picked up the 135i - with pics *updated 5-2-12!

[Don Vito Corleone]

I don't get the 3 series coupe either. The front seat in the 1 and 3 are identical, to me you either get the 1 series coupe or 4 door 3.


That being said, the looks of the 1 series is one of those "you have to own one to understand" sorta things. But like most bmw styling, it looks goofy now but will definitely stand the test of time.

I'm not sure I agree. To me the E92 (particularly the M3) is the best looking BMW of its generation, just as the E46 coupe (particularly the M3) was the best looking in its day. The E82 is, to my eyes, just kind of ungainly. Great fun to drive but I am not a fan of the aesthetics at all. I actually agree with Alky that it is reminiscent of the E36 ti. This wouldn't necessarily prevent me buying one (I don't think my E90 is any great beauty either), but I am not sold on the looks.

To me (at 6'4") the big advantage of the E92 is that is has more usable space than the E82. I will say, though, that the E82 theoretically has the same rear legroom as my E46 M3, and that is workable for 4 people on short trips.

 

[rchiu]

ew! the 3 series looks so wrong in a coupe.

thanks manimal!

Haha, well you are entitled to your opinion.

But here is a different opinion: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2008/04/2008-bmw-135i-vs-335i-review/

Quote:

After testing BMW 135i and 335i coupes back-to-back, I can reveal that there are only two good reasons to purchase the smaller, cheaper car. Either you need a track day machine or you're an idiot.

----

But it's your money and buy whatever that makes you happy, 135i is also a great car. BMW targets younger crowd with that car, and there is nothing wrong for you pick 135.

 

[alkemyst]

the 1M and M3 are also similarly reviewed. M3 being the more rounded car.

However at the end of the day it's what the driver prefers.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Haha, well you are entitled to your opinion.

But here is a different opinion: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2008/04/2008-bmw-135i-vs-335i-review/

Quote:

After testing BMW 135i and 335i coupes back-to-back, I can reveal that there are only two good reasons to purchase the smaller, cheaper car. Either you need a track day machine or you're an idiot.

----

But it's your money and buy whatever that makes you happy, 135i is also a great car. BMW targets younger crowd with that car, and there is nothing wrong for you pick 135.

haha, I read that one too ... definitely wont be a track day machine, but it'll be a gorgeous DD .

 

[JackBurton]

I don't get the 3 series coupe either. The front seat in the 1 and 3 are identical, to me you either get the 1 series coupe or 4 door 3.


That being said, the looks of the 1 series is one of those "you have to own one to understand" sorta things. But like most bmw styling, it looks goofy now but will definitely stand the test of time.

The 1 series is too small and the 5 series is too big. The 3 series on the other hand is just perfect. And when I say just perfect, I mean for 2 people, hence the coupe. Look at the M3, it is a coupe and is pretty much a 3 series. If I wanted to go the family sedan route, I'd get the 5 series. But since I'm not a taxi driver, and it's only me and my wife, the 3 series coupe makes the most sense and IMO looks waaay better than the 4 door version.

 

[ViviTheMage]

IF I was to go 3 series coupe, what it lacked was BMW painted calipers, no M series package.

For the 1 series being the cheaper model, they sure gave it some cooler features...part of why the coupoe 135i > the coupe 335i imo.

135i coupe >>>> 335i coupe
335i sedan >>>>>> 335i coupe

Purely my opinion, and obviously people love them or they would not be buying them, but I have seem/drive them all and that is my take on it!

 

[manimal]

I personally think a 135i is the spiritual successor to the e30-e36. The size is closer and the handling is uncannily similar to what you had with a e36 M3.

The nimbleness and feel are very similar but to me the 135's size makes it crazy fun in some twisties.

Cant wait for the porn-er pictures Vivi!

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I'm not sure I agree. To me the E92 (particularly the M3) is the best looking BMW of its generation, just as the E46 coupe (particularly the M3) was the best looking in its day. The E82 is, to my eyes, just kind of ungainly. Great fun to drive but I am not a fan of the aesthetics at all. I actually agree with Alky that it is reminiscent of the E36 ti. This wouldn't necessarily prevent me buying one (I don't think my E90 is any great beauty either), but I am not sold on the looks.

To me (at 6'4") the big advantage of the E92 is that is has more usable space than the E82. I will say, though, that the E82 theoretically has the same rear legroom as my E46 M3, and that is workable for 4 people on short trips.

I do agree that it's probably the best looking coupe, but from a functional perspective I don't get the point. The wheelbase is almost the same, handling is the same, the only reason to get the coupe is for looks.

I was under the impression that headroom, legroom, literally everything in the front seats are identical between the 1 and the 3. To me, if you're looking for a 'small nimble car' then the 1 series fits the bill much more than a 3 series coupe, and if you're looking for more room than the 1 series you might as well get the 4 door 3... 'generally speaking' of course.



But like alky said, almost all of this is personal preference, and none of them are bad cars.

