The BMW E82/E88 1 Series arrived in North America in 2008, essentially a pint sized 3 Series and offered in the
spirit of the venerable 1600/2002. It was still much too heavy and expensive to really be earth-shattering, but it rolled back the size/weight creep of the 3 Series and reminds us of a modern styled E36, high praise indeed from E36 fan
boys such as this author. Stats-focused bench racers will tell you to get the twin turbocharged 135i version in hardtop form, but if simple commuting and a few fun back road blasts are your heart's desires...you may want to consider the 128i version with a soft top (E88 in Bimmerspeak). Find this
2008 BMW 128i convertible 6-spd for sale in Royal Oak, MI currently bidding on ebay for $15,950 with less than 1 day to go.
The E82 generation BMW 1-series coupe was released in the 2007 model year a few years after the E46 3-series was plus sized to the E90 platform...so to some folks, the 135i is the spiritual successor to the E46 -- with the 1M and 135i being very close in capability and the natural successor to the E46 M3 -- two doors, light weight, inline-6, 330ish horsepower, a penchant for tail happy on-throttle oversteer...you know the drill. Find this 2011 BMW 135i E87 offered for $12,900 in San Jose, CA via craigslist.
