Used 2011 BMW 1 Series Coupe Consumer Reviews
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Pocket Rocket!
Anon, 01/05/2018
updated 02/28/2022
2011 BMW 1 Series 135i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
This was all round one of the best cars that you can buy for under 50 000 dollars. It’s a fast car that can zip through city’s and open roads. Pros - Lots of power -Great direct steering -BMW badge -Good interior quality Cons -Not very good in winter driving -Not very practical -Not too economical
Best Car I Have Owned
tampafriends, 03/03/2013
2011 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
I now have 33,000 miles on my 2011 128i Coupe with automatic. I have not had one problem with this car. The only time it has been back to the dealer is for its scheduled maintenance. It is solid as a rock, and very fast! I average almost 24mpg overall and that is after a combined city and highway average. I have owned it since Dec 2010 and have to say I will miss it when the lease is up this Dec. Someone is going to get a stellar Certified Used Car. I've looked at some of the complaints here and have to say I have had none! Not one!
A Fun Drive
Driver, 07/20/2010
2011 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
If your objective is have a car that is fun to drive, you will do no better than a BMW 1. While our BMW 3 was a fun car it does not even come close to providing the fun drive of the BMW 1. It will bring a smile to your face every time you get behind the wheel. Because of the limited rear seat room this is not a family car.
Worthy of the "Ultimate Driving machine" slogan.
dvanos, 11/24/2011
2011 BMW 1 Series 135i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
Had the car for about year now, no regrets. As a diehard BMW fan I was afraid BMW was shifting towards too much technology and not enough fun driving. I was wrong, the 135i is just about perfect, and it relives my days of the E46 330 but better. It has the right combination of sport/comfort for everyday use, it's NOT a track car. Get the 1M if you track your car. The 135i is a great daily driver with gobs of power and handling to exceed anyone who drives on the street. The seats are comfy and the interior is typical BMW fare with driver orientated controls. Handling is great with the exception of some understeer. The brakes are superb with great stopping power and awesome brake feel.
Really fun to drive
kyletran, 02/23/2011
2011 BMW 1 Series 135i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Nothing to complain about this car, it put a smile on my face every time i step on the gas pedal, love how it perform.
2011 135i w DCT
msr635, 06/10/2010
2011 BMW 1 Series 135i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Picked up my car tonight. Space gray metallic with black interior, M Package and DCT. This thing is insane!! Traded a Z4 3.0i for this and it makes the Z4 feel like a 4 cylinder. The engine and transmission are amazing. The engine is extremely responsive and the DCT is very crisp. Interior is very comfortable and the ride is taunt. It is impossible to view this as an entry level car, too nice, too fast, too fun!
Buyers Beware!
K. Sewell, 05/23/2016
2011 BMW 1 Series 135i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
26 of 35 people found this review helpful
I bought a 2011 135i used. Huge mistake! While the car is easy on the eyes, it is rough on the bank account. Within 1 month of buying this car, I had to shell out $1,000 to have the pulleys replaced due to squealing. I drove the car less than 3 months when the headlights went out. It's a cook $4500 to replace these babies. Next (about 2 months later), the thermostat goes out while I am in traffic in Atlanta. This repair hit me for another $1200. The car has a problem with rough idle where it will almost stall at red lights while sitting still (with or without the AC on). I have taken the car to the shop twice only to be told that it is "bad gas". What a lame response for "I have no clue." Most recent repair was an oil leak that costs me $610 and the tech says I need to replace the oil pan - another $1300. Currently, I am tolerating the rough idle (because they have no clue) and the pulleys that were not replaced are squealing really bad. I hate this car. It's my third and FINAL BMW. I will never buy another BMW and highly recommend that you do not either.
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First BMW
RoyalFlush, 08/20/2010
2011 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
After so much waiting and trying to trade in my previous car, I have to say that I am completely happy with this 2011 128i. It is my first BMW, and this car is just great. I love how it drives, and I love the noise of the engine. I love all the little extras it has. I would recommend this car to anyone who doesn't really care about owning a coupe. A lot of people complain that it's a coupe and that you have to help the people in the back get inside, but after all it is a coupe!! and that's why I got it. Its something different, and Its a really unique car. It's fast, and it accelerates quick and you won't regret owning one.
Great Car for the Driving Enthusiast!
GUNDY70, 11/02/2010
2011 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I test drove the 128i coupe about a month and a half ago and I loved it from the moment I took my place behind the wheel and could not resist the temptation that I ordered one, which arrived 3 days ago. Essentially, this vehicle is a 328i with less weight, 50/50 balance, and a new frame. From a driver's perspective the car is amazing - responsive steering, grippy brakes and handling, and a luxurious. I have the M sports package which gives it better handling and acceleration. Truly UDMachine!
