Used 2013 BMW 1 Series Consumer Reviews

Traded a Z4 for a 128i Convertible

I bought a 2003 Z4 when they were first introduced and thoroughly enjoyed driving it for 55,000 miles. At the age of 52, it was a great purchase. At 62, with bad knees, and 6'3", it became more difficult to get in and out of. And, being a roadster with a small trunk, it wasn't good for more than a quick overnight trip. So, we traded it on a new '13 128i convertible and so far, it's a wise decision. Had to special order it since I wanted a manual transmission and was willing to pay only for the options I wanted. Only 1000 miles so far, so it's too soon to determine reliability. The fit and finish is typical BMW qaulity and the engine and transmission are smooth. UPDATE: I've now owned the 128i convertible for three years. It's got 16,600 miles, all trouble free. It's still fun to drive and I got another compliment on its appearance just the other day. It's Vermillion Red with a black top and tan interior. This is not my primary driver, but now that I'm retired, it does get driven more. It's a good combination of being a true sports car, but with more room than a roadster. The 2 series BMW should provide the same benefits since it's basically the same car with a different number and Engine. Update: Five years of ownership and I still love the car. It's approaching 30,000 miles and still no problems. But, because of the cost of repairs I purchased an extended warranty that will cover it for 10 years. This car replaced a 10 year old Z4 I purchased new in 2003. Both were outfitted similarly with a manual transmission, and not a lot of bells and whistles or technology. What was surprising was that the 128 was only a few hundred dollars more than what I paid for the Z4 10 years earlier. I've now owned the 128i convertible for 7 years and 33,000 miles. I've moved to Southern Arizona where I drive with the top down more often. I'm still happy with the car. There's only been one minor problem with the heat control that will be fixed next time I take it in. Still enjoy driving the 128i after 37,000 miles. It's been very reliable. I still like the looks, much better than the new BMWs with monster grills. I have no plans to get rid of the car. Contrary to my last entry, I decided to sell my BMW after 9 years and nearly 50,000 trouble free miles. I never lost the joy of driving it on a nice day, but I'm at a point in my life where I'm trying to downsize. We had three vehicles and a two car garage meaning one had to park in the desert sun of Southern Arizona. I wasn't driving it much and decided it was time to let it go to a new owner. After owning BMW's for nearly 20 years, I no longer am. Both my Z4 and 128i were fine cars that gave me lots of driving pleasure.

Incredible Little Car

This 135i convertible with M Sport package is one of the most---no, make that THE MOST FUN--car I have ever owned, and I have owned many, including Jaguars, Corvettes, and Porsches, to name a few. Fantastic engine pulls strong from a dead stop to 7k rpms. DCT transmission is a blast. Handling is sharp. This thing scoots around like a Miata on steroids. The only thing I dislike about this car are the run-flat tires, which I switched out after one week for some non-run-flat Michelins--this immediately improved the ride tremendously. I think this may be the best car BMW makes.

This is my favorite car

Best car I've ever owned. I have had Corvettes, Jags, Benzes and a multitude of others, but by far my favorite is the 135i convertible. It is a fun, peppy car that strikes an almost perfect balance between ride/handling--and this is with the sport package. Mine has the DCT transmission--it works flawlessly and is so intuitive I rarely use the manual function. Handling is superb. The ride is a bit rough with the OE run-flats. I swapped mine out for non-run-flat Michelins right away--the ride is much improved. IMO, BMW should do away with OE run-flats. They are horrible. Update after driving this car for 25,000 miles. I still love the car, but I wish I would have gotten the manual transmission. The DCT is great if you are driving fast, but for normal mundane around town stuff--which is 90 percent of my driving--the DCT sucks. It has a horrible problem where it is almost as if the car dies when you come to a stop quickly and then try to step on the gas--nothing happens for 2-5 seconds, and then all of a sudden the transmission figures out you want to go and it takes off. This is not turbo lag--the car simply will not move--you can have the gas pedal floored and it feels as if the car shut off--nothing happens for a few seconds, which is scary in some situations. I took it to the dealer and they kept it for a week trying to fix it--they got it improved slightly, but it is still not fixed. I have discovered that, if you slap the gear shift over into sport mode as you are coming to a stop, this takes care of the problem, so, as long as you can plan ahead, you are okay. This won't help in emergency situations, but for most around town driving, I can now at least avoid this problem. Other than the DCT issue, and my previously described disdain for run-flats, I LOVE THIS CAR.

