BMW announces US 1-Series pricing

[LonghornTX]

I don't do lbs but in terms of kilograms I think there's only a 40 kg difference.  To say the difference in size is significant, that's not much.  The 1 is a heavy car for how big it is.

200lbs=~90kg.  I would say that is fairly significant considering that the lower price point that the 135i operates in essentially disallows the use of many of the weight saving programs used on the e92 (like plastic frond fenders and increased use of aluminum in the suspension).

[LonghornTX]

I thought EU unladen was car, fluids, and 75 kg for a driver?

I believe the 75kg is meant to include both driver AND luggage.

Ford does not include the driver while BMW does, so at the very least there would be a 75kg (~165lbs) difference in listed weights between the two vehicles.

[MX793]

Oh, and something else.  Does BMW list EU unladen on their American website?  They specify EU unladen on their European sites, but make no such note on their American site.  I also noticed that the weight listed for the 135i coupe on BMW's UK site (which explicitly states it is EU unladen) is higher than the weight listed for the car on their American website (which is labelled "unladen"), and the difference is not a mere 5-10 lbs.

[J86]

I would spend $25K on a Mini Cooper S. but they want $35K in Canada.

shitty.

i have no idea what they retail for in the states.

[MX793]

shitty.

i have no idea what they retail for in the states.

They can breach $30K pretty easily in the US if you start adding options.  I thought they could get nearly $40K with every option.

[J86]

They can breach $30K pretty easily in the US if you start adding options.  I thought they could get nearly $40K with every option.

hm.  Still, I love 'em.

[thewizard16]

shitty.

i have no idea what they retail for in the states.

You can get a Cooper S with sport and premium package for around $25,000.

[J86]

You can get a Cooper S with sport and premium package for around $25,000.

Shit, sold! 

[thewizard16]

They can breach $30K pretty easily in the US if you start adding options.  I thought they could get nearly $40K with every option.

They can. I built one with every possible option (before dealer customizations) and it was $37k.

[MX793]

They can. I built one with every possible option (before dealer customizations) and it was $37k.

Yeah, I had something in the high to mid 30K range and then I started clicking off all of the dealer custom items like the JCW performance packages.  I was over $40K in no time.

[J86]

Haha I just brought my dream Mini up to 41,136.  Wooooo-eeee!

[TheIntrepid]

Yes, what is the point of the Mini. I still don't understand why so many people spend that kind of money on a Mini. 

<note>
Yes, I did test drive one.
</note>

It's just so cool to look at and handles like nothing else!

[MexicoCityM3]

It's just so cool to look at and handles like nothing else!

Yes. It also rides like a buckboard (the new new MINI is better).

[LonghornTX]

Oh, and something else.  Does BMW list EU unladen on their American website?  They specify EU unladen on their European sites, but make no such note on their American site.  I also noticed that the weight listed for the 135i coupe on BMW's UK site (which explicitly states it is EU unladen) is higher than the weight listed for the car on their American website (which is labelled "unladen"), and the difference is not a mere 5-10 lbs.

I noticed this as well, but no one really knows.  The weights for the 3 series on bmwusa.com appear to include driver, so it may be the same for the 1 series.  Only a scale will truly tell.

[omicron]

I just priced a Cooper S at $65,185! Fantastic.

[TurboDan]

I'd rather buy an A3.  Any word on diesel versions of this (or, the A3, for that matter)?

[MidnightDave]

I bought my 2006 MINI Cooper S for $21,600 out the door. It was a hella bang for the buck, and unlike everything on the road, and with the rear seat delete had plenty of room to haul my dogs, that's why.

I don't like FWD, and I question the reliability. I want to talk myself into an S2000, but torque is king. I saw the 135 in person today, (and the new M3--it's gorgeous, and not part of this debate, as its just too much money). The 135 is better looking in person than on the web, and the question really remains is the price worth the performance? With another $15K minimum, I could build a hella MINI!

