I don't mind people speaking their opinions on the 135i.
I already stated that the Z is a more focused sports car and you definitely can't beat it for it's price. It's a great car. People just need to realize that the 135i and Z are pretty much on par as far as performance is concerned (stock). Magazines give the Z the nod because it's a better bargain. The only thing that magazines forget to mention (or even realize) is that the 135i comes with run flat tires and they perform much worse than their standard counterparts. If they fitted the 1er with non RFs, the car would pull a faster 0-60, stop faster, and do even better on the track and skid pad.
Performance aside, I chose the 1er over the Z also because of the luxury features and just the little design details that are overlooked by most car companies:
- Google Search: You can search google and push addresses to the GPS and phone numbers to your cell phone via BT. You can also jump on google maps on your home computer and send waypoints and destinations to your car.
- The new 09 iDrive/Navi blows nissan's navi away. Gorgeous anti-aliased maps and a really slick looking interface. You can watch DVDs on the nav when the parking brake is on as well.
- Lights under the door handles that illuminate the ground as you get in
- The passenger side mirror automatically angling down when you are in reverse so you can see the curb when you parallel park
- When you let off the brake on a hill, the car keeps the brakes on for 2 seconds so you don't roll back
- More elegant keyless entry than the 370z. The Z still has a button you have to push on the door. Just grab the door handle and it unlocks before you pull it.
- Headlights turn in the direction you are steering.
- Rain sensing wipers
- doors lock automatically when you start driving over 5mph. car senses when you leave your key in the car or trunk and won't let you lock them in.
I can go on. I've been driving japanese cars my whole life until recently. There are just so many small design details that I just love in german cars. It's like when I bought my first mac. They really think about every little detail in the car. I guess what I'm trying to say is if people question why anyone would pay more for a BMW over a nissan that performs just as well and is considerably cheaper, the mac vs pc analogy makes sense in some ways. But if you don't care about the little extras, then this is all just a moot point.
I do think japanese cars are much more reliable and better built in the sense that things that shouldn't break over time don't. I read about so many random complaints about BMW problems. Most of it having to do with electronic issues. But I'm giving them a chance. Their 3l I6 twin turbo motor really won me over. Hell, I have 2 cars with this engine right now.
I have no brand loyalty when it comes to cars. I just buy what fits my wants, needs and tastes at that given moment.
