Topic: BMW 1 Series

[evil_twin]

2nd Place: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR
Stunning dual transmission and track performance offset by everyday liveability woes. The more things change...[/b]

(sigh)... the AWD (all-season) 4-door with what should be a normal-sized trunk, is offset by everyday liveability woes.

I think what I really need is a 335i sedan priced at a 328i level.   

Check out BMW.ca and look at the Spring Drive discounts they're offering now Jeff.  2.00% lease rates on ALL 3 sedans (not just the 328i).  Or, if you have a sudden influx of cash, they'll give you $4k off a cash purchase.

That's a pretty solid deal.

[DriverJeff]

2nd Place: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR
Stunning dual transmission and track performance offset by everyday liveability woes. The more things change...[/b]

(sigh)... the AWD (all-season) 4-door with what should be a normal-sized trunk, is offset by everyday liveability woes.

I think what I really need is a 335i sedan priced at a 328i level.   

Check out BMW.ca and look at the Spring Drive discounts they're offering now Jeff.  2.00% lease rates on ALL 3 sedans (not just the 328i).  Or, if you have a sudden influx of cash, they'll give you $4k off a cash purchase.

That's a pretty solid deal.

Oh believe me... I've been on BMW.ca more lately than in my own email.  A 335 even with those great rates is still above my self-imposed cap.  The 328i though... fits right nicely...  Ran a CCC report on it last night and discovered they've got nearly $4k in play room on those things too.     I'm off to Budds' tomorrow night for the 1-series / M3 / X6 launch event party -- I'll talk some numbers then with a salesperson and see how things fly.  The biggest hinderance right now will be finding someone to take the MX-5's lease over.... well, that and the fear that I'll constantly wish I'd waited until the 1-series rates dropped enough to make a 135i fit in the budget.   

You can build a 1-series on the BMW site now.  Even a 128i with a sport pkg works out more than a 328i right now.  Yowsa!

BTW, I hear Dave's going to be the last brother to hit the 300(hp) club with the G37 hittin' the family this weekend, eh?

[evil_twin]

That's right, older brother #2 took delivery of his new black on black G37 M6 coupe yesterday or today I believe.

Got a pretty sweet lease on it as well I believe...but can't remember the exact figures.

To combat these challenges to my 300-hp supremecy, I'm henceforth forming the "USA 8-cylinders and up" Club.  Let them have their expertly engineered 6 cylinder imports....pony power, Jeff.

BORLA

USA

A-OKAY

[Julie]

Dave, congratulations on your gorgeous LeMans blue 135i! That's the most beautiful color I've seen... in any car for that matter. I didn't think you could get it here.

[Julie]

I'm off to Budds' tomorrow night for the 1-series / M3 / X6 launch event party -- I'll talk some numbers then with a salesperson and see how things fly.  The biggest hinderance right now will be finding someone to take the MX-5's lease over.... well, that and the fear that I'll constantly wish I'd waited until the 1-series rates dropped enough to make a 135i fit in the budget.   

Sounds like a tough decision. Either car would be awesome. Which do you really, really like better? (328 or 135). If it's the 135, maybe it's worth waiting for... (or scrap the self-imposed limit, hehe )

[dave]

Dave, congratulations on your gorgeous LeMans blue 135i! That's the most beautiful color I've seen... in any car for that matter. I didn't think you could get it here.

Thanks Julie.  I'm very excited.  The LeMans blue is only offered in Canada on Europe on the 135i equiped with the M Sport Package.  The US doesn't get it for some reason.

GD, I got the invite to the M3/X6/1 series par-tay as well.  The Waterloo event is on May 2nd...around the time I'll pickup my 135i.  The car is in Halifax now, should be in Toronto by early next week and in my greedy hands by the end of next week.  I'll post pics.

GD, the 328i sedan and 1 series are very different beasts.  If you need something practical (Mrs. Dwarf looked pretty comfy with that baby girl a couple fridays ago  ) go for the 328i sedan.  What's the rush anyways?  How old is the MX-5 now, anyways?

[ovr50]

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2008-bmw-135i-vs-335i-review/

Here ya go, Jeff (GD) - those fun-loving gear heads at TTAC prefer the 3 over the 1er. No need to be envious and fret. Just get in the TTAC feeling. 

[DriverJeff]

"The 135i never flatters the driver; it darts around like a fat, over-caffeinated cheerleader."   

Ovr, the problem is, the 335 isn't just $4k more here... and when even the 135i pushes beyond the budget limitations, a 335i is miles away.  The 328i however, does fit.  But again, it's not even the coupe, it's the homelier sedan sister that I'd go for (insurance and practicality reasons).  (sigh)... Ahh well, it was mostly just day dreams to get me through the usual work-laden drudgery here in the office.

But Dave, you can take your common sense and fiscally-sound suggestions and cram them with walnuts.  This forum is no place for good, financial advice -- it's for tempting and prodding people into wasting money on cars as frequently as possible.   You know, in reality, Ovr50 is only 35 years old and we've already convinced him to go through more than 50 cars!   

[dave]

But Dave, you can take your common sense and fiscally-sound suggestions and cram them with walnuts.  This forum is no place for good, financial advice -- it's for tempting and prodding people into wasting money on cars as frequently as possible. 

You're preachin' to the choir!  I just bought a 135i no sooner than a day after I paid off my RSX.  That's what I call an impractical financial bombshell!   

[dave]

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2008-bmw-135i-vs-335i-review/

Here ya go, Jeff (GD) - those fun-loving gear heads at TTAC prefer the 3 over the 1er. No need to be envious and fret. Just get in the TTAC feeling. 

