BMW 1-series Cabrio 135i. Brought by the wind

Ordinary cars shelter people from the whims of weather. A convertible is a completely different matter: here you can feel like part of a raging element. Meet the true convertible of the Bavarian school — BMW 1-Series.

BMW 1-series Cabrio 135i. Price: 1,515,600 RUB. On sale: since March 2008.

It is immediately clear that we have a purebred representative of the Bavarian dynasty. At the same time, the appearance cannot be called either pretentious or super original. It is simply what it should be. Every detail is in perfect harmony with the rest, creating a cohesive image: graceful body contours, massive wheel arches, and an expressive shoulder line.

In Spain, even in winter, the thermometer often rises to 20 degrees during the day. But in the mornings it is fresh — only 5–6 degrees. However, we came to test the convertible, so from the first meters of the journey we drive with the top down. If you raise all the windows and set the climate control to 23 degrees, it is quite possible to exist in the cabin. True, if the driver or front passenger's height exceeds 175 cm, the air flow will noticeably hit the crown of the head. A cap saves you. A special plastic mesh screen helps reduce the draft. It takes about a minute to install. It does not interfere with folding the fabric roof and can remain in place behind the rear seats.

Our convertible of an unusual green shade attracted the glances of almost all drivers in Valencia. One motorcyclist almost crashed into a bus while staring at the unusual car. The folding fabric roof causes a particular sensation. The entire process, which fascinates spectators, takes 22 seconds. You can fold or raise the top even while driving. The only condition is that the speed must not exceed 40 km/h. The developers are especially proud of the anthracite material with woven shiny threads. Under the sun's rays, the fabric shimmers with silver.

The only drawback is the lack of an audible signal upon completion of the roof transformation. Of course, the end of the process is visible to the eye, but for complete confidence, some kind of buzzer would not hurt.
We sit in the cabin and notice that the car is not as cramped as it might seem from the outside. The feeling of spaciousness is enhanced by the large distance to the windshield. And in the back, unlike many competitors, two adults can sit with relative comfort. Between the front seats runs a wide tunnel that eliminates accidental touches of legs and shoulders.

For testing, we took the top modification 135i with an inline 6-cylinder gasoline engine with a displacement of 2979 cm3, equipped with turbocharging and direct injection. The engine produces 306 horsepower at 5800 rpm. Let's check how this feels in practice — fortunately, the surroundings of Valencia abound in straight and deserted roads. First gear, gas pedal to the floor, the instrument needles rapidly fly up. Yes, the dynamics that press you into the seat back are impressive. We reached a hundred in about five seconds. Subsequent measurements confirmed the guess: acceleration to 100 km/h takes exactly 5.6 seconds. The top speed of 250 km/h is, of course, limited by electronics.

Special mention deserves the exhaust system, or rather, its wild roar, which terrifies neighbors in traffic. Bavarian engineers explain this hoarse voice by the short wheelbase. But this explanation seems too simple. It seems that secret "auto composers" cast a spell on the exhaust pipe. In any case, the car has a unique sound unlike any other.

The test of the new product, despite the winter season, took place in excellent weather. The sun mercilessly shone directly on the instrument panel. To our surprise, the numbers on the onboard computer remained readable, only slightly faded. In the evening, a specialist on this issue explained that this effect was achieved thanks to the correct combination of the angles of inclination of the windshield and the glass of the instrument cluster. At first glance, simple, but in reality...

Sales of the first convertible in the series start in March. The most affordable option 120i costs 1,076,400 RUB. The diesel version 120d is priced at 1,130,400 RUB. For the fastest "one" with the index 135i, you will have to pay 1,515,600 RUB. Is that a lot or a little? There are no cheap BMWs. Moreover, the developers claim that their creation is the first premium representative in the compact class. Maybe, maybe... Finally, we will reassure those who fear the fabric roof for practical reasons. Do not be afraid. Dense fabric is almost as good as rigid counterparts in terms of thermal insulation and protection from precipitation.

Limited by electronics

The most powerful modification of the convertible — BMW 135i — is equipped with an inline 6-cylinder gasoline engine with a displacement of 2979 cm3. Thanks to turbocharging and High Precision Injection direct injection, the power reaches 225 kW (306 hp) at 5800 rpm. The peak torque is 400 Nm in the range of 1300–5000 rpm. The debutant accelerates to a hundred in 5.6 seconds, and the maximum speed is, of course, limited by electronics — 250 km/h. To achieve the best acceleration, the Bavarians developed special measures to optimize traction. Particular emphasis is placed on a sporty driving style, which is especially felt when exiting corners and on mountain serpentines. Optimal traction with the DSC system switched off is provided by the electronic differential lock function.

Sit down more boldly

A real innovation was the leather interior trim, which noticeably heats up less under the sun. Now, in the production of leather, color pigments that reflect infrared radiation are applied to it. This significantly reduces the heating of seats and armrests. Compared to previous leather, the heating temperature was reduced by 20°C. True, not all interiors are upholstered in such leather. You will have to pay extra for comfort — this is an option. The convertible top has an anthracite color with a silver tint. The fabric is permeated with the finest threads that give the material a metallic sheen. The roof surface effectively shimmers in the sun.

Driving

The 135i is distinguished by refined handling. Delays between the driver's action and the car's reaction are practically absent.

Interior
The interior deserves the highest praise both for its spaciousness and the quality of finishing materials.

Comfort
This BMW cannot be called fully comfortable — it is not a sedan. But for a convertible, it causes not too much trouble for the driver and passengers.

Safety
Thanks to the extraordinary torsional rigidity of the body, not only dynamics but also safety improve.

Price
Only an old BMW can be cheap.

Advantages and disadvantages

+ Excellent dynamics and handling, full-fledged seats for two rear passengers.
- Lack of an audible signal for the completion of the roof folding — unfolding process.

Technical specifications

Make and model — BMW 1-Series Cabrio 135i
Dimensions — 4360x1748x1411 mm

Engine — gasoline, displacement 2979 cubic centimeters, power 225 horsepower at 5800 rpm. Gearbox — manual, six-speed. Maximum speed — 250 kilometers per hour, acceleration to a hundred takes 5.6 seconds. Among the competitors are Porsche Boxster, Mercedes-Benz CLK, and Audi TT.

Our opinion

The convertible based on the BMW 1-series is unlikely to become a sales hit in Russia: cars without a hard roof are hard to call a practical purchase here. However, it is worth giving credit — the dense fabric top and excellent climate control operation allow you to feel comfortable even in severe frost.