BMW 135i Convertible

We have a dozen beautiful photos (shown below) of the BMW 135i convertible from the Detroit Auto Show. The photos are placed just below the press release text. The 128i convertible and the 135i convertible will be available for sale in the Summer of 2008.

Those whose definition of pure driving pleasure includes wind in the face and sunshine above now have even more to smile about, as pricing was announced today for the new BMW 1 Series Convertible during its world debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The vehicle, which goes on sale in time for summer, will start at $33,875 for the 128i model and $39,875 for the 135i model. The 1 Series Coupe arrives in dealerships in March.

The 1 Series Convertible and the 1 Series Coupe follow the tradition established by the iconic BMW 2002 sport sedan. The essence of such driving purity – a responsive six-cylinder engine positioned within a rear-drive chassis to provide balanced, sporty dynamics – is at the heart of this compact four-place coupe and convertible.

The 128i Convertible will be powered by BMW’s 3.0-liter, 230 horsepower inline six-cylinder engine generating 200 lb-ft of torque. Like its fixed-roof companion, the 128i Convertible will feature Valvetronic valvetrain management and aluminum/magnesium cylinder block construction-core elements of BMW’s EfficientDynamics.

BMW says the 135i will hit 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, while the 128i needs 6.1 to do the same job. From experience, we know the company’s estimates are conservative. Appropriately, both our 135is came with some standard high-performance equipment, like six-piston front-brake calipers and a body aero kit. The optional sport package adds 18-in. wheels with low-profile, high-performance tires (up from 17-in. wheels as standard), along with upgraded spring, shock and bar calibrations.

In conjunction with the new aluminum double-pivot front and five-link rear suspension designs, the sport package enables vehicle dynamics on a par with many of the best sports cars. The 135i’s balance is particularly good during transitions from one direction to another. We unraveled some sections of road near Skyline Boulevard outside San Francisco at a pace that would have made a rally navigator nauseous. And not once did the 135i convertible have to call in its dynamic stability control system to save our butts.

The penalty is a fairly firm ride that produces a little shiver over rough ground from the windscreen frame and steering wheel. It’s not enough to annoy, but you do notice the small lateral movements, particularly from the mirror. If it’s a concern, consider deleting the sport package for a softer setup that doesn’t have to use the body shell as a secondary spring. Or, you could simply buy the coupe.

But then you’d miss some special stuff: Sun-protected optional leather upholstery is unique to the ragtop 1 Series cars, as is a specially adapted climate-control system. As usual with BMW, there’s a comprehensive list of optional equipment. And did we mention that the 1 Series convertibles have auto-deploying rollbars that pop up behind the rear seats when the car detects a likely rollover incident? Well, it does. And no, we didn’t test those.