First Impressions

[atr_hugo]

Joplin, MO – “Now class, let's open up the new piece that BMW has given us, Opus E82, 'Einer, Kleine Musclecar'”. [Hat tip to David E. Davis, apologies to Wolfgang A. Mozart]

Having driven 160 miles to meet Bryan and Stewart during their wanderings on the remnants of US Route 66, I was relatively straightforward in my request to take the 135i for a quick spin. Not having had an opportunity to drive the 1er yet, and unable to secure an invite to the US drive in California, I was hoping for the next best thing. Bryan and Stewart obliged and even volunteered to be passengers while I drove (little did they know ; -).

I had been out of my Miata for about 15 minutes when the 135i pulled into the Starbucks. Once the pleasantries were out of the way, Stewart piled in the backseat and off we went. I had scouted a quick route when I had suggested the meeting place and there is a little used road within a couple hundred yards of the Starbucks that provided an ideal mini-test. A couple of sweepers and some broken asphalt in parking lots would give me an opportunity to understand a bit of the suspension dynamics and steering feel of the car.

If you've never driven a Miata (NA, or NB) you won't have a sense of how precise and quick the power steering is in the Miata. It's the gold standard for steering feel (and Porsche's may be the Platinum standard ; -). The 1er wasn't as tingly or twitchy as the Miata, but I suspect the steering ratios are close to the same. In fact the transition from the Miata to the 1er was seamless, other than the turn signal stalk. Clutch, shifter, steering all felt great. The brake felt a bit grabby initially, but then the Miata has a fairly soft feel and long pedal travel. It was easy to modulate the brakes and also to heel and toe downshift. That thick chunky steering wheel is a real delight also.

Chassis dynamics were very good. It feels as if it has soft springs and stiff rebound damping. Under power through one of the sweepers (not anywhere near the limits), you could sense that this car could hang on until you got scared, long before it would run out of traction. Very tenacious. Even more encouraging, and unlike the Chrysler Crossfire, this car is docile and comfortable at low speeds. The Crossfire never felt 'on' until you were in super-legal speeds. The 135i felt just fine trundling along at 25 to 35 MPH.

Seating is excellent, as expected, and even a quick couple of blocks in the back seat didn't prove fatal. The rear seat room is OK, if you're willing to splay your legs a bit and as long as you aren't going far. Ingress and egress will be the biggest issue with anyone over 5' 9” in the back.

And then there is this odd observation about the car, parked in the lot at Starbucks, several Gen-Y types walked past it without notice. I asked Stewart if the car got any hits (gawkers) and he said for the most part, no. Folks, if you don't order red, you may be able to slip below the radar in this thing. ; -)

But that gets us back to the opening sentence. This thing is a frickin' freight train! Can you say German Mustang? Great taut chassis, and inside, the creamy smooth power delivery of a V8 (with the much more appealing soundtrack of an in-line six). Gadzooks, this thing is quick. License revocation quick. And it sits there waiting for you just off idle. No wonder the N54 won a '10 Best Engine Award', it is phenomenal.

All good things come to an end though, after about half an hour with Bryan, Stewart, and the 1er, it was back to KC. The weather was sunny & fair, the roads were dry, and there was a smile on my face.

[scs]

nice write up! i can't wait 'till mine arrives

[larryn]

Just one question... Did you find an allocation yet? :biggrin:

Awesome story, you lucky bastage!

[SA135i]

Great review, it reminds me so much of my little stint in one a few weeks back now. Oh how I long...... only another 6 weeks

[joelk]

thanks for taking the time to write that up!

[mikeo]

I'm so envious of people that get to drive the Einer and can write really well.

At least I still have my Einer virginity to keep me company, Hugo.

[atr_hugo]

Here's a couple of pix. Stewart's the sacrifical sardine in the second photo. ; -)

[turbomg]

Originally Posted by atr_hugo

the transition from the Miata to the 1er was seamless, other than the turn signal stalk.

Had to LOL at this. I had the same experience when I first test drove the 335.

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by turbomg

Had to LOL at this. I had the same experience when I first test drove the 335.

Educate me!

[atr_hugo]

The Miata has a cheap old style turn signal stalk, where it has to physically stay up or down to actuate the turn signal. The BMW requires that you deflect the stalk up or down momentarily to activate the turn signal. I was trying to get the stalk to stay in its up or down position. Didn't break it though . . . ; -)

[jraymond]

SON OF A B$TCH!

I live 45mins from Joplin and would have driven up just to sit!!!!

[Gary@TireRack]

Thanks Hugo. I love reading these reviews!

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by atr_hugo

The Miata has a cheap old style turn signal stalk, where it has to physically stay up or down to actuate the turn signal. The BMW requires that you deflect the stalk up or down momentarily to activate the turn signal. I was trying to get the stalk to stay in its up or down position. Didn't break it though . . . ; -)

So you can't do a single manual single or double blinker flick, say on the highway?

Does it shut off after a very small input on the wheel, such as changing lanes at high speed?

[atr_hugo]

I think you can - but (shudder) I might have to read the owner's manual. ; -)

[ChrisK]

Very nice Hugo!

[turbomg]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

So you can't do a single manual single or double blinker flick, say on the highway?

Does it shut off after a very small input on the wheel, such as changing lanes at high speed?

If you just press it down and release it, it will blink three times. Actually makes it a bit easier for exactly that purpose.

[jonack]

atr,
I'm assuming that it had active steering???

[atr_hugo]

No - not active steering. Steering feel is very good though, it's not a Miata - and that's both good and bad. Nowhere near the fine tingly sensations that come up through the rack in the Miata, but that may not be the best thing over long distances. The 135i's steering, regardless of feel, is perfect in the non-active steering version.

[bimmerfile]

Wow.
Nice write-up. :thumbup:

Thanks for the core dump....:biggrin:

[larryn]

Again, got an allocation booked yet? :wink:

[edge350]

Thanks, Hugo!
If I can ask you to close your eyes and relive that drive for a moment, how does the drive in the 135 compare to the 335?

[Swift135]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

So you can't do a single manual single or double blinker flick, say on the highway?

Does it shut off after a very small input on the wheel, such as changing lanes at high speed?

You can select through i-drive menu or dealer (if no i-drive) the number of flicks of the blinker on the light touch of stalk. I think you can choose 2,3 or 4 blinks. At least thats how it is in my X5 and i have been told that the system in the 1 is similar. You can definitely have the window programmed to drop down as the drivers door is opened to give you a little more space to lean over the door as you enter the car. It rises again automatically when the door is shut.