Last of N/A Inline Sixes

After test driving many coupes in the $30-$40K range, I drove the 128i on a whim thinking I would check it off the list and move on. After driving it however, I pulled out the checkbook. There are cars with more power and better styling, but I couldn't find any that had the combination of performance, handling and quality for the money.

Fast, Fun and a reliable relic.

Bought my 2012 BMW 135i coupe with 19K on the odometer and am a 2nd owner. It came out of Beverly Hills, California (checked the iDrive locations) and was in pristine condition. It was on a 36 month lease and I found it after it was returned after the lease expired...they drove it less than 7K/year. Thank you very much. Sticker was pushing $48,200 new. Ouch. I paid $20K less. I live in Portland, Oregon and it is a weekend play toy...I have an AWD SUV for work and outdoor pursuits. Even so, I ripped off the run flats and added Michelin tires that are superb in the dry and wet. Better tires all the way around and handling that sticks like glue and has a great ride. Have AAA if I ever get a flat, with a 200 mile tow, included. I wanted the 135i before the 2 series appeared with electric steering...I have had numerous BMW's before and there is nothing like hydraulic steering...and it's all too rare these days. The steering feel is a pleasure and the ride is terrific for this sized vehicle. People seem to be out of touch these days with the pleasure of driving. Sure, there's nothing wrong at all getting from point A to B in a huge Chevy Suburban...but if you really love to drive, fewer and fewer cars really fit that bill, but this is sure one of them. The car is a little rocket and being fast and little, I don't mention mpg or luggage room because that is not the purpose of this car, at least for me. Heck, small sports cars are not meant to be super practical...just super fun and are there for the smiles per mile...and this car delivers. The inline 6 is magnificent...I have added a few things to make it even more enjoyable like quad exhausts, a BMS open air filter then some basic carbon fiber but all very under the radar, plus the addition of BMW 1-Series M-Sport wheels...nothing "blingy" or that screams "please look at me"! I have also boosted the already powerful engine output to almost 400 hp/400 ft-lbs. torque with a Motorwerks ECU tune, that works beautifully, and the difference is fantastic. I got most all the accessories from BMW and all work is all done by BMW certified mechanics, so I have expectations that as well as I care for it, it will take care of me for years to come. To go along with that, I don’t “rabbit” start it, track it, drag it and have never had it on a “dyno.” Heck, I’m not in high school, so I drive it like a responsible adult who loves to, at times, let her run like a BMW knows how to do...The extra power in passing situations, entrance ramps and on open roads is magnificent. I’m guessing 0-60 times in the low 4’s. Overall, it is among my favorite cars to drive, ever...this and my past BMW V-8 powered 550, which was a bullet disguised as a sedan. BMW's just drive very well. They are fun, stable as can be and very solid on the road. Sure, they don't have the reliability as my girlfriend's Lexus, or the super comfy ride...but when she first drove my 135i, her first comment was "Holy cow, this is a fun car...and what a pleasure to drive this thing." She does think it's a rather interestingly proportioned car and I agree. I think it's kind of funny looking but I don't buy a car just on looks alone in any way, shape or form. Anyway, looks are always a matter of taste, I can’t see what it looks like when I drive it plus, the somewhat funny proportions are forgotten about after the 1st mile of driving. Various factors/criteria are always sought and this one makes my heart beat every time I get in it. I initially looked at Porsche Cayman (too pricey, lower power), Infiniti G37 (Japanese BMW copy for less money...no real passion), and the Audi TT (boring, but great interior). I was seeking a vehicle 2-3 years old, in great condition and fun...I found at least one of each of these cars somewhat meeting that criteria but the BMW was my favorite by far and the one that I drove away in. They say BMW lost their way a few years ago trying to move from a company that sold driving machines to just selling cars to as many people as possible...in the process, they lost purists who love to drive. Numerous articles spoke of this car being their attempt to get back to what they did best in the past...I have to agree. It's not a Costco grocery getter or a car that’s made to have you smile solely about mpg’s Iike a Prius...it does exactly what it was built for...just to be plain enjoyable and a pleasure to get in and drive each and every time. Update: After 6 years of ownership, my 135i m-sport continues to be as enjoyable as ever. Sure, Teslas and some other electric cars with their immediate torque are faster but to me, not nearly as enjoyable to drive. I don’t live on a drag strip but driving locally or on longer weekend trips, and this little car just continues to be just plain fun. The handling, engine noise and acceleration is something I continue to look forward to every time she comes out of the garage…I drove a newer Mazda Miata recently, and thought it was awful. Rough ride, louder than being in the front row of a rock concert and wanting for power in a massive way…oh, and it had no ability to take much of a trip due to no luggage capacity, so it pretty much has to be a local driver. I know they’re considered super fun, raw, pure sports cars with impeccable handling, adequate power and a blast to drive in the curves, but I thought the driving experience was underwhelming and again, way too loud…yep, the 135i continues to shine. In my opinion, the 135i just continues to make driving fun.

