Ask the Car People.SM


BMW 1-Series

1826 messages,  Last post on Mar 11, 2013 at 3:50 PM

You are in the BMW 1-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 1 Series, Coupe, Convertible, Sedan

Messages Page 121 of 183

#1201 of 1826 BMW 1 SERIES PREVIEW WORTH IT?!? by criticfilm

Mar 21, 2008 (9:16 pm)

Okay, this is part 1...let me start of by saying I am an ex-BMW owner, 325i, loved the car. Now I drive a 2008 Lexus IS250 AWD, but I am intrigued by the BMW 135, my dealer got a 128 in stock, so I went to look at the car. It is nicer looking in person, but doesn't have the sharp edges and the more muscular stance like the 3 series, the 3 series coupe was longer, wider, and less height, which does translate to better road handling. Also the rear seats wear cramped and what is with that middle rear seat rest...horrible. The car is still very BMW in person, but for a new car, you would think they would have been a little bolder and eye turning in design. Standing right next to a 335 and an M3, this car looked like the runt of the litter.
 
Now let's not even go over price, because they did price it way too high, plus all the basics of luxury are expensive optionals which would push your car into a different price range, you would get a better deal buying a G35, A4, or a 2007 BMW 328, or even a Lexus IS250. Plus I hate when dealers say to me, the car is too hot, selling too quick, we don't have enough, which means no deals! If you want the basics like automatic - extra, remote access - extra, leather seats - extra, power seats - extra, heated seats - extras...I got all those options on my Lexus for free with the price of the car and I got a great deal on my Lexus, low 30ks for a brand new 2008 Starfire Pearl IS250 AWD!
 
Now, I want to say I am still interested in the BMW 135, the car is still a better deal than the 3-series in price, if the 335 had been cheaper, I would have bought that over the Lexus, that car handles like a dream and the twin turbo is awesome! I just got a call from my dealer, so I will test drive the 135 and the car better perform since there is no way on paper this car is worth the deal based on features, options, or looks.
 
I am not a convertible guy, so this is only in reference to the coupe. The car will only win my heart if it truly is the ultimate driving machine. I probably won't dump my Lexus, but if I love this BMW, I will probably pick up a 2008 in 2009 when the new models come out and either trade or sell...only if the car lives up to my standards.
 
Quick note: G35 was a close second, but a little too big and rough for me, plus too many on the road. The new 2009 A4 is intriguing but won't come out until Fall, almost bought a 2008 A4 but the dealer was too far from my house. I choose the Lexus based on resell, reliability, looks, and overall quality!
 
See you guys soon and keep driving hard. John Dae

#1202 of 1826 Drumroll Please by nyccarguy

Mar 22, 2008 (6:33 pm)

Tomorrow's Easter Sunday and time for our family traditional trip to the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob K. Javitz Convention Center. The show opens at 10AM and we'll be there when the doors open. BMW will no doubt be the first exhibit we visit. I'm SO EXCITED to check out the 1 series.

#1203 of 1826 Re: Drumroll Please [nyccarguy] by fedlawman

Mar 22, 2008 (9:45 pm)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Mar 22, 2008 6:33 pm)
I got an in-person look at the 135i today. It also happened to be in my personal favorite color combination - Saphire Black Metallic/Coral Red Leather. It had a slushbox so I didn't bother even asking for a test drive. I did sit in it, pop the hood, crawl around it, and look it over closely.
 
First of all, it looks very handsome overall. From straight back, it looks fantastic. Rear 3/4's also look good. As you work your way forward, it gets less appealing. The front bumper/airdam do look good, but I don't like the headlights (the outside pointy part) or the front 3/4 side views as much (the character line and concave door slabs look contrived).
 
Cooling - Big radiator behind the front grill, with the oil cooler down low and across the entire width of the "mouth." Also saw the aux oil cooler inside the front passenger side wheel well. Air ducts in the front bumper direct air directly onto the front brakes - very good! The bumper also has an opening on the passenger side to direct air to the aux oil cooler. The corresponding "opening" on the driver side is closed with black plastic (not an insert - it's part of the bumper).
 
Engine compartment - No dipstick. Boy is it crowded in there - there's no way a shadetree mechanic is going to be working on this car.
 
Undercarriage - A plastic cover under the engine went back as far as I could see from the front of the car. No worries, you can't service the engine, transmission, or differential yourself anyways...
 