Love IT
ososdeoro, 03/16/2011
2011 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
It's great that the "starter" car is truly a BMW, not just a chintzed out shell of the more expensive versions. Leased a 128i and the engine and steering are exquisite. And while the Edmunds review suggests that one needs the sports seats for comfort, the regular ones with leather are much, much more comfortable than the ones on my previous car, an Audi A3 with the sports pkg. Three years ago BMW navigation had a poor reputation, but the one on this car is great - just as good as Audi's. Standard stereo is fine. Cabin noise is nice and low, with the exception of the supersonic window defroster.
Too much fun
twhflorida, 09/11/2010
2011 BMW 1 Series 135i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Looked at an m3 and Audi S5 and this little beast is the ticket. ran at sebring racetrack with my buddies who had an 911 and nissan gtr and totally held my own. the m sport package is great.
Fun, nothing special, N51 SULEV is poorly built
Fabien, 09/27/2019
2011 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
The bad: Parts in this car can fail much earlier than expected. I picked up this car with 36k miles on it. After 17k miles of highway driving in 9 months, I've had 2 brake calipers fail, and 3 ignition coils go bad, causing cylinder misfires. These are not cheap things to fix, and I would understand these things failing prematurely if this was a high performance car like an M3. But this is a 128i, whose performance is neck-to-neck with a v6 camry/accord. Engine performance is nothing special compared to other 6 cylinder engines. V6 Accord/Camrys are as fast. I would normally put this in the neutral category, but you add this on top of how engine components fail early in this car, and it shows how poorly made the engine is. The manual transmission in this car is boring. The shifter feels like a rubbery toy and is not satisfying to move. The car comes with a clutch delay valve, which, as the term might imply, delays the activation of the clutch. This makes gear shifting slower and more awkward. The gearing is very tall, so even though this engine has more available torque compared to your Subaru Brz/Honda Civic Si 4 cylinders, it actually feels slower at lower RPMs which makes acceleration around town very unsatisfying. Neutral: This car was designed to be a comfy autobahn cruiser. So the suspension may be just right, or way too soft for you, even with the sport package. If you want go-karty fun, you will absolutely need an aftermarket suspension. This is the cheapest car BMW released to America at the time and it shows. There's no temperature gauge. There's no volume indication. The rear windows don't open like the 3 series coupe. There's no lighting in the backseat. I get rattles in the dashboard sometimes. Good: Noise insulation. Runs on 87. I have the base seats and while they're not "comfortable" per se, my body has never complained about sitting in them even on 4 hour drives. SULEV models have a 10yr/150k mile warranty on important emission and engine components. The engine makes a fulfilling sound with the right mix of bass and higher harmonics to fill up space and get you excited. The clutch delay valve is a cheap fix, you can get a valve that doesn't delay for like $20 and get it installed in 5 minutes. Conclusion: Funny story - I used to have a 2004 330ci, I sold it because I was in a phase of trying out different cars. I really missed the inline-6 manual-transmission platform, so I got the 128i because I did some research and found that it doesn't have the cooling system issues that generation of the 3 series has, so I was expecting less maintenance. Nope, looks like more of the basic components in the 128i are more cheaply built so you're gonna be paying at least as much for maintenance, while getting a cheapened version of the BMW experience. Get a 3 series instead.
Great so far
syd53, 10/13/2010
2011 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
After 12 years driving a Beetle, tried a Z4 on dealer lot. Loved it but could not see driving it in winter. Ordered a 128i which has same engine and manual transmission, just a few less hp, and all of the convenience features I liked on the Z4. Of course it was also a lot less money. It is just as much fun to drive, though not as pretty.
Perfect daily commuter
bltwydriver, 01/26/2011
2011 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Traded in a Volvo S60R chipped to about 340hp. I've been driving the 128i for six months and don't miss the power. This car is a pleasure to drive in all situations. I needed a car that would keep me sane during rush hour traffic, but could still maneuver when given the opportunity. I hesitated in considering the entry level coupe from BMW, but was pleasantly surprised to see many features handed down from the legendary big brothers. BMW sedans have always been the benchmark for driving enthusiasts and the Germans finally nailed the media/technology interface with i-Drive - awesome.
So connected
cvandenhaute, 02/02/2011
2011 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I was on the market for a RWD coupe with at least a small back seat. My benchmark has always been a Miata and the 128i is the most fun car I could find giving me the same real world pleasure as my former 2007 Miata (but with a back seat). I like the smoothness and the character of the 6 in line and the perfect balance of the car. Everything works together : steering is pefect, shifter is smooth and direct with a nice mechanical feel, clutch is light and precise. Despite its true sport car handling, the 128i is still very comfortable for my commute and longer journeys. Even the trunk is very usable. I cross shopped it with more powerful car but this was the most fun to drive.
