapps/...05381_main.jpg

too bad they're not making it...

or maybe they will!

just released today:
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/02/b...-and-3-series/

Jezza should read Top Gear's magazine review of it :)