BMW 1 Series Convertible 135i M Sport 2dr Car Review - February 2012

REVIEW
List Price: £35,640
Tax Band: J
Insurance Group: 38
MPG: 32.8
CO2: 200
0-62 Mph: 5.6 secs
BHP: 306 BHP
Range: 382 miles
CarSite Verdict:  4/5
At £34,885, the 135i M Sport is expensive. That being said, the 135i M Sport is a great car to drive with a powerful engine, impressive driveability and superb handling. Unfortunately, the car's firm suspension is still a problem and cramped rear seating and a small boot limit practicality.

PROS:  The 135i M Sport has a great engine and offers superb handling. This is a fun car to drive and it looks fantastic.

CONS:  Very expensive for a 1 Series. The suspension can be too firm and the rear seat space is cramped, meaning comfort is sacrificed. The 135i M Sport is not cheap to run either.

Behind the Wheel

The 135i M Sport convertible has very firm suspension. The manual gearbox is smooth and the car really comes into its own on twisting back roads, where the front engine rear-wheel drive chassis delivers a great driving experience through fantastic body control, grip and balance.

The M Sport’s twin-turbo charged six cylinder engine provides amazing power and performance. A maximum power output of 306bhp and torque figures of 295lb-ft at 1200-5000 rpm allow the car to reach a top speed of 155 mph and get from 0-62 mph in 5.6 seconds.

The engine is also refined, offering a smooth and quiet drive. The only disruption to this is noise generated by the wind which is only really audible at motorway speeds.

Looks & Equipment

The 135i M Sport's interior is restrained and stylish and is the epitomy of common sense and functionality. It is also well trimmed in quality materials.

Equipment wise, standard features of the M Sport trim include alloy wheels, MP3 connectivity, climate control, rear parking sensors and an advanced stereo system. Optional extras are available, with features such as leather seats, Bluetooth connectivity and satellite navigation all available for additional costs of £1,010, £400 and £1,550 respectively.

The car also comes with BMW's 'Efficient Dynamics' technology as well as iDrive control system.

Practicality, Safety & Reliability

The 135i M Sport is a well crafted and engineered car which should offer endless reliability. It rated well in the 2011 JD Power survey for customer satisfaction and is offered with a 3 year/unlimited mileage warranty for extra peace of mind.

Driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags are all fitted as standard with traction control and dynamic stability control also standard features. An alarm, immobiliser, remote central locking and deadlocks also offer all-round protection from theft.

In terms of practicality, the 135i M Sport is short on leg space in the back seat, although it does have more boot space than before, thanks to a longer and wider body. These improvements were made following criticisms of the old 1 Series but unfortunately, despite the changes, the space is still restricted.

For front passengers and the driver, the 1 Series is more comfortable and there is plenty of adjustment available in the driving seat. Unfortunately the adjustment mechanism is a little difficult to operate and this means getting the perfect position can be a pain.

Value for Money

The 135i M Sport convertible is expensively priced at £34,885 and running costs will not be cheap, despite the best efforts of the BMW 'Efficienct Dynamics' package. The engine is fairly efficient for its size with a fuel economy of 32.8mpg on the combined cycle but CO2 emissions of 200g/km are a little high and put the 135i M Sport into VED band J. Insurance is in group 38.

For the same price as the 135i M Sport, you could get an entry level 3 Series convertible which, despite only having a 2.0-litre engine, is a vastly superior car with much more interior space and a classier image.


BMW 1 Series Convertible 135i M Sport 2dr Car Review - by 
All BMW 1 Series Reviews
BMW 1 Series 116i ES 3dr Pre-Model - February 2012
This 1 series 116i ES 3-door hatch is a great starting point as a BMW owner. Offering plenty of driving enjoyment and with a superb driving position - this car is great fun to drive. It offers a ta...
BMW 1 Series 116i SE Auto 3dr Pre-Model - February 2012
The 116i SE Auto is pricey but offers good driveability and controlled handling. The fuel economy and low CO2 emissions also make it an inexpensive car to run and the BMW badge endows the car with ...
BMW 1 Series 118i SE 3dr Pre-Model - February 2012
With inexpensive running costs thanks to decent fuel efficiency and low carbon emissions, the BMW 1 series 118i SE is an ideal car for those who can get past its high price tag. This model is more ...
BMW 1 Series 116d ES 3dr Pre-Model - February 2012
The 116d is the cheapest diesel option in the 1 Series range with very low running costs, but if performance is important to you then it may offer a false economy. The engine may lack power but sti...
BMW 1 Series 118d ES 3dr - February 2012
The second generation BMW hatchback is a great improvement from its predecessor in terms of its profile and looks. The engine is more powerful yet economical. It’s a comfortable ride and quite eng...
Comments
Sports Alternatives

You might want to read reviews for other Sports cars that you can then compare to the BMW 1 Series. Here are some popular BMW 1 Series alternatives:

NEW RELEASE
Jeep Avenger revealed for 2023
NEW RELEASE
Ferrari Purosangue revealed
NEW RELEASE
Ford Mustang revealed for 2023
NEW RELEASE
New BMW M2 has been revealed
NEW RELEASE
Electric SUV coming soon
NEW RELEASE
Popular hatchback gets an update