128i vs 135i
goldmund52, 12/21/2010
2011 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
46 of 79 people found this review helpful
If youre torn between the 128i versus 135i, here is my opinion. Over the years Ive most enjoyed driving smaller cars with sporty suspensions and revvy engines with well-mated manual transmissions--- Volkswagen Rabbit, Acura Integra, Toyota MR2. Then in the early 90s I bought a Nissan 300ZX twin turbo. I learned two things from that car. One, a car that is overpowered for daily driving is not that much fun. Two, turbo lag always feels unnatural. The 128i is a fast car, more that powerful enough for fun street and mountain road driving, the gear ratios are fabulous and the throttle response is wonderful. Unless 0-60 is your first priority the 128i is the better sports car.
Put together with tape and super glue
woodthrush, 06/20/2012
2011 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
7 of 14 people found this review helpful
I bought this car brand new in October 2011 from a dealership in Richmond. My assumption was the BMW brand meant that even though it is an entry level series, the car would be quality. I was wrong. It's not even 2 years old and is falling apart. So far, my driver side window broke because it randomly had debris in it, the tail light has fallen off twice, the passenger seat panel ripped off when a friend tried to move the seat back and the lights on the radio fade in the heat. I am very careful with this car, rarely have passengers, ALWAYS hand wash/wax it myself and yet it has all these problems. My next car will be a Honda before the warranty ends on this one.
Love my tanning machine!
Dd, 12/14/2015
2011 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
I enjoy driving this car with the top down as much as possible. If climate change, it just takes a second to put the top up, well maybe two ! I get compliments on the car often . If you want to have passengers or lots of storage, this is not for you. But if you are looking for a great ride, this is it. I used to drive a winding canyon every day to go to work. Great way to start and end my day just love it!
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The wait is over
greysworld, 07/17/2010
2011 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Just had this car for a week after a long time of research and test drives among German cars. I am gratified to have chosen this one, handling and dynamics at its best on this solid compact car! I am a daily commuter in the DC and NOVA area and it never fails to put a smile in my face regardless of what traffic I am in. The new version of i drive is so much better and easy to use. Finally, they caught up with the Japanese delivery of easy to use technology. This car is a testament to BMW's claim as the ultimate driving machine.
Mixed Bag -- But Still Love It
cjprof2, 08/01/2010
2011 BMW 1 Series 135i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Have put ~6K on the car in just two months and have had no problems. The 135i handles like a go-kart, has a silky smooth manual, is comfortable on long hauls, and oh, the sound of 300, 300 when the "go" pedal is mashed! MPG just about 23 overall.
Basic BMW
finman, 12/31/2010
2011 BMW 1 Series 135i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
A bit of a step back (in a good way) from increasing bloat and luxury. Perfectly matched power to size/weight built seemingly in the true "old-spirit" of the M-versions of BMW. Never short on power and torque, nice exhaust growl, smooth manual transmission, powerful linear brakes, tight, firm suspension with incredible balance. I-drive system, entertainment/phone, etc is excellent, easy to use and diminishes distractions while driving. Front seats are very comfortable for 6ft plus, rear seats are perfect for smaller children when used without a booster, otherwise relatively useless. Trunk is adequate. Incredibly fun to drive. 23 mpg overall.
BMW says do not put groceries in your trunk!!!
rogue5139, 07/09/2012
2011 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
5 of 28 people found this review helpful
Whatever you do, do not put groceries in the trunk. I have found out the hard way. BMW has had issues with people putting items that may leak in the trunk and shorting out the car. My car is in the shop with such issues (or so they say). BMW customer service told me today that you should not put groceries or anything of such in your trunk. Why was I not told this when I bought the car.
Think hard before you buy
Oklahoma BMW Owner, 12/01/2010
2011 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
1 of 23 people found this review helpful
I bought a 1 series a few months ago. Very unhappy with Jackie Cooper BMW in Edmond OK. Poor service after the sale. It is like they forget you exist. Also financed through BMW Financial and they have a horrible website. Being unhappy with the car I considered trading and it lost $10,000 in a few months. It is still like new and a 2011 model and still lost $10,000. CRAZY! I will never buy another BMW.
Genuinely fun and reliable car.
Dylanb , 03/11/2024
2011 BMW 1 Series 128i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The n52 engine is a known reliable engine. In the size of this car it makes it feel super quick. Same engine as most of the x28is out there. In this small of a package is great.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value