2008 BMW 1 Series Consumer Reviews

Amazing Car

Written by: ANM on 10/04/2009

Vehicle

2008 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

This car is amazing. I have had it for 9 months and love it just as much as the first day I bought it. The build quality is the best I have ever seen in a new car. Acceleration is good in Drive mode and great in Sport Mode. On the highway it is as stable at 75 mph as it was at 25 mph. It is the best car I have ever owned.

Favorite Features

Brakes; acceleration; ride; rain sensing windshield wipers. Defroster clears the windshield in a couple of seconds, not sure how they make it do that, but makes me wonder why others haven't copied it.

Suggested Improvements

I do not have any complaints.

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fun!

Written by: fs on 09/30/2009

Vehicle

2008 BMW 1 Series 135i 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

Can't say enough how much fun is to drive this car. love it. If y're in the market for a new car, give yourself a favor to test drive the 1 series. Purchased my 135i convertible in 02.2009 with $6k below msrp including the $750 leasing incentive. Most fun car I have ever driven.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Wished had cupholder for the passenger front and back

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Those Germans Know How to Build Cars!

Written by: BimmerBoomer on 09/25/2009

Vehicle

2008 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I purchased this car to replace a 3 series BMW that saved my life in a crash involving a deer. I traveled to Germany to pick up the car and was able to drive at 120 mph with complete confidence because of the safety features built in to the car. A few weeks ago I was returning home on the freeway around midnight when I saw a wrong-way driver coming right for me in my lane. I had only about two seconds to react, and the Dynamic Stability Control helped me move quickly and safely out of the way. I can't say enough about my confidence in this car.

Favorite Features

The Harmon Kardon stereo, HD Radio, and iPod interface turn the car into a private concert venue, while the driving experience, comfortable seats, warning chimes that harmonize, a quiet cabin, and Dynamic Stability Control all contribute to making this a complete package.

Suggested Improvements

Run flat tires are very expensive. The seat belt warning chime comes on when you place heavy objects (like laptops or backpacks) on the passenger seat. The chime cannot be disabled because it is a safety feature.

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1 Series...dynamite

Written by: Bob on 08/15/2009

Vehicle

2008 BMW 1 Series 135i 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

Exceptional performance, fun and reliability. Purchased my 135i convertible in Dec 2008 (good time to buy, great deal, low 0.9 financing). Must say we are a BMW family, and also own a 535i, and previously owned a 330i and Z3 (3.0) so we are biased to the exceptional service, warranty, and purchase experience at BMW. Have put 24K miles on it in 9 months with no problems. Very comfortable for one or two people, excellent seats and ergonomics. Purchased this as a replacement to a 2001 Z3 3.0 with 200K miles, so I view the small back seat as extended cargo space. Smooth, for it's class, on the highway and exceptional on back roads and acceleration. A true wolf in sheep's clothing.

Favorite Features

300hp twin turbo engine and famous BMW handling. Makes it a better daily driver than the M3, for much less. Superior warranty and service at my dealership.

Suggested Improvements

Would like to see weather radar incorporated into the Nav system. Comms links are already there, as is the data, so no new technology. Important to a convertible driver in Florida in the summer...monsoon rains and lightening!

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My 2008 128i Convertible

Written by: DTMEDIC on 07/24/2009

Vehicle

2008 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I just bought a NEW 2008 model from the showroom floor. It's loaded with every conceivable option; but I got the car nearly $6,000 off invoice. Still pricey... but definitely worth it! I can't say enough about this little gem! It is the MOST fun I've ever had driving! I wake up every morning and cannot WAIT to drive my car to work! I love the top down fun with my iPod tunes blasting. The iDrive is a little quirky, but once you figure it out, it's fine. The ride is superb, the fit and finish is all BMW... the drive and handling is exactly what you would expect... perfection. Love it, love it, love it... you will NOT be sorry you bought this car! Just do it!

Favorite Features

Bluetooth, iPod sync, convertible top... the rumble of the engine and the drive.

Suggested Improvements

Can't think of anything really, two bigger cup holders maybe.

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BMW128i - After 15 months

Written by: JFi on 07/17/2009

Vehicle

2008 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Even after 15 months, I still absolutely love this car. It's very unique as you don't see many around, so that's a nice touch. Wasn't even in the market when I bought the car, but had to have it once I drove it. The handling of this car is very smooth and very precise, glides through corners and turns with ease and precision. Lots of power for a car this size. Others are surprised by how fast and quick this little car can be. I don't think of it as a true sports car (although the backseat is basically unusable) because it's got a great ride for a car that is so low to the ground (no sport package) and lots of nice luxury touches as well. Nothing else like it on the road.

