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      08-30-2007, 10:14 AM   #1
Big Red One
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Thumbs up Up Close And Personal with BMW 135i coupe (@ BMW Experience Event)

Up-close and personal with the upcoming BMW 1-Series

Words and images by Tom "theroyalwe" Davis


At the BMW Experience event, my group of BMW Center personnel was treated to a few very special new vehicles. The one of the most interest to me was the upcoming 1-Series. This special event marked the first time the 1 had been brought to the US. Even better, it will be coming to the US as only a coupe and convertible!

Now, it is important to note that, had I been at one of the earlier venues for this event, I would have had to turn in my camera and cell phone because this car had not yet been released to the press. Onward...




Attachment 1597


There it is, the 135i Coupe. This car is going to turn the BMW world upside down next year! We didn't get the chance to drive the car, but we were allowed to crawl around inside and generally violate the pre-production prototype.

First, lets talk about the exterior. One thing you see brought up in all of the press material is how the upright grill and long hood accentuate the power coming from the engine.



Attachment 1598


It's true. The 1-Series will come to the US with two of the best engines ever produced by the boys in Munich. The model on display was the 135i, but I want to take a second to discuss the 128i.

As the 'entry' model, the 128i will be priced very competitively and, at 230hp, it will be no slouch. Let's put it this way: It wasn't until 2004 or so that the 330i, the top model of the 3-Series, had this much horsepower. This high tech mill features Dual VANOS and Valvetronic technologies, which will provide excellent torque across the powerband and impressive fuel economy for the amount of power.

The 128i will not have the M-tech aerodynamic kit, but it will certainly get the brilliant suspension and bodywork that will surely be the 1's trademark.

Onto the 135i. With 300hp and 300 ft-lbs of torque you can expect this car to be an absolute rocket. I'll even go so far as to say that a slightly tweaked 135i should be able to keep up with the upcoming M3!



Attachment 1599


Attachment 1600



Here you can clearly see the BMW DNA in the rear-end. It's smooth and muscular with high shoulders and sharp creases. In person, the car truly looks like it's moving while standing still.


Attachment 1601


Attachment 1602


Attachment 1603



Did I mention we were able to crawl around inside? The first thing that struck me was how similar it is to the 3-Series. The interior is unmistakably BMW.



Attachment 1604


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The pre-production model on display was Jet Black with the fantastic Lemon interior. I really hope this option carries over as Lemon is currently only available on the 3-Series sedan here in the US.


Attachment 1607


Attachment 1608


Attachment 1609



This cracked me up a bit. Did I mention the display car was pre-production?


Attachment 1610




In the interior department, it's about on-par with the E46 3-Series. I was able to sit comfortably in the back seat with enough room for another adult to squeeze in the front seat. I wouldn't want to do it all the time, but I'm 6'4" so those of average height shouldn't find it too difficult to fit four people.


Attachment 1611



What about trunk space? Obviously, it's not as large as the 3-Series, but it isn't too bad either. Keep in mind I drive a MINI, so this is enormous in comparison.


Attachment 1612




While the trunk was open I decided to peek under the floor. Guess what I found?


Attachment 1613



In there with the battery is a First Aid kit which has been borrowed from the BMW parts bin. My guess is that the next time you see something like this it will be re-badged.

All in all, this car is nothing short of fantastic. I fully expect the demand for these amazing little cars to exceed production capacity for the next few years. Thanks BMW, you've really brought the spirit of the 2002 back to us. Affordable performance with a Roundel attached? Crazy!

Attachment 1618

Enjoy.
http://www.motoringunderground.com/f...ead.php?t=7843
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      08-30-2007, 10:19 AM   #2
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Good write-up and photos!
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      08-30-2007, 10:31 AM   #3
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2010 135i Coupe  [5.26]
Great write-up! Funny thing, I had noticed in prior pictures of the interior it was missing the MPG needle... this one has it. Black looks awesome and the rims are waaaaay better than the 5 stars shown in previous photos.
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      08-30-2007, 10:39 AM   #4
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Black and lemon does look awesome, but I don;t care for the rims. I'm a classic 5 spoke guy.
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      08-30-2007, 10:46 AM   #5
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Finally some new fodder
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      08-30-2007, 10:50 AM   #6
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I'm not a BMW guy but a battery in the back will make installing subs/amps a BREEZE! Although I'm wary of not having a spare >_< (I'd toss the runflats asap)
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      08-30-2007, 10:56 AM   #7
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Quote:
In the interior department, it's about on-par with the E46 3-Series. I was able to sit comfortably in the back seat with enough room for another adult to squeeze in the front seat. I wouldn't want to do it all the time, but I'm 6'4" so those of average height shouldn't find it too difficult to fit four people.
This is encouraging
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      08-30-2007, 10:59 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by othercaracobra View Post
Black and lemon does look awesome, but I don;t care for the rims. I'm a classic 5 spoke guy.
+1 on it all.

i think i'm gonna go for jet black this time.
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      08-30-2007, 11:00 AM   #9
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Anxious for the 1

:wub: Every time I see some more live pictures (non studio photos), I get all excited and anxious for the 1er to be delivered to the US. I am like a kid waiting for Christmas when he knows that he is going to be getting something that he has wanted for a very long time.

It is the waiting that just sucks......

It will make taking delivery that much more special.

Seeing that Lemon in the black is making me think again about my first choice of red/black or even black/red.
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      08-30-2007, 11:08 AM   #10
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I wonder if those wheels on the pics are 17s or 18s.... ??
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      08-30-2007, 11:12 AM   #11
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Very Nice!

Black Sapphire and Lemon looks good!
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      08-30-2007, 11:16 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by TheUltimateDriver View Post
Very Nice!

Black Sapphire and Lemon looks good!
the writer said it was jet black. i can't tell the difference because i've never seen them side by side.
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      08-30-2007, 11:22 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joelk View Post
the writer said it was jet black. i can't tell the difference because i've never seen them side by side.

Yes, I saw that, but looks like it has metallic in judging from the pics.
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      08-30-2007, 11:41 AM   #14
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I'm completely sold
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      08-30-2007, 11:49 AM   #15
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Just to clarify - I didn't do the writeup. Just found it and posted it.
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      08-30-2007, 11:51 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheUltimateDriver View Post
Yes, I saw that, but looks like it has metallic in judging from the pics.
hmmm well whatever color it is, i want it!
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      08-30-2007, 12:00 PM   #17
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Incidentally, there's a link to a discussion thread at the end of the writeup. The writeup author is answering questions, so you may want to go over and register.

The price question was (predictably) asked. Answer: "around 36k" for the 135i, "26-28(k) to start" for the 128i.
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      08-30-2007, 12:22 PM   #18
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      08-30-2007, 12:36 PM   #19
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From the poster (theroyalwe) "I expect the 135 to be around 36k. the 128 will probably be anywhere from 26-28 to start. They have to price it just higher than the MINI but not so high that it eats into 3 sales."

Opps... Big Red One beat me to it.
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      08-30-2007, 12:59 PM   #20
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Nice! I can't figure out what rims those are...
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      08-30-2007, 01:10 PM   #21
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Quote:
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Nice! I can't figure out what rims those are...

Whatever they are, I am not liking them.
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      08-30-2007, 01:32 PM   #22
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the AIRBAG disclosure is too funny
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