CD Article: 2008 BMW 1 Series coupe

[Giant Dwarf]

...and of course that he has that rotting mouse-house at the side of his garage that was once a Lotus... quickly becoming lotus flower oxidized potting soil though.

[safristi]

It's NO lawn ornamental it's a HOME fer wayward PUSSY_CATS...and IT USES less energy than  Hydrid or an electric car..... .....signed Nobel Saffage-Gore.

[Julie]

Julie when I woz in High SKOOL....5th Form!!!...a richy mate had a lovely BRGREEN Elise (wot Else) and we had such fun co_piloting (that;s sitting in the passenger seat and NOT HURLING) whilst he traffiked it around Edinburghs  twisty,wet and many roundabouts at shall we say "1 week Karfiscation @ $2,000 fine TERRITORY to use a local and apropos vernacular!!! Wot;s he Say.."Fantino woulda PLOTZED"...

 then Jimmy Clark came along rallying and we glommed onta his success...and then F1...I wanted a LOTUS so bad...I had to wait 20 odd years..and in Canada I got ONE....wifey wants it FIXED or Gonzo....OKAY dear there goes yer Hawaii trip...and RETIREMENT ....

I didn't think I'd like driving the older cars (in the computer sim), but I'm really getting a kick out of driving them, learning about their history, etc. The Lotus handles really well. (EDITed this sentence: They tried to simulate the handling characteristics of the individual cars.) Here is a pic very similar to my favorite one in the game (it may even be the same one, I ain't sure. They tried to be accurate with the history as well.) One of the nicest things is the cockpit view, with really good reproductions of the cockpits.

Click to enlarge:

[tpl]

That picture is an Elite. They had this problem that the rear suspension ( Chapman struts) would suddenly appear in the rear view mirror having punched through the parcel shelf.  Mounting suspension directly on fibreglass can do that!  IIRC fixed with a metal sheet moulded into the 'glass at the appropriate points. Theoretically the 'glass was strong enough but not in practice.

[evil_twin]

US Prices announced at LA Auotshow:

$28,600 for 128i Coupe
$34,900 for 135i Coupe

So the 135i is about $500 or so cheaper than a 328i Coupe.  But it comes with way more standard stuff (M kit, 18" wheels, 6 pot brakes, etc, etc) and of course, the N54 engine. 

So just going with a straight relative conversion, that puts it at about $42something.  But maybe BMW gives us a break considering the state of the USD. 

Add on a $2k sport package and paint it black for me please.

[safristi]

..after watchin' this ya may wanna get an Hair_CUT...............

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j4XSAX7bWg

[Julie]

US Prices announced at LA Auotshow:

$28,600 for 128i Coupe
$34,900 for 135i Coupe

So the 135i is about $500 or so cheaper than a 328i Coupe.  But it comes with way more standard stuff (M kit, 18" wheels, 6 pot brakes, etc, etc) and of course, the N54 engine. 

So just going with a straight relative conversion, that puts it at about $42something.  But maybe BMW gives us a break considering the state of the USD. 

Add on a $2k sport package and paint it black for me please.

The pricing is different on the other BMW 1 series thread. (under new models)   And it's not good news. It's higher than the ones here.

[dave]

The other thread includes destination charges.

No surprises here.  Exactly what most predicted - 135i = 328i coupe.

Which would I get?

135i Pros
- 18"s standard
- M goodies standard
- twin-turbo goodness
- 6 pot brakes

135i Cons
- Not as pretty
- Not as practical

I'll have to see the 1 in the flesh and drive them both before I decide.

[ovr50]

US Prices announced at LA Auotshow:

$28,600 for 128i Coupe
$34,900 for 135i Coupe

So the 135i is about $500 or so cheaper than a 328i Coupe.  But it comes with way more standard stuff (M kit, 18" wheels, 6 pot brakes, etc, etc) and of course, the N54 engine. 

So just going with a straight relative conversion, that puts it at about $42something.  But maybe BMW gives us a break considering the state of the USD. 

Add on a $2k sport package and paint it black for me please.

Yes, and the prices for the US quoted above INCLUDES the $775 destination fee.

Prices for a 135i MSport in the UK start at 29,745 pounds, which is about $60000 more or less over here, either in US or Cdn dollars at today's exchange.

