Yesterday after hitting the Euro Meet at the Black Hawk museum (some really nice cars showed but thats another thread) Rumors were East Bay BMW got their shipments of 135's so I decided to stop over to see if I can get my butt in one. I have been following the release of the new "baby" BMW since its announcement and couldnt wait to drive it. Ever since I got my first MCS back in 2003 I thought it would be cool if BMW re introduced the 2002, granted this is not it but pretty close if optioned right.

The car they had was a cashmere silver 135 which in person is actually not a bad color. It has the Premium Pkg and Steptronic. I was hoping for manual with sport but I cant complain. First thing I did was get in the back seat to see how much space I had but then again anything really has more space than the Mini. It felt like you were sitting in an E46 which is just about the right size.

I got into the drivers seat and it felt just right just as a BMW should. Press the start and the twin turbo came to life and off we went. I've driven many 335's and have to say I love this engine.......just tap the throttle and it goes. The steering is a little heavy but you get use to it pretty quick. No active steering for me. I get to the top of the on ramp and punch it...the exhaust sounds so nice with just the right amount of rumble..... you get pushed back into your seat and I was at thread locking speed even before I got onto the freeway....... This car rocks! We took and exit and went down a side road.......unfortunately no twisties but went around some corners and this thing grips and is well balanced. One thing I did notice hitting bumps would cause the car to get unsettled maybe because I am used to a front wheel drive however, I'm sure that this can be fixed with some suspension tuning. Dinan already has a program for the 335 which takes it 392hp@5500rpm and 429lbs tq @3700........

We then went back to the dealership.......the fun was over for now. After 5 years and 3 MCS's I think I have found my new ride .......Now I have to decide what colors and options........Euro delivery or performance delivery......or both!

 

How much did they want for it? I'm guessing atleast $40k.

 

the one at MoS was $42K...similar options.

 

The sticker was around $41K.........but doing euro takes a nice chunk off that......

 

Dealer may not agree to discounting the high demand 135i. BimmerFile is running articles on European Delivery:

 

I got people....I already have word that If I want to do Euro or not it will be close to either Euro invoice or US Invoice depending on which way I go.

 

So what is the diff. between the euro and usa price?

 

Enjoy! As always, whatever floats your boat


Euro delivery sounds fun, only bad thing is that you have to wait twice - at first for production then for the boat.

 

Euro MSRP is usually 7% off US MSRP. However, not sure the exact savings on the 135.

 

You and Loki should take one for a spin.........I think you would love it!

 

But wouldn't you lose (big) with currency conversion?

 

actually a lot of manufactures use euro delivery and the discount (the 7%) to attract buyers; that's not the msrp of the car in europe. i think in europe the msrp's of cars are actually higher than they are here

 

Just looked at the new 1 series. They had the 135 and the 128 convertible. The sticker on the 135 was $42,775. They are not letting anyone drive it yet . They wanted $44k for the 128 conv. Kinda like the look of the conv.

 

Posted in another thread about the 135 in person

Link Here

 

wasn't that 135i a blast or what? i drove one yesterday and i am in love! it was a euro spec but its still the same as a us spec. they should be getting them in soon. they start out at $31K for a us spec ride. i got it up to 150 mi on the autobahn before the snow came in. oh and the handling-- very nice! so i guess its time to donate a kidney or get a loan whichever comes first!

 

i saw a black 135i this morning driving past me.

actually, it looked pretty nice. those pictures do not do the car
justice. they look hells nicer in person. i'll put it back
in my candidate for next FR hobby car.

 

Banglized designs always look better in black, obscures some of the details :D

Expression of the 1 series is better viewed at normal height in person then the low car mag views, why I rarely make up my mind based on pics alone.

 

yah, i agree. if i decide to buy that car, it has to be black inorder
to hide some of those werd lines.

 

The strut towers on the 1 look really really weak......

 

looked fine to me when it passed by me.

 

I will wait 'til I can get a used one w/~50k on it. Then I will own one. What a great track car. Looks like those who miss the E30's have the answer to their prayers......

 

i saw a sand metallic one the other day like the one posted above...

that one looked kinda weird. i think the 135i needs to be black.

 

I parked my e30 directly next to a 135i. You can just tell the 135 is a much more "dense" car than the e30. Similar dimensions, but suprisingly the e30's trunk is larger and more useful. It was hard to judge rear room because I don't have a back seat, but from what I remember they have similar leg and head room.

 

^^ for someone that has a traditional bimmer, did the 135i appear to
be something that you'd want? (i mean hell if someone gave it to you
you'd keep it probably, but would you be willing to spend over $35K on
one?)

 

We are in the market right now for a new/used car. We have a Z4, just alittle small. If we could get a 135i for 35k, then maybe we might consider it. But I have yet to see one for under 44k . The back seat is just alittle bigger than a Mini, another set back. We are leaning to a 05-06 330ci convertible .