New 135i. Car & Driver Cover!

[bimmerlex]

Now, how much larger is 135i than a Mini? With its small size (as someone here mentioned they look much smaller than it seems) I could see it steal some sales out of Mini group rather than 3-series.

[ward]

from what I remember from seeing them in europe a couple years ago, it's not much bigger than the mini,

I'd say they are about E30 size

that was the hatchback though, not sure what the coupe will to do the dimensions

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by ward

from what I remember from seeing them in europe a couple years ago, it's not much bigger than the mini,

I'd say they are about E30 size

that was the hatchback though, not sure what the coupe will to do the dimensions

To me, it looks bigger "enough" than the mini--I don't really utilize too much of the backseat or trunk space in my E92 now--if I could get a car that was marginally smaller, but cheaper and more powerful--it would be very attractive.

Like others have said too, seeing it person would either help or hurt the desire to get one a lot.

[flyga3]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

And I would imagine the average M5/6 owner would not even care about a 1 series--those that can afford a 100+K car arent going to give a shit about a little BMW "keeping pace" with them.

Well, not sure about that. I figure that most people who pay the premium over a 550 or 650 want the extra performance and want to "be" fast.
But then again nothing is amazing, I've seen a grandma drive an E60 M5 on I-10 doing 45 in a 65! (Man I wanted to race her!)
Then there are those people with cash flowing out of their pockets and ask to buy the most expensive BMW there is, just to be exclusive and don't care as long as it goes fast in a straight line--well--actually that would make them AMG owners!

[bartman32]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

no doubt--it seems as though the 3 keeps getting bigger and heavier--this could be a nice smaller, sportier car.

+1 and if you don't think that a 135 will come out go check out the UK site. It's already there! I kinda like the hatchback though. I wonder how much it would cost to ship one out here.... hmmm, me thinks I might be seeing my next car....

[bartman32]

[QUOTE=chbrules;1025943]BMW needs to whip up a 2-seater convertable and regular coupe. While 4 seats is cool, what about us young and rich guys that just want some arm candy in the seat next to us?
QUOTE]

ever hear of a Z4?

[bartman32]

Originally Posted by G Racer

Great point...still a very sad finding, though.

As was mentioned by others, the 135i will be less likely to appeal to those looking for "status". Sign me up

A couple of things to ponder:

1) This likely means the end of the current z4m roadster/coupe

2) With 0 to 60 times that rival that of the m6 (before aftermarket tuning!), along with the handling we know it will likely possess, this car will be among the best overall performance production vehicles bmw has ever built.

I disagree. I think it more goes after the mini market than the z4 market.

[Dammmittt]

It still wouldn't touch a Z06. But really what's the point? Sure it'll go straight fast. But what happens when you need to turn that itty bitty car. It'll probably understeer like crazy and/or roll on you. Looks nice enough, but no need to race the thing.

[inTgr8r]

Have you driven a Vette on the track?

[ward]

Originally Posted by Dammmittt

It still wouldn't touch a Z06. But really what's the point? Sure it'll go straight fast. But what happens when you need to turn that itty bitty car. It'll probably understeer like crazy and/or roll on you. Looks nice enough, but no need to race the thing.

I'm surprised at the knock on the 135, it's like the ugly cousin of your car

similar power and weight, I'm sure it'll get around a track better than the E90, probably not as well as the M coupe of course.

a 135i, might be the only thing that can get me to sell my 325 before I hit 100,000 miles

[bartman32]

Originally Posted by flyga3

Doesn't make sense. Why would BMW release a car that out-performs their sportiest M models? Are we now to start paying more for only styling, size, rather then performance? A 135 would make an excellent track day car--just swap out the shocks and you are ready to rip--forget paying an extra $30K for a larger, heavier, and otherwise slower E92 M3.

We'll see how this will pan out. I think a detuned I6 is the only way to keep the models separated and justify their prices without to much cannibalization. We are all here for "luxury performance". If I wanted just "luxury" minus performance we would be over at MB.

BMW to enter the pocket-rocket market? Interesting. But I wouldn't be too thrilled getting smoked by a stock 135 while driving an M6!

Just remember they have been selling these in Europe for a few years now. They probably feel they are doing so well that they'd bring them to the US and see what happens.

[thedean786]

It looks like a is350!

[Dammmittt]

Originally Posted by ward

I'm surprised at the knock on the 135, it's like the ugly cousin of your car

similar power and weight, I'm sure it'll get around a track better than the E90, probably not as well as the M coupe of course.

a 135i, might be the only thing that can get me to sell my 325 before I hit 100,000 miles

It's not that similar. Maybe in length in weight, but the suspension and height aren't close at all. Maybe if BMW made an M1...that would pretty interesting.

[Driv3r]

DAMN......i think im sold on this.....

Guys, the 4dr looks soo much better check out the new BMW films...that may not be the one we are getting though.
either way, a light, nice sounding, FAST BMW for the same price as my 325..sounds good..Thats what i originally wanted.

[bartman32]

Originally Posted by herbz

i'm buying it.

all you people that are pissed off BMW is making it are just angry that your 335i is a 3600 lb pig and the 135i will offer better all around performance for less money.....

probably the same reason some of you bought your 335i over the m3, right?

and i'll tell you right now that in no way will the 1 series steal sales from the 3 series. they are in completely different segments. the 3 series is a midsized coupe/sedan at present, due to the demands of fat ass americans and the constant pressure of companies like Lexus and Infiniti, who force BMW to require all the bullshit electronics to be able to compete with the Japs.

besides, most people who buy the 335i are old, well off, and are not really performance enthusiasts like we are. people who will buy the 135i are more of the type of people that you would see on performance car websites, because that car will rip ass.

BMW needs to get back to their roots and build a light ass, tiny sports car that rivals the feel of the e30, and i'm glad they're finally doing it, because BMW has been heading the wrong way in recent years.

i'm still not to keen on the styling of that 135 photo, but i doubt that's what the production version will look exactly like.

+1 the 3 series has gotten big, fat and "grown up" in the last few generations. The 1 series lets them get back to their roots.

[SES_D]

It's fast. But style is definately a thumbs down.

[Zeroday]

Originally Posted by Driv3r

DAMN......i think im sold on this.....

Guys, the 4dr looks soo much better check out the new BMW films...that may not be the one we are getting though.
either way, a light, nice sounding, FAST BMW for the same price as my 325..sounds good..Thats what i originally wanted.

How much did you pay for your 325i?

[e92phreak]

Originally Posted by thedean786

It looks like a is350!

Yup yup... Agreed! I was side-by-side with the 1 series test mule off the 101N near Westlake Blvd. BMW's design center is nearby. Looks very similar to the IS.

35k for the 135i? I'll still go for my E92 335i.

[ALPINE6SPD]

Originally Posted by retrodrive

as a 335 owner, I'd be a little pissed if this thing came out

why?
should 5 series owners be pissed because the 3 series has the same engine also?

[ArmyBimmerDude]

Originally Posted by ALPINE6SPD

why?
should 5 series owners be pissed because the 3 series has the same engine also?

Why should they be pissed? They are getting the engine that is originally from a 3 series. They should feel lucky.

[zenmaster]

Originally Posted by thedean786

It looks like a is350!

Very similar.

track pics:
http://1addicts.com/forums/showthrea...=2701#post2701

[AcuraGuy]

Originally Posted by ALPINE6SPD

why?
should 5 series owners be pissed because the 3 series has the same engine also?

no, they shouldnt, because they have the 550 to "beat" the 335. even though the 550 isnt incredibly faster, its still a larger engine.