BMW 135i Coupe

[LTSmash]

I saw one today at my university, opinions anyone? I honestly think it lowers the luxury appeal of BMW even more. It's BMW's 'Boxter.'

[f6fhellcat13]

I say Beemer has worse thing to woory about. Like their "x" vehicles

[Roentgen]

Yea, BMWs are getting uglier and uglier as time goes by. I think they need a new designer...

[LTSmash]

I say Beemer has worse thing to woory about. Like their "x" vehicles

Yeah, those are not that great either. The X6....seriously?

[NicFromLA]

Awesome. Awesome beyond words. My father, who drove one, told me never to drive one because it'll make me not want to drive my M6 anymore.

[Spastik_Roach]

I think they look awesome. Anyone who thinks they're lowering the appeal of BMW obviously has no idea about BMW's history, with cars like the 2002. Its just like a modern day 2002. Proportions are perfect and the performance is great.

[fisetdavid26]

I think they look awesome. Anyone who thinks they're lowering the appeal of BMW obviously has no idea about BMW's history, with cars like the 2002. Its just like a modern day 2002. Proportions are perfect and the performance is great.
I approve your post except for the awesome looks bit, it just doesn't. But yes, it's indeed BMW's modern 2002. Very good point.

[Spastik_Roach]

I dunno, I think BMW finally got their look they're going for after so many years of crap Bangled messes with it and the Z4. But its pretty controversial stuff still.

[clutch-monkey]

it still looks kinda half melted, like they left it in the microwave too long.

[Kitdy]

I think they look awesome. Anyone who thinks they're lowering the appeal of BMW obviously has no idea about BMW's history, with cars like the 2002.

That is what I first thought, then I thought some more, and how BMW was regarded currently as a prestigious brand and that the 2002 is probably not known by the average BMW buyer - it has evolved and become synonymous with luxury. No less, is the base model 3 really that special/luxurious? I actually don't have much experience with it's interior and don't know.

Ultimately, I don't see the addition of the 1-series as having a negative impact on BMW's prestige. However, maybe it will take away some of the 3-series's sales and in the end have a negative impact on BMW's bottom line.

[Spastik_Roach]

You could say the same about the base model Mercedes C-Class, probably not overly special/luxurious, or the base model of most of those European brands, you have to get into the really exclusive marques that are step above the likes of Merc and BMW before you get every car being totally luxurious etc, you know what I mean? A lot of its about the badge when you think about it, the badge is synonymous with exclusivity or at least wealth, even though when it comes down to it they're fairly common today and perhaps not overly luxurious when you're looking at the base models. But thats a whole different subject really.

BMW still have a pretty big focus on motorsport and the M3, M5 and M6 are heavily promoted halo models of the range, and its no coincidence that they are the best performance wise. I'm a little suprised they didn't stick an M badge on this car, I think it would've helped its image a little. But no doubt its prestigious, I've seen pictures of its interior and its nothing less than decadent by any standards as far as I'm concerned. But its got that BMW badge on the front and that counts for a helluva lot.

I spose we'd have to ask BMW if they intend this to be more performance or luxury focussed.

[Ferrer]

I've driven the 335i Coupé and it was brilliant.

Styling aside, the 135i may be even better.

That is what I first thought, then I thought some more, and how BMW was regarded currently as a prestigious brand and that the 2002 is probably not known by the average BMW buyer - it has evolved and become synonymous with luxury. No less, is the base model 3 really that special/luxurious? I actually don't have much experience with it's interior and don't know.

Ultimately, I don't see the addition of the 1-series as having a negative impact on BMW's prestige. However, maybe it will take away some of the 3-series's sales and in the end have a negative impact on BMW's bottom line.
The 3er is the heir of the 2002. It may have grown but it still is what BMW do best, sports saloons.

In my opinion the 1er doesn't have a negative impact on BMW because it stays true to all the traditional BMW values.

[092326001]

135i is nice but it's heavy for it's small-ish size

[LeonOfTheDead]

I saw one today at my university, opinions anyone? I honestly think it lowers the luxury appeal of BMW even more. It's BMW's 'Boxter.'

I like the Boxter, not this though


I approve your post except for the awesome looks bit, it just doesn't. But yes, it's indeed BMW's modern 2002. Very good point.

Agree


it still looks kinda half melted, like they left it in the microwave too long.

Agree

and then, it isn't very little and lightweight if compared to the 3 Series Coupe, so probably they missed the target. the idea was good though.

[ErWin76]

1 series coupe is decent looking, i just don't like the look of 3 and 5-door models.

[RacingManiac]

135i is nice but it's heavy for it's small-ish size

IMO thats the only problem with the 1(and maybe the lack of LSD). The car have the same engine as the 3(below the M model), in a tighter package, and proper brakes. And IMO in coupe form it looks decent. Probably the only beemer I'd really consider buying right now.....

