With the 135is, BMW took a less-is-more strategy — and to good effect. The compact coupe delivers an entertaining driving experience with refreshingly few frills, says Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley. Its potent turbocharged inline-six engine and slick-shifting six-speed manual make it engaging; its simple interior layout and gadget-free control system keep the focus on the driving.
In this week's most-watched video, PickupTrucks.com Editor Mark Williams offers the Cars.com sister site's first impressions of the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. Williams recently had an opportunity to tow, carry payload and even do some off-roading at Knibbe Ranch outside San Antonio, Texas, and our No. 2 video features more of the Silverado from that visit. In third place was the debut of our new 2014 Mazda6 video. Check out what else was popular:
1. 2014 Chevrolet Silverado: ImpressionsA fleet of newcomers elbowed their way into the top five this week, leaving only one holdover on our list of most-watched videos. The 2013 BMW 135is bumped previous No. 1, the 2014 Acura MDX, down to third place. In the video, Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley says that with the less-is-more attitude of the small, light 135is, BMW harks back to the days before large and luxurious gained favor over a fun driving experience. Check out what else was popular:
1. 2013 BMW 135isWhile BMW continues to trend toward the large and luxurious, the 2013 BMW 135is espouses the delights of the small and sporty. Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley says the performance coupe's "back-to-basics" approach makes for some fun, road-hugging driving. The 135is' 320-horsepower six-cylinder provides impressive quickness while its sport suspension connects drivers to the terrain without bombarding them with it.
RelatedBMW is recalling 504,545 vehicles due to a problem in the electrical system that could cause unexpected stalling, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The affected cars include model-year 2008-12 1 Series coupes and convertibles manufactured between December 2007 and July 2011; 2007-11 3 Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through July 2011; 2007-11 3 Series sedans manufactured between March 2007 and October 2011; 2007-11 3 Series wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-11 Z4 roadsters manufactured between March 2009 and June 2011. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. The high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may break the connection, resulting in a loss of electrical power. This could cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
BMW will begin notifying owners in March, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method for free. Owners with questions can call BMW at 800-525-7417 or email CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com. For more info, owners can call NHTSA's traffic safety hotline at 888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov.
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BMW is recalling 360 model-year 2011 versions of the 1 Series ActiveE compact electric car due to a problem with the drivetrain housing assembly, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The affected vehicles were manufactured from Aug. 17 through Dec. 19, 2011 (check your vehicle's build date on a sticker on the driver-side doorjamb). In these vehicles, the driveshaft housing assembly may have been poorly sealed, resulting in a lack of grease on the gear shaft that transfers power from the motor to the transmission. This could result in a sudden loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
BMW has already started notifying customers by telephone, and dealers will inspect and replace the affected parts for free. BMW has stated that all of these electric vehicles are part of a field trial leasing program and that the automaker maintains contact with the lessees during the duration of the lease; the cars are not available for retail sale. Customers can call BMW at 800-525-7417 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more information.
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BMW may have canceled the 1 Series M for 2012, but a sport-tuned model is coming to the lineup for 2013. Coupe and convertible versions of the BMW 135is go on sale this fall.
The 2013 135is coupe and convertible will cost $44,145 and $48,845, respectively (including $895 destination and handling) and feature a slew of performance-oriented enhancements. Both models use the 135i's direct-injected twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder, but it makes 320 horsepower and 317 pounds-feet of torque in this application — up 20 hp and 17 pounds-feet over the traditional model. A six-speed manual transmission is standard; a seven-speed double-clutch automatic is optional on both body styles.
You’d think a small sports coupe like the 2011 BMW 1 Series M would be a poor fit for installing a child-safety seat. Surprisingly, though, the seats weren’t all that difficult to install. To read more, check out MotherProof.com’s Car Seat Check series.
2011 BMW 1 Series M: Car Seat Check
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The latest addition to the M line of BMW’s high-performance vehicles is the company’s smallest and most affordable entry yet. The 1 Series M has some advantages over its larger BMW M3 cousin, including a better shifter and clutch feel. But to get those performance gains, you do lose some of the M3’s day-to-day livability, according to Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder.
The lighter weight and smaller profile make the 2011 BMW 1 Series a perfect candidate for the M moniker, according to Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder. The performance upgrades certainly transform the 1 Series M into a balanced, controllable yet thrilling driving machine, but is the model distinctive enough to step out of the shadow cast by the BMW M3?
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