BMW 1-Series

shipo

"...the whole operation took 20 minutes max, and that included setting the gaps."

He-he, apparently you never changed the plugs on an old 440 Charger or a V12 E-Type. The plugs were good for maybe 7,500 miles (if you happened to get the heat range correct for the exact weather and type of driving that you were in and doing) and could take an hour or two (or even more on the Jag) to change. Then there were the busted knuckles to contend with, ask me how I know. I always pitied the Catholic mechanics that I knew, they always had to go to confession after doing a tune-up on one of those beasts. :P

Best Regards,
Shipo

ateixeira

These are a pain.

I just bought my first vehicle with one of these, and what a pain in the neck! :mad:

Took twice as long as an oil change would with a spin-off one. Required several tools, too. One visit to Advance Auto Parts and then a 2nd to NAPA. :sick:

2 days later I was done. LOL

Also, instead of one seal there are probably 4 that could potentially leak if you mess it up.

shipo

Hmmm, that's interesting. I've had three cars from two different manufacturers that had cartridge filters, and one (my 1995 VR6 Passat GLX) was the worst abomination of a filter assembly that I can ever imagine, the filter arrangement on the other two (my BMWs) however, is so far superior to any spin-on filter that I've ever had that I absolutely prefer that style over any spin-on arrangement. As far as tools and seals go, the BMW style cartridge has a large molded in hex head that is easily removed by any number of different tools, however, a large socket is the preferred method and has but a single large "O" ring that is a piece of cake to replace.

Best Regards,
Shipo

ateixeira

I needed a filter wrench (two of them, the 2nd stronger), a 3/8" drive, and there are 2 O-rings I had to change. You toss out the filter element, 2 O rings, a disposable drain, and have to clean out the old oil anyway.

Not much material savings there.

cdnpinhead

Yeah, you're right, I was spoiled.

My MG engine was as simple to work on as a Briggs & Stratton lawnmower engine. Then I went to Datsun motors, in-line 4's or 6's which were equally straightforward.

Them were the days.

flightnurse

I was VERY lucky to have been able to sit in a pre-production 128i here in PHX. I have to say is WOW, looks just like a 3 Series on the inside, the outside looks great too, I was hoping that BMW would have had a lower base pride for the 128i coupe. I was told the dealers can not place orders for the 128 as of yet, in fact BMW hasn't told the dealers when they can. I'm seriously thinking about getting a 128i coupe, I love the new twin turbo 3 liter, but I cant justify the price for the 135i.

Has anyone else been able to see a 128 in person ?

tony

andys120

I saw the same one you did and I have to admit I'm a bit underwhelmed., possibly because I happened to see a Montego Blue 335i Coupe on the way in. The 335 Coupe is IMO one of the best looking Bimmers ever and certainly the nicest in production today. By contrast the proportions of the 128i were kinda odd and despite the amount of attention BMW is giving it Sedona Red isn't a great color for the car.

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't awful or ugly and from what I could see outside the car the interior looked great. I will certainly look forward to seeing a convertible which should be nicer looking and which I'd prefer anyway just because it's topless.

ateixeira

The 3 series interior doesn't impress me, so that's not saying much.

Still, that's hardly the point of this car...

flightnurse

Intersting comment, remember one thing, we ALL have opnions I like the interior of the 3 Series.

ateixeira

I can accept that.

Compared to its peers, I feel it's cold and stark. iDrive doesn't help it any, IMO.

shipo

FWIW, iDrive is optional on the 3-Series and based upon the comments from owners, most that have it love it.

As for not liking the interior due to it being cold and stark, I much prefer that over the frilly interiors of much of the competition.

Best Regards,
Shipo

ateixeira

I dunno, this is inoffensive, but there's just no design flair.

I'd kick this interior out of bed for the box of crackers.

shipo

I am very much a devotee of the concept of "form following function", and as a general rule, BMW interiors function exceedingly well, especially compared tarted up Lexi and such.

