Potentially my next car: BMW 135

[trey.hutcheson]

According to Car and Driver, BMW will be bringing over the 1 series to the NA market in Spring of 08. C&D seems to make this claim every year, so I don't know if this time it's legit. The 1 series is based on the previous gen(E46) 3 series platform, but the 135 sports the twin turbo setup of the 335. The weight is allegedly down by 300 pounds, which would put it in the mid 3250lb range.

3250lbs is not light by any means, but it's lighter by a large margin than the g(coupe or sedan), and even marginally lighter than the the current z. Couple that with a shorter wheelbase, and I'm confident that thing will be a thrill at the local autox or road course. And with the twin turbo 3.0 engine, I'm sure it would be faster stock than my current car by a very significant margin. I'm guessing stock LS1 fbody times, if not better.

I've always wanted a light powerful RWD car, but those seem to be hard to find. This one definitely has my interest.

[izmir41500]

what's this thing gonna look like?

[Dustin@StrafeAutomotive]

exactly.... what will the body style be like?

[MixturePinoy]

i think it's a hatchback right?

[MixturePinoy]

http://www.worldcarfans.com/rsslink....otos-bmw-135ti

http://www.automotto.org/entry/bmw-1...in-the-making/

[Blackjack]

Looks like a Pontiac Vibe... POS.

[wreckeds2k]

you guys can have at that. I will take the new WRX over that with the Japs backing me. Not a big fan of the German cars. EEK, they're both ugly.

[MixturePinoy]

Originally Posted by wreckeds2k

you guys can have at that. I will take the new WRX over that with the "Japs" backing me. Not a big fan of the German cars. EEK, they're both ugly.

nice.... git er dun!!

[InTgr8r]

Originally Posted by trey.hutcheson

...........
I've always wanted a light powerful RWD car, but those seem to be hard to find. This one definitely has my interest.

There's also rumour of a Z2 with the same powertrain & < 3000 lb.
It's supposed to replace the Z4 after '08.

[trey.hutcheson]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

There's also rumour of a Z2 with the same powertrain & < 3000 lb.
It's supposed to replace the Z4 after '08.

That's nice to know, though I could never get a roadster as a DD. But I'm sure it would be fun as hell.

As for the other guys, the picture in the current issue of C&D is a front 3/4 view of a coupe. I can't find a similar picture online. I'm not a huge fan of the styling, but it looks better than the hatch IMO. And the c pillar, in this picture at least, resembles a tC.

And I don't really care for looks. If I did, I wouldn't be driving my sedan. You guys can take the pretty and slow cars if you wish, while I'm out having fun autocrossing, racing, and drag racing my car.

[Potty_Pants]

the 1 series comming to the us wasnt supposed to be the twin turbo v6... there was a rumor of an M1 with the 335i engine.

I didnt know about the z2 , thanks for the heads up !


ppp

p.s. if anybody thinks the 328 is lacking on the interior... the 1 series is really hurting and at least one of the reviews said it had alot of interior noise when driving.

[///M32G35]

There is a short piece in the new C&D about the 135i. They are projecting a 0-60 time of 4.5, but realize that this car won't come with good fat rear rubber or LSD. Supposed to start around $34k, another $5k in mods and you could possibly very well be killing just about everything.

The bold is to remind the bimmer haters that this is speculation.

[jawjaw]

I doubt it will be cheap and like all BMW's, options add up fast. If it was me, I would lean more towards things like the new STI, Evo, or G37. They will probably be the same price and put down better numbers.

[trey.hutcheson]

Originally Posted by jawjaw

I doubt it will be cheap and like all BMW's, options add up fast. If it was me, I would lean more towards things like the new STI, Evo, or G37. They will probably be the same price and put down better numbers.

I'm not interested in an STi or evo. If I wanted boy racer(no matter how fast), I would have gone that route a long time ago.

And the g37 coupe is just too heavy. Believe me, at 3500lbs, my current sedan is too heavy. With the g37 approaching 3700, that's GTO territory.

[Potty_Pants]

I'd expect the 135 to be around 39999

and every other 1 series car will have a NA and/or smaller engine.

the 135 is the M series of the line although not names M1... but still thats the idea.

bringing a 1 series to the US is a good idea to increase sales and the bmw fold... but WHY ? if it take 6 months or more for certain cars (E92 or E93 or M) bmw cant meet demand. to me it looks like a win win situation for them. personally i think its BS but i understand. get the bmw ballers in the door get em in a 1 series, rape em on service then upgrade them down the road to a 3 or greater.

ppp