2011 BMW 135

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(4.6) 16 reviews
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2011 BMW 135
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Key Specs
Our Take
Overview
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Reviews
Safety & Recalls
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Key Specs

of the 2011 BMW 135. Base trim shown.

Our Take

From the Cars.com Vehicle Test Team

The Good

  • Compact size
  • Performance potential
  • Handling potential

The Bad

  • Hard on the eyes
  • Navigation includes iDrive

Notable Features of the 2011 BMW 135

  • Coupe or convertible
  • New turbo inline-six
  • Six airbags in coupe
  • Available Active Steering system
  • Seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission

2011 BMW 135 Overview

By Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview
BMW's small 1 Series debuted in the U.S. for 2008 as a coupe and a convertible. The up-level 135i is powered by a new 300-horsepower inline-six-cylinder engine with one turbocharger instead of two that drives the rear wheels. A less expensive 128i covered separately in the Cars.com Research section is also offered. The 135i competes with performance cars like the Nissan 370Z and Audi TT.

New for 2011
In addition to the new 3.0-liter engine for the 135i, an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission replaces the six-speed automatic. BMW also added some features to option packages.

Exterior
Compared to the 3 Series coupe, the 135i features a more upright grille and a C-pillar that's not as sleekly styled. A pronounced sheet metal crease runs the length of the coupe's sides, which are otherwise relatively smooth.
  • Adaptive xenon headlights follow the direction of the steering wheel
  • Available automatic high-beam headlights
  • 135i adds an aero kit that BMW says provides greater downforce and improved brake cooling
  • 18-inch wheels are standard on coupe, available on convertible
  • Heated side mirrors and heated windshield washer jets
  • Rain-sensing wipers
  • Convertible features power-operated soft-top that BMW says can open or close in 22 seconds


Interior
Front occupants sit on bucket seats, and there's room for two in the backseat.
  • Auxiliary jack for connecting an MP3 player
  • 60/40-split folding rear seat can expand the coupe's trunk
    • ...
Vehicle Overview
BMW's small 1 Series debuted in the U.S. for 2008 as a coupe and a convertible. The up-level 135i is powered by a new 300-horsepower inline-six-cylinder engine with one turbocharger instead of two that drives the rear wheels. A less expensive 128i covered separately in the Cars.com Research section is also offered. The 135i competes with performance cars like the Nissan 370Z and Audi TT.

New for 2011
In addition to the new 3.0-liter engine for the 135i, an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission replaces the six-speed automatic. BMW also added some features to option packages.

Exterior
Compared to the 3 Series coupe, the 135i features a more upright grille and a C-pillar that's not as sleekly styled. A pronounced sheet metal crease runs the length of the coupe's sides, which are otherwise relatively smooth.
  • Adaptive xenon headlights follow the direction of the steering wheel
  • Available automatic high-beam headlights
  • 135i adds an aero kit that BMW says provides greater downforce and improved brake cooling
  • 18-inch wheels are standard on coupe, available on convertible
  • Heated side mirrors and heated windshield washer jets
  • Rain-sensing wipers
  • Convertible features power-operated soft-top that BMW says can open or close in 22 seconds


Interior
Front occupants sit on bucket seats, and there's room for two in the backseat.
  • Auxiliary jack for connecting an MP3 player
  • 60/40-split folding rear seat can expand the coupe's trunk
  • Optional Sport Package includes sport seats with more aggressive bolstering
  • Convertible's leather seats have BMW's Sun Reflective Technology, which is designed to lower the temperature of seats exposed to sunlight
  • Optional navigation system equips the 1 Series with BMW's iDrive control system
  • Standard HD radio


Under the Hood
The 135i's new 3.0-liter inline-six uses a single turbocharger instead of two as on the previous version, but it retains the same power ratings: 300 hp and 300 pounds-feet of torque. BMW says the new engine is more efficient.
  • 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine
  • Rear-wheel drive
  • Six-speed manual or new seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission
  • Optional paddle shifters for automatic transmission
  • Optional Active Steering system can adjust how much the car turns for a given turn of the steering wheel
  • Compared to the 128i, the 135i has a stiffer sport suspension and performance brakes


Safety
Safety features include:
  • Side-impact airbags for the front seats
  • Side curtain airbags for front and rear occupants
  • Electronic stability system
  • Antilock brakes
  • Convertible loses the side curtain airbags but keeps the side-impact airbags and features pop-up roll bars



View 20 Photos

Latest 2011 135 Stories

See all 2011 BMW 135 articles >

Consumer Reviews

4.6
16 reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.4)
Performance
(4.9)
Interior Design
(4.4)
Comfort
(4.1)
Reliability
(4.2)
Value For The Money
(4.2)

What Drivers Are Saying

(5.0)

Breath-taking drive, fast, hangs in every curve

by lillsundevil from Greensboro, NC on August 15, 2018

This car is incredible for a convertible. Like any BMW the drive is worth the money. This car is built for speed and hangs in curves like a dream. The exterior has great lines, looks sharp, and draws ... Read full review

(5.0)

Fun Car for the price

by golfer on June 29, 2018

What a great handling car for the price you can beat the 135I. One thing, get rid of the run flats!!! its a different car once you change the tires. Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2011 BMW 135 currently has 4 recalls

Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

The 2011 BMW 135 has not been tested.

Manufacturer Warranties

Backed by BMW
New Car Program Benefits

  • Bumper-to-Bumper

    48 months / 50,000 miles

  • Powertrain

    48 months / 50,000 miles

  • Roadside Assistance

    48 months / unlimited distance

Certified Pre-Owned Program Benefits

  • Maximum Age/Mileage

    Certified Pre-Owned Elite with less than 15,000 miles; Certified Pre-Owned with less than 60,000 miles

  • Basic Warranty Terms

    1 year/unlimited miles from expiration of 4-year/50,000-mile new car warranty

  • Powertrain warranty

    N/A

  • Dealer Certification Required

    196-point inspection

  • Roadside Assistance

    Yes

  • View All Program Details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

See Warranty FAQs or visit the manufacturer's website .

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Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The 135 received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker