1 Series - A 2500 Mile Review (Pics)

Hello e46. I recently made the changeover into an e82 1 series and wanted to recap my thoughts and give a sort of formal review on the matter.
First, the details on the car.

2008 135i (N54 Motor)
19" Matte Black CSLs
Sport Package
Premium Package
Comfort Access
Power Folding Mirrors
Adaptive Xenons
Heated Seats
Bluetooth
Steptronic with Paddle Shifters and M Wheel


Main forum: e46f, f30driver, and 1addicts
A bit of background on the purchase, I acquired the car from an elderly gentleman (about 60) who traded it in for a mini cooper at my friend's dealer (don't ask me lol) at about 29,000 miles. I was very fortunate in that he had really really babied the car (clear bra on hood, fenders, bumper, lights, soft velcro on the seatbelts by the center console, mint inside and out) it came with a set of winter and summer tires and wheels (somehow he knew about 19" matte black csls.. dont ask me lol). So one of the most amazing parts about it is that the car is still under full maintenance and warranty.
Right off the bat i was able to take it to bmw of murray and have the oil, cabin air filter, brake fluid, coolant, air filter, and power steering fluid changed out in yearly goodwill. I met with my SA who was able to verify that the HPFP recall had been done on this car and I have had no problems in that regard.

A bit on the car itself/driving dynamics etc. First of all, the car has an interesting look ,for sure. it GROWS on you though. I absolultely get more looks in it and more people come up and scope it than i had ever imagined. really unique design and comes across as a lot more exotic than it actually is. The car drives like a dream. Some of the features i like are being able to check the oil through the dash, and a WIDE variety of options available right through your center stalk (3 blinker turn signals, courtesy light time, unlock options, drls, etc ) basically all of the things that on the e46 you would need to have software and or a dealer they have integrated into the options menu which is nice, (Besides windows roll up with lock, seatbelt gong, etc) . so the creature comforts are really nice. There are a lot of complaints about no oil dipstick but the truth of the matter is i check it MORE often with this car as you can do it while you drive through the dash. from an engineering standpoint they are utilizing an existing sensor and saving $15 or so per car on opting out on the dipstick so it makes sense. would i probably rather have one ya, but it isnt too big of a deal. if there is no major leak and you check it often, the same logic applies as a dipstick equipped car honestly. I still top off with a dab of oil when i fill up here and there. in terms of driving dynamics the car is amazing. seemingly endless power. FUN cornering.the ONLY complaint i have about the car is that is is majorly thrown off by bumps during cornering. ie.e if your curve isnt perfectly smooth or there is a change in the pavement height it can bump you pretty good. i think this is mostly the stock suspension but that is definitely the one thing i have been disappointed on.

One other major thing i wanted to note, is if you are looking at the 1 series CHECK to make sure the AC blows ICE cold. There is a known issue where an underdesigned input shaft seal on the ac compressor allows the refrigerant to leak out. found this out a couple of weeks into ownership when i fired up my ac. Read up on some threads on 1addicts and found it is a very common issue, took it in for diagnosis (not a big deal they give you a loaner, wash it for you, etc) and found it was the compressor, installed with the new compressor with updated part number and no problems. but would have been costly otherwise.

I will say in conclusion over my short ownership that the car is amazing. very e46esque in handling and looks, and a very fun car in general. They have refined a lot of the things from the e46 era and I am pretty much nothing but happy with it. I can say the zf steptronic shifts VERY VERY fast. almost instantaneously. and doesn't really even feel like an auto. definitely surprised me how far transmission technology has come. I would say if i could i would have the manual though this one in particular just had too much going for it to turn down.

Auto?

Originally Posted by casino is no lie

ever been in one?

Originally Posted by casino is no lie

You've got to be kidding me? You got an automatic? Do you have any idea how much bigger my dick is than your's because I drive a manual? Allow me to lecture you on how I'm a driver and you're just a passenger. Don't even get me started on how this makes me more knowledge about and appreciative of real cars.

Nice edit.

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

Auto?

I thought I had read somewhere they use a different transmission between the x28i and x35i, the x35i vehicles' transmissions being the "tougher" ones. I mean... they can withstand the abuse put down by the JuiceBox.