Cockpit - Wonderful! Quality look and feel, and everything fit together properly - especially compared to the crappy, shiny plastic they put in the Z4. This one had the Sport Package, and the small, thick-rimmed, perforated leather steering wheel alone is worth the cost - it's easily the nicest steering wheel I've ever put my hands on. Holding it at 9 and 3 alone made me imagine driving the car down a twisty canyon and put a smile on my face - it's that good. The seats felt great too (for the 5 minutes I sat in it). This is a car that fits just right, and only takes 10 seconds to adjust everything to it's proper place.
 
Exterior (again) - Even with the "sport package" (135i), the car sits kind of high over the wheels. the wheels and tires, while generously sized, just don't fill the wells like they should. The 135i also has a big difference between front and rear (215F / 245R) . It is not obvious to look at, but certainly will be a cause of understeer (done on purpose, no doubt).
 
Overall, I really think it may be the best car BMW has built in many years. Wide appeal with lots of options (luxury, performance, colors/trim, etc.) to satisfy every buyer, and an attractive entry-level price point.
 
My only reservations (still) involve the lack of user access/serviceability and the complexity of the electronics/systems. When something on this car fails (and with a car this complex, it's only a matter of time), only the dealer will be able to fix it. I'm afraid this means the 1-series is an ideal mistress, but a bad candidate for marriage.
 
Too bad. As much as I love the idea of owning a car like this (OK, it's lust), I think the negatives are a deal breaker for me. Oh well, I suppose it's fates way of saying that I really need a Porsche 911.

#1204 of 1826 Re: Drumroll Please [fedlawman] by roadburner

Mar 23, 2008 (12:57 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Mar 22, 2008 9:45 pm)
Oh well, I suppose it's fates way of saying that I really need a Porsche 911.
 
In my case, I believe fate is telling me to bite the bullet and stuff a Metric Mechanic stroker motor into the Club Sport. It will be a LOT less expensive, and at the very least it should make for a good Roundel article...

#1205 of 1826 I'm impressed by nyccarguy

Mar 23, 2008 (8:17 pm)

So everything went VERY smooth this morning. We all (my wife, my son, & I) got up, had breakfast, showered (my son got a bath), and were out the door by 8:50 AM. We piled into my Prelude (just had it washed on Friday), our default family/weekend car since my wife has got A LOT of miles on her '07 X3 and headed downtown. There were barely any cars on the road. 30 minutes after we left our apartment, we found street parking (they get you for a SPECIAL EVENT rate at the overcrowded lots near the Javitz Center for $40-$50 + you have to tip the guy so he won't bury you). My Dad found street parking too (it was closer than us )
 
OK, so we got there about 15 minutes before the show opened up. Changed my son's diaper (he turned 18 months old today). Met up with my parents and my cousin and we were ready to roll.
 
We were hearded through the gates and made a b-line for the BMW exhibit. I rushed over to the 135i (there was also a 128iA Convertible). I've always thought the 135i was a handsome car, then I started seeing photos posted on bimmerfest which I really liked, and then I really flipped when I saw the car in person. The press photos do not do this car justice.
 
The 135i was the Sedona Red Metallic/Black Leather interior with the Sport Package & (proper) 6-speed manual transmission. Fedlawman probably gave a more detailed description than I will because the display got crowded really fast and I only sat in the car for maybe 30 seconds.
 
I think the car looks great from all angles. It is very well proportioned. The back is really nicely done. The small lip spoiler & blackened exhaust tips are really nice details. I think the wheels fill out the wells nicely (they looked big next to the Non-Sport 128iC). The front of the car definitely shows a little attitude.
 
The cockpit inside is perfect. It was snug, but not tight. I'd have no problems blasting to and from work 6 days a week!
 
I'm really glad I haven't driven this thing yet because as they say "Houston, we have a problem." I haven't wanted a car so much since I sat in a 911 C2S last year or first saw an Estoril Blue E36 M3 Coupe way back when.
 
Other BMW notes: The E92 M3 sedan is just a sick car.

#1206 of 1826 Re: I'm impressed [nyccarguy] by johnnytt

Mar 24, 2008 (9:17 am)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Mar 23, 2008 8:17 pm)
Hello all. My first post on this.
 
