BMW 1-Series

dustinst22

Keep in mind that the weights BMW puts up are with a passenger, cargo, and 90% full fuel. If your'e comparing Inside Line's weight test, it will have to be apples to apples. Are they weighing the 335i with the same loads (i.e. passenger, fuel, cargo, etc)? Per BMW, the weight difference is around 140 lbs. I can't imagine it being less than that, hell it will probably be a bigger gap if anything! The size difference between these two cars is significant. But yeah, you have to compare apples to apples when comparing weights, which is why I'd go by BMW numbers. And the only way you're going to get apples to apples is if Inside Line weighs both cars at the same time using same loads, etc. Until then, have to go by the manufacturer to get any "real" weight comparison.

I think the rear looks better on the 135i. Sorry but I just think the 335i is an ugly car, and way too large. I can't help but think Buick or Honda when I look at it. The 135 is sporty and much closer to what a sport coupe should look like.

ateixeira

Even the profile would look better if it were longer. It just looks short and stubby.

Still the only choice if you want RWD and some refinement, though.

dustinst22

Yeah I agree the design needs some changes. I mostly don't like the lines on the doors, just a personal thing. But, I really can't stand the look of the 335 and when I compare this car to it, I'm very happy with the design. Still, they could have done a few things to make it look better. At least it doesn't look like a bus like the 335.

kyfdx

It might look better than the 335i sedan, but we are comparing coupes...

There is no way the 1-series coupe looks better than the 3-series coupe... :surprise:

dustinst22

Really you think so? Sorry but I think the 335 coupe is way too bulky and ugly, it looks like an Accord! Just look at side-by-side shots, the 135 is definitely sexier.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70221&highlight=135

kyfdx

Well... that link is only one view.. And, I'd argue that even with that perspective, the 3-series coupe is better looking..

Plus, from every other view, it is miles ahead..

(you know I'm right, just admit it.. )

Seriously, I'm all for smaller and lighter, but in coupe form, I'll take the 3-series for looks.. I think the 3-series coupe is the best looking BMW out right now...

The car was designed to be a hatch... and that's the way I like it!!

ateixeira

Nah, 3 coupe looks better from every angle. I don't like the bulging eyes on the 1er.

It's not that bad, though. Just not beautiful. But if I wanted beauty I'd get a G37 anyway.

dustinst22

Think they have all the views on that link...seriously check it out. The 3 series looks incredibly bulky and bus-like in those pictures!

The 135 is a true sports coupe -- longer hood, shorter rear. Much sportier, especially from a side profile.

Don't get me wrong, I think the 135 could use A LOT of work!! But it looks very close to the old M3 if you put them side by side.

And the 3 series in my opinion, is a disaster.

It isn't so much that I'm in love with the 135 design, rather I think it looks much more appealing relative to the ugly 3-series design which is overly bulky and buicky looking.

The biggest qualm I have about the 135 is the door lines.

kyfdx

I don't have to look at the pictures for the 3-series coupe.... I've seen and driven them....

They are stunning!!

Really... I'd go for a Z4 coupe before the 1- and forget the back-seat altogether... Bring me a hatch or sedan, and I'll consider it.. Go ahead... bring it.. lol.

dustinst22

Well yeah, the Z4 coupe is one sexy [non-permissible content removed]! But the 335? Barf!!! 135? Eh, somewhere in between.

blueguydotcom

Well it's not nice to say those thing in public. The 1 is more my speed - stout, harder-lines and purposeful - not a lot of expansive, flabby looking metal.

abuaisha

Guys does anyone have any idea how much 1-series will go for?

ateixeira

Still up in the air.

I guess $28,995 for the 128i, $33,995 for the 135i.

BMWs are never cheap. This won't be either.

blueguydotcom

Euro Delivery - figure about 23-24k and 28-29k. The 1 series is the perfect reason to do ED - small, take it to the limit, easy to drive on europe's tiny streets.

ateixeira

You really think it'll be that cheap? I doubt it.

blueguydotcom

Via ED, it'd have to be. Add 5k to the prices I listed and you'd get yours.

maverickj

is it ture that BMW's breakdonw alot or have weak parts? someone told me this but i dont know if its true

pjo1966

Not true based on my experience. I'm finishing up my second lease through BMW. Both cars have been very solid. My experience with Infiniti was just the opposite.

ateixeira

I didn't realize ED was that much cheaper. Is that the case for the 3 series?

blueguydotcom

Yep, 5-6k. I saved 5500 off msrp on my 330i in 06. I had few options too: sport, comfort access, pdc and leather.

ateixeira

Good deal. That brings 'em down to G35 price levels.

blueguydotcom

Yep and you have a really unique experience. How many people have driven their own car on two continents ("three" if you count Asia as a different continent and drive all the way over)?

How many people pick up a car that was specifically built for them, get escorted to an indoor garage where the car is parked, get a full 45 minute breakdown of the car from a well-dressed professional and then get a mulroney sticker with their name printed on it as the delivery recipient?

How about driving your brand new car to unlimited speeds on the most famous freeway in the world? Wanna take your new car on the ring? It'd possible and something I'd love to try next time.

pjo1966

Does BMW still provide free airfare for ED?

rockylee

I'm new to the conversation but just love the new 135i Coupe. So how much for a loaded out one ????

-Rocky

blueguydotcom

BMW has never provided free airfare. There's a program from volvo that does that.

michaellno

Does BMW still provide free airfare for ED?

If you check BMW's website, you'll see that they are offering a 2-for-1 deal with Lufthansa for airfare through the end of 2007.