I just read the article...a $4k difference?!  Please.  In reality it's more like a $10k difference which is not "a few extra bucks" as the author so lightly put it. 

No doubt in my mind that I would rather a 335i...but the 135i is only really comparable to a 328i coupe in terms of the price tag. 

An interesting comparison for someone who can afford a 335i but is considering a 135i.

[ovr50]

GC - "Ovr50 is only 35 years old and we've already convinced him to go through more than 50 cars!"  

Yep, and I have a bridge I wish to dispose of, so can we talk sales?

As you gentlemen all know, taking the poison-pen rants of TTAC too seriously can lead to severe brain damage for anyone who really likes cars. I really believe about 2% of what they say.

As to the pricing differences, I suspect TTAC is using US pricing, with a fair amount of "artistic license" thrown in.

I posted the piece in jest, mostly.

Carry on, troops. 

[evil_twin]

The difference in pricing from 1 to the 3 in the US is less severe than in Canada...so I can definitely see the argument for stepping up if you're south of border.  The $10k difference in Canada is nothing to sneeze at.  I think car rag writers (not just TTAC) are often guilty of ignoring price differences in their car comparisons with justifications like "it's only an extra $100/month!".  Yet these guys all drive Accords in real life.

I dunno...I certainly like the looks of the 3 better, but the smaller packaging of the 1 really appeals to me in my situation (no wife, no kids, no dog).  Having said that,  they're starting to offer some nice deals on the 3 coupe.  By next spring, I bet I could negotiate a pretty sweet deal on a 335i.  Especially with a "refresh" coming in 2010.

[DriverJeff]

You guys are getting me a black 335i for a wedding present, right?

1/18th scale? 

***

Re:  TTAC, their MX-5 article is pretty accurate.  Maybe they really DO have a point.  I mean, they were right about appearance of the 1-series (oops... there's that jealousy coming through again). 

[dave]

You guys are getting me a black 335i for a wedding present, right?

1/18th scale? 

***

Re:  TTAC, their MX-5 article is pretty accurate.  Maybe they really DO have a point.  I mean, they were right about appearance of the 1-series (oops... there's that jealousy coming through again). 

You just lost yourself a ride mister.   

[safristi]

"The 135i never flatters the driver; it darts around like a fat, over-caffeinated cheerleader."   
...

   I can't see the Dartboard let alone the BAR........... ....

[dave]

Here is another perspective: 2002 M3 vs. 2008 335i vs. 2008 BMW 135i (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=125908#28)

When you compare hard numbers, you'll find that the 2002 BMW M3, 2008 BMW 135i and 2008 BMW 335i are separated by only 0.35 second on the road course, a small 0.4-second gap between all three in the quarter-mile, and a 0.01g margin on the skid pad, while they register a dead heat in braking. It could be argued that it's futile to draw conclusions from these nearly identical results. And this is exactly why we put words between the numbers.

The decision, then, is down to price, feature content, our subjective evaluation and our personal and recommended picks — that is, which cars we'd pick for ourselves and recommend to someone shopping in the segment.

It's in these tiny details where the real hair-splitting gets done. It's in these details that we realize how far BMW has come between its E46 and more recent E87 and E90 platforms. It's here that we find ourselves in awe of the new 3.0-liter turbo engine's ability to be turbine smooth and locomotive powerful. It's here that we learn to respect a chassis with high dynamic limits and smooth-riding comfort. And it's here that, on this occasion, it's impossible to choose between the razor-sharp M3 and the docile-yet-quick 135i.

[initial_D]

A 6 years old can still finish atop of two new models speaks volume about its capability, not too mention it still looks HOT!

[DriverJeff]

A 6 years old can still finish atop of two new models speaks volume about its capability, not too mention it still looks HOT!

Indeed... but it was only what? two years ago when BMW was still peddling the e46 M3?  And what was the cost on that?  I pity anyone who bought an '06 M3 now -- can't imagine they'll hold their resale very well.  It does look good still though.

[dave]

A 6 years old can still finish atop of two new models speaks volume about its capability, not too mention it still looks HOT!

Indeed... but it was only what? two years ago when BMW was still peddling the e46 M3?  And what was the cost on that?  I pity anyone who bought an '06 M3 now -- can't imagine they'll hold their resale very well.  It does look good still though.

The e46 M3 is definitely a looker...probably my favorite of the three.  It's interesting to see how much the certified series M3s are still going for:

2004 with 50,000 km - $45k
2005 with 50,000 km - $51k
2006 with 14,000 km - $62k

The 2008 135i goes for $42k and the 2008 335i for $52k.  It would be hard to justify the 2 year old used car for that much more money.

[DriverJeff]

A 6 years old can still finish atop of two new models speaks volume about its capability, not too mention it still looks HOT!

Indeed... but it was only what? two years ago when BMW was still peddling the e46 M3?  And what was the cost on that?  I pity anyone who bought an '06 M3 now -- can't imagine they'll hold their resale very well.  It does look good still though.

The e46 M3 is definitely a looker...probably my favorite of the three.  It's interesting to see how much the certified series M3s are still going for:

2004 with 50,000 km - $45k
2005 with 50,000 km - $51k
2006 with 14,000 km - $62k

The 2008 135i goes for $42k and the 2008 335i for $52k.  It would be hard to justify the 2 year old used car for that much more money.

Although finance rates on the CPO car will be more attractive than on the 135i -- it'll make the gap not QUITE as huge.  The 335i though has those very attractive lease rates right now.