Jacobs wasn't kidding when he said that the 1 Series still attracts attention. Just the other day I stopped to hit an ATM and as I was returning to the car I noticed a big work truck from a concrete cutting company pulled up next to it. The grizzled old guy in the passenger seat took a long look and gave it a thumbs up. Probably not the crowd BMW was aiming for, but hey a compliment is a compliment.
Then just this morning, I stopped to grab a cup of coffee at the local donut shop. As I was coming out there were two older guys, maybe early 70s or so checking it out. They asked me all the usual questions about the engine and price. Then one of them said, "I would definitely buy that car, neat stuff," before driving away in his Boxster.
And me? Not into the styling, but I can't argue with the way it drives.
Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor @ 13,104 miles
ddoouugg says:
09:23 PM, 11/25/08
So how does a 135i stack up against a Boxster?
huyracing says:
12:01 AM, 11/26/08
135i kicks the Boxster's arse if you consider price... it'd still be interesting to see how it would stack up to a Cayman S. (hardtop vs hardtop)
i do smell a shootout between the 135i and the 370Z though, considering they're both in the same price point and similar in performance. doo eeet!
sgude says:
04:43 AM, 11/26/08
Old guys are this car's target market -- they're the only ones who can afford it!
No seriously, I don't believe all old people want Caddilacs and Buicks. Some retain their enthusiasm throughout their lives. One of the coolest times I ever had with my paternal grandma was when she made me take her for a ride in my '73 240Z. And she got on me about my poor shifting!
ddoouugg says:
07:08 AM, 11/26/08
Fifth Gear Cayman vs 135i
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3comQxPNWI
stingray454 says:
07:52 AM, 11/26/08
"No seriously, I don't believe all old people want Caddilacs and Buicks. "
I'm young, and I want a Cadillac: A CTS-V :D
As nice driving as the 135 is, I still can't see paying north of $40k for one. I immediately start thinking what else I could buy for that price, and the list is long.
sgude says:
08:21 AM, 11/26/08
My bad for misspelling Cadillac in my previous post -- and I *thought* I checked it!
I find the 1-Series a throwback, style-wise, to the boxy E30 3-Series, which people loved. However, there are clear differences: the limited glass area (the E30 was great for its all-around sightlines); weight and the loss of the E30's tossable nature. The 1-Series is good, no doubt, but it definitely a more dense and measured drive than the E30.
1speedbike says:
10:53 AM, 11/26/08
i own the car and i still get lots of attention. from everyone.. old, young, men, women. i pulled into stop & shop the other day and this guy driving an old c-class wouldn't stop talking to me about it (about stuff i already knew anyway!) i've heard a lot of insults thrown at this car, but its still an eye-catcher, and it's incredibly fun to drive.
dougtheeng says:
06:04 AM, 11/27/08
I think BMW has a much wider ranger of buyers then most people think....especially thanks to their low lease rates.
hondacura4 says:
07:51 AM, 11/27/08
"As nice driving as the 135 is, I still can't see paying north of $40k for one. I immediately start thinking what else I could buy for that price, and the list is long."
Base price for a 135i is $36,900. You just have to be very cautions when it comes to options. Im certainly not suggesting the 1 is cheap by any means although using BMW's website, a 135i 6MT equipped that way I prefer would be $39,500! Id easily pick the 135i over the STi or EVO as the build quality/refinement alone are in totally different demensions.
If Im going to pay $40-45K Id skip the 1 and get a 6MT 335i Sport coupe or a 6MT G37S coupe.
canyondrive says:
07:45 PM, 11/29/08
I was hoping that these things don't get any attention, since that's what I wanted next.
I wonder if it's the color, too. A little orange BMW.
I'm not sure if BMW USA really wanted to go this route. A lot people in America want small premium cars, but as soon as you start selling those you will dilute the brand and revenue. Although I'd say packing 3.0TT is a pretty good excuse for charging over 40k OTD for such a little thing.