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Like so many of you, I am considering purchasing the BMW 1-Series, provided that the prices are somewhere between the 28 - 34 K when released next year.
Being that this will be the first time purchasing a B'mer, I have two questions..
First, in reality, how reliable are current BMW's? I know that reliability of any car depends on the well maintenance the owner does. But in general, how reliable are these cars?
Second, how well do BMW retain value as the years go by..?
Thank u
Drumm
Since BMW started paying for maintenance, the intervals have gotten longer, and they leave out a few key things like alignments & transmission fluid flushes.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
They estimated the weight to be around 3200 pounds or so.
Starting prices (again, just a guess on their part) was $27K for the 128i and $33K for the 135i.
They suggested that if you couldn't afford the new V8 sourced M3 ($60K!), this might be a pretty good alternative.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Two reasons:
1. Safety equipment.
2. Convenience features.
My L300 has a standard curb weight of just under 3200 pounds. Its replacement, the Aura, weighs something like 3600 pounds.
The 128 is supposed to be a small car, I thought. The 328 is already overly large and porky, and now its replacement is going down the same road.
Stick the diesel in it and bring that to the States, and I suppose I could live with it. ;-)
Weight always causes handling and steering feel to suffer. It's deadly to the driving experience. :-(
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The Corvette is smaller than you might think. Actually, the Vette, RX-8, and 1-series are all within a couple inches of each other (exterior dimensions).
To put things into perspective though, consider the 1997 M3 Coupe - 3175 lbs and 240 HP (and it's about the same size as the 1-series). The E36 M3 was a $40,000 car 10 years ago and this spring, you'll be able to get a brand new 128i for under $30,000.
And how about the 2004 330i Coupe? 3285 lbs and only a smidge larger than the 1-series. It comes with 225 HP and you can buy a 3 year-old example for about the same price as a brand new 128i.
Personally, although I wish it weighed less (I wish everything weighed less), I think the 1-series is basically right on the mark - especially the 128i. I think it will possess the spirit of the E36 - which is to say, not too raw (E30), not too bloated (E46).
Well, OK then, fair enough. But then I wish the press would quit calling it the second coming of the 2002. That was a delightful car, the 128 is merely the second coming of the 1997 328. And at least back then the 3-series had a 4-cylinder option.
And the Corvette has a 6L (iron block?) V-8! The 128i should weigh 100 (or more) pounds less just on that distinction alone!
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I agree about the 'vette not being as big as people think, though.
Did you know a Corvette is now shorter than a Porsche 911?
The Corvette is a narrow focus sports car that Chevy invests all of it's engineering know-how into. It has a lightweight (less than 400 lbs) aluminum block V-8 and extensive use of composites to keep weight down. It is simply one of the finest sports cars on the road.
The BMW 1-series, by it's very nature as a "2-door sedan" is going to weigh more than a Corvette. BMW's very mission dictates that, compared to a purpose built sports car, the 1-series must be more fuel efficient, comfortable, quiet, luxurious, and spacious. It's got to have better visibility, LATCH child restraints in the back seat, and a BACK SEAT. By many people's (myself included) definition of a "sports car," the 1-series, sadly, will be merely a "sporty car."
My feeling is, if someone truly wants to go back to simpler times and experience the joys of owning and driving a lightweight, old-school BMW, they should find a pre-owned one. I put my money where my mouth is a few years ago and bought a 1988 E30.
Ateixeira - BMW has a long tradition of under rating their HP output. The N54's 300 HP rating is well documented to be a gross underestimation.
No, I didn't know the C6 is shorter than a 911. The C6 is actually the first Corvette that has piqued my interest - it's a very impressive car in every way, and with military and GM employee incentives, less than $40,000.
I know financially it is more cost effective (read: cheaper) to get a well cared for used car and let someone else take the depreciation hit. But I feel like more often than not a used car is someone else's problem. I'd get it inspected by a BMW tech, but I am in no way, shape, or form mechanically inclined (I can check fluids, but gas in the car, top off oil if needed, and change a flat) nor do I have spare time to work on cars (I work 6 days a week). If I was, I'd probably sell my Prelude right now and pick up a '98 or '99 E36 328is.