[Street_Dreamer]

Hate the hatch, but really like the coupe. It's proportions are nicer, and with m-sport kit, it looks pretty good (for a bimmer). BMW should just focus on getting rid of the horrific and disgracefully pointless X3 and X6 models.

[Kitdy]

Hate the hatch, but really like the coupe. It's proportions are nicer, and with m-sport kit, it looks pretty good (for a bimmer). BMW should just focus on getting rid of the horrific and disgracefully pointless X3 and X6 models.

Why get rid of them if they sell well? I don't know that they do or not, but if they do ell well, what motivation does BMW have to do that? They are in the business of making money and if making an SUV makes money then go ahead and make it BMW. Unpleasing to purists, but the best strategy to find is ignore them - I ignore the Cayenne.

[digitalcraft]

I like the 1 series a lot. I think it's the correct direction for BMW sportiness. They should put their efforts into refining this One.

[Ferrer]

I don't understand why everyone hates the hatches but thinks the coupe is ok.

I think the hatch is bearable, but the coupe is awful.

[LeonOfTheDead]

I don't understand why everyone hates the hatches but thinks the coupe is ok.

I think the hatch is bearable, but the coupe is awful.

agree, and the cabriolet is even uglier.

[LTSmash]

You could say the same about the base model Mercedes C-Class, probably not overly special/luxurious, or the base model of most of those European brands, you have to get into the really exclusive marques that are step above the likes of Merc and BMW before you get every car being totally luxurious etc, you know what I mean? A lot of its about the badge when you think about it, the badge is synonymous with exclusivity or at least wealth, even though when it comes down to it they're fairly common today and perhaps not overly luxurious when you're looking at the base models. But thats a whole different subject really.

BMW still have a pretty big focus on motorsport and the M3, M5 and M6 are heavily promoted halo models of the range, and its no coincidence that they are the best performance wise. I'm a little suprised they didn't stick an M badge on this car, I think it would've helped its image a little. But no doubt its prestigious, I've seen pictures of its interior and its nothing less than decadent by any standards as far as I'm concerned. But its got that BMW badge on the front and that counts for a helluva lot.

I spose we'd have to ask BMW if they intend this to be more performance or luxury focussed.

You hit it spot on. I'm just making a point how they (and other 'luxury' car manufacturers) seem to be making it so their company is accessible to everyone now, and how they are not keeping that exclusivity that was once there. I understand it's about expanding their market share so they can make the bigger bucks, it's a business, but sometimes business loses sight of what their about when all that truly matters to them is high numbers and ticker price.

[Spastik_Roach]

I saw Jaguar do it with the X-type and I can't say I was overly impressed but its just a sign of the times I suppose. Lamborghini did it with the Gallardo even to a certain extent. I agree with you here, its just what they've gotta do to stay viable.

[Ferrer]

I saw Jaguar do it with the X-type and I can't say I was overly impressed but its just a sign of the times I suppose. Lamborghini did it with the Gallardo even to a certain extent. I agree with you here, its just what they've gotta do to stay viable.
And Aston with the V8.

It seems these days either you're highly specialised, or it's all about volume.

[clutch-monkey]

I don't understand why everyone hates the hatches but thinks the coupe is ok.

I think the hatch is bearable, but the coupe is awful.

i think both of them don't look that great, but the coupe looks more comical..the hatch works better imo

[f6fhellcat13]

i think both of them don't look that great, but the coupe looks more comical..the hatch works better imo

ecxacty the way I see it.

[MRR]

Not the most attractive car they have made but it is the only new BMW in a long time that I could say I really want. Small car-big straight six motor is just awesome.

[NicFromLA]

I don't understand why everyone hates the hatches but thinks the coupe is ok.

I think the hatch is bearable, but the coupe is awful.

I think the coupe looks great; it reminds me of the 2002. I actually like the looks of the four door hatch too.


agree, and the cabriolet is even uglier.

I like that too.


I saw Jaguar do it with the X-type and I can't say I was overly impressed but its just a sign of the times I suppose. Lamborghini did it with the Gallardo even to a certain extent. I agree with you here, its just what they've gotta do to stay viable.

The difference is the 1 Series (and Gallardo) are excellent cars; really as good as the big cars but small in size and smaller in engine. The X-Type however was a complete and total piece of crap.

[teatako]

agree, and the cabriolet is even uglier.

I think people like the sloped roofline of the coupe, which is more than OK until you get to the rear (I´m not saying it works with the car as a whole)
whereas the hatchback´s roofline is rather anonymous and generic. I think the front end with its manga-inspired headlights is the best looking of all current BMW´s and I seriously like it.

[Rasmus]

The car worked so much better in real life than on pics - especially from the back. It's got a sort of mean bulldog wide stance to it that really appeals to me. That the front looks like somebody took a sledge hammer and went to work on it is fairly unlucky but what the heck.

Admittedly, I almost peed me panties when I tried it. It's just that good. Definitely the 2002 of today, and definitely still on my list of must-own-cars-before-rigor-mortis-sets-in.