BMW 135i: Spring 2008 in the U.S.

[SeanFitz]

bmwusa.com now has a slick 1 series microsite. The 135i gets the 300bhp twin turbo six. It's kind of fugly, but might this not be the new purist's choice? I can't resist the siren song of the M3 V8, but this promises to be a fantastic "first" BMW....

[M3onTwomps]

Not that fugly. This thing is gonna be pretty quick.

[nusevad]

I think its gonna be hot, i wonder if they will make a M version. It be a fun DD.

[m_bazeepaymon]

Originally Posted by FifthStreetz

I think its gonna be hot, i wonder if they will make a M version. It be a fun DD.

but then they will destroy the M1... back in the days... lol

[useyourillusion]

Wasn't feelin the front before but now I like it actually. Looks very similar to the M3, cant stand that rear though, the taillights looks upside down.

[The CSL]

Say hello to the new M3.

That overweight luxo-coupe sure as heck isn't the true new M3.

You can flame me all you like, but as a car fan, I look to M to produce bench mark performance cars with the paragon of driver interactivity and the early reports really don't rate it for this.

[13eastie]

Personally I'd love to see them launch the M1 (surely they couldn't re-use THAT name?!)

But what engine would they use?

I wonder whether it would come with a LSD?

[gtr]

With all the weight incresases this car may be the real M3. The new M3 is like the old M5 and the current M5 is like M7 based on the weights. I'm thinking about backing out of my deposit for the M3.

[ILC32]

Originally Posted by FifthStreetz

I think its gonna be hot, i wonder if they will make a M version. It be a fun DD.

According to Autoweek, BMW says there will be no M verison of the 1er coupe.

While disappointing, it is no surprise. I think the 135 will already encroach on sales of the M3 among enthusiasts, since it has the tunable twin turbo motor. An M version of the car, with the motor from the E46 M3 and the M differential would be very nimble, light and yet powerful. I might very well forgo the M3 for the M1 if it was made available.

[SeanFitz]

The 135i may as well be an M car....should be stupid quick with that engine (routinely called one of the greatest engines ever in the auto press). At likely half the price (or less) of the "bloated" M3...

[Tobizach]

Mabey If 1 series sales are good a future M version may be planned? Even better would be if the 1 series became popular with some type of pro race series?

[The CSL]

It doesn't have to wear M badges. The 850CSI was a true M product, it just wasn't badged as an M-car. They could do that, but I suspect M want NA and not Turbo cars.

[nusevad]

Even tho this car might be pretty fast and nimble i dont think it can step in the M3's spotlight. It will be in a class all its own. Personally id rather choose a heavier while beefier M3

[tdc]

I absolutely love this car. I was debating whether or not to keep my 06 E46 M3 after my lease was up. But after seeing this car in person and knowing it will be coming with the N54 engine my choice was easily made.

Now, I wonder who's going to come out with a LSD first for this little rocket??

[cncmastr]

I think this is going to be great! I would love to make room for it in my garage!

[herbz]

Originally Posted by The CSL

Say hello to the new M3.

That overweight luxo-coupe sure as heck isn't the true new M3.

You can flame me all you like, but as a car fan, I look to M to produce bench mark performance cars with the paragon of driver interactivity and the early reports really don't rate it for this.

not gonna flame , in fact i agree, since when should an M3 have a V8? we can thank Audi and Lexus for basically ruining the 3 series.

at least now we'll have the 1 series, $5 grand into it and bye bye any M3, Audi or Lexus. 400whp and all that torque in a 3200lb car = see ya later.

[herbz]

Originally Posted by bimmerwithholes

you are a funny guy...who's even comparing?
you can only buy half of the M3 with 135's price...

well, the M3 will be 51k base, 135 at least 30k base, so i fail to see you point.

also, what is the point of the M3 (supposed to be a track monster) if the 135i will either match the new M3 or trounce it at the track, for thousands upon thousands cheaper.

[tdc]

The M3 stopped being a "track monster" or a "pure racebred machine" after the production on the E30 M3 stopped. That car was the only one that was designed from the beginning to be a race car and the only reason it was offered to the public was for homologation purposes.

The M3's that have come after have been mainly GT cars rather than pure track cars. It's simply doing what evolution and the market dictates.

Now, we have the 1-series with a rumoured M1 (still don't think they should use this name as it would be just plain ol' wrong) coming in a few short years. This could very well be a true successor to the original M3.

But until that time comes, I'll be blasting past quite a few people in my 135i.

[ALPINE6SPD]

R