2008 BMW 1-Series

Whenever a car or truck is redesigned, our road tests usually pinpoint the fact that it’s larger than the model it replaced. While okay in some quarters, constant growth tends to have a negative affect on performance, especially for enthusiasts cars like those from BMW. So, when BMW announced that their smaller, entry level 1-Series was coming to America, we instantly rejoiced.  Now let’s see if less BMW is really more.

Bigger may have its advantages in trucks and people movers, but when it comes to sporty cars, it’s compact all the way.

And that’s the concept behind the 2008 BMW 1-Series: an agile rear-drive series that BMW says is a direct descendant of the lightweight 2002 of the 1960s - cars that ignited America’s fascination with Bimmers in the first place.

But, although the 1-Series is almost 8 ½ inches shorter than a 3-Series, curb weights range from 3,252 pounds for the 128i Coupe, to 3,660 for the 135i Convertible. So, these are hardly bare bones machines.

Still, they pack a lot of punch for their size. Both coupe and convertible are powered by the same 3.0-liter dual-overhead-cam inline 6-cylinder engines as the larger 3-Series. For the 128i that’s 230 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque, while the 135i packs the 3.0 twin-turbo for a big 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. Transmission choices are also the same, a 6-speed manual or automatic with manual shift mode.

With a 200-pound weight advantage over a 335i Coupe our 135i manual hit 60 in 5.0-seconds flat. The quarter-mile time rocks by in 13.5 seconds at 107 miles-per-hour. And boy is this fun.

The turbo-six launches like a V8, with huge bottom end punch and no turbo lag. Power delivery is almost V12 smooth, with no dips or gaps anywhere in the power band.

Throttle response is also lightning quick, with only the BMW-typical late clutch engagement hampering a smooth get-away.

But it’s when you get out on the road that you can really appreciate the drive train’s flexibility. Mash the gas in any gear, and the car surges forward.

Few shifts are required, despite the shifter’s short throws and tight gear ratios.

Yet for all its guts, the 135i still delivers government fuel economy ratings of 17 city/25 highway. We averaged an acceptable 23 miles-per-gallon on premium.

Both road and track highlight the performance of the 1-Series rigid platform and the 135i’s M-Sport tuned suspension.

The 135i is incredibly nimble; responding instantly to steering inputs. It delivers only a touch of front push that keeps it from achieving perfect chassis balance, and even that requires barely a touch of the throttle to overcome.

The standard Dynamic Stability Control is tuned for the enthusiast, allowing you to push the car hard before it intervenes.

The superb handling is matched by powerful brakes that bring the 135i down from 60 in a short average of 112 feet.

The 135i matches its aggressive performance with sharply defined styling.

Halo running lights, knife-edged character lines, and short overhangs, give the 1-Series coupe a stubby but very purposeful appearance; a look that BMW designers carried over into the 128i Convertible. 

The standard power soft-top with glass backlight not only matches the lines of the coupe’s hard-top to a “t” but can raise or lower in just 22-seconds, even when moving at up to 25 miles-per-hour.

Convertible body flex is hard to muster. Wind buffeting is moderate, but the optional wind blocker takes it to near zero.

To our eyes, the 1-Series has a more organic interior look than its larger siblings, with large, tightly grouped gauges.

Standard features include leatherette upholstery, CD audio, and automatic climate controls, that in the Convertible have an additional top-down mode that adjusts according to external temperature.

Naturally, everything from navigation with BMW’s iDrive multi-control system, to high end audio is available on the options list. But take our advice, you don’t need them.

The rear seat is tight. The coupe has split folding seatbacks, and there’s a pass through in the convertible.

Trunk space is also small, from 10 cubic-feet for the coupe, to 7 cubic-feet for the convertible with the top folded.

But prices are not so small. The BMW 1-Series starts at $29,375 for the 128i Coupe and $33,875 for the 128i Convertible. The 135i Coupe goes for $35,675 and the 135i Convertible for a hefty $39,875.

So they may not be featherweights, and they may not be cheap, but the 2008 BMW 1-Series lineup does have a spontaneous spark that some enthusiasts think larger BMWs have lost.

They’re fast, they’re fun; they’re some of the most entertaining little cars we’ve driven in years. That’s not vintage or retro. But it is the kind of driving experience that made us BMW fans in the first place, and that never grows old.