BMW introduced the 135i as the performance version of the first-generation 1 Series Coupé, later expanding the nameplate to the 1 Series Convertible. It arrived for the 2008 model year in the United States, with the Coupé launching first and the Convertible following later in 2008. BMW positioned the car as a compact, rear-wheel-drive performance model with four-seat practicality, aimed at drivers who wanted a smaller and more focused alternative to the brand’s larger six-cylinder coupes.
The 135i is best remembered for bringing BMW’s turbocharged inline-six performance to the entry 1 Series line. Early cars used the company’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter six, which helped establish the model’s reputation for strong straight-line pace and easy tuning potential. For 2011, BMW updated the 135i with its newer single twin-scroll turbocharged inline-six, continuing the model’s performance-first character while reflecting the brand’s shift toward more efficient turbocharged powertrains.
Throughout its run, the 135i remained the top regular 1 Series variant, sitting below the later limited-production 135is and the separate BMW 1 Series M Coupe. That made it an important bridge between the standard 1 Series and the more hardcore M-badged cars, and it earned a loyal following among enthusiasts for its balanced chassis, rear-wheel-drive layout, and understated styling. BMW ended 1 Series Coupe production in August 2013 and Convertible production in June 2013, bringing the 135i nameplate’s first production run to a close.