Excellent car - mixed bag transmission

This is my second 135i convertible, and I have over 20k on this car at the time of this review. I was somewhat reluctant to order it with the then-new-to-the-135 7-speed dual-clutch transmission instead of the manual, but I was persuaded by the thought of the lightning-fast shifts and the advantage of being able to select between auto and manual modes. The reality is that in manual mode, and even auto mode for fast acceleration, the transmission is brilliant. But in stop-start, mundane "through the neighborhood" use (where you just want to leave it in auto-mode), the transmission is hesitant, clunky and confused. In other words, where you most want it to be an automatic, it is wanting.

You need fun? This car is it!

I wanted a convertible for the few months each year we get good weather, and I wanted one that felt solid--handled tightly, felt 'close to the ground' when maneuvering, and something that screamed high quality. I hit the jackpot with this car. Everything about it is well made, functions at a high level, and you will still beat everyone out of the intersections! Having this car has been a crutch of sorts, in that when I'm having a bad day and get into this car after work, all is fun again.

value

Finding this car with a minimum of dealer added extras is difficult and may entail European delivery. Nonetheless, I was in a market that allowed me to shop amongst dealers. I drove a number of coupes and sports cars and failed to find a car that met this one's road handling, acceleration and overall value. The engine's quiet purr and the solid feel one gets from the steering wheel needs to be experienced and balanced against the competition at this price.

Personal fun machine.

Ok, this car is pure fun, but in full disclosure I still have a luxury station wagon in the garage for guests and trips to Costco. Yes to celebrate my mid life and the fact that kid is out of the house I felt a red convertible with red interior would be a a great way to usher in this new phase in life. The car is fun, interior refined, the deep purr of the inline six is amazingly satisfying. It's everything a BMW is supposed to be. I do live in Florida and I drive it Miami-style: Top down, windows up and A/C at full blast. It get's stares, it's respectable at the stoplight and it's quick and nimble in traffic.

Great performance sports convertible

This car is very well balanced and handles perfectly. Nice compact size with plenty of power and acceleration. It will give any car on the road a run for its money. Much less expensive than Porche, Vette, etc but as much or more fun and able to carry 2 additional passengers for short distances. Would recommend the BMW 135i to anyone who is a "driver"

Makes Driving an Experience

Purchased a 2012 model 135i that is my fourth BMW, and by far the most fun to drive. Performance is a given with the Turbo engine, and the road "feel" makes for an enjoyable experience every time. There's something about knowing you can do what you want to do when you want it, particularly when someone passes you then settles in right in front of you, that gives a wonderful feel of confidence. It's one of those things that will only get better with age, sorta like it's owner!

