Video: 2008 BMW 135

You might think the 1 Series is a small car, but it's really not that tiny. If you think it's like a MINI Cooper, it's actually two feet longer than that, and it's just a bit bigger than the Audi A3, which is their entry-level. Now there are two types of 1 Series for two different types of drivers. This right here is the 135i, which is a high-performance version. It's got a 300 horsepower, twin-turbocharged engine, faster than the 335. It's a sports car, has really rough handling, really tight steering, all that other stuff. The base 1 Series is the 128i, which has a smaller six-cylinder non-turbocharge engine, with 230 horsepower. And that's one most people are probably gonna get, but it's still starts around $29,000. Now, you'd think with a 1 Series, as opposed to a 3 Series, that the interior quality would kinda be a lesser version of a BMW. And in fact, the 1 Series is very nice inside, just like the 3 Series BMW. There are some slight differences on the dashboard design, but it's really slight. So if you get into one of these, you really won't notice a difference. So you're lucky, and you have a few friends, and you have a BMW 1 Series, and you want to get them in the back. It's actually pretty easy to get in and out, because BMW's added a handle at the top of the seat that reclines it forward, and then a couple of power buttons that slide it to and fore. So when they get in the back, they can actually move it back themselves. BMW is one of the first auto makers get on the iPod express, and they had actually iPod adapters in the glove compartment. Now in the 1 Series, they've put a USB port, not just for iPods anymore, down here on the center console. And they even have a stylish little holder for whatever unit you have. If you get the 135, you're really getting performance and machine. It is not, and let me repeat, not a car for commuting. The ride is rough, the steering is heavy, but man, it can perform. It corners like a beast, and gets to 60 miles an hour in 5.2 seconds, and that's with an automatic. With a manual, it's 5.1. The one last deceptive thing about this 1 Series is thinking that it might be a lot less money than anything else in the BMW lineup. It's not. Between the one and the 3 Series, you're only looking at about four to $5,000 difference. So it's not a big money saver. It's gonna cost you at least $30,000 if you get any kind of options on it. So be wary, be ready to get in that showroom and spend some cash, and drive away pretty darn fast. (car engine revving) <v Announcer>For additional information on this car or any other, go to Cars.com and our blog, Kicking Tires.