2009 BMW 1 Series User Reviews

Pros

Handling, Electronics integration

Cons

Small backseat, Cost w/options

Purchased As New

This is my first BMW, and I am impressed every time I drive. Purchased the car new with premium and m-sport pkgs along with navigation, comfort access, and smart phone integration. Total price with tax & license was $49.5K which is pretty pricey for a small car; however, all of the electronics work flawlessly and the i-drive menu/button system provides intuitive use. I've had the car for about a month with about 2K miles and can say it is comfortable to drive whether on twisting hills or straight highway miles. Seats are exceptionally comfortable and have multiple adjustment capabilities. Standard transmission works well and I utilize lower gears since the torque/acceleration capability is available from about 1500-5000 rpm. Visibility is excellent with almost no blind spots created by either small windows or pillars. Automatic lights, rain sensor and cruise control all work very well. Took awhile to get accustomed to the comfort access since touching the handle for unlocking/locking not part of my normal habit pattern. Mileage has been 20-22 mpg in the city and about 24-26 on the highway (driving 75-85 mph). I noted another review that got 30 mpg which may be true if you're traveling around 50-55.

Be aware that the rear seat is very tight especially if you position the front seats toward the rear. Overall, this is an outstanding car and one definitely worth considering....read morehide

Pros

Amazing smooth ride, cushy seats, great roof, power

Cons

Drink holder under armrest

Purchased As New

I have had mine for a year and about 12,000 miles now. I've taken road trips and around the town. The car has the best tuned suspension of any BMW I've driven (I've had 7). It is a comfy cruiser which tightens up when you need it. I recommend against sport package unless you love a stiff ride or get the 135. The roof is quick and easy with good sound dampening. The trunk is reasonable with a pass through for extra space. It is the smallest BMW. The leather seats are soft and comfy and the sunscreen on them works great. It is a great road trip and just fun, sunny day, or summer night car. I get thumbs up from others on the road all the time. Power is plenty in the base model for regular driving. For me, this has been the most satisfying of all BMW's I've driven because it does just what I hoped flawlessly. I have also had zero maintenance problems or defects on mine, a first year model. It's not cheap but it is less than other premium convertibles and it has the same engine and guts as the 3-series (bigger trunk than 3-conv.) vehicles. I think its a great value and cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone thinking of one of these. Go test one out for yourself then let the fun begin!...read morehide

Pros

Great performance, handling and good gas mileage

Cons

Run flat tires are standard. It would be nice to have only as an option.

Purchased As New

This is the perfect daily driver for me. It has awesome poor and handling for a daily driver. The interior is very nicely appointed. The engine has a beautiful sound to it and is very smooth. Braking is fanatistic. Just watch the options when buying a BMW as the price can creep upwards very easily. For example, the leatherette interior is almost as nice as the leather interior I had in my older BMW. The USB option is only one of two options I bought and really find it to be useful....read morehide

Pros

Don't know where to begin. sooooo many pros to this car

Cons

only 1: not much space in back seats. then again 135i is not made for being people chauffeurs

Purchased As New

These are the cars driven by my family and my cousin's: BMW X5, BMW 335i, Mercedes S500, Lexus RX300, Lexus LS 400. and i got the 135i recently. The 135i is an amazing car and you will never get tired of it. You have such great control of the road. the sound of the engine is sick! The is what BMW is all about, small cars with big powerful engines. If you want something sleek, sporty, fast, reliable, and SEXY, then this is the car for you....read morehide

Pros

Too many to list, great car

Cons

none

Purchased As New

Was looking at a used 325 or 330. Saw this and want to test drive it. THAT WAS IT!! after the test drive I was in love with it and my husband and I ordered one. Have owned it for about three months and love it. Quick, responsive and cute.

Pros

Power, Handling

Cons

Can't think of any yet

Purchased As New

Chasis is rigid, balanced and nimble. Turbos barely have any lag and the engine is responsive through out the entire range of the rpm guage. Words cannot adequetely describe the ultimate driving machine (Go for a test drive!).

Pros

Smile all the way to work

Cons

I have to get out of it at some point

Purchased As New

I love my car !
I bought this car on my birthday last September. The best present I have ever gotten. The sound of the engine on acceleration is purrrfect. I have to hold it back from 100 mph. It wants to go.... So far no tickets for speeding, but it has been a close call a few times. ( Don't tell my husband.)...read morehide

Pros

Smooth acceleration, secure handling and awesome engine hum.

Cons

Speed limit on the roads!

Purchased As New

I bought a 2009 128i a month ago and I absolutely love it. I can't wait to get into the car and hear the engine hum each day. The handling is superb - what I expected from BMW; The acceleration is smooth across the entire speed spectrum (at least, what I am able to test) though the ride can be a little rough if you are not used to a sport suspension. But then again, this is a driver's car! If you want a smooth, comfortable ride, this is not for you. But if you want to feel like you own the road; if you want to feel the hum of a well tuned engine; if you want to be the envy of every other driver ... this is the car for you.

It is pricy but I cannot put a value on the feel I get when I get behind the wheel of this beauty!...read morehide

Pros

Amazing flat torque, horsepower, handling, engine sound

Cons

may be picking up speeding tickets if not careful...

Purchased As New

Super fast, limitless torque available in almost any rpm. BMW is actually one of the few car companies which makes the topque vs rpm and horsepower vs rpm graphs available in the brochure and I really appreciated that. Try to find similar graphs for other cars...

Yes, I agree that options are costly, but you buy this car for its muscle, torque, handling and pure driving. There is no option that relates to or improves perfomance anyways...all of the options are for convenience. Personally I didn't care about any of them...all they do is putting extra weight on the car! The car is excellent the way it is!...read morehide

Pros

Fun to drive, unique (very few on the road so far), looks great

Cons

Ride is a little rough and has a few rattles

Purchased As New

I've had the car 8 months and love it as much today as I did the very first. Every time I take a road trip I smile the whole way. It's less about the destination and more about driving there. Although the ride is a bit rough on bumpy roads, I realize it's partially due to the low profile run flats...but they look great! I've had no problems so far. Everthing works just the way it should and I love the looks I get when I have it out on the road....read morehide