German Car Zone

Topless bliss and sports-car performance come at a price.

When searching for the perfect diamond, the basic guiding factors are the four C’s: cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. The better each is, the higher quality the diamond and, of course, the higher the price. When we search for our favorite cars, there isn’t an easy or swanky way to abbreviate the guidelines, but we look for performance, a ride/handling balance, ergonomics, and value. Granted, as with diamonds, everyone’s needs (or wants) differ, but if you’re in the market for a four-seat convertible, the BMW 135i is one high-quality gem.

Velocity

The 135i earns a big checkmark in the performance column. Equipped with BMW’s brilliant twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter inline-six with 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, the 3700-pound ragtop shoots to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. That sub-five-second sprint means it’s just two-tenths slower than the quickest coupe version we’ve tested—which was nearly 300 pounds lighter—and just a tenth behind the Z4 sDrive35i roadster, which has the same engine. With your right foot planted, the 135i convertible shows no signs of weakness. The velvety smooth six keeps churning out thrust to run the quarter-mile in 13.6 seconds at 104 mph before topping out at a governed 148 mph, numbers that reside in sports-car territory. What goes fast must also eventually slow down, and the brakes on the 135i do a fine job, stopping it from 70 mph in a tidy 162 feet.


Full Story: 2009 BMW 135i Convertible - Short Take Road Test


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