Wow...just Wow

[PricklyPete]

So I was in Munich last weekend and decided to go by the BMW World. They basically just have a bunch of BMW's out on display including the new 135 that we will be getting in the states (coupe). Well I was never really all that interested in it from the pictures...but after seeing one in person...I was really liking it.

We don't really need to be replacing my wife's car anytime soon...but I was thinking it would be a nice replacement...so I went and priced one. A 135 loaded costs $45K. Really? I just can't justify that as much fun as the car probably is. I can get a G37 fully loaded for less than that. I'm afraid to test drive the 135 as I'd probably fall in love with it...but $45K...really?

I feel that BMW really needs to rethink their pricing on these. Even the 128i starts at nearly 30K...put any reasonable options you would expect in a premium car and you are easily looking between $35-40K.

And yes, I know that you can get a stripped 135 for $35K...but that's just too much for a stripped 135.

 

[dug777]

I predict that BMW will sell plenty of them, and lots of people will whine loudly about the cost.

Life goes on.

 

[PricklyPete]

I fear you are right...and I will likely be one of them. I'm still very taken up by the packaging as a whole. Seems to be exactly what a BMW always claims to be. Maybe just a little less weight and you'd really have a perfect driving machine with reasonable comfort to boot.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Funny, I too visited BMW Welt earlier this month while in München. Pretty cool building, but otherwise I felt the whole thing was pointless. I hope for BMW's sake that they keep their "exhibits" more up-to-date than the old BMW Museum across the street. That place was a dump. I also visited the BMW "showcase" facility in downtown Munich, near Karlsplatz, where I sat in the new 135 and M3. Yeah, the 135 just feels right all around for me. I am sure it will be a blast to drive. For a single guy or couple without kids it would be great. Trunk space is okay. Back seat is useless. I would totally jump on a loaded 128i if I could get it out the door for around $35K but that ain't gonna happen.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: PricklyPete
I fear you are right...and I will likely be one of them. I'm still very taken up by the packaging as a whole. Seems to be exactly what a BMW always claims to be. Maybe just a little less weight and you'd really have a perfect driving machine with reasonable comfort to boot.

You just know the 135 is gonna be loved by the modding community. New chips to boost those turbos, carbon fibre hood and trunk? I am sure there are other ways to add power and decrease weight.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Funny, I too visited BMW Welt earlier this month while in München. Pretty cool building, but otherwise I felt the whole thing was pointless. I hope for BMW's sake that they keep their "exhibits" more up-to-date than the old BMW Museum across the street. That place was a dump. I also visited the BMW "showcase" facility in downtown Munich, near Karlsplatz, where I sat in the new 135 and M3. Yeah, the 135 just feel right all around for me. I am sure it will be a blast to drive. For a single guy or couple without kids it would be great. Trunk space is okay. Back seat is useless. I would totally jump on a loaded 128i if I could get it out the door for around $35K but that ain't gonna happen.

I have to say that the building was kind of pointless unless you want to get BMW branded motor oil. It is fun to take a look at the cars and some of the displays/exhibits around the Hydrogen 7 series were neat...but other than that it is just a fancy showroom for their current cars. I did like looking at the M3 and the associates there let me and let me look in the engine bay. I also liked how they had the carbon fiber roof just sitting next to the M3 so you could pick it up under your own strength and see how light it is.

Anyway, the 1 series still intrigues me.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: PricklyPete

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Funny, I too visited BMW Welt earlier this month while in München. Pretty cool building, but otherwise I felt the whole thing was pointless. I hope for BMW's sake that they keep their "exhibits" more up-to-date than the old BMW Museum across the street. That place was a dump. I also visited the BMW "showcase" facility in downtown Munich, near Karlsplatz, where I sat in the new 135 and M3. Yeah, the 135 just feel right all around for me. I am sure it will be a blast to drive. For a single guy or couple without kids it would be great. Trunk space is okay. Back seat is useless. I would totally jump on a loaded 128i if I could get it out the door for around $35K but that ain't gonna happen.

I have to say that the building was kind of pointless unless you want to get BMW branded motor oil. It is fun to take a look at the cars and some of the displays/exhibits around the Hydrogen 7 series were neat...but other than that it is just a fancy showroom for their current cars. I did like looking at the M3 and the associates there let me and let me look in the engine bay. I also liked how they had the carbon fiber roof just sitting next to the M3 so you could pick it up under your own strength and see how light it is.

Anyway, the 1 series still intrigues me.

Yeah, I thought the M3 roof hanging from a steel cable next to the car was pretty cool. What was the weight? Less than 40 lbs.? 40 Kilos? I just remember it being pretty easy to pick up.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile


Yeah, I thought the M3 roof hanging from a steel cable next to the car was pretty cool. What was the weight? Less than 40 lbs.? 40 Kilos? I just remember it being pretty easy to pick up.

I don't remember the exact weight...but it was definitely no more than 40 lbs. The sign said that it saved over 20 KG's over the conventional roof.

 

[GTaudiophile]

If you were to build one (via bmwusa.com) how would you build it?

As much fun as the 135 would be, I think given fuel costs and reliability concerns, I would stick with the 230 HP NA 128i:

Sedona Red Metallic Exterior
Coral Red Boston Leather Interior
High Gloss Black Trim
Sport Package
Option: Heated Front Seats
Option: Power Front Seats with Driver Seat Memory
Option: Premium Hi-Fi System
Option: Park Distance Control (Rear)
Option: Xenon Headlights
Option: 18" Double Spoke 182 Wheels

Total: $37,674 MSRP (Before Tax, Tag, Title, Dealer Markups, etc.)

