I think the 128 is going to get a reputation as a "chick car". Girls in their teens and twenties love "cute" cars. On top of it, this has the roundels on it. Goodbye Jetta...

135 is gonna be a beast. I think BMW is going to kick-start life back into this segment. I think the proportions are kinda off though.

 

1 - I think their cars are horribly overrated in almost every way. That kind of opinion normally wouldn't make me hate a company, but it does when combined with their fans. There's just too many blind everything-German wh*res EVERYWHERE who defend the company vehemently, as if it can do no wrong, and troll every other manufacturer on the way; it pisses the hell out of me. Everything about that roundel just reeks pretentiousness to me... I know it's petty (and I know not all Bimmer owners are like that), and I try to keep an open mind, but... I just don't want to be associated with those people in any way, especially if I don't even like the cars in the first place.

2 - I know it's not. I'm not saying that it's an obvious alternative to anyone considering the 135. I'm saying for me personally, there are certain things that appeal to me about a 135, but if I wanted those things, I would go with a Corvette. As far as size, if you're sitting one or two people, my guess is they'll both do it about equally well. Plus, the Corvette is in a similar weight class (possibly even lighter).

3 - If BMW makes the car that affordable, it's not just going to be for a year... they're going to be stuck with that price (or close to it) for the entire first gen of the 1-series. And yes, I am just guessing at the price, but I will bet my left nut that the 135 will be absolutely no less than about 31K.

Wow, that turned out kinda long...

 

The car will no doubt be a performer out of the box with that engine, however no matter how hard I try to like, I just can't get around the looks. The car will sell because it is a BMW and starting price should be around $30K. I don't see why not. However, I would not have one. Then again, it's whats on the inside what counts. Right?

I do see this car being the next Civic in ten or so years when it will be cheap and have a lot of aftermarket support and potential.

 

I wouldn't race one if I were you.....

The 128 is going to be decently quick....

 

No matter how hard I try to weigh the performance vs looks.. oh wow- it has the 335 motor - its stupidly ugly, but who the hell cares its not a true sports car! - I'll be laughing when I see anyone driving this.. Prepare to see this thing everywhere from your local ricer hangouts to dragstrips just like the SRT Neon...

 

got this info from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_E87

"120d, 123d and 135i Coupés' announced unladen weights (EU) are 1450, 1495, and 1560 kg, respectively (corresponding to approx. 3285 lb curb weight for 135i - 90 lb reduction from 335i Coupé)."

"For the 135i Coupe, acceleration from 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) is 5.3 seconds (per BMW) and top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h)."

 

im sorry, theres only room for one ugly fast as hell car, and that would be godzilla. im saving all my pennies to get one. im sure all the high schoolers are saving theirs for a 135.

 

so 90 lbs reduction for being beaten with the ugly stick :-).

that wont be much different performance wise, which is completly normal since cars are based on the same platform..

 

Only reason I like is because of the option for the TT motor. It's an ok looking car bigger wheels and a drop might help improve the looks/stance. Either way the car with the TT option will be quick and hurt a lot of egos and feelings. Here's what the convo will be after

Passenger: Dag that car is quick it smoked your IS350
Driver: Yea but it's ugly and a cheap bmw
Passenger: Yea ugly...cheap (rolling eyes)

 

IF it starts to sell at $34K then if I was in the market I would save up the extra 6K+ and get the 335I...more sexy potential. Especially if you drop a kit on it. There is a member that has a 335I coupe on here that already has a kit I believe; it looks SICK! Regardless of the size of the car it's got to look good! The 135I reminds me too much of the "red-headed step child" 318i. Performance will be nice though...BTW no Mugen Civic type RS; can't go back to a Honda from a Lex (no offense Honda owners).

 

A 40k 335i has nothing in it though...

 

Don't believe everything you read on wikipedia... especially when they're trying to supply information that is not supposed to be available to the public.

 

With the badge obsession these days, this car will become a success IMO.

For today's market, I think it will do better than the old 318i hatchback and c230 hatch.

 

As long as I don't walk to the back of the trunk, then I'm ok with it

 

more like a 128