I don't think the prices in the US are out of line at all. Posters on the several BMW sites I follow, don't think so either.

Lot's of carping from those who are not real 1 Series buyers, but that's the internet for you. Everyone gets to have their 25c dance in the sun. 

[Giant Dwarf]

So Dave, you'd choose the 135 over the 328i coupe (so would I, most likely)... but what about a G37 assuming it'll be within a grand or two?

[dave]

Well I'm not sure if I would pick the 135i over the 328i coupe.  I would definitely have to drive both back to back.  I was mighty impressed by the power of the 328i coupe this summer.  More than enough for me.  The 135i will have to blow my mind to justify the mini backseat and so-so styling.

Regarding the G37, I think it will be out of the range.  I'm thinking about doing a low mileage, 3 year lease.  I've had my Acura for over 3 years and I just hit 50k.  The residual on the BMWs (at least the 3 series) was so much higher it ends up being significantly cheaper than the G37.  A G35s sedan will be in range...but I can only justify a coupe for a few more years before I start breeding...so I want a coupe!

[Mitlov]

Well I'm not sure if I would pick the 135i over the 328i coupe.  I would definitely have to drive both back to back.  I was mighty impressed by the power of the 328i coupe this summer.  More than enough for me.  The 135i will have to blow my mind to justify the mini backseat and so-so styling.

...and don't forget the better balance of the 328i compared to the understeer of the 135i.  If you're more of a handling guy than a powertrain guy, I think the 328i is the more enticing option.

[Julie]

Well I'm not sure if I would pick the 135i over the 328i coupe.  I would definitely have to drive both back to back.  I was mighty impressed by the power of the 328i coupe this summer.  More than enough for me.  The 135i will have to blow my mind to justify the mini backseat and so-so styling.

...and don't forget the better balance of the 328i compared to the understeer of the 135i.  If you're more of a handling guy than a powertrain guy, I think the 328i is the more enticing option.

Hmm.... interesting...... Obviously, I am much more a handling girl with my torqueless wonder.    I too was already blown away with the 328i's power, but those back seats, although larger and apparently quite comfortable for a coupe, are really inconvenient to me anyways. (that would apply to all coupes for me). I guess the main thing I would be wondering about now is if the 1 series felt noticeably more "tossable" than the 3 series coupes. I really like that aspect too.

[mdxtasy]

Hmm.... interesting...... Obviously, I am much more a handling girl with my torqueless wonder.    I too was already blown away with the 328i's power, but those back seats, although larger and apparently quite comfortable for a coupe, are really inconvenient to me anyways. (that would apply to all coupes for me). I guess the main thing I would be wondering about now is if the 1 series felt noticeably more "tossable" than the 3 series coupes. I really like that aspect too.

How often are you in the back seat?   

[Mitlov]

Hmm.... interesting...... Obviously, I am much more a handling girl with my torqueless wonder.    I too was already blown away with the 328i's power, but those back seats, although larger and apparently quite comfortable for a coupe, are really inconvenient to me anyways. (that would apply to all coupes for me). I guess the main thing I would be wondering about now is if the 1 series felt noticeably more "tossable" than the 3 series coupes. I really like that aspect too.

Simple solution...328i sedan.  At least in the States, it's cheaper and lighter than a 328i coupe anyway.

[Julie]

Hmm.... interesting...... Obviously, I am much more a handling girl with my torqueless wonder.    I too was already blown away with the 328i's power, but those back seats, although larger and apparently quite comfortable for a coupe, are really inconvenient to me anyways. (that would apply to all coupes for me). I guess the main thing I would be wondering about now is if the 1 series felt noticeably more "tossable" than the 3 series coupes. I really like that aspect too.

How often are you in the back seat?   

Haha!

In reply to Mitlov, I don't really need 4 doors, so I could do with a coupe, and I don't like the styling of the sedan as much (re the back), whereas the coupe looks gorgeous to me.

I've grown even more satisfied with my current car over the first year of ownership (mainly because of the fun-to-drive factor and lack of problems), and it looks like our other car is going to stay until it croaks, so maybe the whole look of the 3-series will be radically different by the time I'm seriously ready to buy anyways!