I have no trouble imagining one of these elegant little coupes slumbering in the garage of a sumptuous home in a trendy urban quarter. This little gem would probably rub shoulders with a Series 5 or 7 sedan and, in parts of Canada where the winters really have bite, an X3 as well!
If the 2002 BMW of the day had been compared to “a nice wine”, the 135i would definitely be called a great vintage. This is a small, high-luxury car that’s got what it takes to satisfy the true driving enthusiast.
Starting with the sport bucket seats, an option included on our test model ($800). The seats literally wrap around their occupant. Very close-fitting, they offer a high level of comfort and support that make even the longest journey a pleasant one. In the winter, though, the seats feel a little bulgy when you’re wearing your huge parka. That’s when you park your 135i – and take out your X3.
Considering the sale price of this car, you would expect the driver’s seat to have electronic controls (at the very least)…
It’s also worth mentioning that the mechanism that folds the bucket seats down to allow rear passengers to climb aboard is rather ornery. On the other hand, the same mechanism allows the seat to regain its original position, which is not the case in every coupe, especially the Japanese ones.
In any case, the usefulness of the two rear seats is questionable. With their limited head-, leg- and footroom, they’re really only suitable for young children.
Well-known interior
The dash is decked out in the brand’s well-known style. Fleeting lines and high-quality materials and assembly unmistakably brand it as a BMW. Everything is within hand’s reach, but many buttons are small and thus hard to find and use.
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| The BMW 135i coupe looks well-behaved even though a potent engine hides inside. |
If the 2002 BMW of the day had been compared to “a nice wine”, the 135i would definitely be called a great vintage. This is a small, high-luxury car that’s got what it takes to satisfy the true driving enthusiast.
Starting with the sport bucket seats, an option included on our test model ($800). The seats literally wrap around their occupant. Very close-fitting, they offer a high level of comfort and support that make even the longest journey a pleasant one. In the winter, though, the seats feel a little bulgy when you’re wearing your huge parka. That’s when you park your 135i – and take out your X3.
Considering the sale price of this car, you would expect the driver’s seat to have electronic controls (at the very least)…
It’s also worth mentioning that the mechanism that folds the bucket seats down to allow rear passengers to climb aboard is rather ornery. On the other hand, the same mechanism allows the seat to regain its original position, which is not the case in every coupe, especially the Japanese ones.
In any case, the usefulness of the two rear seats is questionable. With their limited head-, leg- and footroom, they’re really only suitable for young children.
Well-known interior
The dash is decked out in the brand’s well-known style. Fleeting lines and high-quality materials and assembly unmistakably brand it as a BMW. Everything is within hand’s reach, but many buttons are small and thus hard to find and use.
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| With the (optional) sport seats, the 135i’s cabin will satisfy the demanding driving enthusiast. |