Test drove a BMW 135i and Focus ST

[reallyscrued]

Base or Limited 2015 WRX. Just ordered mine. 4 month wait...but I can wait.

Look up the thread on Heuberger Motors (Google). 2k under invoice. You're welcome.

 

[Insomniator]

Why can't they release an M135i hatch in America

 

[ViviTheMage]

mmmmmmm, I miss my 135i, so fun.

 

[ballmode]

Base or Limited 2015 WRX. Just ordered mine. 4 month wait...but I can wait.

Look up the thread on Heuberger Motors (Google). 2k under invoice. You're welcome.

Heuberger I believe is sold out... would be nice to visit Colorado though

 

[Noo]

BMW doesn't scream luxury enough for me, I'll get the Ford Focus.

 

[Virge_]

BMW doesn't scream luxury enough for me, I'll get the Ford Focus.

If this wasn't sarcasm, this is basically where I rolled my eyes and stopped reading the OP. Someone who actually thinks this doesn't register very high on my educated opinion meter.

 

[ballmode]

If this wasn't sarcasm, this is basically where I rolled my eyes and stopped reading the OP. Someone who actually thinks this doesn't register very high on my educated opinion meter.

Have you driven a 1 series? The car isn't designed within the same standard as a 3 series. Before driving this car I had only experience BMW products that were 3, 5, X5, Z3's and 7 series'.

Stepping into the 1, I felt the interior quality to be more similar to a mini than a 3 series.

Going from the Ford first to the BMW 135i, I was more impressed at a focus st being: quieter, less wind noise on the highway, a more compliant ride, and the plastics not being as hard as the 135i.

Now if this was a E90/E92 3 series I would put it in favor for that instead... I just didn't think the 3 series was a way bigger leap over the 1 series until experiencing it first hand.

I'm not the only one who agrees with this assessment:

http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/1-series...test/2008-bmw-135i-coming-up-a-bit-short.html

http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/1-series/2008/long-term-road-test/wrap-up.html
"Because we've noticed that the 1 Series clearly lacks the refinement of a 3 Series. Misaligned trim pieces on the dash and tight interior proportions left us wanting more. Yet we've also learned that a quick, wiry personality is also unique to the 1 Series. With this subtle differentiation, BMW ensures the 3 is under no threat of becoming obsolete."

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?p=11302809

 

[dguy6789]

If this wasn't sarcasm, this is basically where I rolled my eyes and stopped reading the OP. Someone who actually thinks this doesn't register very high on my educated opinion meter.

To be fair, the Ford will probably last longer before something fails and if it's more fun to drive to the OP then it's more fun to drive. No manufacturer badge(no matter what marketing has convinced the populace it means) on a car will change that.

 

[Virge_]

Have you driven a 1 series? The car isn't designed within the same standard as a 3 series. Before driving this car I had only experience BMW products that were 3, 5, X5, Z3's and 7 series'.

I appreciate your question. My exposure to the 1 was a single day with a loaner 2013 135i non-M-sport when I was getting an oil change. It is designed very specifically as a low-cost performance option and is not intended to have the full array of Luxury. Regardless of this, it's performance blows away a Focus so badly that I don't quite understand how you could make this comparison. Would you be willing to extrapolate more than your OP?

Additionally, if there were significant changes from 2012 to 2013 I'm not in the know as this isn't the type of vehicle I would buy to begin with - if I was in the market for something in the same class as a 135 I would buy a WRX instead.

 

[Throckmorton]

Get the BMW.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

My wife and I test drove the 1 series and loved it. Then saw the price tag and walked away. Far too many moneys for what it is, except for the M1... <3

 

[Fritzo]

Seriously how often on real roads does FWD vs RWD make a difference?

Depends on where you live. Where I'm at, unless you buy snow tires your RWD car is useless 4 months out of the year.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Switch the badges and the st would be the second coming of Christ on these forums.

 

[Fritzo]

Switch the badges and the st would be the second coming of Christ on these forums.

You have to drive one. I almost bought one myself but I have a thing against buying new cars. It's truly one of the best hot hatchbacks ever made, and if you can live with the seats and interior, it's a no brainer.

 

[SearchMaster]

You have to drive one. I almost bought one myself but I have a thing against buying new cars. It's truly one of the best hot hatchbacks ever made, and if you can live with the seats and interior, it's a no brainer.

