BMW 135i Convertible

Is it just me or is BMW’s range these days just getting a bit too ridiculous. They must’ve introduced 5 new series’ in the last 5 years, while continuing the original 3, 5 and 7. Don’t get me wrong, I see the reason behind it, just not a fan is all.

It takes prestige away from the badge. My idea of a BMW showroom should involve walking in and being offered a range of four cars. The 3, 5 and 7 series along with a sports car. End of story.

The 1 series is what started all this nonsense of a vast expansion on the range. BMW obviously looked across at their fellow Germans at VW and saw them making a killing in the hatch market. Since everyone wants a bit of everyone else’s pie BMW now make a 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7 series, X1, X3, X5 and X6, Z4 and have an 8 series in the pipeline. Not to mention their M cars. Which means they’re in every available category barre supercars and shopping trolleys.

There are even variations within the series. The 135 for example is a sort of coupe version of the standard 1 series hatch. Oh and they do a convertible. Which is what I’ve been driving around in for a week or so.

After wading through all that confusion, this is one helluva car. Put simply it’s a rocket ship with four wheels and no wings. Not that this little number needs wings to get it off the ground. With a 3 litre twin turbo straight 6 powering the pedal under your right foot not even Red Bull provides a kick in the backside like the 135.

BMW have mastered the art of eliminating turbo lag, and have been duly awarded a number of Engine of the Year awards for their efforts. The power curve delivered through the six speed automatic gearbox of my test model felt beautifully constant.

A manual definitely would’ve been more fun though. No amount of witch-trickery from some computer (even a German one) can properly decide when to change gears. Personally I think my left hand and foot do a far better job.

BMW tried to link “flappy paddles” to the gear box to give the illusion of changing gears. But honestly, the system is rubbish. Most manufacturers have a lever on the left to go down a cog, and one on the right to go up. Not BMW though. They have a paddle on either side, but both go up and down – and I have no idea how or why.

Some other aspects were rather annoying as well. The sense that parts of the body are made from soggy bread for one thing. Cutting the roof off a car with this power is not a good idea unless you plan to strengthen the chassis with some space age materials.

Personally I recommend people with calcium deficiencies steer well clear of the 135. The ride is so hard you’d be forgiven for believing such chassis and suspension technology had previously been employed for purposes of torture.

The interior isn’t all that pleasing either. It’s just what you’d get in the normal 1 series, which lets be honest, is too plain for a sports car. On the plus side, it is incredibly well made and far better accommodation than what was afforded to any Kriegsgefangenen.

My conclusion then is this; Buy a manual hard top and spec something other than run-flat tyres. No tyres would even be better. This way, the ride won’t shatter your bones, you won’t crash about with every ripple in the road and the chassis won’t flex like a piece of scoobie wire as you drive around every bend.

I have a sneaking suspicion that the 135 Coupe is the most thrilling and well sorted car in the BMW range. So good in fact that I’ll even add it to my list for the showroom floor. 

Price: R 497 500
Engine: 2979cc Twin Turbo
Power: 225 kW
Torque: 400 Nm
Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 5.3
Top speed (km/h): 250 – electronically limited
Fuel consumption (l/100km): 9.8 (claimed)

Miles Downard

Photo Credit: Quickpic