Volvo does offer 2 free tickets to Sweden. A co-worker of mine took advantage of it just a few weeks ago to pick up an XC90.

shipo

The two for one deal that they are offering really isn't much of a deal. Typically you can do better on the price of two tickets just by using Expedia.

Best Regards,
Shipo

pjo1966

They were doing it three years ago when I got mine. I did not take advantage of it, but it was offered.

blueguydotcom

Free airfare? I think you're confusing the Lufthansa 2 for 1 "deal" (which isn't a deal) or it was something your dealership was doing. Hell, a smart dealer could lure people into going ED by offering rubes the ED price from the BMW website and then tossing in "free" airfare on Lufthansa (they'd only have to pay 1k for the ticker and would pocket 2-3k in profit).

Geez, more dealers should do that: low touch sale that nets major profits and doesn't hurt allocation.

angelus1

okay so say i wanna a 328i coupe and my price comes to 38k. if i do ed then they will knock off 5-6k and i will pay 32-33k for it?

shipo

It depends upon how good of a negotiator you are and which dealership you talk to. FWIW, I'm thinking that six thousand off on a $38,000 328i is a bit of a stretch, probably more like four to five thousand at the outside.

Best Regards,
Shipo

angelus1

dude, thats still pretty sweet. sweet bmw and excuse to go to europe

reason i say 328i is because i saw these pics of a 328i with m6 wheels:

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w9/Antinontoxic/1.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w9/Antinontoxic/2.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w9/Antinontoxic/3.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w9/Antinontoxic/7.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w9/Antinontoxic/5.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w9/Antinontoxic/6.jpg

michaellno

Again, looking at BMW's website for 3-series, the amount off of MSRP for ED is between $2-3K, so not quite 1% of MSRP.

Not sure where folks are getting the idea the ED is $4-6K off, unless it's for 5, 6 and 7 series.

angelus1

you bursted my bubble. oh well i will settle for a 06 g35 coupe

shipo

It's quite simple. You are looking at the ED MSRP and assuming that's the best you can do. In truth, if you shop a bit you can come away with a ~$1,200 over ED invoice deal which should net you somewhere over $4,000 in savings off of Domestic MSRP.

Best Regards,
Shipo

shipo

I just configured up a 328i Coupe (my way) and it came out to $42,400 (6-Speed Manual, Metallic Paint, PP, SP, Logic 7 and iPod). The ED Invoice price comes out to $36,640, so by adding in $1,200 for dealer profit, the sale price is $37,840. That gives you a savings of $4,560, right about in the middle of the range I stated earlier.

Best Regards,
Shipo

blueguydotcom

Never use the BMW web sit for ED pricing. That's a royal rip off. You start from ED invoice pricing, pad with a bit of dealer profit (usually 1k) and you're at 4500-6000 below MSRP. I always add on BMWCCA rebate too.

blueguydotcom

Nothing was burst. My 2006 330i had a sticker of 41.5k. I paid 35.7k for it; 36.2k without the BMWCCA rebate. The more options you add, the bigger the gulf in ED invoice v. MSRP.

shipo

Whoops! Forgot about my BMW-CCA membership discount. Thanks for the knock up side the head. ;-)

Correction, the car as configured above can be had for $37,340 (or slightly less) and that means a savings of $5,060.00 below Domestic MSRP.

Best Regards,
Shipo

michaellno

OK, I stand corrected.

Having not bought (or leased) a BMW before, I could only go on the numbers I had available to me.

So, bringing this conversation back on track, if we all think the MSRP of the 128i will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $25-28K, and the 135i between $29-33K, what do you think the invoice price (and ED price) might be?

And, can we assume that the options (and option pricing) will be similar to, if not less than, those available on the 3-series?

blueguydotcom

I'd expect similar option pricing. Drop maybe 4k off the asking price (that's including dealer profit of $1000).

michaellno

Better and better .. if I can configure a 128i to my liking (xenon and cold weather package) and keep the price around $27-28K, it might be worth it to fly to Germany and save the $4K.

We shall see.

agc2007

I think a Mini S cabrio will do just fine for me.

ateixeira

Did you see it's getting a diesel with a quick start/stop feature?

fedlawman

My daughter really thinks those Mini's are cute! When she's old enough to drive, I'll probably get her a pre-owned Mini or New Beetle.

dukenj

A new video has hit the web of the 135i in action which was released in the UK. Looks like the video is the car was that used in many of the promotional photos. If you don't mind the British accent, get some popcorn and enjoy the move.

To see the video go to this BMW 135i website

ateixeira

Cornering seems pretty flat. Impressive.

The bigger diesel sounds quick enough to be fun, yet frugal enough to be an economical commuter.

nyccarguy

I just hope the demand is great enough to keep up production for a number of years. I have absolutely NO VALID (financial) reason to part ways with my 2001 Honda Prelude Type SH.

elemoncelli

Nippon,

I don't know about you but after reading that I wanted to throw a temper tantrum a la 5 year old in a candy store. 0-60 in the low 7s and 50mpg? :surprise: I want it now! I'd be happy with coupe or sedan, but give me a 5 door hatch and shiftable automatic and I'll kiss the salesman on the lips when he hands me the keys.

cdnpinhead

You & me both. However, I don't think either of us should be holding our collective breath(s).

The first BMW or Audi that's available in the U.S. with a diesel is highly likely to be my next car. However, I'd prefer a 1 or 3 series BMW or A3/A4, and I'm betting the larger (more expensive) cars will get the diesel first, and that the 3 series will get the biggest diesel before it gets the small ones (if that ever happens). None of this will happen before next year, and it'll take a year or two before the novelty wears off and/or the bugs get worked out.

Oh well. . .