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2009 BMW 1 Series Review

2009 BMW 1 Series Convertible

By Thom Cannell
The Auto Channel
Detroit Bureau

BMW’s new 1 Series is a genetic throwback to the first BMWsimported into the US. More curvaceous than the boxy 1600 and 2002 of yourmisspent youth, the new 1 Series—128 and 135 Coupe andConvertible—are spiritual successors. Powered by engines introducedin the 3 and 5 Series, the lighter cars have more performance in a smaller,and more affordable, package.

Introduced in 2007, the 230 hp N52 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engineinjects every 128i with 200 pound-feet of torque. The price for a 128iCoupe, including destination, is $29,375 and a 128i Convertible,$33,875.

The more powerful 135i also offers a choice of a 6-speed manual or6-speed STEPTRONIC. Its N54 twin turbocharged 3.0-liter engine makes 300horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque way down low, even as low as 1,400rpm. What that means is incredible off the line power, and tons of torqueto push you out of any corner. It means that any 135i should kick the assof a heavier 3 Series 335i, for thousands of dollars less.

An M-Aero, M-Sport suspension, 6-caliper BMW branded front brakes and18” mixed performance tires are standard for all 1 Series. Itsdress-up at the red carpet level, and extra cost on other BMWs. The 135Coupe costs $35,675, and for just under $4000 more, the Convertible listsfor $39,875. All 1 Series include no-cost, no-charge wear and tear itemsfor four years / 50,000 miles and no-charge road assist for four years.

BMW changed its design direction for the 1 Series, pulling the mainshoulder line tightly up to create what BMW calls a “boatdeck.” That antique Chris Craft homage is most visible onConvertibles, with the top retracted. There is a very long hood with apushed-back greenhouse, which moves the driver visually rearward, furtheremphasizing the smaller vehicle size. Rear ends feature integrated trunklid spoilers with the 135 having an additional lip spoiler extra rear enddownforce. Brake lights react to braking force in two stages, bright andbrighter to announce heavy braking to following motorists.

Other than badging, how can you tell one from the other? 135is haveblack tipped twin exhaust pipes and 128is use bright chrome. Front ends aremore easily identified, but can be tricky. Xenon adaptive headlamps arestandard on 135is, and an option for128is. Fog lamps, standard on 128,appear only on that model, so you can be sure you’ve identifiedcorrectly if you see fog lamps. And all 1 Series feature the BMW signaturetwin corona ring daylight running lights.

Interiors fit tightly around four adult passengers, Coupe orConvertible, creating an intimate interior. We found that the softConvertible top hardware intrudes about 30 mm on each side and decreasesshoulder space for rear seat passengers. The top goes up in 22 seconds, andyou don’t have to be parked, the top pops up at speeds up to 30 mph,according to BMW. Standard Convertible tops are black or taupe, though ametallic-look top with woven-in black and silver thread is an option. Acool option, and we worked hard for the pun, is a heat-resistant leatherBMW says can reduce seat surface temperature by ~37°F.

All the surfaces—door and glove box handles, radio and airconditioning knobs—are finished in galvanized pearl gloss, and thelove/hate iDrive is included with an optional navigation system. If youpurchase iDrive, it controls most body, heating, cooling, and allentertainment functions. The latest iDrive control includes sixprogrammable buttons, with a “soft touch” preview mode. You canset each button to tune the radio, dial up a destination from the navsystem, or dial oft-used telephone numbers. SIRIUS satellite and HD radioare options, as is a USB/3.5 mm iPod connection that allows most iPodfeatures to function.

Suspension uses aluminum double-pivot front and the five-link rearutilizes lightweight steel. This makes the 128 and 135 handle withexceptional enthusiasm and panache. Electronic stability controls include ahigh-threshold dynamic traction control system. By high, we mean you canpush hard on the accelerator and generate massive cornering force beforethe ESP kicks in. And, on 135 Coupe, it is calibrated for even higherperformance driving, with quicker accelerator pedal response. Adaptivesteering, which debuted on 5 Series, is optional and radically changeshandling feel. In fact, a 135 with adaptive steering feels like an utterlydifferent car, not better or worse, just different every turn of thesteering wheel.

We first drove the 128 through very twisting two lane roads north ofMonterey, California. This was a no-extra’s automobile with 6-speed manual,and it was glorious. Sifts were short, slick, and smooth, steering lightand accurate, and the engine always had plenty of power on tap. There wassufficient power to steer with the throttle, not that we hung the tail out,rather using torque to point the nose.

Later we drove a 135 with 6-speed STEPTRONIC and adaptive steering.Paddle shifting up the gears, and using the instant and massive torque,this 135 was a different feel from the up-level seats to the navigationsystem. Adaptive steering requires a different skill set, you have to leadinto direction changes with subtlety and grace; adaptive steering reactsquickly. There is so much power on tap that a 135 seems to leap from cornerto corner. Of course, in either vehicle the brakes are simply massivekinetic engines ready to dissipate whatever amount of speed you need toshed. Instead of inventing clever phrases, let’s just say eithervehicle is incredible driving fun.

In cases where an accident is unavoidable, or in the unlikely event yourenthusiasm overwhelms sensibility, safety items include multi-stage frontand side air bags plus pop-up rear roll bars for Convertibles, twoadditional side-curtain air bags for Coupes, and seat-anchored inertialreel seat belts for all.

BMW thinks competition for the 1 Series from Audi or Mercedes isunlikely, as neither has a similar vehicle. Instead, cross shopping bySubaru WRX, Ford Mustang, and Mitsubishi EVO owners may fuel itsgrowth.

If you’re one of the early buyers, first year models includesignature engraved starter rings (“Year One of the 1”,) acommemorative book with a copy of the VIN, and a certificate ofauthenticity. Launch for the Coupe is 22 March, with Convertible modelsfollowing by May 1, at the latest