Official Press release: BMW 135i Coupe

[SJ_GTI]

Saw this on The Car Lounge, surprised no one here posted it yet:

BMW North America Announces 1 Series Coupe


?
This is what C&D has to say on the matter:

2008 BMW 128i and 135i Coupes: Official Photos and Info - Car News

The line, as expected, is that there will be two 1-series coupe models making it to the States, the 128i and the 135i. (Still no hatchback love for us three- and five-door aficionados, but a 1-series droptop remains a good possibility.) The 128i gets the same engine as its larger 328i and 528i siblings?the familiar 230-horsepower, 200-lb-ft, 3.0-liter inline-six?while the 135i will house the beastly twin-turbo, direct-injection 3.0-liter six, good for 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. Either choice comes with a six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission.

I think it looks pretty good, and I am glad to hear there will be a 128i.

[ro51092]

If that's it, I want it pretty fucking badly.

[BMWDave]

It looks magnificent.  The rear end is the part I least like, however.

[Submariner]

Wow.

[cozmik]

Looks interesting.

[LonghornTX]

Come april (when they say it will be officially released), I will have an Alpine White/dark brown example in my driveway  . 

I have followed the 1 series since 03' and now, some 4 years later, I am finally appeased.  I feel like I am having my first kid  .

[the Teuton]

How much will it cost? 

I know it has the 3's top engines, but does it have a shot in hell of starting anywhere near $25k?

[LonghornTX]

How much will it cost??

I know it has the 3's top engines, but does it have a shot in hell of starting anywhere near $25k?

The 128i will likely start at very near $25k with a fully optioned 135i going for ~44-46K.

[LonghornTX]

I really like this picture:

[sportyaccordy]

It has very old school proportions. I like it... but I'll have to see it in person to decide whether I like it more than the 325i.

[omicron]

The 128i will likely start at very near $25k with a fully optioned 135i going for ~44-46K.

A 130i is priced similarly to an A4 2.0T quattro or a 350Z Track here, if that helps.

[SJ_GTI]

It sounds like the 135i will only come with a lot of "features" standard, so I expect even the base price will be pretty expensive. The 128i will probably be a reasonably good deal though.

I kind of like Raza's idea of a 123i as well. ~200 HP in a small coupe sounds good to me. I never have trouble with going fast in my ~200 HP GTI (which is no lightweight itself, as I am sure it weighs close to 3200 lbs considering the options I have).

[sportyaccordy]

It sounds like the 135i will only come with a lot of "features" standard, so I expect even the base price will be pretty expensive. The 128i will probably be a reasonably good deal though.

I kind of like Raza's idea of a 123i as well. ~200 HP in a small coupe sounds good to me. I never have trouble with going fast in my ~200 HP GTI (which is no lightweight itself, as I am sure it weighs close to 3200 lbs considering the options I have).

BMW 240SX

The only thing though is that this will bring BMW's image a bit downmarket... the MINI works because it doesn't have the BMW name on it... this is a little too close to a Miata for BMW's comfort.

I really wanna see it in the flesh though as it's not looking good in the photos... but mechanically it should be awesome.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Wowzers... for $25k, I might have to put this on my shopping list in 4-years. 

[TBR]

Me wants, really wants!

[mazda6er]

DAMN she's purty.

[Raghavan]

Wow, it looks awesome!
Even the rear end looks great, i didn't know what to expect when the prototype pics came out and there was tape all over the taillights.

I'd like a 128i.

[MX793]

128i 6MT for me, please

[TheIntrepid]

I think I'm the only person here who doesn't care much for the 1. It's not that I don't like it; it's just that I don't love it, or see what's so special.

[oilfilter]

Looks like someone drove into the side and dented the door panels and flanks.

Hideous as ever.

[cawimmer430]

I like it overall, except for the rear. Does not look very harmonic.

[LonghornTX]

I think this video gives a pretty good idea of what this car is all about.  Unfortunately there is no sound and I think the aspect ratio is a bit off (makes the car look wider than in real life), but I am not for sure.  Regardless, I am in love  .

http://www.mwerks.com/gallery/albums/Video/1%20Series/135i%20Coupe/135i.html

I especially like the way the taillights light up at night.

[VetteZ06]

The 135i is going to be one fast little car. If a 335i can do 0-60 in less than five seconds (I think I saw 4.8 for the coupe), I can only imagine what this thing will do.

[1 BAD 7]

I would love to own this pocket rocket ===>135i

[Raza]

128i 6MT for me, please

If I were to buy one, that's what I'd go for as well.  The 135i is just more than necessary. 

But I'd prefer a 3 door.

[nickdrinkwater]

Evo tested the 130i recently against the Mazda3 MPS, Alfa Brera and S3.  It just about won the test, they rated the S3 pretty highly too.

[sportyaccordy]

I think I'm the only person here who doesn't care much for the 1. It's not that I don't like it; it's just that I don't love it, or see what's so special.

It's not the look... I don't find it particularly attractive either.

It's the mechanicals and the value. I really like it... but not enough to get it over the 3er; that seems to be the better rounded package. The 1 will be a modder and racer's dream.

[Madman]

I really don't see the need for a three litre engine in a car this size. Can you say overkill?

Now, put a revvy two litre turbo-four in this car and you will have a worthy successor to the 2002 Turbo. Even a highly-tuned non-turbo 2.0 would be a lot of fun. I'm thinking something in the mould of a reborn 2002 Tii. The reduced weight of a lighter four cylinder engine in the nose of this car would surely do wonders for the handling, a trait which has been a hallmark of BMWs for decades.


Madman of the People

[TheIntrepid]

It's not the look... I don't find it particularly attractive either.

It's the mechanicals and the value. I really like it... but not enough to get it over the 3er; that seems to be the better rounded package. The 1 will be a modder and racer's dream.

Personally I can understand that if I'm going to be buying a used beater, looks aren't important. However, if I'm buying a new car, one for $25K+, I don't want to end up with one that looks like ass.

[ChrisV]

I love this car, but like Madman said, it'd be better with a tuned 4 cyl than the over-the-top turbo 6. But man, for the price, it's silly. $40k+ for the top version? No thanks, no matter how well I think of the car itself. $20-25k for a decent example would be more in line with the car's entry level market under the 3 series. MAYBE $30k for the top one.

I'll get the similarly sized E36 M3 and save a ton of money.