 

[rh71]

UPDATE :

Okay, going to pick this one up instead...so glad I found it, it's the original color combo I wanted and in 135i!

http://www.skymotorcars.com/web/used/BMW-1-Series-2008-West-Chester-Pennsylvania/1070532/

already put a deposit, picking it up this weekend hopefully.

I guessed alpine white before I even opened the link. Something about BMW AW. Good stuff.

 

[ViviTheMage]

AW is gorgeous!

Picking it up on the 28th, flight in place!

Anything I should do in philly while I am there, and driving through, I might stop in Washington DC, never been there.

 

[alkalinetaupehat]

I really think it's the camera angle, but it looks like the passenger taillight is less tinted than the driver's side. Otherwise, mad sweet car sir. I still have a ways to go until such a nice ride.

 

[Demo24]

Wow, didn't realize they had gotten down to this price point. Very nice!

Please take the eye covers off though, that looks kinda terrible.

DC is a nice place, albeit probably not one I would choose to drive around in much.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Wow, didn't realize they had gotten down to this price point. Very nice!

Please take the eye covers off though, that looks kinda terrible.

DC is a nice place, albeit probably not one I would choose to drive around in much.

Those covers are coming off asap. I'd drive to DC, and probably stay a few hours, head back out.

I really think it's the camera angle, but it looks like the passenger taillight is less tinted than the driver's side. Otherwise, mad sweet car sir. I still have a ways to go until such a nice ride.

It's the angle, the sun was just so, that it looked like that ... I asked about this as well.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Are you paying their sticker price or did you manage to lower the cost out the door?

 

[ViviTheMage]

Are you paying their sticker price or did you manage to lower the cost out the door?

21.5k is what I got em too, he declined a few offers at 21k denied, so I just offered 21.5k and he took it ... kbb is around 24k, so it was a decent deal.

ppi was just done, guy said it looked immaculate, seats look unused...had one recall on some injector thing, but was taken care of when it was in for hte ppi.

new revision of the HPFP, no worries though, extended warranty on that for 120k/10year

 

[PricklyPete]

Those covers are coming off asap. I'd drive to DC, and probably stay a few hours, head back out.




It's the angle, the sun was just so, that it looked like that ... I asked about this as well.

You should head to Charlottesville for a lunch, and then drive through the WV mountains on your way back to the midwest.

 

[ViviTheMage]

You should head to Charlottesville for a lunch, and then drive through the WV mountains on your way back to the midwest.

food recomendations in Charlottesville? and route for the mountains?

Any cool stops along the way?

 

[PricklyPete]

food recomendations in Charlottesville? and route for the mountains?

Any cool stops along the way?

Charlottesville is a great college town with a lot of good eats in the downtown area. I can't think of any of the names off hand as I am always there with my brother-in-law that went to UVA and picks everything out. I'm sure you'll find something you like.

Here is a good road...

http://www.motorcycleroads.us/roads/va_us250.html

 

[ViviTheMage]

sweet, thanks ... that looks like the way I need to head home anyway.

 

[PricklyPete]

sweet, thanks ... that looks like the way I need to head home anyway.

Yeah, there are a lot of good roads in that area...but seems like that would put you in the right direction. The driving will be slow though compared to a highway...but beautiful. You might want to find a place to stay somewhere along there.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I'll look into it, thanks prickly!

 

[rh71]

The 1 series is too small and the 5 series is too big. The 3 series on the other hand is just perfect. And when I say just perfect, I mean for 2 people, hence the coupe. Look at the M3, it is a coupe and is pretty much a 3 series. If I wanted to go the family sedan route, I'd get the 5 series. But since I'm not a taxi driver, and it's only me and my wife, the 3 series coupe makes the most sense and IMO looks waaay better than the 4 door version.

agree with this - the 3's back seats are too small for 4 people anyway so the 5 is the way to go for a true family. If you're doing a 3, the coupe looks WAY better than the sedan.

335/M3 coupe = sexy
M3 sedan = family-looking car with 4 tailpipes. The rear is just wrong for a small sports car.
M5 sedan = intended to be a family car but you know it can motor. Sexy.

 

[alkemyst]

The M3 coupe, at least my E46 has enough room for adults in the back.

 

[PricklyPete]

I'll look into it, thanks prickly!

No problem...enjoy the new car...will be perfect roads to really enjoy it with!

 

[halik]

haha, I read that one too ... definitely wont be a track day machine, but it'll be a gorgeous DD .

Haah best part:

I thought that maybe the photos really didn't do the car justice. Reaching the side of the vehicle, I nearly dropped my Starbucks latte in disgust.

p0037579.JPGJust three days prior, I was in Germany on an Air Force operation. I saw all manner of 1-Series hatches on the autobahn, in their natural element, looking graceful at over 240km/h. What I saw upon my return was a transmogrified beast. Not quite a coupe, not quite a hatch; a car that took all the worst styling cues from both. I hated it. The baristas hated it. TSgt Gasaway hated it. Ashleigh and Shannon at my apartment tower hated it. It really is an ugly car.