Still best handling 4-seat convertible available!

Upgraded from a 2010 Mazda Miata GT hardtop to my 2012 BMW 135i M Sport Convertible about 4 months ago, due to need for small back seat for kiddos and desire for a bit more hp and refinement than the Miata could provide. What a difference! Double the hp + tighter suspension equaled serious handling upgrade and BMW options/refinement make the car much more daily driver user friendly. Surprisingly, the soft top is as quite as my SUV on the hwy and ten times quieter than the Miata's hardtop. Tiny backseats are perfect for my small kids but are barely useable for normal adults. Truck is more than adequate for grocery runs and can hold full size suitcases in a pinch. Outward visibility is great, top up or down. Exhaust sounds awesome under acceleration but is quiet at cruising speeds. M Sport package gives the car an aggressive appearance. I do miss shifting the gears myself with the 6 spd. manual of the Miata but the DCT transmission of the BMW is a close approximation and is more wife/valet friendly. Serious upgrade in costs for maintenance and repairs compared to the Miata, as well---not so thrilled about that! Shopped around and compared a lot of cars but nothing combined the small car feel/driving experience with 4 person seating as this 1 series convertible. Acceleration is sooooo strong and the connected feel of the steering is the best! The surround sound stereo is the nicest I've heard in any of my previous autos, too--that alone is worth a lot. Happy with my purchase and would highly recommend checking one out if you have similar needs for speed/space/refinement----and can stomach the (unavoidable) repair/upkeep costs! UPDATE: DCT Transmission failure at 62K miles! After dumping $4k into attempted repairs, had to cut the cord and move on. Makes me wish I would have held out for a manual transmission (again) but hind sight is always 20/20 right?! Looking for a replacement but wary of issue again. Update: Bought replacement 2013 135i convertible since I missed it so much...this time a 2013 with 29k miles in perfect shape! Runs great and no transmission issues (yet?!!) Last year/car with BMW's hydraulic steering and it is great. Newer cars may be 'faster' but none feel as good as this one does. Still highly recommend if you want the best open top 4-seat fun out there! Update: Hydroplaned in rain and totaled my car last week...since last update had to spend another $1900 in repairs for plugs/coils that burned up due to a low-pressure fuel pump failure (common issue with this car). Overall, I loved the car but can't deny the poor reliability of this engine. Would probably recommend looking at a M235i or M240i convertible (with manual transmission) and improved engine, but I am taking a break from BMW, myself, and have replaced my wrecked car with a 2017 Audi S3.

Rockin'!

Bought my '12 128i coupe three months ago, and its everything I expected! Acceleration and road handling are superb! This is definitely a driver's car, and is comfortable for longer trips. An excellent choice!

2013 BMW 135is

Great car for the young or the young at heart. Most should consider the car as a two seater with occasional back seat use for young kids. Very fast, very reliable, and very smooth running in line 6 cylinder. This BMW was my 2nd after my 1989 325is. I've always been a fan of BMW but think the company has lost its way over the last few years. This car along with the new 2 series is as close as one can get to the old E30 BMW.

Great used Car

Great used sporty vehicle.

GO CART ON STEROIDS

Despite the negative title, let me tell you: I LOVE MY CAR. It is a 2013 BMW that I bought this year (2018) for 20k. It was exactly what I needed-- a two seater with "room" in the back for small passengers in the back row. Perfect for my needs! Great power. NIMBLE handling. RESPONSIVE. Sexxxxy car with multiple levels of fun. Slip it into Automatic Mode for SUNDAY driving. Slip it into SPORT MODE for aggressssssive trafffffic. Slip it into MANUAL MODE for true fun. I traded a 2017 NISSAN MURANO with 260+ HP for this car...and I have no regrets. HOWEVER, it is an adjustment. It is a smaller car-- no LOWES or HOMEDEPOT RUNS...and you want to remove the rear headrests for added visibility.

