
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

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 Tune
Dinan High Capacity Oil Cooler System (Originally a $1,399)
-Controls Operating Temperatures with Increased Boost Pressure
Dinan High Performance Intercooler (Originally $1,399)
-Double the Volume of Stock Intercooler
-More Efficient Heat Exchange
Dinan Free Flow Exhaust System (Originally $1,099)
-Reduces Back Pressure
-Increased Power Output
-Sporty Exhaust Note
17″ 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 Control
Vehicle 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