01 · Überblick
The Coupé that didn't get wider
The 1 Series Coupé sits on the same wheelbase as the hatchback and, at 1,748 millimetres, is exactly as wide. It is only 121 millimetres longer. Anyone who finds different figures online — 4,380 by 1,803 mm, for instance — is reading the dimensions of the 1 Series M Coupé. The English Wikipedia still carries this error today in the infobox for the entire model line.
The most interesting point for buyers concerns the range-topping model. The 135i switched in spring 2010 from the N54 with two small turbochargers to the N55 with a single twin-scroll turbocharger. Output remained exactly the same: 306 PS at 5,800 rpm, 400 Nm. What changed was the torque plateau — it now begins at 1,200 rather than 1,300 rpm. Add to that around 30 kilograms less weight, just under a litre less fuel consumption, and 5.3 instead of 5.6 seconds to a hundred. The N55 was also BMW’s first turbocharged engine with Valvetronic.
For used-car buyers, this is the decisive distinction, since both cars are called 135i and carry the same power figure in the listing.
02 · Historie
Six years of Coupé
- 2007 World premiere at the IAA in September, market launch in Germany on 24 November.
- 2010 In January BMW announces the N55 for the 135i Coupé and Convertible — twin-scroll single turbo instead of two turbochargers, with Valvetronic for the first time. From March the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is also available, for the first time in the 1 Series.
- 2011 Facelift from March: new front apron with air curtain, revised headlights with LED daytime running lights, L-shaped rear lights in a full-surface red housing. Engine outputs remain unchanged. In May the 1 Series M Coupé launches.
- 2012 In December BMW presents the farewell edition Limited Edition Lifestyle for Coupé and Convertible.
- 2013 End of production in October. The English Wikipedia states August — this is not documented.
03 · Modellübersicht
The engines
The 130i and the 116d were never offered in the Coupé; the 125i and 135i, meanwhile, were reserved for the two two-door models.
Technische Daten anzeigen — komplette Modellmatrix
| Modell | Motor | Hubraum | Leistung | Bauzeit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 118i | N43B20 | 1.995 cm³ | 143 PS (105 kW) | 2007–2009 |
| 120i | N43B20 | 1.995 cm³ | 170 PS (125 kW) | 10/2007–10/2013 |
| 125i | N52B30 | 2.996 cm³ | 218 PS (160 kW) | 10/2007–10/2013 |
| 135i | N54B30 | 2.979 cm³ | 306 PS (225 kW) | 10/2007–03/2010 |
| 135i | N55B30 | 2.979 cm³ | 306 PS (225 kW) | 04/2010–10/2013 |
| 118d | N47D20 | 1.995 cm³ | 143 PS (105 kW) | 10/2007–10/2013 |
| 120d | N47D20 | 1.995 cm³ | 177 PS (130 kW) | 10/2007–10/2013 |
| 123d | N47D20 with sequential turbocharging | 1.995 cm³ | 204 PS (150 kW) | 10/2007–10/2013 |
| 1 Series M Coupé | N54B30 | 2.979 cm³ | 340 PS (250 kW) | 05/2011–09/2012 |
04 · Karosserievarianten
Karosserievarianten
Two-door Coupé
4,360 mm long, 1,748 mm wide, 1,423 mm high (135i: 1,408 mm), wheelbase 2,660 mm, boot 370 litres per VDA. From March 2011 with air curtain in the front apron and L-shaped rear lights.
05 · Motoren
The engines in detail
N54B30 · 2,979 cm³ · 306 PS — 135i up to 2010 geprüft
Two small turbochargers, direct injection, no Valvetronic. The N54 is considered the more characterful of the two 135i engines but has the longer list of issues: high-pressure pump, injectors and rattling wastegates led to a recall and several warranty extensions in the US. Anyone buying an early 135i should know the history of these components.