Most fun I've ever had driving a car

This quick, nimble and sexy convertible gets looks and comments everywhere I go. It was my "dream" convertible and I am lucky enough to be the 2nd owner. I have had this car for 4 and 1/2 years now and have never had an issue. I do dedicated maintenance on it, but it is truly a solid car. It has great pick up from stand still and if you "punch" it. I have the stick shift and it's a blast. If you get a chance to own this car, I highly recommend it. I will be keeping this baby forever!

Good thing, small package.

This is my 7th bimmer since 2008 including a 540i, Z3, 335i, Z4, Z4M. 335is. The 135i has all the power of any of the others, the 7 speed dct is at least as good as the three pedal cars I’ve owned. All around handling is great with the M option package and non-run flats. It’s as nimble as the 2 seaters, and way ahead of the others including the 335is. All around, it’s the best BMW I’ve owned.

Fair Car Needs Modification to Be Good

After coming out of a Scion FR-S, I felt the suspension in the 128i M Sport to still be too soft and sloppy (lots of roll and bounce). Car improved with a Dinan Stage 1 suspension (Konis and shorter springs). Then ditched the Goodyear Eagel Run on Flat tires for Bridgestone Potenza S-04 summer tires and now it is comfortable, sporty, and actually quieter in the cabin. Car has adequate power but could use a little more horsepower for freeway passing - I guess they could not step all over the 135i. Best part is the silky smooth Inline 6 cylinder engine without the turbo issues that plague many BMWs. Cabin and trunk are a little small, but enthusiasts actually love this chassis more than M3.

My first BMW 128i

My first BMW 128i Coupe is a great purchase decision. It is FUN, responsive, comfortable, easy to operate, & has good driver visibilty. I bought the 128i after months of research and test driving other competitors like Audi, Mercedes, etc. I was looking for a personal "driving experience" for my comutes to work and one that allowed me to enjoy high quality workmanship that only cars of that class can consistently produce. The 128i is purely BMW! Recommend the Sports Package (sport seats are very nice), BMW IDrive, Premium & Convenience packages at a minumum (elevates the BMW driving experience). Pricey, maybe... but it's a BMW. Besides, who buys a BMW to save money?

Love this car

Put it in sport mode and acceleration is fantastic. Regular mode, acceleration. Is good but sport mode is super sporty. The roof I can put up or down while waiting at a red light it’s so fast and easy. The handling is everything you’d expect from a BMW. I don’t have navigation so I did not rate that but I always use my phone for navigation anyway so I don’t miss it and it’s nice having a clean dash that’s not lit up all the time. I was amazed at the amount of space in the trunk and it’s so easy to get large things in, I just put the top down load it up and put the top back up! I can transport way more than a regular sedan because I can get larger things in and out with the convertible top. The convertible is so nice when driving around, the winds not bad, I can have the top and windows down and wear a cap on the freeway with no problem! It’s been a great car and I love it!

BMW 135i is Fantastic

I have been incredibly pleased with my 2012 135i since getting it three weeks ago. It is powerful,responsive and a lot of fun to drive. The 7 speed double clutch transmission is fast and smooth. I was a bit sceptical at first, as I am used to using a standard manual transmission with a manual clutch, but I am a convert now. I could never shift as smoothly or as fast as I can with the automated double clutch system. I got the navigation system, which comes with iDrive. It is very intuitive and works very well. It is very easy to change map views or enter destinations. The voice activation sis a bit iffy while driving with air conditioning on, frequently misunderstanding commands.

Quick Baby Beamer

Great Car, small as other small cars but with 300hp ... Boot/Trunk is small ... i do not race the car ... 2021 - 2021 - Jan. (51,4xx miles) but having trouble with valve gasket & DCT gasket leaks ...Still a Great Car.

