Yeah the MS3 is a GREAT CAR at an even greater price. But I still think it pales in comparison to the STI. It should since the STI is over 10k more.

 

135i to replace our E46 328i. This should quite a change for the better.

 

it is strange how heavy it is, or how much less light it is compared to the 3-series. and the open-diff is disappointing. hopefully the lsd will be available later

the new wrx truly disappointed me and turned me away from subarus

 

I am definitely interested and I regularly visit 1addicts (I'm DCMotorer on there). I probably won't be ready for at least another year or two and I may go for either a 128i with European Delivery or a slightly used 135i. IMO the 1 Series offers great bang for the buck. Even if you can find a few other cars for slightly cheaper, none of them have the amazing engine that is in the 135.

I've also read reviews of the 123d and BMW needs to find a way to bring that to the U.S.! It sounds like an amazing car!

 

Is there another engine option (U.S.) other than the turbo motor?

Is it smaller than the current 330i (or whatever it is these days)?

Could be a decent replacement for our Lexus IS250 if it can muster better than 32MPG on the highway and is smaller.

 

skuzzy- but i thought your IS was AWD?

 

Absolutely not. No way would I ever own a 4WD car. Not sure where you got that impression.

 

Yes ... the 128i Coupe is equipped with a 3.0 liter in-line 6 that produces 230 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque.

 

Yes, it's smaller than the current 3-series. The 135i will have the turbo, but the 128i, which is also coming, will not, as far as I know. Sorry, I don't know the specifics - all the magazine coverage so far has been of the 135.

 

aha, so you do have a AWD.

 

True, but then so is the MINI.

 

Cool. That might be something worth looking into then, if the gas mileage is equivalent to the Lexus IS250.

No, I have a RWD Lexus IS250.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing them. I saw a lot of the hatchbacks in France a couple years ago, but I like the coupe better. I had been wanting a 2 door, rwd coupe before being distracted by the MINI, but they're pretty scarce these days - pretty much 3 series BMWs and Mustangs.

 

And the Infiniti G coupe. I like the Lexus IS (wish it was a coupe though), but if the I28 is smaller, then even better.

 

from bestmotoring reviews it's usually the IS250's that they like in FR.
IS350's nice but too heavy. tsuchiya's comment about the IS-F was
'seemed to be made by someone apparently that have never driven
a FR.' which is not a compliment.

 

What is FR?

 

Front engine Rear drive... wat you got.

 

I saw the 135i at the DC Auto Show last night. It looked great and now I really want one. I also saw the Clubman there as well. Click here for my blog post on the Auto Show.

 

clark - were you one of the ones that thought they looked ugly on photo's before? or were you kinda neutral?

kinda wondering cause i think 135's look pretty ugly in the picts. some of
the rear shots look alright, but not breath taking. im really looking forward
to seeing the car in person.

 

The 135 has some kinda weird lines, but overall I like the looks and porportions. I love the rear 3/4 view. The 3 series got the "safe" styling - the 1 is not ugly enough to put me off, but just weird enough that I don't find it boring.

 

On Bangle's Ugly -> Hideous spectrum, I think it's just Medium Ugly. Unfortunately, anything beyond Ugly is enough to dissuade me from taking a second look.

 

Overall, I thought the car looked pretty good in pictures before. But in person I loved it even more. It looks smaller in person and to me everything comes together in a tight package. The car looks like a rear wheel drive car and just looks fast IMO. My only complaint about the styling was that from the front it did look a bit stubby. I'm sure others will have differing opinions, but then again I don't really have a big problem with many of the Bangle designs.

 

yah, its good to hear that it's smaller in person. i think you can
probably add some eyelids or something to make the front a little less
bubble eye'ed kinda look.

i dont like the drooping lines on the doors.

 

BANG BANG, thanks for the write-up Clark.

 

One 35 I Pleeze! Can you imagine what the M1 will do.