Article Comments - 2009 BMW 1-Series First Look and 135i First Drive

29 messages, Last post on Feb 24, 2008 at 2:41 PM

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

First Look: 2009 BMW 1 Series Convertible - Some six months from now, the 2009 BMW 1 Series will be introduced to America, a smaller, leaner and sportier driving experience from Munich. With the formal introduction of the BMW 1 Series convertible, it's clear that BMW wants the 1 Series to be not just a car but also a whole new BMW culture. (more)

First Drive: 2009 BMW 135i - To put it plainly, the 2009 BMW 135i is more than merely good. It raises the standard of measure for small coupes to a whole new level of excellence. It is one of the purest expressions of the BMW character since the 1971 BMW 2002 tii. (more)

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#5 of 29 Re: Excited about this car [wildbill1978] by tiff_c Oct 24, 2007 (3:49 am)
Replying to: wildbill1978 (Oct 23, 2007 10:51 am) While not about the convertible the Coupe was just in an Edmunds article and they claim $30K for the 135i. I think they would sell a great many 135i's if they cost $30K minus options. BMW owners would bemoan losing their premium affordable by the wealthy prestige marque but. I'd certain buy the BMW if I could get one for that price. IF BMW prices the 1 series aggressively they will sell all they can make. if they get greedy, it will be too close to the 3 series and then the attitude will be why bother to buy a 1 series when you can get a 3 series. What bothers me is that is says the new BMW Coupe is a 2009 model not a 2008. So I wonder if they won't release it until mid 2008?
#6 of 29 Pricing is Key by ccd1 Oct 24, 2007 (4:14 am)
I hang around a BMW website (Bimmerfest) and their take on it is that the 128i will be around $30k and the 135i will be $35K. They also think actual pricing will be released in November (I don't remember the auto show that takes place in that month). You might be a 128i convertible for $35K, but not the 135i if the folks at this website are correct (and they do seem pretty wired into what BMW is doing). If they are right, this model will probably do well. The 135i would be only $3-4K less than the 335i sedan, but the 135 comes with "M" type enhances that would be options on the 335i sedan. As I said before, it all comes down to price and the exchange rate with the Euro is not helping matters. The other question in my mind is whether the new EVO and STI will be sufficiently civilized to do battle with the 135. Both the STI and EVO will be priced within several thousand dollars of the 135i, based on current projections. Should be interesting. Replies to this message: tiff_c (Oct 24, 2007 8:27 am) stovt001 (Oct 30, 2007 4:59 am) tiff_c (Nov 05, 2007 10:56 pm)
#7 of 29 Re: Pricing is Key [ccd1] by tiff_c Oct 24, 2007 (8:27 am)
Replying to: ccd1 (Oct 24, 2007 4:14 am) As I said before, it all comes down to price and the exchange rate with the Euro is not helping matters. The other question in my mind is whether the new EVO and STI will be sufficiently civilized to do battle with the 135. Both the STI and EVO will be priced within several thousand dollars of the 135i, based on current projections. Should be interesting. Yes I agree it should be interesting, but if the price is too high then I won't bother with it. I'm sure BMW will sell a lot of them but at $35K it's no bargain. The STi will offer a lot for that money and performance that will probably eat the 135i on a track. Plus AWD is great in snowbelt States like where I live. $35K is a lot of money for a depreciating asset. What with BMW using RFT's and no oil dipstick etc... They are losing their edge IMO. I'd still consider a 135i but not at $35K Replies to this message: stovt001 (Oct 30, 2007 4:59 am) tiff_c (Nov 05, 2007 10:56 pm)
#8 of 29 2009 135i First Drive! by KarenS HOST Oct 24, 2007 (8:47 am)
First Drive: 2009 BMW 135i
#10 of 29 First Drive Review by ccd1 Oct 24, 2007 (12:10 pm)
Just exactly how does the 135i strip away all the excesses of the 3 Series and get back to the purity of the 2002??? The car weights almost as much as the 3 Series and has virtually everything the 335i has, just in a smaller package. Could someone explain that one to me???
#11 of 29 first drive review by fixxxer Oct 24, 2007 (9:21 pm)
well, the point of the 135i is that it DOES weigh less than the 3 series, and it is smaller, so it has less mass to move around the track/road and thus is a bit sharper. Plus it just looks cool. And it will cost less. Its more focused on the drive, while the 3 series has become more of a saloon.
#12 of 29 First Drive Review by ccd1 Oct 25, 2007 (4:19 am)
fixxer: Don't get me wrong, I am no fan of cars getting bigger and heavier with each model revision. The current 3 Series is about the size of the 5 Series of yore. But it is not as if BMW is now reversing that trend. The 3 Series didn't get smaller or lighter, they introduced another model. The 1 Series IS lighter, but not that much lighter. I think everyone was disappointed that it doesn't weigh less. Depending on the review, I've seen less than 100 lbs to a little over 200 lbs less than the 3 Series. I seriously question whether that weight savings is enough to make a real difference and some reviewers have raised this question as well. As for more driving focused, I think that is true in part. The 335i can be had with or without the performance package and the 135i comes standard with those goodies and perhaps a few more. I see this car as a petite 335i w/ performance package. This car could have been much more exciting with less weight, but civility in cars apparently exacts a price in terms of weight. Mitsu civlized the EVO and it gained 200 lbs! BMW is showing a lighter version of the car (Tii), but with all the carbon fiber in that car, we know it will be very expensive if it is ever introduced.
#13 of 29 Not quite bait and switch... by wily66 Oct 25, 2007 (12:12 pm)
but in the neighborhood! The i model will be priced at $38,900 and with charges and any options will surpass 40K. Most will swallow hard and walk away a few will show an interest and fewer still will check the lease rates and sign up. The good news is that residual will keep lease payments manageable, and resale will be high.
#14 of 29 Prices by ccd1 Oct 26, 2007 (10:14 am)
Wily: Do you know something we don't know? The price for the 135i is the biggest questions about the car and seems to be one of the best kept secrets as well