I'm 31 and have only owned new cars my entire driving life since I was 16.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I admit the E30 isn't for most people here - a Mitsubishi Evo is more refined and luxurious.
Actually, for most people, the E36 was/is probably the best compromise BMW ever produced.
If the 1-series turns out to be dynamically as responsive as the E36 - and better built (it would be hard not to be) - it will live up to my expectations.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
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I've driven a 328xiA loaner car that they gave my Dad when his X5 was in for service and found the power more than adequate. Perception is everything, even the 128i will have 30 more horsepower and 44 more lb/ft of torque than my '01 Prelude Type SH (200 hp @ 7000 RPM - 156 lb/ft torque @ 5250 RPM).
My wife's '07 X3 3.0siA feels like a rocket compared to her former 2000 Mazda Protege ES.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
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While my wife's X3 is in for service, she got a 328xiT (wagon) as a loaner car. While the wagon is much heavier than any BMW I would get for personal use (AWD, Wagon, Automatic), it still handled reasonably well, has well weighted steering, and decent power (when you jump on the gas, the X3 really moves).
I've said this before, the 135i with its twin turbos is going to be the sought after darling of the 1 series lineup. I'll take a 128i with Sports Package and Stick Shift. It will be more than I'll ever need and suit my daily driving needs perfectly.
I promised myself at least another 5 years with the Prelude though.
This will all be moot when I win the M Coupe at the Ocktoberfest Raffle:)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
have you sat in a 1 series yet?
Best Regards,
Shipo
You may need to shop for the 2nd generation 1 series.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Best Regards,
Shipo
Best Regards,
Shipo
Edit: I just poked through some of the pictures and found the shots I was thinking of, however, I didn't manage to get any shots of the rear hatch lid so I cannot tell what series these cars are. Thoughts?
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1439/1453165390_0241217f97_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1378/1452304621_18cf2b526f_o.jpg
You should share those pics in the Mystery Car Pix thread, here is a link to make it easy for ya...
imidazol97, "Mystery car pix...." #12834, 28 Sep 2007 8:21 am
DrFill
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
And this jacked from Wikipedia...
"On 30 June 2007, BMW of North America officially announced the 1-Series Coupe as a 2008 model (code named E82) and that will be be the first 1 Series to go on sale in the USA. Two models are initially to be offered: the 128i and the 135i. The 128i will be powered by a 3.0 liter, 230 horsepower inline six cylinder engine. The 135i Coupe will be propelled by a 300 horsepower, twin turbocharged 3.0 liter inline six cylinder engine.[6] Both engines are shared with 3-series models 328i and 335i. Many auto enthusiasts have decried both the lack of a diesel option in the US, as well as the decision to offer only the coupe version.
Like the three and five-door BMW 1 Series models, the E82 also features various BMW EfficientDynamics components to reduce fuel consumption (see below). The Coupé is 133 mm longer than the hatch, creating 20 litres of extra boot space. It is 220 mm shorter than 3-series Coupé (E92). 120d, 123d and 135i Coupés' announced unladen weights (EU) are 1450, 1495, and 1560 kg, respectively (corresponding to approx. 3285 lb curb weight for 135i - 90 lb reduction from 335i Coupé).
The 1er Coupé can be seen as a successor to the legendary BMW New Class with its long bonnet, slim cabin and short rear. Apart from slight modifications, it uses the same nose design as the rest of the 1 Series so as to ensure some optical consistency within the range.
It was just announced in July 2007 that BMW will be bringing the 128i and 135i Coupés to the United States in early 2008. It will be priced about $8,000 less than the 3 Series Coupé."
http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/futurevehicles/new1?source=NEW1FVHPI
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
Wiki got PUNK'D!
The 335i coupe starts at $41,000 - that would put the 135i at about $35,000.
As long as you can get the 135 for $30K or less with few options, it's less important what it costs if you choose to put every available on option on it.
I could see it getting around $40K with Sport/Premium/Nav plus automatic, metallic paint and some expensive dealer installed options like different rims than the one that come from the factory.
It's pretty easy to pass $40K on a 328 coupe with minimal options.