When BMW was rumored to be making a new version of the 2002, I thought that this was a great idea. The M3s are getting so dang heavy and it is getting further away from its roots (just over 10 years ago the M3 was considered a "light" car, now it is a pig, a very fast pig).

I thought it was only logical to bring out a car that got BMW back to the roots of a light, less complicated and less expensive small car that is fun to drive. The 135, even though it is a great car, is OFF the mark. The thing weighs over 3300 lbs, and if you want any power or options you are looking at over $42k. I really don't understand it, at that point it competes with the 3 series. I am just trying to figure out why BMW missed it so bad? I know that cars in general are getting heavier for safety reasons and luxury reasons, it is just too bad a company like BMW, who use to almost pride itself in being a light wt drivers car that may not be the fastest, but the best handling and funnest to drive, has changed its stance (remember when BMWs use to ALWAYS be lighter than MBs?).

Anyway, as I was ripping around in the MCS today, the above thoughts just came to mind. This thing is just so fun and easy to drive, I love it. This isn't a rip on the 135, it just isn't a modern replacement for the 2002 like it was supposed to be (maybe the modern BMW customer is so sophisticated now, that they prefer that?).

 

imo, just about anyone can make a great car if their budget allows.

i also think that people themselves are getting bigger so they need a
larger car to keep proportions. otherwise it'll look like that jay leno vid of
him driving that little honda vert. with added technology i think
the heavier cars can do just as good if not better than the lighter cars.
just responds differently.

and the MCS isn't really that light weight either when it was first released...

 

I love the fact that cars like the Fit, Versa, Yaris, MINI and all other small cars are becoming more popular, but lets face it, the MINI is a great car (good power, fun to drive, looks good), the Fit (from what Ken has discussed in the Random Thought thread) is a good driver, but IMO not that great looking (odd proportions). I would love to see a small, light weight, drivers cars. Limit options, put only the needed saftey equipment. Think of cars like the origninal Rabbit GTi, light, fuel efficient, quick, good handling, very basic car that was affordable for the younger generation. i would love to see something like this. a sub-$20k car that has a good motor in it, handles well, light on its feet, and looks good... concetualize something like a Fit Si

 

I agree with the OP. I've always felt the core idea of the MINI has felt more like where the BMW 2002 was when it came out.

I love the 1-series, but I was hoping for a little less refinement and a little more utility. A lower price point would have been nice too. But I guess, in the end, they've got to sell cars. I'm sure it's designed for a larger demographic.

 

I kind of thought that was what the MCS is?

 

The MCS is a great deal and fits all the criteria but the affordable (to some of us). The S starts at $22,000 (according to the website) and the base model starts at $19,000. When you look at quality of materials, fit and finish, and fun factor, these are AMAZING deals. Once you start to add on options though, they get pricey quick. Also car companies need to get rid option packages only. maybe i want the fog lights but i dont want the navigation system, xenons, and floormats that i HAVE to get with them. I should be able to build the car with ONLY the options i want

 

Smart Coupe-Roadster
It costs less than the MINI, i like the looks of it, satisfies the light, economical, quick (considering) and, from what i have read, handled quite well. personally, i would sacrifice some fuel efficiency for a more powerful model, but all in all, i would rock the hell out of this thing.

 

I don't think we are going to see lower budget BMWs in the US any more. BMW tried that with the 318ti about 10 years ago and that didn't go over very well. BMWs have never been inexpensive cars anyways. My oldest brother bought a new 2002 in 1972 and paid almost $5000 for it. The car didn't even have a radio. While another brother bought a fully loaded Corvette convertible the same year with just about every option for less that the BMW.

 

I had a 318ti for a few years... a very clean '97 with the Sport Package that gave you the M3-style aero kit, sport suspension, seats, bigger wheels/tires, etc. It was a sweet ride... very light compared to the other BMWs on the market at the time, good on gas, easy to maneuver... but it was a little underpowered and the hatchback killed it for alot of people. While it was more practical, alot of people were put off by the image of a 4-cyl BMW hatchback in the high-$20's with options.

The 135i is a great car, and I hear alot of feedback from people on the price. Keep in mind that it has some expensive parts... twin turbo 6-cyl, fancy brakes, 18" wheels/tires... this is alot more car than the 2002 was... I think a more basic 128i coupe a little over $30k would be a more fair comparison. Even the "basic" 128i coupe can do 0-60 in the 6's and it has a very smooth normally-aspirated 6-cylinder that puts out a good amount of power for a car that size. I think a lightly-equipped 128i (sport pkg and not much else) is the way to go in terms of value and overall bang for your buck.

 

I've driven both. I'd take the 2002 over the Corvette in a heartbeat. Or less. (one-time owner of a 2002, and I'd trade my children to have it back)

 

I see hope on the horizon for small, light (relatively speaking), fun, and reasonably priced coupes:

2011 Toyota/Subaru with 220 hp, rwd, 2+2, 2800 lbs, $20k:


And the 2009 Hyundai Genesis Coupe with 220 hp turbo 4 (basically the same motor as the EVO, but capable of being easily tuned) or 306 hp NA 6, rwd, 2+2, 3400-3500 lbs. $20-$25k.


As much as I enjoy the Mini, I find FWD setups to be "tolerable" at best in a sporting vehicle...

 

If you think about what made a 2002 great in it's day, BMW has made a new one, the only difference now is that it's front wheel drive and called a Mini Cooper....

 

Yup. The same "Whoopee! YeeHa!" driving thrill.

 

I would be pretty excited if Honda would bring back a modern version of the CRX Si...

 

I agree, I owned 2 of them back in the day, absolutely loved that car. All it needed was a bit more umph.

 

My 2002 tii was about $5,500 in 1973 ...

 

I had a 1988 CRX Si, very fun car.

 

They are just different. I have a modded Nissan 350Z, it moves pretty well and I like it for what it is. My MCS is just fun in other ways.

 

As a long-time miata owner I agree with all the comments on RWD, but the 3400-3500lbs cited above does not qualify the forthcoming Hyundai Genesis as "lightweight". Overweight (with over-wrought styling) is more like it!

 

^True, the Genesis Coupe is heavy compared to Minis and Miatas, but it'll be about as light or lighter than any other 4 seat RWD performance coupe in its market segment with 300 hp. G37 Coupe is 3600. New Camaro is 3800+. 135 is 3370. Challenger is 4000+. It would be great if it were 3100 lbs, but that doesn't happen these days with all the safety and convenience features for a reasonably affordable price.

I'll take lightweight over more power any day, but there comes a point where it's cheaper to add more power than it is to make something light.

 

I'll agree with that. The MINI is the closest thing to the original 2002 especially the Just a Cooper being the closest in acceleration.

Most the of the Japanese coops cannot fit anyone in the back seat as the head room is poor. Not so with the cooper and 2002. Another problem I have with the asian cars is lack of leg room in the front.

 

The Smart Roadster was exactly what th doctor ordered. Fuel efficiency, performance (in the Brabus package) and great price. Of course, Mercedes had to kill production because it was too much what the motoring public wanted.

 

A co-worker of mine hit a deer in December in his 3 series 1992 2dr 4cyl. He had bought it new and when insurance declared it totaled he didn't shop around. He went straight to the BMW dealer. He bought a low mileage '06 3 series. (Without freakish mini like resale it's kind of dumb to buy a new car)
It's just crazy when you compare the two cars. The 92 was pretty basic even by the standards of the time. The 06' is so much larger and high end luxury.