BMW 1 Series

I haven't really seen much chatter on this site about the BMW 1 series. Which is interesting as it seems to be something lining up w/ what we should be wanting in newer cars: a lightweight (3285 for the 135i) RWD chassis and optional easy to tune performance engine. It also seems there are plans for an M edition but dubbed 'tii'.

For those who don't know the 1 series will get BMWs standard I6 (likely the 2.8 or 3.0 and the TT3.0 found in the 335i will be optional. It will come in as a true 2 door coupe or soft top convertible.

Howstuffworks.com seems to think the 1 series will start around $29k w/ the 135i going for around $35k. Which seems a little pricey but it is a BMW.

I'm interested... but I don't have much to say about it. I just like the way things are heading. Camaro, Challenger, new Mustang, Genesis, and 1-series all coming in quick succession. :D

I really like the idea of the 1 series, but the two problems I have with it are:

1. BMW says the 135i weighs 3400 lbs. That's only 100 lbs. lighter than a 3 series. Since the 1 is essentially just a shortened 3, it's hard to get much weight out.

2. It is a BMW, so you will never see one for $29,000. If base price is $29,000, every one on the lots will be mid 30s or higher.

Fully loaded, the 135i is almost $50,000. Combined with the awkward "late 80's Sentra melted in an Arizona summer" styling, you can count me off the interest list for this one.

Personally I think the only way to get a 1-series would be no options.

Straight up 35k sticker base 135. Get it at invoice price and you should be at 31,500. Add a tune for another $1000 and you have a $32,500 BMW that weighs 3400 pounds with 400hp, over 400tq and handles great.

I'd say that's a steal!

As an added bonus BMW lease rates tend to be great so you could lease one and beat the snot out of it without feeling guilty about treating 'your' car badly!:D

Apparently the 1-series is here to fill the gap left by the evolving 3-series. The 3-series is a bigger car than it used to be, and much more expensive. But seeing that they have similar powertrain outfits, and that the 1 really isn't that much smaller--what gives? Especially since a fully equipped 1 can top $50k?

I'm waiting for the hype and dust to settle, and see what actually gets released. What exactly will be the curb weight? How much will it actually cost in the end? How "nice" will it actually be? Will I still have my current Z28? Is the next car for me, or really for my wife? lol

$35k, for 350ish hp (I wouldn't be chipping it to keep the warranty), in a 3500ish lb package ? Or will it be cheaper? more expensive? A little lighter?

consider a fully loaded 5th gen Camaro would probably cost that much.. Or a G8, which would be a lot more useful.

Or a decently optioned Malibu + a 600cc track bike toy with spare parts and stuff.. ;) Or an AWD Audi A4? Subi? Be an early adopter for a Volt? (although thats not till like 2012 right?)

or just get a cheap used 4 door sedan and save the rest of the $?

Then again, I'm probably one of the very few thats willing to cross shop like that. Tons of awesome cars coming out. And bikes too!

Be an early adopter for a Volt? (although thats not till like 2012 right?)

Bob Lutz says the current target is late 2010 (as a 2011 model). That's one year later than Camaro.

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/11/21/071730.html

Bob Lutz says the current target is late 2010 (as a 2011 model). That's one year later than Camaro.

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/11/21/071730.html


Yea, we'll see on that one. Thats still might probably be a little later than I'm willing to wait for a car. Even the Camaro might be a little long of a wait, or unsuitable on our needs, depending on how everything shakes out.


For the Volt, I'd probably look to lease one.. Although honestly, it'll really have to WOW me, in style, performance, tech, and comfort to make me want to be a first early adopter of such new tech and its costs..

As stated before, its not much lighter than the 335i, and it also isn't available with a LSD. Theres already an aftermarket for the engine, though.

For the money, I would go for the 335i... Just preference, think the 1 series is a bit overpriced, but definately a nice car.

I think the 1-series is slightly better-looking than the 3-series. I also tend to prefer smaller cars, even if they're only a little smaller.

Plus, it's also slightly less expensive than a 3-series, and I could put that money towards an LSD. :D

I'll probably never buy one... but if I were buying a bimmer, I'd be more likely to buy a 1 than a 3.

We're tossing around the idea of selling the wife's 335i lease and going for the 135i. After the initial rush dies down we'll go check one out at the dealer. Depends a lot on what deals BMW will make availible for this car as well.

Either way the turbo'd engine in these things is pure sex, and I'm sure the 135i will a be a damn capable performer.

I've seen the 135i in person at the LA Auto Show and while it may be close in size to a 3 Series on paper it certainly looks smaller in person. The back seat will be only slightly more user friendly than the 911 or ridicules Lexus SC. The car seems to be more Mini Cooper size. A TT 3.0 from the 335i will certainly make the 135i a faster and better handling car maybe almost M3 type performance.

As for the styling I liked it and glad BMW chose to make it have a trunk over a hatchback. The 135i looks very aggressive IMO.

We're tossing around the idea of selling the wife's 335i lease and going for the 135i. After the initial rush dies down we'll go check one out at the dealer. Depends a lot on what deals BMW will make availible for this car as well.

Either way the turbo'd engine in these things is pure sex, and I'm sure the 135i will a be a damn capable performer.

What is your goal? Reduced payments? Slightly improved performance? Maybe a couple options you didn't get on the 335i that you'd make sure to get on the 135i?

Selling as in selling or selling as in transferring the lease? If you are actually going to buy the lease out and sell it you're almost certain to lose quite a bit of money as the residual values that your lease is based on are very inflated and not realistic per market values

I've seen the 135i in person at the LA Auto Show and while it may be close in size to a 3 Series on paper it certainly looks smaller in person.

I've not seen one in person yet, but it's nearly 9 inches shorter than a 3 - that's noticeable, I'm sure.

As for the styling I liked it and glad BMW chose to make it have a trunk over a hatchback. The 135i looks very aggressive IMO.

While I think that the coupe model was a good call, a must for the U.S., I'd like to have the 5 door 120d diesel. But that's probably just me. Audi are doing OK with the A3. I wish BMW would give premium hatches a try in the U.S. again.

The goal is happiness. My wife wouldn't mind a smaller car. We looked pretty hard at the A3 S-Line for her, but the deals were on the 335i at the time. Don't get me wrong, the 335i is an awesome car, but there's something pretty appealing to the 135i. If it's as back to the roots of BMW as the press claim it is, then it's going to be hard to pass up.

For getting out of the lease, I would just go to leasetrader.com or the equivalent and someone would snap it up. We got a good enough deal that as long as we don't put a ton of miles on the car early we won't have trouble unloading it.

What is your goal? Reduced payments? Slightly improved performance? Maybe a couple options you didn't get on the 335i that you'd make sure to get on the 135i?

Selling as in selling or selling as in transferring the lease? If you are actually going to buy the lease out and sell it you're almost certain to lose quite a bit of money as the residual values that your lease is based on are very inflated and not realistic per market values

IIRC, the 1-series is about 175 pounds lighter than the equivalent 3. That means that a loaded 135i will likely be heavier than a stripper 328i.

So it will be a tenth or so faster and it will be about $4-5K cheaper. I like the fact that it's smaller (fits better into parking spaces). I wonder how the rear seat access and space compares to an '02 Camaro? Same thing for performance. Comparing as-delivered, I think it would be close.

I would appreciate a smaller car with similar acceleration (maybe a bit better), but not enough to spend $40K, so the Camaro will stay.

I like it. I'm glad they are going back to a smaller car like the 2002's,e21's, and e30's. And my daily driver is a BMW e30. I'll never have the money to buy a 1 series but if i did, i'd probobly pick one up to daily drive.