Technische Daten anzeigen
| Hubraum | 2.979 cm³ |
| Leistung | 306 PS (225 kW) at 5,800/min |
| Drehmoment | 400 Nm at 1,300–5,000/min |
| Verdichtung | 10,2:1 |
| Kerb weight Coupé | 1,485 kg DIN |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,6 s |
BMW data sheet 07/2007
N55B30 · 2.979 cm³ · 306 PS — 135i ab 2010 geprüft
One twin-scroll turbocharger instead of two, plus Valvetronic — a world first for a turbocharged BMW engine. Same output, same torque — but from 1,200 rather than 1,300 rpm, around 30 kilograms lighter and noticeably more economical. This rev figure in the data sheet reliably identifies which engine is fitted.
Technische Daten anzeigen
| Hubraum | 2.979 cm³ |
| Leistung | 306 PS (225 kW) at 5,800/min |
| Drehmoment | 400 Nm at 1,200–5,000/min |
| Besonderheit | first turbocharged engine from BMW with Valvetronic |
| Kerb weight Coupé | 1,455 kg DIN |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,3 s |
BMW PressClub 17 Jan 2010, data sheet 03/2010
N52B30 · 2.996 cm³ · 218 PS — 125i geprüft
The only naturally aspirated six-cylinder in the 1 Series Coupé. 218 PS at 6,100 rpm, 270 Nm across a broad band from 2,500 to 4,250. Anyone who prefers the linearity of a naturally aspirated engine to the pull of the turbo finds the alternative to the 135i here — without its high-pressure pump issue.
Technische Daten anzeigen
| Hubraum | 2.996 cm³ |
| Leistung | 218 PS (160 kW) at 6,100/min |
| Drehmoment | 270 Nm at 2,500–4,250/min |
| Verdichtung | 10,7:1 |
BMW-Datenblatt
06 · Schwachstellen
Known weak points
- High-pressure pump on the N54 (135i up to March 2010). Following a class action in 2009 and a settlement in 2010, BMW recalled around 130,000 vehicles from model years 2007 to 2010 in October 2010; the pump was replaced on around 40,000 of these. In the US, BMW extended the warranty to ten years or 120,000 miles. The extension applied explicitly only to the US.
- Wastegate rattle on the N54. Premature wear of the bushings leads to a rattling noise in the lower rev range. Here too there was a warranty extension in the US, to eight years or 82,000 miles.
- Injectors on the N54. BMW revised the design and extended the warranty in the US to ten years or 120,000 miles.
- Timing chain on the N47 diesels (118d, 120d, 123d). The chain sits on the transmission side, the engine has to come out for replacement. BMW extended the goodwill cover in early 2014 to eight years and 200,000 kilometres; from around 2013 the issue is considered resolved.
07 · Technik
Technik
The dimensions — and a widespread error
N54 or N55 — how to tell
The facelift in March 2011
The 135is was a US model
08 · Motorsport
Motorsport
No factory racing programme for the E82. The 1 Series M Coupé, which shares the same body, has its own page.
09 · Kaufberatung
What to look out for when buying
On the Coupé, the model year determines the engine — and the engine determines the list of issues.
The 125i is the most unassuming choice with a six-cylinder — no turbo, no high-pressure pump, no timing chain question. Anyone wanting the 135i should look for a 2010 model year or later.
10 · Die Konkurrenz
Die Konkurrenz
Audi TT (8J)
Formally closer to a sports car, conceptually further away: front-wheel drive as the base, transverse engine, less everyday usability.
Volkswagen Scirocco III
From 2008 the more affordable rival with similar ambitions — but without a six-cylinder and without rear-wheel drive.
Peugeot RCZ
From 2010, more distinctive in design, technically considerably simpler.
11 · Galerie
Galerie
12 · Quellen
Belege & Literatur
- BMW PressClub — new engine generation for 135i Coupé and Convertible, 17 Jan 2010
- BMW PressClub — technical data BMW 1 Series Coupé, valid from 03/2011 (T0095893DE)
- BMW PressClub — BMW 135is, USA, 15 May 2012
- Wikipedia — BMW E87 (production period, engine table)
- Wikipedia — BMW N54 (recall, warranty extensions)