Click the image above for more live pics of the BMW 135i.
Our boy Omar over at eGMCartech passed along a tip yesterday that BMW had a plaque standing next to its 135i listing the available options and price of its turbocharged entrant into the sport compact scene. Finally, all the speculation shall come to rest. After weaseling our way onto the show floor before the doors opened this morning, we made a B-line for the Bimmer booth to check it out for ourselves. The 135i sat on its pedestal, but unlike every other model there, the telltale placard was absent. Five minutes of snooping later, we hit gold behind a wall and you can check out the entire pricing and options list after the jump.
Pricing for the 135i starts at $35,675 -- very close to what's been rumored since its unveiling in Frankfurt. While that's certainly on the high side of things, it's not until you start optioning up the coupe that things get out of hand. REALLY out of hand. Tick the box for an automatic, and you're up another $1,275. Want the paddle shifters? Tack on another $100. The premium package boosts it up another $3,300; navigation with iDrive, $2,100. And on, and on, and on. The only thing missing is the price of the rarified air in the cabin, but BMW was nice enough to provide the windshield for free.Bottom line: if you MAX-OUT the 135i, you're looking at over $52,000. Considering that a base 3-series comes in at around $32k (stripped), you'd better be very confident with your decision to be the first on your block to sport BMW's new hotness.
Click the enlarge.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Bob-omb @ Nov 15th 2007 12:03PM
The 1-series is more expensive than the 3-series. Nice work, marketing team!
SOhp101 @ Nov 15th 2007 12:17PM
What are you talking about? The 328i starts at 32k. The 335i maxes at around 55k, so 3k difference is not too surprising, although I doubt anyone would actually pay for active cruise control on this type of car.
Overall though... wow, what a ripoff. When this car fails abysmally, BMW execs are going to say to themselves "See, we knew that America wasn't ready for a compact luxury car."
This is the poor man's 3 series, not a compact, lightweight driver's car.
Patrick @ Nov 15th 2007 1:15PM
@SOhp101
How is it a poor man's 3-series, when its only a ~6% savings at the high end, and a ~12% savings at the low end?
Bryan @ Nov 16th 2007 12:37AM
...and Subaru Hi-Fives GM
Blake @ Nov 15th 2007 12:05PM
You're*
Adam @ Nov 15th 2007 12:06PM
Nice going BMW. The majority of people that were looking at this car will now be looking elsewhere. Pathetic. I can wait for the Pontiac G8, pay $30k, and smoke the hell out of this thing.
John @ Nov 15th 2007 12:28PM
I agree. The G8 I saw at SEMA this year is going to be a winner. Especially at the pricing that GM has shared.
Though, arguably, the people in the market for a 135i aren't necessarily going to be the same people in the market for a G8.
jefflmercer @ Nov 15th 2007 4:04PM
This car weights alot for being considered smaller than the 335i coupe. It doesn't even have dual exhaust that i personally thing look sexy.
WTF is BMW thinking for that money! This car was supposed to be in the Low 30s for the 135i now they want almost 42k
Here is another 135i Coupe example with automatic transmission:
Base Price $35,675
Premium Package $3,300
Navigation $2,100
iPod and USB Adaptor $400
STEPTRONIC Automatic Transmission $1,275
Total Estimated Price $42,750
http://www.bmw135i.net/pricing/2008-135i-Coupe-Pri ...
I would rather get a Pontiac G8 GT with a V8 more room, more options, more HP, and less money.
Give me a F'n break BMW
And i was looking forward to this horrible announcement! what a disappointment
eddie @ Nov 15th 2007 12:10PM
Way too expensive. I see no reason to buy this over a Z, 335i, G8 or Evo.
Wasnt the BMW 2002 reasonably priced?
mercury26 @ Nov 15th 2007 8:52PM
2002 was priced pretty high for it's day, it was not priced like a VW.
John P. @ Nov 15th 2007 12:12PM
This thing is heavy, maybe you're paying price per lb.
Ligor @ Nov 15th 2007 3:35PM
lmao ... you could be right.
anyhow, no thanks BMW
you may keep it for yourself.
i'd much rather get the G37 for a few less grand
performance - just get the EVO, it will outrun this sucker anywhere, anytime, any conditions. So will the STi, but it's just way too ugly
seoultrain @ Nov 15th 2007 12:16PM
hahaha, i soo knew this ridiculous pricing would happen, as I'm sure lots of readers did. Good luck finding a 135 for under 40k out the door. Ouch.
esoterica @ Nov 15th 2007 12:17PM
Um, Autoblog, the 328i doesn't start at "around $28K," it starts at $33,175 with destination for the sedan, $36,075 for the coupe. The 335i is substantially higher: $39,675 for sedan, $41,575 for the coupe.
Damon Lavrinc @ Nov 15th 2007 12:22PM
It's been fixed. http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/3/328isedan/default
esoterica @ Nov 15th 2007 12:29PM
Also, it can't be optioned to $52K -- see those "/ZPP", "/ZCW", etc. beside the prices on some of the options? That means they're also included in those respective options packages. The 135i can really only be optioned to $49K, which is still very substantial, but includes many options (e.g., active steering, HD Radio, navigation) that won't be available in the Pontiac G8 (or several of the other cars that are suggested here as competition). And even the 335i does 0-60 in 4.9, which is likely to be beaten by the 135i but not by any of the other cars listed here.
Maestro1 @ Nov 15th 2007 12:18PM
You think a $52,000 fully optioned 1-series is a 'perfect price point' when you can get a 335i with the same engine for cheaper?
Doogs @ Nov 15th 2007 12:19PM
Umm...what?
A base 3-Series (328i sedan), no options added, retails for $32,400.
The cheapest 335i - the sedan - starts at $38,900.
The 135i is more expensive than a 328i, but I don't think anyone expected otherwise. Conversely, the 128i will probably start in the highish 20's.
Kanos @ Nov 15th 2007 12:21PM
35k, thats way to expensive, only $3,500 less then a 3 series base 335i. Performance won't be that different either as the weight savings were not that different only about 150 pounds, judging from the size I would have thought a 400-500 pound difference would have been in order.
And to the person that said "I think this is a perfect price point. WRX or 135i, EVO or 135i.. Good job BMW!" Don't you know a WRX costs around $25,000 and an EVO around $30,000? How is that "Good job BMW!" Granted I think the 135i is faster in a straight line then both those cars, I don't know about the overall handling yet, will have to wait and see.
I was getting excited about the 135i for a little bit, especially when I saw the Tii, but that is just a concept. I then saw the weight of the 135i and now the price!! I think I will just stick to a 335i for a few grand more.
Trent @ Nov 15th 2007 1:08PM
I'd love to know where you are buying your STi's for 25k and your Evo's for 30k.
newsflash: the 07 sti starts at 33.5k.