The new C&D just came. They review the 135i. Of course they love it. Acceleration is the same as the 06 M3 ($49k). It's 8 inches shorter than the 3 series. Here are the estimated prices I got:

MCS $21,800
128i $29,400
135i $35,700 (has SS and sunroof, 18" wheels, bigger brakes, minimal body junk)
328i $36,100 (don't know if has sr)
335i $41,100

They're griping about the 1 series not being much cheaper than the almighty 3 series that all the car writers gush over every year. But 5-6 grand is about 20% and I think that counts for a lot of folks out there. The R56 is 1000 lbs lighter than the BMW, and gets about 10mpg better mileage. Personally I don't see much competition between the two as they are different size cars in different price ranges. Sure, the options blur the picture (leather sport seat packages add $4300 to the BMW, probably includes a few other things). But if you think Mini options are expensive you've got a surprise for you with BMW. Just something to kick around..........

 

The markup for the 1 series could be an issue. Do note that the 135i comes with a sunroof, sport suspension, Brembo brakes, 18" wheels, sport body kit as well as lots of power as standard fare.
It makes the "factory" JCW a lot less of a deal and as noted on other forums, raises the cost vs performance ratio in comparison. All of the above items are optional on the "factory" JCW as far as I am aware...

 

I hear yah.

I was pipe dreaming about a 135i for a while prior to BMW releasing any real stats on them.

The $43K price tag of a moderately optioned 135i, the 3373 lb. curb weight, and the gas mileage (judging by the figures for the 335 coupe) make it a non-option for me. Winter driving in a RWD er with that much HP/TQ w/o a mechanical LSD seems like it would be a problem for me as well.

Should be screamer though. If I could afford to have a toy of this magnitude for occasional good weather use though, I'd be on it in a second.

 

I second that... when you start tossing in options, MINI pricing can get really out of control (it took a lot of will power to keep mine under $26000).

 

I bought a MINI because of it handling and style. The BMW is nice just not for me.

 

The Mini JCW does have larger brakes, larger wheels, and 'lots of power' compared to the MCS, just as with the 135i vs the 128i.

If BMW's past is any indication, the 135i's 'sport' suspension is akin to the Mini's $500 'sport' suspension, read: compromised and not for those serious about handling. The 135i's body kit is very minimal and very tasteful, which can't be universally said of the JCW accessory body kit. And for some of us, the purpose of the Mini is to be as light as possible...a sunroof is undesirable.

IMO, BMW has the product/performance mix right on, pricing reasonable, and thankfully some designs that haven't been ruined by the Bangle school of design. They aren't perfect...the 135i should be lighter for its size and should have a real LSD, and of course it would be nice if the Mini JCW included the JCW suspension and/or the JCW/Recaro sport seats as part of the package...but IMO they are still much better buys than anything remotely considered competition under $40k.

 

I feel much the same way. Some want to compare the higher price of the JCW Mini with a 1 series BMW but that's apples and oranges IMO. JCW mods are expensive aftermarket mods just like expensive BMW aftermarket mods. They don't make the Mini anything like the stock Bimmers, so pricing is irrelevant. I like the 1 series. Fits nicely into the BMW line. The 3 series used to be that size in the late 80s. Nice comeback!

 

Exactly!

 

Id rather have a modern 2002. Use a 2.0 turbo in a small RWD car. Granted the power the 135 is putting down matches the evo and Sti so it wont have a problem selling for similar to slightly higher prices with the BMW name.

 

+1

But that may bite into MINI sales too much.

 

Are there any plans for a new M1

 

Alan Smithee - I've seen your movies, they're awful! With all you've made, you should be getting better at it by now!

 

I think the 128i will be a nice comprimise. Quick, fun and neat looking with the handling and safety of a big BMW. I am waiting to see what the cabrios drive like... very interested!

That said, the one series doesn't really compete with MINI and isn't meant to. It will be interesting to see how the handling of the cars differs.

 

All other considerations aside, just look at the energy budget. The ca.1000 lb difference between the 1 series and the MCS means that considerably more energy - i.e. fuel - is going to be required to motivate the small Beemer. At current prices, almost certain to increase, that is going to add up over time to a significantly more expensive vehicle to operate, as well as a much larger carbon footprint.

 

i demo'd a $40,000 135i w/steptronic automatic weds and let me tell you guys: at 9lbs per pony, it is just as, even more so, exhilirating as the first day I drove a MCS. Acceleration is brisk to say the least (0-60 in just a tick over 5 sconds), yet in the twisties that 50/50 weight distribution really shines. Plus it's luxurious and refined, with an exahust note that'll make yr hairs stand on end And, the twin turbos are so refined there is no lag, and with RWD there is no torque steer--my #1 complaint with R56. Just pure quickness with a nice >whoosh< fm the turbos and that sexy exhaust sound....

It also has, get this: REAL gauges (but no dipstick.)

And I wont even describe how killer comfrotable the sports seats are.... if you don't get the Nav option--NO I-drive!!! Whoopee!!

(I just wished they imported that sexy little 3 and 5 door 1 hatchback here)

Glad my dealer doesn't mark up anything, still, if I get one, it'll be next year.

 

i drove a 135i last week and had a blast! i topped it out on the autobahn and drove the backroads (lots of twisties) back to the dealership. but there is no way i can trade my beloved mini for it. the only way is to buy it as a second (third) car. nice car for the money, here it starts for $31k. not bad at all!

 

took a long look at one yesterday. To those saying it isn't the same size as a MINI, well, it is bigger, but the back seat is about the same.

I want one. I can't afford it, but I think if it came down to a 128i vs. a factory JCW, it would be a VERY difficult decision.

 

I was try to decide between a JCW 2 MINI and a 135i for months. I finally decided I would get a 135i. It was tough though, I lost some sleep, but I think I will be happy with my choice.

 

^^ OOOooo, what color are you gonna get? I saw one in the alpine white....so nice

 

I am going to get the Alpine white.

 

Crimson Red!!!

(my choice to possibly get one is pretty easy, because my 2005 MCS, while it has nver left me stranded, has been a mechanical nightmare--over $6,000 in warranty repairs in 3.5 years--and I dont like R56 at all.)

 

nice, love the white

 

I drove a 128i last night and I was not impressed. It was ok...it was a BMW, but it just didn't do anything for me. I wanted to drive the 135i, of course, but with a sticker of $45K, I knew I'd never be getting it and I wanted to see how much competition the 128i will be since the price is actually close. It did not have the sport package, but still the engine just felt so lazy unless you really go into the higher rpms. Even the 128i was priced at $34K with options. No comparison to the thrill of a MINI in my book.

 

not to nit yr picks, but "Beemer" refers to the motorcycles, while "Bimmer" refers to the cars...

 

45K!!! WOW, it must have been FULLY loaded. My 135i is 39K and only because I added leather seats. Which also includes maitance for 4 year (oil, brakes, etc)