Used 2008 BMW 1 Series Consumer Reviews
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UPDATE: 16 Years
Mark Sweeney, 08/23/2019
updated 09/30/2024
2008 BMW 1 Series 135i 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
UPDATE4: Just turned 200k miles. Short story, still runs great with only normal wear and tear maintenance costs (getting new plugs/ oil change/ inspection today). The visceral driving experience for me has never diminished over time, which is confirmed whenever I get into a newer car. Fun fact-You do not rotate or balance the tires on this staggered setup. Did stays smooth and wear is even for the life of the tires (have used Bridgestone and more recently Michelin PS4S). UPDATE3: 196k miles and no issues (other than a seat belt tensioner I need to get replaced for the airbag dash lights to go off). Never fails to put a smile on my face. I don't track it, but it is a daily spirited driver. It does now split time with a 2020 SQ5 for use when it rains or is too cold (below 30). I am at the point where I am wondering how long keeping the car can be economically practical. Am I one catastrophic engine failure away from having a 3600 pound paperweight? In my head this car can go 250k mi, so we will see. UPDATE2: Approaching 15 years, 192k miles. Still my daily driver although I now use our 13-year-old MDX if it's raining. Finally had the annoying leaking oil pan and valve cover gaskets replaced. Everything still works and I look forward to driving it every day. The one issue I would point out is that the soft tops do not last as long as I would have hoped. Not so much the visible exterior fabric, but the inner layers and the myriad of "tethers" that manage the top movement. They deteriorate over time due to the heat. I should also mention that I put the top up & down all the time (conservatively 400 cycles a year, for 15 years) and mechanically the top works great. When I bought the car, I wondered if anything would make the car special in the future (given the 1 series was an "entry level car".). Its turning out to be the things that attracted me to the car in the first place, simplicity, real gauges, steering/ braking/ shifting feel, and size. Oh, and that N54 motor (with a stage 1 Dinan tune), so satisfying! Approaching 14 years,185k miles, no issues (other than general maintenance). Had an 8k mile oil change and was only down a half quart. Original clutch. UPDATE: 181,000 miles. Missed driving this car daily during Covid. Daily driving is what likely is keeping everything mechanically running as well as it does. As one would expect after this much time, I do have some fluid "seals" that need replacing (oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, rear pinion seal), but otherwise no issues. I prefer to have the work done at the dealership (mine offers 15% discount for work on cars 10+ years old) but it is still a costly investment I plan on making to continue to enjoy this vehicle. There are still used 135's out there at reasonable prices (maybe not so many with 6M) with far less mileage than mine. Just be sure to get a maintenance history if you do consider getting in on the fun. If you are looking for a small, quick, 4(ish) passenger soft top convertible with great steering, brakes, transmission (6M) and seating/ ergonomics (sport package) then you will be very happy with this car. I have driven it nearly 165k miles, and have zero regrets. Average 23+ mpg, and motor is still strong. Added a Stage 1 Dinan Tune about 2 years ago, and it is the best $600 aftermarket upgrade you can spend on this car. When things do “wear out”, it is a bit expensive to repair. If you like to drive, this car is worth considering. UPDATE: Only added a few thousand additional miles (168k miles) given the current environment. All is well. Had a Ceramic Coat finish applied that has made the paint look and feel like new again.
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A thorough review after roadtrip
Beemerhead, 05/27/2008
2008 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I just finished an 800 mile roadtrip across NM and CO. What a treat! I bought it as a roadtrip car to keep forever, so no turbos or nav/iDrive. I have an automatic with premium and cold weather pkg. The car was comfortable and smooth. The unexpected highlights were a roof that had amazing sound dampening, plenty of engine power even at 10000+ feet and a final gas mileage of 32.2mpg across central Colorado (avg speed 54.5mph). The car was FANTASTIC, everything I hoped for and more when I decided to buy it. I researched many other vehicles from an Eos to a MB CLK350 before getting this. As a first year model I thought it might be valuable one day, too.
2008 BMW 1 Series for sale near you
Showing 3 of 46 listings
- 135i ConvertibleMSRP: $11,38821 mi away
- 128i ConvertibleMSRP: $5,500266 mi away
- 128i CoupeMSRP: $8,900543 mi away
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1 Series...dynamite
Bob, 08/15/2009
2008 BMW 1 Series 135i 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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.
BMW 128i Cabrio - WOW!
German Frau, 06/29/2008
2008 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I considered the 3series convertible before purchasing my Mini Cooper S convertible in 2005. I loved driving it in town but it was stiff riding and uncomfortable on the highway. One day, one of my students brought in a 1 series brochure. I loved the car from the minute I saw it. Immediately I scheduled a test drive and ordered the car in April. After returning from Germany on June 20th, my BMW was waiting for me. I own the car for 9 days now. The car really drives well and I just love it. It performs well and is smooth riding on the highway. My husband liked the Mini Cooper S conv. a lot but after driving/riding the BMW conv. he changed his mind. I'm/we are sold on the new 1 series.
Fun to drive.
Danny, 01/03/2009
2008 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
My 128i coupe is the only one left in this country with red leather & black ext. It is equipped with Premium, Sport, and Cold packages. It is very stable, you can't feel driving over 70 mph. Handling and corning are smooth. Overall of this vehicle is fun to drive with, but too expensive to own it. MBenz C300 sport is worth of buying, they're nearly the same price.