[Fraggy]

Originally Posted by bmw0perat0r

I don't see how they can put our engine in that little thing and still keep 3-series sales up. Most people bought the 335 for the engine...if they put it in the 1-series, no one will want a 335i unless trunk room and cabin space mean a lot to them.

I dont agree with any of this. I would imagine that of the folks here on this board that bought the 335 did it for the engine as we are car enthusiasts, but out here in my neck of the woods were 3 series are driven by housewives and old men, I suspect that most buyers are just guys and ladies with enough money that they want the high end 3 series. The power is nice, but if there was never a 335, they'd have been just as happy with a 330. Its neither here nor there to them.

I think the 1 series is mostly going to appeal to the young, single, and track junkies. The rest of us need more practicality (and sadly status) than a 1 series brings.

[wj4]

^Yes, we, e90post, as a whole represents a very small percentage of all 3 series owners out there. For one person that buys the 335i for the engine, 9 others are buying it because it's the most expensive 3 series level.

I've talked to at least 5 other 335i owners randomly already and they didn't even know their car is twin turbo'd.

[boymonkey]

Will this be available in Canada??

I would love to have the twin turbo in a lighter weight, two seater, as long as the car overall is not too small.

With a lighter car, I'll even settle for the 230hp.

[chbrules]

BMW needs to whip up a 2-seater convertable and regular coupe. While 4 seats is cool, what about us young and rich guys that just want some arm candy in the seat next to us?

Does anyone know what the pricing will be for the other 1 series models? Nothing under $28k I hope. I'm just kinda worried that with these real low prices that BMW is going to turn into some toyota or something. It's nice they're growing, but at what cost to enthusiast ranking of the brand? I suppose it doesn't matter, in the end it's all business and just a car, but you can't ignore the quality and support behind the BMW name.

[G Racer]

Originally Posted by wj4

^Yes, we, e90post, as a whole represents a very small percentage of all 3 series owners out there. For one person that buys the 335i for the engine, 9 others are buying it because it's the most expensive 3 series level.

I've talked to at least 5 other 335i owners randomly already and they didn't even know their car is twin turbo'd.

Great point...still a very sad finding, though.

As was mentioned by others, the 135i will be less likely to appeal to those looking for "status". Sign me up

A couple of things to ponder:

1) This likely means the end of the current z4m roadster/coupe

2) With 0 to 60 times that rival that of the m6 (before aftermarket tuning!), along with the handling we know it will likely possess, this car will be among the best overall performance production vehicles bmw has ever built.

[remmib]

From those "pics" I'm not really feeling it, but I bet it will be something different seeing it for real.

[jonerik26]

Originally Posted by BMWE90

hmmm...dont know exactly how to feel about this

i agree it'll be quick, but ewwwwwww

[MrFrizzle]

Hmmm. BMW seems like it wants to expand its demographics just a little bit, by offering a lower priced car than the 3 series.

Its looks like the 1 series will be marketed towards the young wealthy "hip" drivers in their late teens, early to mid twenties, who wants something fast, prestigious, and in a reasonable price range.
The 3 series will still be marketed to young guys in the 20's to early 30's who want a premium car, but still don't need the space of a full size.
The X3 targets a similar group, a little older, who want a small SUV.
The 5 series covers the middle aged people in their 30's and up, who want or need a larger full size car and can afford high engine options. Same goes for X5.
The 6 series is marketed towards older wealthy people who want a powerful grand tourer and the BMW name.
And of course the 7 series targets wealthy couples of families who want a large car for space or transport, and the sport and prestige of BMW.

I think the 1 series will fit in fine without changing too much.
Though if the the 135i was available when I was looking for a car, I might have chosen that over the 3 series.

[MrFrizzle]

hmm after doing some reading, the 1 series doesn't look all too good. We all know our 3 series get absolutely fantastic reviews, but the 1 series is mainly just mixed to negative reviews. Most people label it as impractical and expensive for what you get, not like how they say the 3 series is an excellent balance and good overall value. Maybe BMW can't make the 1 series live up to its other models??

[The Chad]

The 1-Series is a high priced, entry-level car, with excellent driving dynamics but not the best value for the dollar in that segment.

The 135i, if produced and sold in America, will still be high priced, but enter the "sport compact" segment with all the right ammunition to sell cars. TT inline-6 with 300hp before tuning. Only the new SRT-4 will make that horsepower, and I can tell you that won't be RWD. Secondly, and most importantly, how many small cars in America are sold that are RWD? Not many, and none in the segment they are entering.

A fully-loaded GTI is brushing the 30k mark, and the R32 is something like 32 before dealer markup. I think the 135i will be pricey, but should be well worth the price of admission. Hopefully.

