Was surprised to find a pair of these on CarMax lots as the 2013 BMW 135is was a one year only model, a US-Canada only model, and according to the BMW forums only 230 convertibles (and 586 coupes) were imported to North America. Makes this little drop top a bit of a unicorn? Review after review refers to the 135is as excellent example of the ultimate driving machine, a driver’s car, and a wonderful follow on to the E90 3-series – albeit almost six inches shorter. Alas, it is not a 1M – I’ve only seen one of those by CarMax.
The 2013 135is was pretty much the 135i with the M Sport Package and a not insignificant additional 20 more horsepower – 320 total, from the twin-turbo 3.0 liter inline six (N55). Mated to the dual-clutch transmission the 135is will do a mid-four second 0-60 mph run and top out at a governed 150 mph. The interior (above) is almost identical to the one in my 2013 M3 in layout, except for the goofy M6-style cupholder, guaranteed to dump your Big Gulp into the passenger footwell. Unlike my M3, there’s no “M” button on the wheel – this car is in sport mode all the time.
This blue 135is is an accident-free, two owner car from Florida and Massachusetts. Snowbirds? The 2013 BMW 135is sold for $45,000-$50,000 depending on options. Ten years later this drop top is on the lot at the CarMax here in Wayne, New Jersey for $27,998. It only has 40,000 miles. MaxCare is available until 125,000 miles and a full 60 months – a lotta motoring left to do. Thinking put the top down, thrash through some windy roads to a winery and slow down to watch the fall foliage. Any takers?
And as a bonus we have a second one of 230 2013 BMW 135is for sale! No need to go over the details again. The seats, though, are listed as “red” by CarMax, Leder “boston”/korall-rot (LWD1) on the data card, and they are identical to the “Fox Blood” seats in my M3. Not obnoxiously red, and my car taught me a lesson to not rule out cars in the search bar listed as “red” interiors. All sorts of red. Anyway.
This 2013 BMW 135is is selling for $1,000 more than the one above for no good reason. It’s also accident-free, and a three-owner car from North Carolina and Tennessee. It’s now here just outside my hometown of Baltimore, in White Marsh, Maryland.
(Yes, I wish there was a red one available to complete the red, white, and blue offering. Sorry.)