click above for more high-res pics of the BMW 135i
If you're still frothing at the mouth for anything having to do with the new BMW 1-Series coupe, some new photos have found their way onto the internet. It's still a 3-series that was left in the dryer too long, but the new shots show the car off in its best possible light. There's been a lot of talk about the 135 being a return to the roots of what propelled BMW to such greatness, with alphanumerics like E30 M3 and 2002tii flying about. The 135i certainly holds its own stylistically, even if it is not possessed of the same delicacy of line as its forebears. The 135i appears hefty, like a block of dense marble carved by a skilled artisan, and when you get right down to it, that's what it is. We've babbled enough, check out the gallery. Thanks for the tip, Horatiu!
[Source: edbmw]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Trusted Munchkin @ Feb 13th 2008 7:49AM
That was the most judicious and delicate way I've ever heard a car called a pig. Bravo!
PiCASSO @ Feb 13th 2008 8:16AM
I'm sure this car dynamically will be amazing, but the price for me seriously is the main turn-off for a car that has only 2-doors and a small trunk. I'd rather spend the extra money on a 3-series and have the extra 2-doors, or a much more flowing 2-door coupe.
MikeInNC @ Feb 13th 2008 8:24AM
Call it porcine if you like but, it will most likely be the fastest pig in its class at the track. One thing BMW does very right is make a car fast where it counts, in the twisties.
JasonD @ Feb 13th 2008 8:37AM
New pics, but they haven't done anything for the car's looks. It's still ugly.
phatj @ Feb 13th 2008 8:51AM
funny that its being shown with a slushbox.
dan @ Feb 13th 2008 8:52AM
What a great pity that they won't sell the hatchback version here in the US. I've seen a lot of them overseas and where the hatchback looks like a purposeful Teutonic driving machine, the sedan looks like any other small car. The convertable is another story, fortunately :D
psarhjinian @ Feb 13th 2008 10:08AM
Ditto. Love the hatchback; the coupe's lines look odd and it's practicality is dubious. It'll be a hard sell against the STI/Evo, let alone the GTI or MS3.
Aetius @ Feb 13th 2008 9:05AM
It looks pretty good in these pictures. But for it's price, there are nicer cars out there. And it's way to heavy.
thesawzall @ Feb 13th 2008 9:12AM
I got some pics of the 1-series convertible at the Philly Auto Show last weekend. It was hard to tell that it wasn't a 3-series, especially since it was raised up on a platform. It wasn't drawing a crowd.
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=bmw&w=79476372%40N00
The X6 was also there.
Trusted Munchkin @ Feb 13th 2008 9:24AM
Ok, ok. I keep sitting on this, but I'm just going to ask. Would it be news if I had some crappy camera pictures of a 1 series 5 door in Middle Tennessee? I know the hatches are not here, but I've never really looked into the issue.
Ligor @ Feb 13th 2008 9:34AM
headlights/tailights kill this design
althought i'm still dissapointed at the price and weight of this car
needs to be redesigned if you ask me
Frick @ Feb 13th 2008 7:24PM
+1
Josiah @ Feb 13th 2008 10:05AM
What is better for the price?
I'm actually asking, not being a pain.
416Hammy @ Feb 13th 2008 10:39AM
An Infiniti G37 or Nissan 350Z (or upcoming 370Z) offers better price/performance than this, and both offer a lot more style.
I'm a fan of both Nissan/Infiniti and BMW, but in order for BMW to get my money they have to stop price gouging. That little blue and white propeller isn't enough to justify the HUGE premiums they demand, especially for something this homely.
If I wanted to forgo style altogether, the STi and Evo X trump this 135i easily in terms of raw performance.
Pat @ Feb 13th 2008 10:13AM
Some may say evo, but I prefer rwd.
clevershark @ Feb 13th 2008 10:39AM
The Evo would probably cost a lot more to insure, though.
Playdrv4me @ Feb 13th 2008 10:58AM
The price is in line with the rest of the BMW line-up. They won't have any problem at all selling these, especially with that twin-turbo charged monster under the hood.
Horatiu Boeriu @ Feb 13th 2008 11:02AM
I agree with playdrv4me. Most of the dealers are already sold out and there is a waiting list, especially for the 135i. Remember, European Delivery is available for the 1-series but it comes out of the dealer allocation so not many will sell them below MSRP. When BMW will let the dealers sell the 1-series from the ED allocation, then the sales will increase tremendously.
Fooman @ Feb 13th 2008 12:28PM
For the price..
g35 sedan with 3k in suspension upgrades and tires will be better, or a g37. The Evo X MR is the same price. The infiniti will have more bells and whistles and a much better interior and size, while the Evo is sportier. I have a e46 M3 and the Evo's scare me.
The 135 is going to cost you about 38-42k at a minimum. The car is still very heavy only 200 pounds lighter then a 335, and from what I hear the suspension is too soft out of the box for track use. Also the brakes while 6 pots are not as good as the 335 floating brakes.
Also you can get 2 year old e46 M3's still under factory warranty with low miles for less then one of these. No Bangle styling, and one of the most iconic cars every made by BMW.
dean @ Feb 13th 2008 12:38PM
Oh that is a cute car.