I would stick with the JCW. The 1 series is hideous IMO. Only good looking BMW model currently in production is the 3 series, IMO.

 

which of those 3 cars could do 4.5?

 

BMW 335i - 0-60 4.8 seconds:
http://www.leftlanenews.com/bmw-335i...8-seconds.html

BMW 135i - 0-60 4.7 seconds:
http://www.blog.automotiveaddicts.co...-in-47-seconds

2011 BMW m3 - 0-60: 4.5 seconds
http://www.examiner.com/auto-review-...uine-true-fact

 

so none of the cars in the video could do 4.5 (the m3 in the video was a 2002 model)

For the 135 I was going off bmw official 5.2 secs.

Gotta admit I doubt a modded JCW is going to hit 4.7 though. Can't get the traction with FWD.
I would not be surprised to see a modded JCW get under 5 secs with drag slicks at a track.

 

2 of my Friends have 135M BMW's, yes they are a low cost red hot fast car. BUT the JCW is a completely different animal. You can compare all you want stat for stat, it means nothing until you decide what kind of car you want. There are too many differences for me to go in to do a complete listing so lets just go to one basic question. Do you want to drag race or slalom. if you just want to get to 160mph fast get the BMW. If you want to tail anything on a ramp or do auto cross got for the JCW. You really need to drive both with out the sales gut to decide. It's what you want from your car.

 

Hmmm, I left out the part about the 135M owner, Yeah he had a JCW and had to sell it, when he was ready to buy a new car he scooped up the BMW. He saying "My JCW was so much more fun to drive."

Then there is the whole up on 3 wheels thing. It's hard to beat a Mini on 3 wheels!

 

I test drove a 135 today with the Auto 2008 year. I did notice "lag" but it is not from the turbos. The auto in standard mode has the stupid got to get into 6th gear at 28mph so I can maybe save a micro mile of mpg programming thing like all other autos these days. Most turbos need 2200 to 2800 rpm to really get going. Doing 28mph in 6th gear and not wanting to drop down to say 3rd when you hit the gas is going to be very ugly. Thus I think people think the engine is laggy.

It is a nice car, really seems like more car than the mini for the dollar used anyway. Seats are better, more room over all, bigger trunk. But it is like most other cars, a bit of a appliance.

 

i personally love the 1 series.

 

I just drove my 135 from ny to ca and it was a dream to drive. Only problem was in Las Vegas there were road construction issues and I left Vegas with a couple of mysterious rattling noises that bother me when the stereo is off. I took the car to the Murrieta dealership near where my cabin is located to get an oil change a couple days after the long marathon drive cross country and I asked them to check to see if anything was loose or broken. They gave me back the car and didn't say anything but the noises are still there. I probably blew my suspension or something? Which is weird because I didn't have any problem driving my JCW Cab across the country last year at all. Even with all the pot holes in NYC my jcw car doesn't rattle yet. OTherwise the 135 cab was a dream to drive and made for a great cross country tourer. The gas wasn't too bad but I was hoping for better mpg; however considering my average speed, I think I did ok.
The one 135 is a heavy car and on many of the steep long down hill sections of the trip I was able to put it in Neutral and coast and even accelerate. My JCW on the other hand is often too light to coast down hills so I think that helped out with keeping gas costs down. Everyone who has been in both of my cars remark how high end the 135 looks and people say it is "porsche like" which doesn't bother me at all. The JCW comments are often about it's prowess on the highway and it's quick and head jerking acceleration. IT's also a lot louder inside my JCW. They are both fun to drive.

 

Gee, I love quoting myself. Well, if you check out my sig- you will see I only lasted till May to order my '11 JCW. What a sweet car. So fun/so quick. I opted for PW/CR roof and mirrors--I love black, but thought the PW/Red would work for me. It has and does. I liked my 135. I love my JCW. A MINI on steroids. Just more fun to drive. Nick

 

I've driven and I mean drove the crap out of a m version 135 the twin clutch tranny shifts faster than you could ever believe! But leaves a bit desired to feel the shift. Car just absolutely moves! Handles great like any BMW product! If your needing a trunk and a little more legroom for rear seat passengers go for the 135. It's a wonderful quick car that you can still go through corners and a little more top end power than the mini!

 

The 1M isn't available with a DCT but the 1 with the M sport package is.

 

Well I drove one with the dct and geourge at dryer and reinbold BMW on the northside said it was a m version. It had the ugraded giant breaks bigger rims sport facia side skirts rear bumper etc. I just know what I was told lol you may be right though. Either way totally fun car to drive. Wouldn't trade my mini for one though!

 

Must have been a 2012. I believe this is the first year the DCT was available for the 1 series. I don't think I'd dump my JCW for a 135 but I would definitely not think twice of trading up for a 1M. If only MSRP wasn't 54k well equipped. Maybe I'll find a used one in a couple years.

 

Yes it was brand new only had 50 miles on it!

 

Did the DCT feel pretty nice?

 

the 1 series is kind of the ugly duckling of the BMW line it lacks the swooping smooth transitions in its body profile that there others cars have. The guy I bought my mini from sold it because he got a 1 series. For me the only way i'm dumping my mini for a 1 series is if its the M version. One thing to consider is insurance I found that virtually nothing is as cheap to insure as a mini and once you put enough mods into it you will find that weeks down the road it's still putting a smile on your face.

 

The dct shifts extremely fast it's very smooth. But I felt like it lacked that feeling you get when you shift our mini autos you feel like you shifted. There's that little bit of lag where the nose dives just a tad then pushes you back in your seat after the shift is complete. The dct just shifts so fast you don't feel it really just feels like your playing gran turismo you hear it shift you hear the revs switch but don't feel it as much as you'd like too. Just my opinion though go drive one you'll love it and get back with us on your thoughts!

 

I use to own an '08 135i coupe. I had the Dinan Stage 2 Software installed, so it was putting out something like 380+ HP. It was fast. Any additional mods on it was going to be very expensive.

At the very best, I got around 24 to 25 mpg w/it. It was hard not to hit the throttle w/it. It also has a very small fuel tank as well for its size, meaning I had to fill up more than twice a week.

Over all, I liked it, but the seating position, for me was a pain. To get out, I always had to move the seat back, and of course, getting in, I had to move it back forward. The electric seating position memory set buttons on the side never seemed to work right.

On my MSC I've gotten as much as 42 mpg, and I only fill up once a week. It may not be as fast as the 135i, but it sure is a lot more manuevable and fun to drive, and still pretty fast, especially w/the JCW Engine Performance Kit I just installed.

.

 

+1 on the looks, not a fan
The 1M on the other hand since it has more fullness with the flared fenders