If your talking about the new Otto's in Exton, then yes that is the car I'm talking about. If you go in there and want to talk to a salesman ask for Heath. He's my boy, he'll take good care of you. He sold me my Evo and I've know him for years.

 

Will you guys be beating on the BMw as you do on your EVO?
Will be interesting to see how durable they are.

 

Yes. Why would my driving habits change? BMW's love to get beat on, my friend beats the **** out of his 525i and it has 225K on it. They hold as just as well if not better. There built by Germans you know...

 

No, West Chester. But Exton is close enough so I'll keep that in mind.

 

I just drove a 135i today as well...i was also skeptical about the looks but when I saw it in person, it looks nice!

the interior was smaller, but felt like a cockpit with nice materials and very quick - even with an automatic and paddle-shifters...I was def tempted to get it after I sell the evo!

 

I don't think we have any yet, I stopped by to check on Thursday... But didn't go into the "Back lot"

There are A LOT of cars (1 series included) I would have had a hard time choosing between if it weren't for the need for AWD. The 1 series was on my mind back a year ago when I first started looking at selling the Evo and getting something new. Nice write up/s boys

 

My dealership is selling their 135i for 42K fully loaded. Is that the going price?

 

yeah pretty much...the one i drove had every option except for the nav and sticker was 43.3K

with 5000 down (that's including the deposit, taxes, etc plus a little bit extra thrown in), I got quoted $605/month for 12K miles a year for 24 months.

Still kinda steep....but a very nice car!

 

I'm doing european delivery on mine next spring. The Evo X doesn't have Japanese delivery.

Seriously though all of the delivery inspections we are doing at BMW of Arlington are cars that are already sold. I've seen a lot more convertibles than coupes come through. I'm not a fan of the drop tops at all. It doesn't have flowing body lines like the coupe.

Personally I would like to have a hatch as they sell in Europe.

BMW is marketing this car in it's own class. They are not competing with any other car makers and they sell the car as if it is in a league of it's own. In so many ways it really is. Pictures really don't do any justice and numbers on a piece of paper don't speak loud enough for this car.

The 135i is a sexy car that has all the comforts of a German car and it may be the Baby Bimmer but it does deserve alot of respect.

 

I also test drove the 135i on Saturday. I had my choice of new cars narrowed to the Evo X and the 135i. I went to test drive the 135i basically to confirm I was making the easy choice with the Evo....needless to say it only made my decision harder.
I do agree with everything the above posters said for the most part so I wont make any lengthy review, but I had a 500+ mile tester, and my salesguy (a former STI owner) told me to push it.
Cliff notes:

The exterior is amazing in person, especially the front end. A+

The car is shorter in person than I would imagine...that being said I am 6'3" and had to pull the seat forward about 5"....tons of leg room (in the front that is).

The power is just simply amazing. It made my nearly stock Evo feel pedestrian.
I can't even describe how fast this car is in stock form...
The only lag there seemed to be was the drive by wire in the auto transmission mode. Once it realized I had the pedal to the metal is was like a rocket ship.

I really didn't test handling, but I was not happy about the amount I had to turn the steering wheel...it is way more than the evo's 2.1 turns lock to lock.

The interior of the tester was ugly red...I would choose almost any other interior color option.

BMW >> Mitsubishi concerning test drives.

The trunk is huge, and has fold down rear seats. Literally twice the size of the Evo trunk.

The battery (also in the trunk instead of having a spare tire) looks like it is 150 lbs. I think an 18 wheeler would have a smaller battery. I guess its how they get their 52/48 weight distribution.

I love this car...my choice is very hard. Pretty much watching the aftermarket for both cars now.