I'd rewire the paddles so right is upshift (push or pull) and left is downshift.

You've got to be kidding me? You got an automatic? Do you have any idea how much bigger my dick is than your's because I drive a manual? Allow me to lecture you on how I'm a driver and you're just a passenger. Don't even get me started on how this makes me more knowledge about and appreciative of real cars that you can neither afford nor have sat in.

like that edit cow?

Originally Posted by casino is no lie

You've got to be kidding me? You got an automatic? Do you have any idea how much bigger my dick is than your's because I drive a manual? Allow me to lecture you on how I'm a driver and you're just a passenger. Don't even get me started on how this makes me more knowledge about and appreciative of real cars that you can neither afford or never have sat in.

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

Auto?

i know, i know haha.

Also, it is fairly common knowledge on the 1 forum, but just to spread the word:

Did they fix the HPFP problems before the 1 came into production?

Originally Posted by casino is no lie

You've got to be kidding me? You got an automatic? Do you have any idea how much bigger my dick is than your's because I drive a manual? Allow me to lecture you on how I'm a driver and you're just a passenger. Don't even get me started on how this makes me more knowledge about and appreciative of real cars that you can neither afford nor have sat in.

like that edit cow?

So you'd rather be on the bottom than on top?

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

Did they fix the HPFP problems before the 1 came into production?




So you'd rather be on the bottom than on top?

Not really.. same n54 motor and pump as the 335i. The pump has been updated a few times honestly, I've done a lot of research on it. it seems like kind of a spotty hit or miss issue.

From wiki:

On some engines the HPFP was replaced four times within the first few years of service. BMW has instituted a 10-year, 120,000-mile (190,000 km) warranty on the part, but only for 2007, 2008 and 2009 model year vehicles with the N54 engine. Other model years, to include 2009 models, continue to report HPFP failures. As of late 2009, the low pressure fuel sensor has become suspected of causing some premature failures of the HPFP by engine tuners such as AMS and CP-E.

BMW tried to engineer a newer HPFP solution to eliminate HPFP issues users were having. The first 335/135s came out with 1351 7 537 320 HPFP followed shortly by 1351 7 585 655 HPFP and 2009 model had 1351 7 592 881 HPFP followed by 1351 7 596 123 HPFP. On the 26th of October, 2010, immediately following an ABC News story about HPFP failures,BMW announced a recall of vehicles with the pump in question from manufacturing years 2007-2010.[24] In 12/2010 this part was replaced by #13517616170 which seems to have resolved this long-standing issue. A class action suit has been filed against BMW regarding these problems.

and more eye candy:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224665

I still want an E92 335i.

If the transmission can handle it, I would seriously be looking at a JB3 or JB4 if you can swing one. I installed a JB3 on my friend's 335 a couple years ago and his car would easily give me a run for my money up to 60 thanks to all the torque.

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

So you'd rather be on the bottom than on top?

On the side.

Originally Posted by casino is no lie

On the side.

shinshi-shinshi?

Wait, hold up, hold up. Look at this snowman right here, man...Sweet ride! Whatcha runnin' under there, man? You're gonna make me find out the hard way? You're brave! You're brave! They call me Hector. Gotta last name too, but I can't pronounce it.

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

If the transmission can handle it, I would seriously be looking at a JB3 or JB4 if you can swing one. I installed a JB3 on my friend's 335 a couple years ago and his car would easily give me a run for my money up to 60 thanks to all the torque.

The JuiceBox was actually developed on the automatic transmission. Imagine the amount of hell that car/those cars had to go through!

Originally Posted by golf_234

2008 135i (N54 Motor)

.., soft velcro on the seatbelts by the center console,]

isn't that standard?

I feel ya on the bump when taking curves, i think it might be due to the runflats.

Originally Posted by Double Vanos

I feel ya on the bump when taking curves, i think it might be due to the runflats.

I don't think Falken makes runflats. Or that he is running runflats.

? OP...Sooo if you want to go for a nice long spirited drive do you guys worry about being stranded with the HFPF issue?