2008 BMW 135i

Our 2008 BMW 135i spent the month of February with our East Coast staffers, who were more than happy to spend some time with the little, alpine white sportster. East Coast editor Jamie Kitman and senior editor Joe Lorio managed to rack up more than a thousand miles in and around New York City.

Jamie Kitman, East Coast Editor

20,054 miles
It's not hard to like the 1-series-great chassis, solid as a brick with more than 20,000 miles on the clock, and a straight six strong enough to make a big car fast, much less this smallest of the BMWs. The straight six engine is a wonderful product differentiator for BMW. It's a wonder (almost) no one makes them when they're so creamy smooth.

20,228 miles
Ignoring things like my children and luggage, I'd take a 1-series over a 3-series. I like the relative lack of girth; the extra snugness, which can be a little opressive-claustrophobic even-when you're just puttering around, makes a lot of sense when you're getting it on in the 1.Still in my heart of hearts, I think it is too big heavy. 200 pounds less than a 3-series is not enough; 500 would have been better. If it were that easy, though, I expect they would have done it already.