Best Regards,
Shipo

andys120

iDrive doesn't help it any, IMO

I agree, I'd never order a 3er w i-Drive because I flat hate the double hump of the dash that accompanies it. I'm pleased to see that i-Drive equipped 1ers have a pop-up screen instead. I'll be able to decide whether to include that option based on it's merits if I buy a One Series, rather than having to reject it because it's an aesthetic mess..

ateixeira

I agree a pop-up screen would be an improvement.

I actually liked the outgoing 3 series interior a bit better, though.

louiswei

I'll trade in my IS350 in a nano second for a 335i if BMW would get rid of that awful interior (The E46's is much better). Totally no flow what so ever.

Also, they (as in all Germans) need to stop charging extra for real leathers.

Last but not least, I know it's BMW traditional to have the boring looking gauges but come on, we are already 8 years into the 21st century, can't they at least replace it with self-illuminated ones? Red has to go too...

andys120

Red has to go too..

There's a practical reason for illuminating guages with red, that's the part of the spectrum that has the least effect on night vision. For that reason red is favored for lighting aircraft instruments and submarine interiors.

Also, they (as in all Germans) need to stop charging extra for real leathers.

The Germans are hardly alone in charging extra for leather, try to buy a Ford without paying extra for leather. At least the Gers use good leather.

ateixeira

I'm not sure I agree with that, some folks don't want real leather (ask PETA members) and some leatherette is of very good quality. So I'm OK with that.

shipo

PETA? You mean People Eating Tasty Animals? Why would they care if I wanted to park my butt on real leather?

Best Regards,
Shipo

nyccarguy

We've got leatherette in my wife's '07 X3 3.0siA. While I'll be the first to admit it isn't as soft as the leather in my Mom's (non-SP) '05 530iA or my Dad's '07 X5 3.0si (SP), it gets the job done, looks nice enough, is comfortable, and durable. We leased our X3. When the lease is up, I'd seriously consider a diesel powered X3 as our next vehicle to buy. I'd get it with the leatherette. If I were to get a 128i, I'd get it with leatherette. I'll save the almost $1500 BMW charges for leather.

ateixeira

louiswei

I'll save the almost $1500 BMW charges for leather.

Exactly.

What if you can save the same $1,500 and get real leather? Would you still go for the leatherette?

blueguydotcom

Yes, I would. I've owned two bimmers with leather. It's not worth it. The leatherette fits my lifestyle better - durable, easy maintenance and included in the price of the car.

nyccarguy

Yes I'd still opt NOT to get the leather.

fedlawman

Add my vote for the pleather...

venture

Me too - I think. :confuse:

I was at my dealers yesterday getting the coolant changed. While walking around the showroom floor it was very, very difficult to tell the difference between the two.

Side by side might be a little easier; I don't know.

What's it like to sit on the leatherette for hours on end?

fedlawman

"What's it like to sit on the leatherette for hours on end?"

I can't tell the difference. Then again, as a general rule, I wear clothing while I drive...

ateixeira

It's the days where you wear shorts and the back of your legs get sweaty because the vinyl doesn't "breathe".

Perforated helps somewhat.

blueguydotcom

Never have that issue with my ette. Or with leather and I wear shorts about 50% of the year.

ateixeira

For me it's usually going to the pool and back.

I guess I don't wear those knee-length shorts that skateboarders wear, though.

venture

...as a general rule, I wear clothing while I drive...

heh heh. That's pretty good.

dhanley

"Then again, as a general rule, I wear clothing while I drive..."

Bor-ing!

ateixeira

Reminds me of that C-class commercial where the guy runs around in his birthday suit.

venture

on the BMWUSA web site now. It's slow and a little clunky, but available.

