BMW 135i Convertible

2009 BMW 135i Convertible

In Fleet: Sept. 18-Oct. 2

Base Price: $40,975

As-Tested Price: $46,975

Drivetrain: 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged I6; RWD, six-speed manual

Output: 306 hp @ 5,800 rpm, 295 lb-ft @ 1,300-5,000 rpm

Curb Weight: 3,660 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 20/21.2 mpg

Options: Premium package including universal garage-door opener, digital compass mirror, auto-dimming mirrors and rearview mirror, power front seats, lumbar support, BMW Assist ($3,400); Sport package including 18-inch wheels, performance tires, sport seats, M steering wheel, shadowline trim ($1,100); comfort access system ($500); heated front seats ($500); iPod, USB adapter ($400); moonlight black soft top ($100)


I love this engine. It's one of the sweetest in the car business. The gearbox is fine, too. There's just the slightest bit of cowl shake over rough pavement, just a little bit of steering-column shudder. Mostly the platform is quite solid and speaking of the steering, it's as fine as any in the biz.

The seats are comfortable, and it's an easy car to drive hard or just toodle around town in. Some of the plastics inside aren't up to German snuff though and I was quite surprised, then I saw the sticker price and was appalled. BMW has a lot of guts asking this much, but on the other hand, dealers are probably discounting the hell out of it. BMW's own Web site touts low-interest financing and sweet lease deals, and you know how these things go. The manufacturer's site is only the starting point for the discounts, with more to be had at the actual dealership.


EXECUTIVE EDITOR ROGER HART: There is a lot to love here, from the sweet little turbo motor to the crisp-shifting gearbox and the way the clutch engages at just the right spot in the pedal travel. The brake pedal is perfectly positioned to roll your foot over onto the throttle. All the little details have been paid attention to.

The driving experience is equally engaging--this is a fun-to-drive car that rewards you when you drive it hard. The car's giving you plenty of feedback, and I really didn't have any issues with cowl shake. The top operation is easy and fast, just the way it should be.

My only issue with this car is the price. Frankly, it's staggering for a car this size. I like the car, a lot, but just not at this price.


SENIOR EDITOR FOR NEWS BOB GRITZINGER: I echo Roger's observation on the clutch--there may not be a more perfectly weighted and properly engaging clutch in any other car. The gearbox and engine are excellent as well, perfectly matched for each other and the car. It all works right in tune with the driver.

The 1-series hardtop is hard to beat, but chopping the top off one doesn't help its dynamics. It doesn't hurt as much as similar executions in other cars, but there is some shimmy introduced to the body. And whatever bracing and extra stuff BMW did to overcome the roof surgery is severe--the car is really harsh over bumps and road imperfections, to the point where it hops around on bumps on hard corners. Nothing to worry too much about, given that the car is so well planted it recovers easily, but overall, there's an unsettled feeling to the chassis that isn't there in the hardtop.

As for the price, who says you can't make money selling small cars in America? BMW obviously can.