Notice I did not select an automatic transmission, nor active steering, nor navigation/iDrive.

 

[StageLeft]

I know a guy who really wants a 1 series and he reads car mags all the time. I have no freaking clue why, but there you have it. I cannot see spending that kind of money on a tiny car.

 

[Riverhound777]

I'd much rather have a Speed 3. Fast, usable, and $20k less. Sure the interior and build quality isn't as good, but dammit if they aren't fun to drive. And way cheaper to maintain.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Riverhound777
I'd much rather have a Speed 3. Fast, usable, and $20k less. Sure the interior and build quality isn't as good, but dammit if they aren't fun to drive. And way cheaper to maintain.

A FWD econobox DOES sound like a good comparison. Wait a second....

Anyways, I like the 128i. It has enough power to move you around and at a fair price.

 

[warmodder]

How much is the 3 series coupe? At 45k I can't imagine the 135 being too much less. What's the appeal of the 1 series anyway, just pure performance?

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Anyways, I like the 128i. It has enough power to move you around and at a fair price.

I feel like going with the 1 series over the 3 series is to get a full on driving experience. If I'm going to spend the money, I'd rather have the 3.0L turbo that the press just can't get enough of.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: PricklyPete

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Anyways, I like the 128i. It has enough power to move you around and at a fair price.

I feel like going with the 1 series over the 3 series is to get a full on driving experience. If I'm going to spend the money, I'd rather have the 3.0L turbo that the press just can't get enough of.

This would be a DD for me. I already have a superfast toy to satisfy that need. Otherwise I'd HAVE to have the 135i/335i.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: PricklyPete
I fear you are right...and I will likely be one of them. I'm still very taken up by the packaging as a whole. Seems to be exactly what a BMW always claims to be. Maybe just a little less weight and you'd really have a perfect driving machine with reasonable comfort to boot.

You just know the 135 is gonna be loved by the modding community. New chips to boost those turbos, carbon fibre hood and trunk? I am sure there are other ways to add power and decrease weight.

Add an LSD and suspension mods in there and you have a potential M3 beater.

 

[overst33r]

If I was spending that kind of money I'd pony up for the 335i, significantly more room and nearly the same performance.

 

[theeedude]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Riverhound777
I'd much rather have a Speed 3. Fast, usable, and $20k less. Sure the interior and build quality isn't as good, but dammit if they aren't fun to drive. And way cheaper to maintain.

A FWD econobox DOES sound like a good comparison. Wait a second....

Anyways, I like the 128i. It has enough power to move you around and at a fair price.

I'd also pick the Speed3
At the 1 series price point, I'd take the G37.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Riverhound777
I'd much rather have a Speed 3. Fast, usable, and $20k less. Sure the interior and build quality isn't as good, but dammit if they aren't fun to drive. And way cheaper to maintain.

A FWD econobox DOES sound like a good comparison. Wait a second....

Anyways, I like the 128i. It has enough power to move you around and at a fair price.

I'd also pick the Speed3
At the 1 series price point, I'd take the G37.

Buying the 1-Series is not going to be a purchase for practicality or raw value reasons. People who buy it are generally looking for a "certain" magic that is so often associated with early 3-Series BMW cars. I know if I end up buying one...it won't be for practicality or value. If I was doing that, I'd buy a Legacy (practical) or Honda Accord (value).

 

[sniperruff]

the 1-series sounds like it'd be more fun to drive with its FR layout and shorter/lighter than the 3-series

with that said, i'd probably just get a cooper S

 

[Cobalt]

Nice car but you can get a slightly used 335i for the same, and sometimes cheaper, price of a fully loaded 135i.

 

[thomsbrain]

At that price, it is competing with some pretty lofty competition. Count me out for sure.

 

[Vic]

So much FUD about the 135i. I suppose I shouldn't mind, it'll make negotiating easier for me when I go to get mine.

Anyway: Build your own

My 135i Coupe
3.0-liter, turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine
Rear-wheel drive
See all standard features
Base MSRP $34,900
Sedona Red Metallic $475
Black Leatherette $0
Glacier Silver Aluminum Trim $0
Sport Package $1,000
18" wheels w/performance tires (style 264) $0
Destination & Handling: $775
Total MSRP as Built $37,150

Comparably equipped Inifiniti G37 Coupe Sport 6MT: Build your own

Base MSRP* $35,550.00
Exterior Color
Vibrant Red
Interior Color and Trim
Graphite Leather/Washi Aluminum
Packages and Options
Power Moonroof $1,000.00
Configured MSRP* $36,550.00
Destination and Handling $715.00
Total MSRP* $37,265.00

Or a stripped STI: Build your own

Exterior: WR Blue Mica
Interior: Graphite Gray Alcantara with Carbon Black leather bolsters
Transmission: Manual 6-speed
Base MSRP* $34,995
Transmission $0
Packages $0
Accessories $0
Destination & Delivery $645
Total $35,640

And really, let's leave the FWD econobox out of this, eh?

 

[melijak]

Too bad they are not available for Euro delivery yet. You can get 335i sedan with sport/winter/leather for 39K. 46K here in US. More room, less understear same engine, more standard options.

 

[ayabe]

I'm surprised you would choose BMW ugly over Subaru ugly Vic.

Between the STI w/BBS but no Nav and your 135i as optioned, there is no way in hell I would choose the BMW at the same price.