[AcuraGuy]

why should i buy a 3 series anymore?! it will cost more, be slower, and only marginally better in terms of quality and refinement. i know some of you are saying the 135 is a good move because the 3 series offers other benefits ( just like how cheaper cars are faster than the 3, but lack the refinment)...BUT, its a 1 series and its still a BMW. this means it will have almost the same quality of refinement and driving dynamics. basically, a 1 series with almost all the benefits of the 3 series, even with the same engine, at less cost!

i think its a stupid marketing move and i dont think it will happen. yes, the 1 series will come out but not with the 300HP engine. to further reinforce my belief, most bmw's that are sold are the lower engine model anyways. only a small % buy the top of the line engine model...so what makes you think entry level buyers will spring for the top of the line model?

I think even more brand whores will buy the 1 series just caus its a BMW.. i find most brand whores dont care for the top of the line model...even more reason the 135 doesn't make sense.

i say a 128 at most.

[montreal_bimmer]

i want one....

will they be available in US and Canada???

[The Chad]

Originally Posted by AcuraGuy

to further reinforce my belief, most bmw's that are sold are the lower engine model anyways. only a small % buy the top of the line engine model...so what makes you think entry level buyers will spring for the top of the line model?

i say a 128 at most.

Under that rationale, there'd be no ///M3, and no 335i. There would never have been a 330i or a 550i or an ///M5 or ///M6. There'd be no Corvette Z06, no SL65 AMG. There'd be no top-of-the-line cars anywhere, because only a small percentage of people buy them and it's not financially responsible to make them.

SRT-4s sold well. Cobalt SS/Supercharged sold well. GTIs sell well. There's undoubtedly a waiting list for R32s. Civic Sis sell well as well. If BMW builds this car, it well sell. Not everyone wants a big car, and 35k entry-price for a superfast BMW is an interesting concept.

[Fraggy]

Also, keep in mind that BMW tried to get into this segment over 10 years ago with the Ti or what ever it was called. It failed miserably. Most likely because it was over priced and not deemed worth the money. My then brother in law to be looked at one, but couldnt justify the price/worth of the car. He ended up with an Integra which he loved to death.

[ward]

Originally Posted by Fraggy

Also, keep in mind that BMW tried to get into this segment over 10 years ago with the Ti or what ever it was called. It failed miserably. Most likely because it was over priced and not deemed worth the money. My then brother in law to be looked at one, but couldnt justify the price/worth of the car. He ended up with an Integra which he loved to death.

at that time though, the 3 series was hundreds of pounds lighter and much smaller

now that the 3 has grown there is more room for a smaller offering

the E36 ti, was pretty close in size to the E36

[Coldintake]

Originally Posted by Fraggy

Also, keep in mind that BMW tried to get into this segment over 10 years ago with the Ti or what ever it was called. It failed miserably. Most likely because it was over priced and not deemed worth the money. My then brother in law to be looked at one, but couldnt justify the price/worth of the car. He ended up with an Integra which he loved to death.

The ti failed because it was underpowered and Literally half sedan/half coupe. The US will not accept a 4 banger 3 series. It's against american mentality to have a car to have a base model in the 20k range.. and the top of the model in the 60-70 range.

[flyga3]

Doesn't make sense. Why would BMW release a car that out-performs their sportiest M models? Are we now to start paying more for only styling, size, rather then performance? A 135 would make an excellent track day car--just swap out the shocks and you are ready to rip--forget paying an extra $30K for a larger, heavier, and otherwise slower E92 M3.

We'll see how this will pan out. I think a detuned I6 is the only way to keep the models separated and justify their prices without to much cannibalization. We are all here for "luxury performance". If I wanted just "luxury" minus performance we would be over at MB.

BMW to enter the pocket-rocket market? Interesting. But I wouldn't be too thrilled getting smoked by a stock 135 while driving an M6!

[Simmad555]

If you read the reviews of the 130i in English car magazines. They always say it's ugly as fuck but has a great engine and is a blast to drive. It therefore appeals to enthusiasts. The smaller engined versions are for snob appeal and the practicality of driving a small car on small road and streets.

The 135i, if it is sold in the USA and Canada will sell like hot cakes.

I think we should look at it as another Bimmer we are going to get over this side of the pond and that is a good thing. If you don't like it, don't buy it! At least we are being given more options. Although, I think the 130i should remain as the top model.

[Fester]

I don't like it. I think this isn't great strategy on BMW's end to offer 335 engine on such a small car.

[boymonkey]

I don't know. If I made a world class, awarding winning engine, then I'm definitely going to use it to sell as many cars as I can. Especially to boost the sectors where I may be having less success at the moment.

[spacedogg]

Too bad it looks like my ass.

All out of proportion.

[evoi19]

Personally it looks like a Scion tC to me. The TT is a great addition for that price and i don't think it'll interfere with the 3's sales. I'm wondering what options will not be available on it compared to a 3.

For that price it's really attractive. Engine purists are going to love it, that's for sure.