I think he's "pro-ST" (he just bought a Fiesta ST) - his point is that some people dismiss it because it's a Ford and not an import. It really is a well executed car in so many ways.

And the seats are excellent I was less comfortable in the R8's seats though I probably should have adjusted them a bit. What's your complaint about the interior?

 

[ballmode]

When you guys drove the focus st with the recaros were you able to actually turn side to side in the seat at all? I barely could reach the insides of the storage area behind the ebrake lol

 

[monkeydelmagico]

not a fan of recaros outside of track time. My shoulders are too wide. The upper bolsters make daily driving uncomfortable.

 

[Fritzo]

Have you driven a 1 series? The car isn't designed within the same standard as a 3 series. Before driving this car I had only experience BMW products that were 3, 5, X5, Z3's and 7 series'.

Stepping into the 1, I felt the interior quality to be more similar to a mini than a 3 series.

Going from the Ford first to the BMW 135i, I was more impressed at a focus st being: quieter, less wind noise on the highway, a more compliant ride, and the plastics not being as hard as the 135i.

Now if this was a E90/E92 3 series I would put it in favor for that instead... I just didn't think the 3 series was a way bigger leap over the 1 series until experiencing it first hand.

I'm not the only one who agrees with this assessment:

http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/1-series...test/2008-bmw-135i-coming-up-a-bit-short.html

http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/1-series/2008/long-term-road-test/wrap-up.html
"Because we've noticed that the 1 Series clearly lacks the refinement of a 3 Series. Misaligned trim pieces on the dash and tight interior proportions left us wanting more. Yet we've also learned that a quick, wiry personality is also unique to the 1 Series. With this subtle differentiation, BMW ensures the 3 is under no threat of becoming obsolete."

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?p=11302809

If you read the reviews from places like Car and Driver and Mototrend, they all basically say to skip the 1 series and scoot up to the 3 (4?) series for a few thousand more. You'll be happier with the extra room and better interior.

 

[Fritzo]

I think he's "pro-ST" (he just bought a Fiesta ST) - his point is that some people dismiss it because it's a Ford and not an import. It really is a well executed car in so many ways.

And the seats are excellent I was less comfortable in the R8's seats though I probably should have adjusted them a bit. What's your complaint about the interior?

The interior is very cramped. They wanted to make sure they had room for the back seats, but in doing so they took away the legroom in the front seats. The Recaro's side bolstering only make the matters worse. I wish they would have made them adjustable Recaros, where you could make the sides move in and out with a switch.

 

[SearchMaster]

The interior is very cramped. They wanted to make sure they had room for the back seats, but in doing so they took away the legroom in the front seats. The Recaro's side bolstering only make the matters worse. I wish they would have made them adjustable Recaros, where you could make the sides move in and out with a switch.

No argument there. I don't have a problem with the side bolstering but I have to sit juuuuuust right to keep the thigh bolstering from cramping. You're taller than me (I'm 6'0") so I don't have a problem with legroom even with a passenger behind me.

 

[ballmode]

Side topic here, but are the new mustang recaros supposed to be the same sizes as the focus ones?

 

[yh125d]

When you guys drove the focus st with the recaros were you able to actually turn side to side in the seat at all? I barely could reach the insides of the storage area behind the ebrake lol

I'm fairly large at 6'-240 and broad shoulders. The shoulders can be a little tight on long drives. The thighs are snug but not uncomfortable for me. I have a herniated disc so I was pretty cautious about buying a car with such tight seats, but they're more comfortable long term than I thought. They obviously feel a good bit tighter than normal seats, but it doesn't really squeeze you the way you might think if you're just sitting down to test drive. And of course in spirited driving, they do an extremely good job holding you in place.

As for the rear leg room, it isn't exactly roomy but I think it'd probably be a good bit better than most or all coupes it competes against. I haven't been in a 135, but I drove a genesis coupe and its backseat was useless if you're over about 5'-0 120lb

 

[AznAnarchy99]

BMW doesn't scream luxury enough for me, I'll get the Ford Focus.

He sounds like those Ford radio ads

 

[Throckmorton]

Seriously how often on real roads does FWD vs RWD make a difference?

All the time. The feel is very different

 

[ballmode]

I'm still looking for manual 135i's to drive