This is very likely to become a part of the stable. Our 2006 (factory installed) MCS JCW is great (albeit riddled with small and annoying problems ).

It will be between the new (2009?) JCW stage 2 or the 135i. Hubby likes RWD and I don't know how much more power you can squeeze from a FWD and still be able to put the power down. I speculate that both will be within 5k in price since they will be trying to make the stage 2 a "complete" package (like the "M" versions of bimmers)

I like the new 1 series...I've seen a few pics that the dealer sneaked to me and I think it will be attractive after lowered slightly for a more "level" look. It will be a big seller I am sure. I have learned that dealers who share the floor (BMW and MINI) will be seperating the showrooms once the 1 series is introduced .

I'm almost sold....that is unless I can get a slightly used Cayman S for the same price

 

Hear, hear!!! (I hate the whole "+1" phenomenon...)

So far the 1 series just looks boring. It's only exciting with respect to the bloated 3-series, which is more an indictment of BMW's betrayal of the "ultimate driving machine" than an indication of anything to be excited about.

Boooo-ring..........

 

There's a discussion about the R56 MCS v. 135i going on over at 1addicts that is interesting. There actually seems to be a fair number of people comparing the two so anyone who says that the 1 Series won't steal any sales from MINI is misinformed IMO. That being said, I don't think everyone will choose the 1 Series over the R56 but certainly many people will at least consider the 1 before buying an MCS.

 

Seriously, in all honesty I never thought I'd be so unexcited about a new model M3 And aside from the expression and lines, what is going on with the butt end of bimmers, can't they make them sexy again? They seem to have taken the phrase "butt ugly" to heart :P Funny, the hatch looked alright on the 1 IMHO and they lose that one part bringing it over

Although all the bad service experiences and car issues in of themselves deter me from future BMW purchases (on top of the poopy exterior and interior design) I really hope they don't screw with their generally good driving characteristics - I've heard the new variable steering loses the real connected edge many BMWs have had and that is a crying shame.

 

I am excited about the new 135i coupe, the new M3, just another yuppie car for me

 

I actually looked at the 3 series and, after deciding I didn't quite like it, started looking into Mini's The 1 Coupe appears to address the size issues I had with the 3er and with the same engine as the 335

 

But I was told they are going to detune that motor down to 300hp. At the 1 coups weight of estimated 3500lbs this comes out to 11.6 lbs per hp. All we need to do in our Minis is to get 225bhp. at our 2600lbs to counter it, but they will still have an advantage of launching with rear wheel drive.

 

Yeah, but I expect that they'll drive quite differently. I'm looking for a fun back-roads car that's at ease on the Autobahn as well. The MINI is GREAT on the back-roads (as we well know ) but at Autobahn speeds it's not that settled. I figure the 135 will be a little less "fun" through the twisties but will cruise the 'bahn without worry

Oh yeah, and I thought the 335 was 300hp? Where's the 135 detune??

 

Yea but how often do you drive at Autobahn speeds? I mean in California we do have highways that have 70 mph speed limits, but they are on the lookout for speeders.

 

My bad, your right, it is 300hp., I thought when the 335i came out it had 300+hp. Alot of tq. though.

 

Well, since I spent the last 11 years in Germany and will be returning as soon as I can, I'd say I'm still (after a year in Alabama) averaging more than 1X per day at autobahn speed

 

Teehee, the car really does look terrified

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.au...cial_hi003.jpg

Well, with hope it will be a good driver with made of decent feeling materials and not be riddled with problems necessitating BMW service followed by more BMW service to fix stuff from the prior visit (I can dream can't I ) and perhaps in the future we'll be able to consider it as a practical DD/city car. Would even be more practical as a hatch and we can hope about that too. Of course other brands may have more attactive options by then, who knows, there could even be a Mini based real baby bimmer in the mix:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/18/b...-car/#comments

PS: By the by, does anyone know where these cars will be produced?

 

I would love to see the Autobahn 1x .

 

Be careful what you wish for German roads have made it nearly impossible for me to endure driving Stateside