New 135i. Car & Driver Cover!

[Phil G]

I think once everyone sees the 1 series coupe in person and sees how small the interior and overall car is they will realize that it won't steal from 3 series sales quite as much as everyone thinks it will. I have lived in Spain for 2 months and saw plenty of 1 series out there, and the interior is definately not on par with the 3 series. I really think the 1 series will just attract the sport compact and young enthusiast crowd that saw the 3 series as out of reach and wouldn't have previously bought a BMW (those who don't care for the luxury and would rather get buy an Evo or Sti, or any other sport compact that offers the same if not better performance as the 335i for cheaper). This car will DEFINATELY steal sales from many people here who are purely driving enthusiasts, however many people like me will still appreciate the incredible balance of driving and performance/luxury and practicality the 3 series offers and stick with it. Although the 1 series will definately offer more luxury and quality than other sport compact cars it will compete with, I just can't see it competing with the perfect daily driver balance the 3 series offers.

[Revlis]

Originally Posted by Garissimo

135i + PROcede + exhaust = Pint-sized killing machine.

ROTFL.... I was thinking the same thing... Lil Bastards are going to be everywhere...

I wonder just how SMALL they are though, and if BMW will Tune it down a little?

[LACA335i]

Originally Posted by De90man

If your glasses are steamed from desire or anger...let me tell you the article says it'll cost 35K, be released in Spring 2008', and do 0-60 in 4.5 seconds

stupid idea.. to make 135i close to 335i. and the speed very close to m3? are they must be smoking some hash.. why buy 335i when u can save money and get 135i for less than 5k.. and beat the 335i couple on head on. wow.. i dont know wat to say about this move..

[SunnyD]

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!

I can't agree with this more...way to screw over the m5/m6 owners with this thing. They're all going to be so happy when they see a young teen in his 135i keeping pace with their six digit cars.

[AcuraGuy]

i really doubt its going to happen. we all know how magazines arent exactly the best source of info. remember those weird PS pictures of the M3?

I dont know the performance numbers on the M5/M6's but if it really is faster...thats synonymous to the Chevy Cobalt SS beating out the Z06..while still offering almost the same level of refinement and interior quality. and i know that aint gonna happen.

[THE JEDI]

Originally Posted by Hammerfang

I am in the market for a new car and was thinking of leasing a 328 because the 335 is too expensive, but a 135i would be right in my ball park. When do you guys think dealers will begin taking orders for them?

Know them dealers...as soon as you write the check. Whores

[ArmyBimmerDude]

I think that putting the N54 engine in every damn BMW they are coming out with now is stupid and this 1 series WILL steal sales away, even if it is ugly as fuck.

[mayanh8]

As a 335 owner I don't want to see this happen. It really turns me off for many of the same reasons that people have posted already. I bought my car for a semi-luxurious performance coupe experience and now BMW is basically slapping me in the face by offering the same motor in a lighter, more sporty model, for almost $10k less. This whole things just rubs me the wrong way.

I don't know. I feel like I should be happy for BMW and other people out there that will now be able to get into a BMW 3.0 TT coupe. But I just don't feel that way. I don't think a little feeling of exclusivity is wrong at all.

[stewie]

at most, the 135 is going to be $5k cheaper than the 335. so I don't think we're gonna see a bunch of teenagers driving around in it. It's still gonna be an expensive car. Once you price one out, you'll probably find that the upgrade to the 335 (bigger, nicer looking, more options) will make a lot of sense. And THAT is BMW's strategy.

Who cares anyway? Why worry about what other people are driving? Just enjoy your own car. If the car you drive makes you feel special or important, you're really lacking a lot in life.

[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.

[Spacegray335i]

Originally Posted by MrFrizzle

Hmmm. BMW seems like it wants to expand its demographics just a little bit, by offering a lower priced car than the 3 series.

Its looks like the 1 series will be marketed towards the young wealthy "hip" drivers in their late teens, early to mid twenties, who wants something fast, prestigious, and in a reasonable price range.
The 3 series will still be marketed to young guys in the 20's to early 30's who want a premium car, but still don't need the space of a full size.
The X3 targets a similar group, a little older, who want a small SUV.
The 5 series covers the middle aged people in their 30's and up, who want or need a larger full size car and can afford high engine options. Same goes for X5.
The 6 series is marketed towards older wealthy people who want a powerful grand tourer and the BMW name.
And of course the 7 series targets wealthy couples of families who want a large car for space or transport, and the sport and prestige of BMW.

I think the 1 series will fit in fine without changing too much.
Though if the the 135i was available when I was looking for a car, I might have chosen that over the 3 series.

And finally, the 9 series targets to multi-millionaires who would want a built in office, recline massage seats, refrigerator, and probably a kitchen that will transport them around town or country. haha..jkjk...seriously, you do sound like a marketing guy.


