Exterior

With standard visual cues that come only with the 128i's optional M Sport Package, the 135i has an aggressive front bumper with three large air inlets. Xenon headlights are standard, and they carry a white bordering up top for 2012, mirroring the headlight treatment across most other BMWs. These lights include a string of LEDs embedded in the caps, a visual cue used in the automaker's redesigned 6 Series.

Rather than the 3 Series convertible's folding metal hardtop, the 135i convertible has a fabric soft-top that can open or close in 22 seconds, BMW says. It operates at speeds up to 25 mph.

The 1 Series remains a small car overall, about 2 inches shorter and narrower than a Scion tC. The popular 3 Series coupe, in comparison, measures about 10 inches longer.

    See also:

    Materials and colors: enhancing the elegance.
    The choices of colors and materials further enhance the impression of personal luxury and the interior's interplay of lines and surfaces. For the dash's finely grained upper section, there are two ...

    Bluetooth audio
    At a glance ▷ Music files on external devices such as audio devices or mobile phones can be played back via Bluetooth. Use of a mobile phone as an audio source ▷ The sound is output ...

    Power failure
    After a temporary power loss, some equipment needs to be reinitialized. Individual settings need to be reprogrammed: ▷ Seat, mirror, and steering wheel memory: store the positions again. ...