Driving north to south of California, CA to AZ

When you buying this car or for that matter any car from third party don't just look at the price & mileage. Pay attention to the details: look for all the paper works on repairs and maintenance. For under $16k you can drive a BMW ultimate machine that not only looks awesome, but for $60 per horse power you can enjoy a car that in coming years will be CLASSIC BMW.

Great Used Car Value

Great value if you can find a gently used one. Good looks and excellent BMW ride and handling. Perfect as an alternate fun vehicle in addition to that practical family SUV.

Material quality and standard features are awful

Sorry, I can't agree with the other 128i reviewers. I bought this 2013 128i used, having previously owned a 2004 330ci for 6 years. Granted, the 330ci had Premium package and the 128i is base. But the Sensatech seats and door material on the 128i look cheap, and the black shiny plastic in place of the wood grain or titanium trim is just plain tacky. The 330ci felt like a luxury vehicle. The 128i feels like an entry-level Hyundai or something. I actually just sold a Hyundai Genesis 2.0T Premium, which had keyless entry, keyless start, universal remote, moonroof, nice trim, automatic dimming mirrors and good bolstered seats. It cost about $24k new. The base 128i has NONE of those things, and cost over $33k new. Yes, the driveability is much better than a Genesis (but noticeably worse than a 330ci). The gas mileage is worse than both of these other vehicles. Overall I'm not overly impressed with the 1 series. It feels like a step down (even with more power than the 330ci and the Genesis) and a step backwards in time. The BMW enthusiast in me wants to get rid of it as soon as possible and get a 2 series!

DCT was not made for city traffic

Purchased this 135i in 2013. My first new BMW. I am a big time auto enthusiast and had to jump on the 135i before the electric steering came in. The 135i has been pretty reliable but there are a few issues that are worth noting, such as dash and suspension squeaks. The car drinks gas, I avg about 13mpg on NYC roads. Also the DCT has a horrible lag on initial take off, I took it to the dealer for a software update and it helped but still not satisfactory to me. The only benefit I have seen with the DCT is the lightning quick shifts which is only great at high speeds. If you won't track the car often, I suggest the regular auto over the DCT.

A great choice!

I test drove 17 vehicles ... The only car with superior handling was the Cayman at 2x price. The heavy steering feel (a good thing), gives the car a planted, solid, one with the road feeling that is more livable than the razor, go cart Cayman. The exterior/ interior styling white over red is simply the best looking car out there. The 3 series is simply too big and bigger IS NOT better. $31K

BMW 135I

You want fun fun fun

I have owned 124 cars. 18 911’s M5, 635, 545, GT, and so many more. When my sister said she wanted to sell her car I told her I wanted it because I knew how special it was. It now has 105,000 miles and it’s still a blast to drive. It’s amazingly balanced the power is perfect and the handling is surprisingly good. Don’t think twice if you find a nice one buy it as I’m going to be buying another one this time with a stick.

Great fun per dollar – They don’t make em’ like th

I’ve only owned mine for 7 months but I’ve had a lot of fun with it and it’s been extremely reliable. I’ve been impressed with the build quality and thoughtful design. It’s light, nimble, and a whole bunch of fun to drive. It’s the closest thing I’ve found to a modern E30/E36. I think they’re a great value for the money too and you don’t see them on the road all the time unlike a 3 Series. - Fun handling , light, sporty (I put summer tires on) - Practical – fits my 7ft surfboard with relative ease. Fold down seats allow for a nice amount of luggage storage - Cruise at ~75 effortlessly with high 20s/low 30’s mpg - Last of the smooth N/A inline 6 Bimmers. - Just the right amount of modern technology and safety features (I skipped iDrive) - Modest styling - Analog driving experience Negative - Oil leaks on N51/N52 - N51 has some expensive parts when out of warranty

Great Handling Speedster

Beautiful handling vehicle. Very peppy. Holds the road great. When repairs are needed, not cheap.

Ultimate Tanning Machine

Really like my BMW. Fun to drive and looks good. Needs heated seats and backup camera. Is somewhat difficult to see out when backing.