Under the Hood

The 135i's turbocharged inline-six makes 300 horsepower and 300 pounds-feet of torque. It works through a six-speed manual or BMW's seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Either car hits 60 mph in about 5 seconds, BMW says. The M Sport Package adds a sport-tuned suspension with high-performance, six-piston front and two-piston rear brakes.

If that seems like too much, consider stepping down to the 230-hp, normally aspirated 128i, which is covered separately in the Cars.com Research section.

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    Stowing cargo
    ▷ Heavy cargo: stow as far forward and as low as possible, ideally directly behind the cargo area separating wall. ▷ Very heavy cargo: when the rear seat is not occupied, secure e ...

    The concept
    DSC prevents traction loss in the driving wheels when driving away and accelerating. DSC also recognizes unstable vehicle conditions, such as fishtailing or nose-diving. Subject to physical lim ...

    Interrupting the system
    Interrupting the system Press the lever up or down and additionally depress the brake if the vehicle is stationary. The mark in the speedometer changes color and the distance indicator goes o ...