Over the past few years the BMW 1-Series has done a pretty great job of filling the niche for a German, light(ish)-weight, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe. When you take it up in trim to the 135i you get a proper 300-hp turbo mill and even a manual transmission if you prefer to row your own gears. Once you get over the looks, which I find to be akin to a squished-face 3-series, you have yourself a pretty fast and fun automobile. Here we have a 2011 model featuring the single twin-scroll turbo N55 motor that’s been hotted up by Dinan.
Year: 2011
Model: 135i
Engine: 3.0 liter inline-6
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 29,382 mi
Price: Reserve Auction, $32,900 Buy It Now
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2011 BMW 135i with Dinan Stage 3 package on eBay
Factory Options:
Power Front Seats (Originally a $995 Option)
BMW Assist with Bluetooth (Originally a $750 Option)
Heated Leather Front Seats (Originally a $500 Option)
Satellite Radio (Originally a $350 Option)Upgrades:
Dinan Stage 3 Performance Engine Software (Originally $2,199)
-98 More Horsepower and 129 More lb-ft of Torque over Stock
-Increased Boost Pressure
-Software TuneDinan High Capacity Oil Cooler System (Originally a $1,399)
-Controls Operating Temperatures with Increased Boost PressureDinan High Performance Intercooler (Originally $1,399)
-Double the Volume of Stock Intercooler
-More Efficient Heat ExchangeDinan Free Flow Exhaust System (Originally $1,099)
-Reduces Back Pressure
-Increased Power Output
-Sporty Exhaust Note17″ Motegi Racing MR118 Black Painted Wheels (Originally $648)
Injen Cold Air Intake System(Originally $368)
Tinted Windows
Vehicle Highlights:
3.0 Liter TwinPower Turbo Inline 6 Cylinder Engine rated at 398 Horsepower and 429 lb-ft of Torque
6 Speed Manual Transmission
Sport Suspension
Xenon Adaptive Headlights
-Auto-Leveling
Powered Moonroof
Automatic Climate Control
Glacier Silver Aluminum Trim
CD/MP3 Player w/HD Radio
iPod & USB Adapter
3-Spoke Multi-function Steering Wheel
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
Heated Mirrors and Windshield Washer Jets
Cruise ControlVehicle History:
Dinan Upgrades Installed at Authorized BMW Dealer
Spotless Vehicle History Reports
-AutoCheck Guaranteed
-CARFAX Guaranteed
Includes Original Owner’s Manuals, Original Window Sticker and One Key
A stock 135i is good for a sub-5 second 0-60 making it a seriously quick little car. With the extra 100 ponies from the Dinan upgrades I am sure this thing could keep up with almost anything in BWM’s current M-lineup. Prices for the less troublesome N55 135i’s hover right below the $30K range with this kind of mileage. It appears the seller believes he can recoup some of the Dinan upgrade costs with the higher Buy-It-Now but unfortunately the mods may actually hurt the value of this example. While the extra power is nice I think I’d prefer it in stock form and am doubtful it will break $30K in the auction.
Similar to the M Coupe, I believe the looks of the squinty 1-Series make it one of BMW’s best kept secrets. A simple resolution in this case would be to replace the Motegi wheels that you’d find on a Honda Civic at your local Burger King meet up with some BBS LM’s or M3 CSL wheels and you’d give the car a lot more presence.
-Ben
Here we go again with my obsession with cold air intake. But seriously, how is this CAI when you slap the filter in the engine bay where it’s exposed to the heat. I don’t know these cars, is it possible that the top of hood contains the box that shrouds the filter, probably not. And to think that people pay for this gimmick. Am I missing something here?