See, I'm so conflicted, I'm trying NOT to build a track car, I want a DD I can track, hence the 135i makes the list, as the MINI did. If it was "just" a track car, it'd be a Miata, but I can't stand that as a DD, (I need to haul two old, 70lb dogs).

AAAHHH! What to do? BTW, not sure what the demographic is for the 135, but I do have the cash and the inclination to buy it, and the looks don't put me off. It would be, albeit lessor so than the MINI, a redheaded stepchild at BMW events, and that doesn't bother me either--maybe their demographic is old farts who think they're young? ;-)

[MrH]

Why can't you go for a dedicated track car?  You have an IS350 and a truck too.  Just how many practical cars do you need?

[Raghavan]

350Z

[SJ_GTI]

All the guys over at NASIOC will be pissed that the 135i is still way more than the STi, lol.

Starting price on the STI is $34,995? Seems like similar prices.

[TheIntrepid]

Starting price on the STI is $34,995? Seems like similar prices.

It's $49,995 here IIRC.

[MidnightDave]

Minor hijaak: The wifey drives the "Toyota on steroids" and refuses to drive the truck. I have to travel to nearby towns a couple hours away for work about once a month and taking the truck is a pain, even compared to the MINI.

The M3 is outstanding but too much car and too much money for me, I'm old school and just can't see paying "that" much for a car...

I have been thinking a 350Z track edition might be a good option for track/DD use?

Hijack off

I saw, as some of you know, the new 135i at the BMW PC in Spartansburg, SC, USA on Sunday. It MUCH better looking in person. The front brakes are out of this world! That thing has to stop like it has a chute.

I think it'll sell like Camry's, F150s and Accords, (read lots), at any price once people get behind the wheel.

[Vinsanity]

I saw, as some of you know, the new 135i at the BMW PC in Spartansburg, SC, USA on Sunday. It MUCH better looking in person. The front brakes are out of this world! That thing has to stop like it has a chute.

I saw it in rea life for the first time yesterday, and I do agree that it does look much better in person. I still can't justify paying the same price as a G37 for a 135, though.

[r0tor]

It's $49,995 here IIRC.

cannannada FTL eh?

[FordSVT]

I saw it in rea life for the first time yesterday, and I do agree that it does look much better in person. I still can't justify paying the same price as a G37 for a 135, though.

The average car buyer looking for a GT wouldn't, but one who places a premium on performance might. The BMW should be capable of eating a G37 alive on the track.

[LonghornTX]

I saw it in rea life for the first time yesterday, and I do agree that it does look much better in person. I still can't justify paying the same price as a G37 for a 135, though.

The G37 doesn't really offer much more, other than some extra features and a lot of weight.  The inside of that car is pretty small and the trunk is outrageous for how big the car is.

[sportyaccordy]

The G37 doesn't really offer much more, other than some extra features and a lot of weight.  The inside of that car is pretty small and the trunk is outrageous for how big the car is.

Yea... if it's anything like the G35 coupe the trunk is useless; my friend put a dual 12" sub box in it... good bye trunk, mind you the box is only about 3 cubic feet

I'm still on the fence with the 1... gotta see it in person. But it's  fast, reasonably priced and a BMW. Though really for the extra practicality would it really hurt that much to get the 3? That's the question.

[FordSVT]

It would be a rather pedestrian 3 for that kind of cash, you'd be giving up a lot of performance for that extra back seat and trunk space.

If practicality was my primary concern, I don't think I'd ever get a low-end BMW (or Merc or Lexus for that matter) when there are so many great mid-sized cars on the road with so many features for so much less (or equal) money, with or without rwd or awd. Bimmer Badge premium. Not that they aren't possibly better cars than those others, but it's beyond my point of diminishing returns.

[Raza]

I'd rather buy an A3.  Any word on diesel versions of this (or, the A3, for that matter)?

It's a high priced premium brand small car, and you want them to put a diesel in it and sell it in the US?  They'd sell fewer cars than Oldsmobile.

[TurboDan]

It's a high priced premium brand small car, and you want them to put a diesel in it and sell it in the US?

Yeah, exactly.