What r ur thots? i used to drive a 3 series, but after driving a Mini i am asking myself why didn't i get a Mini earlier !!!!!

does the BMW 1 series drive like a Mini(cuz of lesser weight)?

 

I believe the 1 series is about 200 lbs lighter. I've heard pretty similar to the 3 series, maybe a tad tighter.

 

depends on which model. the 135 should pull a lot harder than most factory tuned mini's. Having said that, its added weight will make it feel less go-karty. However, we are talking about a car that starts are some 40K (135), so there will be other obvious differences when it comes to build.

Of course, FWD vs. RWD platforms as well.

 

Yup, the current 1 series is based on the 3 series, just shortened. It's a great car, and probably better than the 3 series for pure driving enjoyment. Take a look at the 1 M Coupe reviews and you'll see what I'm referring too.

A preowned 1 series would be an interesting comparision to a new Mini Cooper S. I'd have to drive them both to see which one I'd prefer. Personally, if I replace my Mini Cooper S it will probably be with a BMW z4.

 

I gave up my 135 for the Countryman. It's faster than the MINI, but i think MINI does better with the cornering. Also, i think the BMW engines are more reliable than the prince engines.

 

The latest 1-series is FWD.

I'd say the difference between the two is the 1-series is intended to be more business-like than the Mini, which is designed to be a fun, quirky urban runabout.

 

Even the 128 is a lot more than the MCS. The 135 is as much as a loaded JCW. So they are sort of apples and oranges IMO. I haven't driven a 1 series myself. I had a 325is and it was great in 1988, but my friends' 2006 325i was a bloatmobile in comparison. I thing that's why they made the 1 series, to get back where it was 20 years ago.

 

Not in the US.

We have a 2012 128i coupe in addition to a 2013 MCS. The 128i is nicely equipped and was $36k and some change. We bought it for around $33,600. The MCS is also nicely equipped and was $31,050. We got it for $30,050. So as far as a price comparison, they can actually be quite similar. Obviously not when considering the 135i but the 128i is more than powerful enough for most sane purposes. My biggest gripe about the 128i is its fuel economy. My MCS easily gets 5-10mpg better than it, even in town. I'm not a lead foot but I'm also not a hyper miler. The fuel economy and cost have really made my partner consider a MINI for his next vehicle when he's done with the lease on the 128i.

For the money they're both nice cars. There is definitely a difference between the feel of the RWD BMW and the FWD MINI, but the MINI handles so well it doesn't really matter. I've only had my MINI for a little over a month and I love it, but I can't say I'll definitely be a MINI nut if it ends up being a headache with reliability. We've had great reliability with our BMWs and I had good reliability with MINIs I've had in the past. If that continues with this one I'll probably pick up the new model in three years. If not, I'll be back to BMW.

 

RVExotics - how would you compare the fun factor between the 128i and the MCS? the Mini handles like a go kart, what abt the 128i?

 

Hmm, well they are both fun in their own ways. I would say yes, the MINI is a more fun to drive vehicle, certainly more quirky and whatnot, but almost all BMWs are absolute joys to drive so you can't discount that. The 1 just sounds great both at idle and when pulling like mad with that sweet 3.0L I6. The MINI sounds great and pulls well too but it definitely seems more frantic while the Bimmer is a little more refined.

 

I guess I could probably add that neither one is as much fun to drive as the classic. That is truly a road legal go-kart. If I drive that car for a day and get into any other modern vehicle, even my new MCS, it feels like a heavy boat by comparison.

 

MINIs look better, I just don't like the styling of the 1 series BMW.

Dave

 

The 1 series goes like a bat out of hell. It will slay a lot of unsuspecting guys in their Audi-whatevers. It handles really well and is basically like a very advanced BWM M3 of old. Not sure if you knew this but you can't buy a M1 because they made very few and they were all bought before it was ever listed for sale. Just wanted to give you a heads-up in case you were thinking of dropping 70K on that thing only to find out you can't get it. MINI is a completely different car altogether. If you have the money for a one series, then you have the money for a new JCW which are a class in their own. The 1 series handles well, but take the JCW through the same bends and the 1 series feels like a SUV. Plus, MINIs are a cult car. There's something ineffible about them that you will never get from a 1 series. There are so many options for the MINI as well that you won't find for the 1 series. Personally I prefer my JCW MINI. I can make it my own and I can do nothing but grin when I go through those bends. It's not the same in the 1 series. The difference between the 1 series and the JCW is this: The 1 series is a girl who will wear some sexy lingerie for a date. The JCW is the girl who won't wear anything under the dress at all. Which one do you think will be more fun?

 

Umm. No. No current production 1 series are FWD. Since that's what the OP is referring to...

I drove the 135i and liked it okay. My MCS is definitely lighter and is more nimble with directional changes. The 135i had aftermarket software and was definitely much faster in a straight line. I'd love to get my hands on a 1M.

 

I'm planning on replacing my R56 S with a 135i in the next year. Which I plan on swapping the e9x M3 suspension onto it.

The current 1 series (F20 chassis) in Europe is still RWD. This car will become the 2 series here in the states.

http://www.bmwblog.com/2012/07/06/fi...iew-bmw-m135i/

 

 

I'd answer that question, but I don't have time to confess to a priest after. Or my wife!!

 

Haha!!

 

Let me put it this way.. the 1 Series is a great driver's car, with its brilliant weight distribution and RWD platform.

But the Cooper S / JCW is the entire package. It will provide you with the same sort of fun, while you feel really good about yourself driving it because it looks and feels the business. It's quirky, it's different and highly desirable. BMWs are too mainstream and a bit bland inside out (in comparison)

Minis have a certain charm that no BMW can match. At least for the price.

 

I wonder how a r56 with Stage 2 or 3 AP would fair against a 135i?

 

I suppose you can extract the maximum potential from a RWD car when the power is more than 250 horses. Anything more, and it will require RWD to harness it. But cars like the Cooper S (even with the stage 2 mods) should perform pretty well despite being FWD. Torque steer be damned.

RWD on a car that makes hardly 150 horses is quite redundant. Much like a FWD car with over 300 horses. Even if it has a diff, it's not going to help much.