BMW 1-Series: The Real Deal

Hopefully the car starts at a reasonable price (sub-33k). Too bad it's only a 2 door and not a more useful 4 door or 5 door.

Back end looks slightly stubby but since it is a smaller car, it'll end up like that I suppose. I do like the front end shot of the car, it looks like a little BMW go kart from that angle. Interior looks depressing right now however. Maybe the lighter colors will impress me more.

Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to my next car.
Sure, it may not be the best looking thing on the road, but it's still the only compact-sized coupe with rear wheel drive. My only questions being, much the same as everyone else, I'm sure, is the cost. Not cheap, I imagine, but affordable, maybe, hopefully. My other question is, should one opt for the 128i, will there be an available M-spec suspension like on the e36 3 series compacts?
I'll take mine in montrealblau.

I imagine a hardtop is in the works. Yeesh, is that an iDrive knob?
I like the front clip. The rear end is pure BMW styling these days.
A 300hp 1-series is rather frightening. I may have to step it up a bit.
 
Why does BMW continue to use the x28 designation for 3.0L engines? 300hp may sound like a lot, but for a 166" long car, the thing sure is porky (3200 lbs).

I haven't a clue to the logic of recent BMW model naming. In the past a 328 was a 3-Series with a 2.8L engine. Why they changed completely escapes me...

I wonder how they got the engine in there. Looks like it was either offered up from below or it was slid in without the front clip. Whatever the case, I'd sure hate to be the one to replace plugs in cylinders 5 and 6.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there used to be a 328 and a 330 that shared the same engine, but the 330 was a higher output.

Estrecka, I think it went this way. There used to be a 330i and a 325i but currently there is a 335i and a 328i. I believe thats correct.

So what is the main competition for the 1 series? Seems like BMW is making its own segment. I know the Audi A3 is simular in price but it only comes in a wagon and it certainly isnt available with 300hp.

hondacura4, you are close!
 
The 2001-2005 (Sedan)/2006 (Coupe) E46 3 Series all used the M54 3.0-liter inline-6. That's right, folks. The 325s and 330s had the exact same engine. Key differences include their intakes and their DME (what most of us know as the ECU) programming. A good number of 325s also got the M56 3.0-liter ULEV engine (this was a huge headache at BMW service departments for emissions-related CELs BMW couldn't figure out a fix for).
 
The 2006 E90 3 Series Sedan all had the N52 engine (say good-bye to the ol' dipstick!) regardless of whether they were 325s or 330s. MY2007 3 Series Coupes, Sedans, and Wagons with the "328" designation all use the N52N motor (as far as I know). 335 models now use the twin-turbo N54 motor.

I believe there was also a 323 and a 328 in the e46 series, the former being powered by a 2.5l because BMW at the time didn't think there was enough delineation between the sensible names of 325 and 328.
 
Of course, BMW's history of abandoning sensible naming conventions goes back to the 2.7l "eta" motor in the e30 bodied 325e.

Oh yeah. This not new. It's still nutty nonetheless—and VERY confusing.

7driver, the E36 and E46 323s and 328s used the same M52 engine. In "323" form, the displacement was 2.5-liters, but in "328" form, it was 2.8-liters.
 
http://www.bmwworld.com/engines/m52.htm

Looks a little oddly proportioned but that won't matter if it drives nicely.

let me sum this up: I CALL DIBS!!!

Where are the hatches?!? I skimmed the press release; WOW, this is not a cheapened up 3 series! I love the orange too! I wanna know the EPA ratings on the 128. Is BMW planning to consider other body styles in the future, namely hatches?

That's what I was considering, the hatchback. It's already on sale in other countries now. It could easily beat the A3.