Maybe it's all the people having a look.

shirac

My experience with trying to order a 1 series is as follows. The sales person says that we can pre-order the car with a 1000 deposit. But there is no guarantee when we get the car because supposedly they get allocated a certain number of cars. For example he said there are 30 folks that have ordered a 1 series at MSRP and have placed 1000 deposit. When the dealer gets allocations, each of those pre-ordered cars will get first dibs but it may only be 10 per month. So he basically said if I order a car today, in 4 months the 1 series will arrive, but if the dealer gets allocated only 10 cars per month I may wait up to 7 months to even get teh car. Does that sound right or do i have it all confused?

blueguydotcom

Yep. Dealers are getting allocations that are limited just like a 6 series and M cars.

flightnurse

I wanted one until I got the same line form 3 of he BMW dealers in town, so I'm just going to sit back and wait, I'm sure they well sell the cars for more then MSRP... Only the really stupid people well get one now..

fedlawman

"Only the really stupid people well get one now.."

Better to wait until the 2009 model year anyways. There's a saying pilots have...

"Never fly the 'A' model of anything."

ivan_99

What's really new on it anyway?

Doesn't it share almost everything with the 3?

fedlawman

According to wikipedia (for what it's worth):

"the (1-series) is built on its own platform (E87), however, it shares many components with the E90 3 Series. These include MacPherson struts in the front of the car, and a trapezoidal-link rear axle. BMW has stated that it shares over 60% of components with the current BMW 3 Series E90."

qbrozen

Plus, hasn't the 1 been available overseas for some time now?

nyccarguy

some time and consideration futzing around on BMWUSA's new webiste (which I like BTW) I have built my One(s). Of course with the Prelude running strong about to hit the 90K mark, the fact that I've got to buy a house and send my 15 month old to Nursery School next year my next vehicle purchase will be at least 5 years away.

128i
Alpine White/Black Leatherette/6-Speed Stick
Sport Package/ Xenon Lights/Heated Seats/Sirius/Ipod Adap
MSRP $32,870 <-------------Not Too Bad

135i
Alpine White/Black Leatherette/6-Speed Stick
Sport Package/Heated Seats/Sirius/Ipod Adap
MSRP $38,170 <-------------------- If I could swing ED, 2 Turbos & 300 hp would be SWEET!

ivan_99

I think it has but only in hatch...though not in 135 and 128 engines; I think the 130 is the only 6...a bunch of 4cyl and diesels...118, 120, 123d...etc.

I believe most manufactures stagger the release of major components...new cars with older engines...then newer engines...then trannies...etc.

Spreads out the "pain" of new model introduction (and gives better reliability stats)

qbrozen

well, body style shouldn't matter much if everything underneath is the same. As for the engines, you are right that the dual turbo setup is still relatively new, but if I'm not mistaken, the "28" engine is the same old same old from years past.

In any case, I think the 128, at least, probably shouldn't carry that "first year" stigma.

dhanley

Yes, the "2.8L" is really the same engine as the "3.0" and the "2.5L". They're all 3.0L engines in reality, in various states of detuning in the smaller size guises. So, that engine is pretty well debugged.

ivan_99

"...probably shouldn't carry that "first year" stigma"

yup...that was the point I was originally making :shades:

qbrozen

yes, I was just trying to clarify for fedlawman since his comment about "first year" stemmed our mini discussion.

fedlawman

I'm following you. I mostly agree that the 1-series should be OK since the hatchback has been around for a couple years.

I would still caution however that many parts are new to the Coupe, and little new model teething problems like squeaks, rattles, and trim problems could surface.

qbrozen

hmmm.. ok. fair enough.

fedlawman

BTW, the BMWUSA website "build your own" seems to be working more smoothly now. I went ahead and built a 135i the way I would buy it...

You know, even though the "base price" is a very reasonable $34,900, I found that after I included the features I want to make it "well equipped" to my standards, I discovered that the MSRP was.............$34,900. Crimson Red exterior with Black leatherette interior and silver interior trim. I'd probably opt for the no cost 17" wheel "upgrade" too.

P.S. If money were no object, I would spring for the Sparkling Graphite exterior with Coral Red Boston Leather interior




It's a fantastic combination of color/trim that I've come to favor...