Favorite Features

Precision handling, smooth transmission (6sp auto), power folding mirrors for tight spaces, ambient/welcoming lighting, hands-free bluetooth, back seats lay forward to expand the trunk, color (metallic sedona red - gets lots of compliments), uniqueness.

Suggested Improvements

Hard plastics in dash, reliability (a couple glitches with the computer and radio), back-seat arm rest, more cabin storage space... make a 130i and give it the larger (more powerful) I-6 to slate between the 128i and 135i.

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Amazing Performance

Written by: rp401k on 07/11/2009

Vehicle

2008 BMW 1 Series 135i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

Relentless acceleration, great engine sound, and fantastic handling. Regular mode for automatic is like an economy mode in normal driving. Sport mode feels like a manual in that it holds a gear and quickly downshifts. Do not really use paddle shifters very much.There is plenty of room in front and the rear is acceptable if average size. Rear is difficult to access. Top mounted seat position adjusters are very handy for this. Careful driving results in excellent gas mileage. Ride is acceptable, and would be much better without run flats. Great visibility and very nice interior. At first sport seats seemed confining, but now they feel very comfortable. I enjoy each chance I have to drive it.

Favorite Features

Acceleration and handling.

Suggested Improvements

Ditch the run flats.

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Blast Your Socks Off

Written by: LovenMyBMW on 07/03/2009

Vehicle

2008 BMW 1 Series 135i 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

Bought mine as a leftover 08. Got a great deal. Idrive, Nav, Cold Weather Pack, Sport Susp, Convert, Sport Seats, Active Steer, and whatever else they can add. Owned 3 weeks, rear quarter window switch went out. Replaced w/o a problem. Dealership is excellent! Gas mileage is a little poor. But I can't keep my foot out of it. This is a great little car for fun. Works well as an everyday driver. This car is amazing. Speed, handling are crazy. Do yourself a favor. Drive one and you will be SOLD. And resale is great.

Favorite Features

The pure driving force and speed of the car. It handles like it's on rails and then some. Words cannot say enough about how this car's performance and how tame it can be for daily commutes. But when you want to GET IT it's there for you.

Suggested Improvements

Options make it very high priced!! Not a lot to improve on. It's a luxury sport car rolled into one. So some things are very nice while others are Corvette cheap looking.

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128i Convertible

Written by: Mike N. on 05/23/2009

Vehicle

2008 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I went from a Z4 to the 128i convertible and from manual to automatic transmission so there was an adjustment in expectations. Overall, I have been very happy with the 128. The build quality is outstanding. The handling is exceptional and the motor has plenty of punch, especially in manual shift mode. I love the way the car learns your driving style. The only negative is the standard sound system (not the premium pkg). Speaker placement makes it virtually inaudible with the top down at freeway speeds. The Z4 was better probably because the speakers were directly behind the seat.

Favorite Features

No favorite feature, just a well rounded, well engineered, semi-sport German convertible.

Suggested Improvements

Better standard sound system and speaker placement.

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My one year review of my 135i Vert

Written by: Katera on 05/22/2009

Vehicle

2008 BMW 1 Series 135i 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

Awesome...just awesome. My wife and I bought our Baby B a year ago for our 20th anniversary. We bought it specifically as a weekend car, hence the low miles. Our car is loaded with every option possible except for heated seats which we don't need in Houston. The car is stupidly fast, handles incredibly well and is built SOLID. I never really noticed a difference in build quality before with my American or Japanese cars...until I bought my first BMW. Tight is the only word that comes to mind. Since the 1 is still somewhat rare I get head turns everywhere I drive her. It really is an amazing car. p.s. We got a stick :p

Favorite Features

The N54 engine. Pure unrestrained love. It pulls from 1k rpm's all the way to 7k nonstop. Handling. She just turns with no body roll or push in the corners. It wants to go fast. Looks. Jet Black, Boston Grey interior. Love it. Seats me <I'm 6'3"> Wife, 14 year old and 7 year old kids just fine.

Suggested Improvements

(1) Can't see LCD lighting on radio w/ polarized sunglasses. (2) When seat belt is taken off there is risk of hitting window/glass. (3) Seatbelt "flutters" at hi speed w/ top down. These are mostly minor complaints. Given the choice would we buy it again? In a second!

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