Lastly, the retractable soft top, though not as quick to retract as you’d like, does its job very well. Up, it creates a surprisingly silent cockpit for a car of this size. Down, it nestles snugly in the trunk – to the detriment of cargo space, of course.
Inspired drive
But what really sets the 135i apart, be it coupe or cabrio, is its dynamic drive. The 135i is manoeuvrable, the steering is precise and the suspension is stiff enough to accurately control the car’s tendency to roll, but flexible enough not to inflict punishment on the driver and passengers over rough terrain.
Kudos too for the gearbox. The DCT, or dual-clutch transmission, isn’t exclusive to BMW, and more and more manufacturers are equipping their models with this technology. But the diminutive 135i is admittedly well endowed in this regard. The transmission responds quickly and precisely, even though, to me, nothing will ever totally replace a good manual transmission.
All the same, the presence of a dual clutch allows for quick, smooth shifts at the slightest touch. Note that this box is optional, and that the 6-speed manual transmission is usually delivered standard.
And how can we forget the engine. The turbocharged inline-6 is nothing short of exceptional. It unhesitatingly rockets forward as soon as you insist. However, measured acceleration does cause a bit of a stir.
The brakes aren’t totally up to par either. As in all sporty BMW variants, they aren’t very progressive and require dainty fairy feet to coax them into smoothness.
Conclusion
Small, dynamic and easy to steer into any trajectory with a simple flick of the gas, the BMW 135i, cabrio or otherwise, is an exemplary little sports car.
So much so, in fact, that you have to wonder why BMW wants to market a 1-Series M Coupe…
Inspired drive
But what really sets the 135i apart, be it coupe or cabrio, is its dynamic drive. The 135i is manoeuvrable, the steering is precise and the suspension is stiff enough to accurately control the car’s tendency to roll, but flexible enough not to inflict punishment on the driver and passengers over rough terrain.
Kudos too for the gearbox. The DCT, or dual-clutch transmission, isn’t exclusive to BMW, and more and more manufacturers are equipping their models with this technology. But the diminutive 135i is admittedly well endowed in this regard. The transmission responds quickly and precisely, even though, to me, nothing will ever totally replace a good manual transmission.
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| This engine unhesitatingly rockets forward as soon as you insist. (Photo: Philippe Champoux/Auto123.com) |
All the same, the presence of a dual clutch allows for quick, smooth shifts at the slightest touch. Note that this box is optional, and that the 6-speed manual transmission is usually delivered standard.
And how can we forget the engine. The turbocharged inline-6 is nothing short of exceptional. It unhesitatingly rockets forward as soon as you insist. However, measured acceleration does cause a bit of a stir.
The brakes aren’t totally up to par either. As in all sporty BMW variants, they aren’t very progressive and require dainty fairy feet to coax them into smoothness.
Conclusion
Small, dynamic and easy to steer into any trajectory with a simple flick of the gas, the BMW 135i, cabrio or otherwise, is an exemplary little sports car.
So much so, in fact, that you have to wonder why BMW wants to market a 1-Series M Coupe…
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