3400 lbs is lighter than the current 335i sedan which can go 0-60 in approx. 5 sec . This car will be fast and after-market sway bars or suspension components will be there in no time to further balance the handling deficit if it's true but I am sure that handling will be great even in stock form as it is a BMW...and RWD.

 

and it's much kinder than I had realized. I think that if it hadn's suffered from BMW pricing (base is pretty stripped, and adding options can add tons of $) then they'd have been happy with it.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wREuKF16a_U

It does look fun to drive when he's sliding around the wet track...

Matt

 

I have a loaded R56S (minus only the Nav and Convieniencs packages)... I came in UNDER $33K after taxes and everything. No JCW yet, though.

A BARE BONES 1-series is going to start in the mid $30K range. I believe that's without the twin turbo and I would assume that little addition will push the car into the upper 30's...

Add some minor accessories and the turbo 1-series is going to be a $40,000 car, easy. So I don't think these will be as closley priced as you might think.

That, and as it's been pointed out, the 1-series looks like it's going to be pushing the scales a bit more than many had hoped. It's no lightweight (considering the small size), by any means. But hey. It's pretty... and BMW rarly builds an poor handling car, so maybe it carries its girth better than expected.

 

was over 31k british pounds! Yikes!

Matt

 

you can buy a 335is for $40k. The 1 series will be signficantly less

 

the 135i is twin turbo and starts at 35k, the 128i is going to start around 25k. I imagine with the suspension I am going to get and the LSD I will be close to 40k when done. I just hope the FJ continues to hold its value til spring.

check out www.bmw128i.com for more info

 

from the official press release....

"TeleService automatically notifies the BMW center when a vehicle will need service. This feature allows the Service Advisor to proactively set up a customer appointment and have the needed parts ready."

Wonder what it will say when the dealer gets the message "Car running at 240% of rated torque!" or "highest boost was 28 psi"..... I guess the modders can always pull the antenna...

Matt

 

LSD? it's not even optional on the 335i, to protect M3 sales

 

it will be on the 135i. The new M3 will be out before this I think. This is not in the same league as the new M3.

 

oh, I think it is. I've driven two 335i's (one Vishnu modded) and clearly, the TT motor is a force to be reckoned with.

 

I guess your right about the LSD.


management is used to simulate a differential lock for stronger acceleration in turns.

 

The 135i also has fixed caliper multi-piston brakes. That's a first for any production BMW.

It's the car the e30 and e36 M3 (not to mention the 2002) guys have been asking for ever since the M3s started bloating. It is a formidable car and should be quite "tweek-able."

 

If Mz4 is slower than 135.....I don't know what M's reputation will suffer.

 

Who is considering the 1 series instead of a MINI? I figure if I really like the 130i, I'll get the cabrio! It will be bigger than the MINI, but definitely a summer, spring and fall car. The MCS is my workhorse, so the 130 would be the sporty car!

Trouble is it will be a long time before even the coupes are in the US, and from the pictures, it is hard to tell what they really look like.

 

Im actually considering trading my 07MCS for the coupe, or even the M1 model. But never know, might just have both the MCS and 135i

 

both mcs and 135 would be nice.....my MCS is the fun car and my e30 is my daily beater.

 

If those are BMW figures for the weight, it'll be a little better since they given weight including a tank of gas and a 70kg driver... which should be a 85kg driver in the US.

It'll be pretty cool if it has a mechanical LSD and multi-piston brakes. I just hope BMW finally gives it's cars decent looking brakes.

 

Doesn't do a thing for me.

 

I'm gonna look at it when it shows up......

 

I wound up test driving the MINI back in late 2005 because I thought the E90 330 and 325 were just too big for my taste. Naturally, once I got behind the wheel of the MINI I was hooked However, the 135 seems to address the issues I had with the 3er (won't know 100% until September) but if BMW prices this right (i.e. they DON'T price it as if it were a mini-//M) then I'll seriously consider it vs the Clubman (Different cars, I know, but our 2nd car will need to simply be a little larger)

 

is that the rear space is really, really limited. So when it shows up, it will be interesting to see if the back seat is for anything more than puppies and groceries! If the rear seat room is anything like the 130 that top gear ran, then for all intensive perposes it's a two seater!

Matt

 

"Intents and purposes?"

 

I think the original poster is talking about the 1-series COUPE, which is slated to go on sale in the US.

HOWEVER, the 5 door has not been confirmed. BUT I SAW ONE ON THE ROAD a few weeks ago, with distributor plates

I live in SoCal. This was on PCH in Sunset Beach.

This is a 1-series 5-door hatch. Was not a diesel, but had no markings, so not sure what engine.

This was driving along one of the new M3's (to be released).

I see factory BMW cars all the time around here. Saw a new M3 with heavy body cladding almost a year ago.

 

the five door hatch, I would buy. It's perfect for me. If it's not coming, I might look at something else to replace my MINI...maybe the new STI hatch

 

the 128i hatch would sell really well to the college age crowd.
And it's good to see the BMW putting some big motors in the smallest car. That's always a recipe for fun!

Matt