BMW 135i - Dyno test

When the BMW 1 Series first looked like it would be brought to the U.S. from its successful home in the European market, we had visions of a return to the BMW 2002, the car that really invented the BMW brand in America back in the late 1960s. It would be a return to form, an expression of the true BMW spirit. You know, something small, light, nimble and affordable. We even dared to dream of a reborn BMW 2002 tii.

But then the specifications hit our desk with a thump. It turned out the BMW 1 Series would be heavier than we expected, not to mention more expensive. Fortunately it would be more powerful, too. It became clear to us that the 1 Series was not so much a continuation of the beloved 2002, but rather a rebirth of the 3 Series.

If you haven't noticed, the BMW 3 Series has, well, expanded. Those who hit the upper-middle-class running in the go-go 1980s bought a far different 3 Series from the one we enjoy today. It was small, light, nimble and affordable. It was a gateway car, an introduction to the brand — a broker's first BMW, you could say. BMW hoped as its new customers climbed the corporate ladder, they would steadily upgrade their BMW to suit. Have a family, buy a 5 Series; make partner, buy an M6. Retirement imminent? You, sir, need a 7 Series.

But then the BMW 3 Series became a mass-market success and soon it acquired a mass-market identity, morphing into a vehicle that is all things for all people. It's a coupe, sedan, convertible, wagon and even a sport-utility if you count the X3, and there are gasoline engines, diesel engines, four-cylinders, a twin-turbo inline-6 and now even a V8. Once you're behind the wheel of a BMW 3 Series, there's very little need to move up.

Which brings us back to our newest long-term test car, a 2008 BMW 135i. When you compare the specifications, the 1 Series is not so different from the 3 Series: a fraction shorter, a fraction lighter and really only a fraction less expensive. It's smooth, sophisticated and as carefully optioned with consumer-friendly convenience features as a 3 Series.

If we wanted a 1 Series more like a BMW 2002 tii — something in the spirit of cheap and cheerful, only with terrific speed — it was clear we would have to build our own.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 2009
• BMW
• 135i
• Dyno
• Test
• German
• car
• auto
• motor
• Edmunds
• Inside
• Line
• 3.0L
• 6cyl
• Turbo
• 6M
• engine