I'm not a advocate for BMW, but the 1-series that has been going around in prototypes, the car looks like fun. But now it’s officially official, BMW will be selling the 1-series coupe in the U.S. It wasn’t the best-kept secret, but now that the company has issued a press release. After all, who can argue with what could potentially turn out to be a modern BMW 2002, the lightweight, pure, tossable Bimmer that started the company in the late 1960s on its way to sports-sedan contender?
The line, as expected, is that there will be two 1-series coupe models making it to the States, the 128i and the 135i. (Still no hatchback love for us three- and five-door fans, but a 1-series droptop remains a good possibility.) The 128i gets the same engine as its larger 328i and 528i—the familiar 230-hp, 3.0-liter inline-six with 200 pound-feet of torque. The 135i will house the twin-turbo, direct-injection 3.0-liter six, good for 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. Either choice comes with a six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission.
Those 300 ponies should move the 135i from 0 to 62 mph in 5.3 seconds, according to BMW. The lighter 135i should be able to at least match the 335i, I'll venture an estimate in the high fives or better for the 128i.
Although it appears the 128i will be a blank canvas for 1-series buyers regarding options and appearance, the 135i will include a ton of stuff right off the bat. Beyond the thrilling powerplant, of primary interest to enthusiasts is that 135i buyers will also receive the M Sport package as standard. No mere appearance upgrade—that would be the M aerodynamic kit, also standard on the 135i, which includes new front and rear fascias and side sills—the M Sport gear is all about performance.
In addition to 18-inch wheels and performance rubber, the M Sport package nets a more aggressive state of tune for the suspension and upgrades the brakes from single-piston calipers all around to six-piston grabbers up front and two pistons out back. Also of note is that the 1-series standard stability-control system has been relaxed and the throttle response heightened in the 135i. BMW’s love-it-or-hate-it Active Steering will be an option.
The 1-series suspension is comprised of a strut setup up front and a multilink arrangement in back. No limited-slip differential is included; BMW mitigates wheelspin in the 1-series, as it does with a number of its other cars via the stability-control system. This is accomplished by applying a quick dab of brake if one wheel is determined to be rotating faster than the other.
Inside, the 1-series follows contemporary BMW design practice, with matching trim on the door handles, center stack knobs, and glove-box handle, among other places. Sport-package buyers will swap the regular front chairs for sport seats and will also get a fatter, leather-wrapped sport steering wheel and leather-covered shift knob and handbrake. The 135i’s steering wheel, door-sill trim pieces, and dead pedal will be tattooed with the iconic M logo. Upholstery choices for all four seats: that’s right, this coupe has a rear center consol will be two: leather and fake leather.
iDrive is optional here, thank goodness. BMW has attempted to make it easier to use, however, with the addition of six programmable buttons, all of which will preview their function on the iDrive screen at a touch; drivers will then select the function by pushing harder. An auxiliary input jack for MP3 players will be in every 1-series, and Sirius satellite radio will be available.
BMW is playing keep-away with price info, but expect a 128i to start around $27,000 and a 135i to require an extra $5000 to $6000.
Looks like the Volvo C30 will have some competition. What do you all think?



>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----

Looks pretty nice but if I had to choose it would be the c30.

Wow, I am very excited to see the new 1 series. It makes it alot more affordable to get into a BMW. Not bad, not bad at all.





"Remember do what you like because you have to drive it."--Me

i heard about this awhiile ago...its nice



My car may run 18s, but I can do your taxes in 10 seconds flat.
JBO lube - they would never have enough in stock and we'd never see RodimusPrime again

awesome to see there finally coming to the states...i would be all over that if i could afford it.. im a big BMW fan

id rather buy a base cobalt , and i hate the base models

car looks to squashed in the back , and looks to funny

I see an older Tiburon in the side profile shots. That being said, I'd still rock an M Sport version.




1989 Z24 Convertible - Dust Covered
2006 tC - Dust Covered, but driven more

So what is so amazing about this thing?

... Seriously.

JinxedZ THE LOVED ONE wrote:So what is so amazing about this thing?

... Seriously.

It's a BMW. 'Course it still doesn't really interest me.


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* Student of the University of Oklahoma. Go Sooners!
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[quote=97cavie24ls(™)]id rather buy a base cobalt , and i hate the base models
car looks to squashed in the back , and looks to funny
OMG... get out!

JinxedZ THE LOVED ONE wrote:So what is so amazing about this thing?
... Seriously.

Lighter, smaller than a 3 series while still carring the current 3-series engines, including TT I-6 300HP/300TQ. The theory behind this car is much the same like original BMW 2002. No LSX option though.



>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----

Mr.Goodwrench-G.T. wrote:
Lighter, smaller than a 3 series while still carring the current 3-series engines, including TT I-6 300HP/300TQ. The theory behind this car is much the same like original BMW 2002. No LSX option though.

There is *always* an LSx option ...

I can see where there might be a niche market for this thing now ... especially to the 'hey, its a bimmer, it must be amazing' crowd.

Expect to see tons of these, used, in the hands of Polish Immigrants.

Mr.Goodwrench-G.T. wrote:[quote=97cavie24ls(™)]id rather buy a base cobalt , and i hate the base models
car looks to squashed in the back , and looks to funny

OMG... get out!




what can i say , i hate bmw and benz that much

only benz id consider is a old gullwing , or the mclaren

and link jinx , no LSX option , unless you do it yourself , means ill pass , although as squashed as it looks id still pass


only bmw id consider is the erkle car , LOL







Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Monday, August 20, 2007 1:56 PM

[quote=97cavie24ls(™)]

Mr.Goodwrench-G.T. wrote:[quote=97cavie24ls(™)]id rather buy a base cobalt , and i hate the base models
car looks to squashed in the back , and looks to funny

OMG... get out!




what can i say , i hate bmw and benz that much

only benz id consider is a old gullwing , or the mclaren

and link jinx , no LSX option , unless you do it yourself , means ill pass , although as squashed as it looks id still pass


only bmw id consider is the erkle car , LOL
^As crazy as all of that sounded, I agree.
I don't like German cars, except their diesels. But at least this 1 series looks like fun.



>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----

ill agree a light weight body , with a strong power plant , would be alot of fun

if i was put on a road course and told to beat the crap outta the car , hell yeah id make some laps , and id bring it back in 1 piece , just cause i dont like doesnt mean ill wreck it , lol

only german or simi german car i like is audi , some reason i like the RS models





Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Monday, August 20, 2007 2:57 PM

lighter Car, Twin Turbo, and its BMW Nice! i would love to get my hands on one of these!!!!!!!!

[quote=97cavie24ls(™)]ill agree a light weight body , with a strong power plant , would be alot of fun

if i was put on a road course and told to beat the crap outta the car , hell yeah id make some laps , and id bring it back in 1 piece , just cause i dont like doesnt mean ill wreck it , lol

only german or simi german car i like is audi , some reason i like the RS modelsAudi = junk too




fortune cookie say: better a delay than a disaster

I like it. The formula is a good one. Light + relatively Big TT engine + RWD = winner.
It does look a bit squished, but i'll wait til i see it in person.




www.drluc.ca

135i please






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