Used 2008 BMW 1 Series Coupe Consumer Reviews
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Those Germans Know How to Build Cars!
BimmerBoomer, 09/26/2009
2008 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
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.
All I Can Say Is WOW!
Kris, 06/16/2008
2008 BMW 1 Series 135i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
After test driving this little beast for almost an hour I got back in my 04 G35 Coupe 6M, that I had loved for 4 years till that moment. My G felt big, bulky and slow by comparison. I had also driven the new G37 which is a big improvement over the older model, but it just could not compare to the nimble, precise pocket rocket that is the 135i. The car handles like it's on rails and yet is so comfortable. If you don't need a big car this little gem is pretty much perfect. Actually, the trunk in the 135i is much bigger than the older or new G. Bottom line, this is the best car I have ever driven or owned and I still can't get the silly grin off my face when I get out of it.
3 years + review
lfa951@gmail.com, 01/23/2017
2008 BMW 1 Series 135i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
This car is reliable and overall low maintenance, the car pulls like a V8. there is a lot of low end torque and no turbo lag. The last 3 years I have replaced the tires, water pump, thermostat, front brake pads and rotors, radiator and battery. I did the oil change every 5,000 until I recently hit 80,000 miles, now I do the oil change every 3,000 miles because it has twin turbos and it burns oil quicker. The handling and the and the acceleration are it's best features, the brakes are excellent as well, I like it because it is very fast and maneuvers extremely well in traffic. What i dislike is that sometimes the coils go bad while driving and it starts misfiring, aslo it runs really hot and the cooling system is weak. Be ready to regularly change coils and rear tires, other than that it is a great value
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10 years, 120,000 miles and still wonderful :)
Alex, 01/03/2020
updated 04/20/2020
2008 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I leased the BMW 128i new, in 2010. When the lease was up, I test-drove the BMW 228i, but was unimpressed with the steering and larger size so decided to buy off my existing 128i. From a financial standpoint, I'd say I came off a few thousand CAN $ better by buying my 128i vs leasing a new 228i. The car is certainly a driver's (not a passenger's) car: suspension is stiff, especially with run-flats, the seats are firm and the space in the back is minimal. There's engine noise and some squeaks and rattles due to the body being subject to harsher vibrations because of stiff suspension. It's not really designed as a long distance driver, although I drove it from Toronto, ON to Dayton, OH (8 hours) without being overly tired at the end. I the six years I owned the car after the initial 4 year lease I had to replace the A/C evaporator and the radio, as well as the rear shocks and a few other things (gaskets, headlight bulb) I think I paid something like CAN$ 7K in repairs during the 6 years I owned it, after the warranty expired. I drive the car daily, summer and winter, with winter tires from December to April. The stability control in winter is remarkable, in slippery turns I can feel it kicking in and straightening the car ! The car has kept well: it has no rust, and looks really good. It has better body integrity (less NVH - noise, vibration, harshness) that my previous Nissan Altima and my wife's Honda Accord coupe, at half the mileage. It feels solid, well put together and solidly built. I couldn't get myself to replace it with a 2 series, even though that one will have all the sensors and probably better handling. The 128i is a more ... raw car, you can feel the road surface through the steering wheel, and every minute slippage of the rear wheels in turns. Not a positive for some, but I definitely love that feeling! The 128i is shorter, so it will behave differently in turns and in long distance driving that a 2 or 3 series: a bit jumpier and a more nervous drive altogether that keeps you alert :) It's a wonderful small coupe, but you have to be aware of what you are getting. No point complaining about missing cupholders or spartan seats, if this is not your cup of tea get something else. I have the automatic gearbox as I drive a lot in Toronto (a VERY big city), but put it in DS (drive sport) and you'll forget it's not a manual :)
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Nice but Can Use a Few Improvements
Max, 08/26/2008
2008 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
It's fun to drive and has a good amount of power for the size of the car. Overall it's a decent car. A few initial complaints would be the passenger seat is a little uncomfortable when the cupholder is installed (although it is removable), the standard stereo is mediocre (speakers rattle at times and changing stations is not intuitive), the second cupholder can only be used when the armrest is in the up position (unless you use it for a really short cup), and the iDrive needs improvement. If these complaints seem trivial, it's because they are. Overall the car is a great little car that most people would enjoy.
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