Serioulsy, I actually do agree with most of the folks' comments in here. There's one thing I want to add. If you look at MB, doesn't their engines share across their entire brand? i.e., the AMGs 55 engines: C55, CLK55, SLK 55,E55, CLS55, S55, CL55, G55, ML 55, SL55, (damn too many) and now the 63s. Well, for the "lower" grade like C, CLK, SLK, and MLs, their engines are always detune at least 50hps or more. There's no Kompressor like the E, CLS, S, SL, and CLs. Plus, the options that are offered in each class also has it exclusivity. ABC--active body roll only offered in S, SL and CL

If BMW use the same concept, I would say the 135i might only have 250 hp and that would be on par to compete with the Audi's upcoming I-5 2.5 turbo engine. Plus, the options in the 1 series are not going to be as luxury like the 3. It might not have Dakota leather seats, no rear sunshade, no digital thermostat display, and so on... So yea guys, I wouldn't worry too much for now as we are all speculating right now...

[canucklion]

now look who's all butt hurt?

have you talked to the 2006 330i owners?
My ass is still sore, welcome to the club.

Originally Posted by mayanh8

As a 335 owner I don't want to see this happen. It really turns me off for many of the same reasons that people have posted already. I bought my car for a semi-luxurious performance coupe experience and now BMW is basically slapping me in the face by offering the same motor in a lighter, more sporty model, for almost $10k less. This whole things just rubs me the wrong way.

I don't know. I feel like I should be happy for BMW and other people out there that will now be able to get into a BMW 3.0 TT coupe. But I just don't feel that way. I don't think a little feeling of exclusivity is wrong at all.

[canucklion]

why is that stupid?
it makes perferct sense for BMW, economy of scale

Originally Posted by ArmyBimmerDude

I think that putting the N54 engine in every damn BMW they are coming out with now is stupid and this 1 series WILL steal sales away, even if it is ugly as fuck.

[Zeroday]

Originally Posted by canucklion

now look who's all butt hurt?

have you talked to the 2006 330i owners?
My ass is still sore, welcome to the club.

[Zeroday]

Originally Posted by canucklion

why is that stupid?
it makes perferct sense for BMW, economy of scale

yep, worked for Nissan.

[bimmerlex]

Originally Posted by wj4

As a 335i owner, I am not mad at all. I bought the car based on a number of things..not just speed. The styling, features, and size also played a role.

The 135i is a great car, but the size is too Civic SI, Scion tC for my taste.

+1. Totally agree, I bought 335i for the very same reasons.

[mesier1111]

Originally Posted by retrodrive

BMW is not going to sabotage their 335 sales like that. They are did almost everything in their power to get 335 not to compete too closely with upcoming M3. There has to be something weak about the 135?

There is something weak, what your missing is the fact that it will be built on a frame that is almost 10 years old. It will be built on the E46 platform so won't feel nearly as stiff as the E90, and no where close to the E92s. Plus, for those with autos, I would be interested to see if they put the regular auto in it, or offer that ZF that they first offered in the 335i, and is now listed as an upgrade option on the 535 listed as "sports transmission".

[504Boy]

Not sure if BMW would actually put the twin turbo in this car. Wouldn't that jeoparadize M3 sales? If they don't it won't come to the US.

[mesier1111]

I must say though, I had to wait till I was in my late 20's to afford a car like my E92 335i. Now everyone will have a REALLY fast car. I like not having too common of a car. Fuck it, I'm buying an M, then I will have a car I luv, and one I won't see every 1/4 mile.

[mesier1111]

Originally Posted by wj4

I've talked to at least 5 other 335i owners randomly already and they didn't even know their car is twin turbo'd.

WTF?!?!?! Thats just wrong, they don't deserve the car.

"Wait, my car has a what? What is a...twin tubo....or sorry, Turbo?"

[dmboone25]

What is there not to like about this? I think it is a great idea--if you disagree--then stay in your 3.

Too many people here think their 335 makes them cooler than the rest of the population--or to use the politically correct term I have seen in this thread numerous times "less exclusive".

Like I said in one of my earlier posts--sign me up!

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.

[mesier1111]

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.

Sorry, I'm not old, and you have no idea why many of us bought the 335i. I bought it over a E46 M3 because I viewed it as a better bridge to my purchase of the new M3, or M5 in about 1.5 years. My business could support that before then, but I want to sock away alot of money so that no matter what happens to the business, I will be set for life, once I hit that point, I will start blowing large amounts $$ on stupid shit no one needs, like the Ms. The 335i represented a NEW car with FULL maintenance, so there was going to be no hidden costs, that was fast and performed well, and was expensive but not INSANE expensive (or at least to me). And since the performance differences are negligible, if any at all (got a friend with an 2005 M3) I went with the car I could modd to get more power for a lot less than what modding the M3 to get the same power would cost.

That is why I bought my 335i.