So.. I drove the 128 and 135 convertibles on Saturday. I get to my dealer, talk to the sales guy... and he gives me the keys and says, "I'm finishing up with a customer, it's the champagne one right outside. Take it for a ride." Um... ok. So I hop in this thing, with the sports package. I love the seats...and it's roomy enough for me, 5'10", I take in on the street... and I love the feel of the suspension. Car felt really solid with just the right amount of give for comfort. The 128i engine is a good, but not great in automatic mode. When you engage the shifters, and have more control, the engine shows it's stuff. If I were to get the 128i, it would have to be a manual. I took this thing through windy back roads, and opened it up on the parkway(nj). Smooth and quick. Better than my A4.
 
As for styling, I really liked the outside, zero complaints on my end. Same goes for the inside. I felt like I was in control of everything, and it was all well within reach.
 
....
 
Now for the 300 hp engine. To sum it up.... I was doing 80 while still on the entry lane!!!....getting on the parkway. The thing just pulls you around....and I absolutely loved it. I let it fall to 50...put it in 3rd.... then blasted by everybody in the right lanes as the car just kept accelerating without a hint of strain.
 
My lease is up in April, but I can extend it month by month. My only problem is which convertible do I get. I can get all the comforts on the inside with my metallic gray with red leather seats and manual on the 128i for about $41,500. Or not get as many comforts and spend about $46,000 on the 135i.
 
I'm maxing out what I want to spend in buying this thing... so I'm trying to figure out which way to go. It might come down to how much I can get this guy to drop the price.
 
Wish me luck.

#1207 of 1826 First Buyer by ateixeira

Mar 24, 2008 (9:41 am)

Let's see who is the first to buy one.

#1208 of 1826 Re: First Buyer [ateixeira] by roadburner

Mar 24, 2008 (11:53 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Mar 24, 2008 9:41 am)
Let's see who is the first to buy one.
 
The lack of a dipstick and LSD aside, the 135i is just too expensive. To get one equipped the way I want it I'm looking at $40K. As the 1 Series isn't all that much lighter than an E90 or E92, I'd probably just pick up a CPO 2007 335i coupe for similar money. A Competition Package E46 M3 would also be in the same price range. Or perhaps a twofer- a CPO 330i ZHP for "practical" family transport AND an E36 M Coupe for track days and back road assaults. Don't get me wrong, the 1er is by all reports a terrific car, but it just doesn't give me that "gotta have it" feeling- and yes, I have seen one in person.

#1209 of 1826 Re: First Buyer [roadburner] by blueguydotcom

Mar 24, 2008 (12:25 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Mar 24, 2008 11:53 am)
The 135 is not really expensive against its main competition:
 
335 - 40k starting
TT 3.2V6 - 40k starting
SLK - 44k
Cayman - 49k
STI - 35k
Evo - 32k
 
An e46 M3 would be about 3-4 years old and out of warranty. A 330i ZHP is a great deal of fun but in comparison it's not nearly as fast.
 
What else has RWD, seats 4 and 300 hp, but weighs around 3400-3500 lbs?

#1210 of 1826 Re: First Buyer [blueguydotcom] by roadburner

Mar 24, 2008 (1:05 pm)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Mar 24, 2008 12:25 pm)
The 135 is not really expensive against its main competition:
  
335 - 40k starting
TT 3.2V6 - 40k starting
SLK - 44k
Cayman - 49k
STI - 35k
Evo - 32k
 
Of those only the 335i, the Cayman, and the EVO would interest me.
 
An e46 M3 would be about 3-4 years old and out of warranty.
 
There are more than a few CPO '04s and '05s around. And lack of a warranty has never been a deal breaker for me; that's why I have a full set of tools, a heated garage, and Mark Jon Calabrese on my speed dial...
 
A 330i ZHP is a great deal of fun but in comparison it's not nearly as fast.
 
I know; that's why I'd have to buy a M Coupe to keep it company.
 
What else has RWD, seats 4 and 300 hp, but weighs around 3400-3500 lbs?
 
Well, there's the E28 M5 with a track pipe and a Conforti Chip, an E36 M3 with the Conforti Euro MAF kit, a 993...
 
I'm not saying the 1er is a bad car, it just doesn't do it for me- particularly at that price point. If I decide to drop over $40K on a new BMW, I'm just going to suck it up and buy a M3 sedan.

Messages Page 121 of 183

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement