Up Close And Personal with BMW 135i coupe (@ BMW Experience Event)

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by blackjoker

See, I would pay for an M-Package for the interior. I don't mind that.

So you'd pay extra for little M logos all over without any real driving enhancements? I hate to break it to you but most M buyers are probably not very concerned with the interior.

[tommy]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

So you'd pay extra for little M logos all over without any real driving enhancements? I hate to break it to you but most M buyers are probably not very concerned with the interior.

Why does BMW keep making the M3 more luxurious, then? They're not idiots - M buyers, on the whole, want both sport and luxury (a little too much plush, imho, and getting worse - but that's for another thread), and BMW wouldn't be going down this path without feedback from buyers. In fact, this trend is at least partially responsible for making the 1 series possible.

[joelk]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

So you'd pay extra for little M logos all over without any real driving enhancements? I hate to break it to you but most M buyers are probably not very concerned with the interior.

+1 and they better not be with the interior of the new M3! talk about boring. (for the price)

if the M-bits were substantive upgrades (padding/support/looked super cool) then maybe ... but if it's just M-logos all over the place I'll pass.

[adc]

Originally Posted by blackjoker

I want the M sport interior. It makes the car that much cooler and special. That standard steering wheel in the car in the pics is very boring, sorry.

Don't worry, you'll be able to buy the parts and install them yourself. An M Sport steering wheels goes for around $400, the interior trim $500 or so, ///M door sills around $300, etc.

The only things that can be prohibitively expensive to retrofit are the special seat coverings (leather/cloth, pure cloth) and the anthracite headliner. You'd probably spend over $1500 for the seat coverings and at least $1000 for the headliner, minus labor.

I've priced some of these things for my E92 and decided it wasn't worth it. I have Coral Red leather in the 335 and if they will offer it on the 135i, I'll take it. Then maybe I'll install some of the cheap M trim bits...

[TheoIam]

Originally Posted by adc

Don't worry, you'll be able to buy the parts and install them yourself. An M Sport steering wheels goes for around $400, the interior trim $500 or so, ///M door sills around $300, etc.

The only things that can be prohibitively expensive to retrofit are the special seat coverings (leather/cloth, pure cloth) and the anthracite headliner. You'd probably spend over $1500 for the seat coverings and at least $1000 for the headliner, minus labor.

I've priced some of these things for my E92 and decided it wasn't worth it. I have Coral Red leather in the 335 and if they will offer it on the 135i, I'll take it. Then maybe I'll install some of the cheap M trim bits...

I agree. For me it would only be the steering wheel and dead pedal. I like the increased thickness of the wheel.

Id pass on the shift knob and door sills.

The anthracite headliner IS the biggest let down though. The interior looks so much better without that stupid gray headliner. :mad:

[blackjoker]

Yeah, I only want the steering wheel and the shift knob. And yes I would pay to have those installed on my car. Some people pay lots of money to get the aero kit for the 335i put on their cars to make it more special and attractive to them. I figure, why not make the interior, the area of the car you spend the most time staring at, a little more special and attractive?

[IrvRobinson2]

Originally Posted by theroyalwe

The car looks fantastic in person... I think someone caught my mistake too... I think it was black sapphire. It was a bit dark in the tent so it didn't come out well enough and my brain can't remember everything

My immediate thoughts on the 1 while looking at it in person were that my initial dislike of the front end treatment was completely lost when I saw it in 3d. There is some more dissection that needs to be done, but I'll get around to posting some full res pics and a few that I didn't fit into the article as time marches on. I'm not sure if Irv got a chance to go to the event (and I heard their track was better) but if he did I'm sure he'll back me up.


lemon is the new black.
seriously, this 2 tone lemon interior is absolutely stunning. Of course I love it in the E90 too.

hi there,

unfortunately, I couldn't make it this year. It has been crazy for me for the past few months and I just couldn't leave. Some of the guys in my showroom went and I think they took some pictures as well. I'm going to ask them to send me some.

The track in Chicago is pretty nice, actually it's in a suburb here, but unfortunately that day it rained so it wasn't so much fun.

[theroyalwe]

yeah it was pouring the whole day I was there too, but the only downside was having wet feet. I actually think I got a better feel for the cars since I could find the limits a lot easier with the rain. I've got a whole writeup for the entire event that covers the other cars too. hopefully I'll have it ready over the weekend

[blackjoker]

Looking forward to the write-up. Woohoo!:roundel:

[E82Pocketrocket]

I have to say the styling is growing on me, esspecially the front end. I used to think it looked a little goofy, but with new photos and angles, now I'm beginning to see subtle lines that are very beautiful, while reinforcing a very aggressive persona. I believe this car is going to be very sexy in person. I can't wait to growl at some people with my mysterious, unassuming 1er. The designers knew what they were doing.

Love this car!

[Robert]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

So you'd pay extra for little M logos all over without any real driving enhancements? I hate to break it to you but most M buyers are probably not very concerned with the interior.

the M bits comes with a better steering wheel.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by E82Pocketrocket

I have to say the styling is growing on me, esspecially the front end. I used to think it looked a little goofy, but with new photos and angles, now I'm beginning to see subtle lines that are very beautiful, while reinforcing a very aggressive persona. I believe this car is going to be very sexy in person. I can't wait to growl at some people with my mysterious, unassuming 1er. The designers knew what they were doing.

Love this car!

Probably because black hides the details well. In real life the goofy headlights aren't as apparent as in photos.

[kurichan]

This car is BEGGING for an Alcantara interior like the ZHP.

PLEASE BMW!!

PLEEEEEASE!

[SCA]

Originally Posted by robert

Probably because black hides the details well. In real life the goofy headlights aren't as apparent as in photos.

I hope that is the case.

[larryn]

Great thread. We needed some more candy. Appreciate it!

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by robert

the M bits comes with a better steering wheel.

...

[joelk]

so in the first photo (a screen capture from the youtube vids) you see a device to the right of the shift knob near the right seat. then in the second picture you see a cup holder. anyone think that maybe somehow that cupholder collapses into what is seen in the first photo? If not ... what IS it? :iono:

[kurichan]

Oh great!

Another over-engineered cup holder from Germany that doesn't work.


They aren't there to hold drinks, they're installed so they will break, so the dealers can make a buck replacing them!

[Victor.L3IchibanM3]

How come it doesnt have the chrome on the side door??:iono:

[larryn]

I believe the first picture depicts a receptacle that the cup holder (in the 2nd pic) snaps into.

[joelk]

Originally Posted by larryn

I believe the first picture depicts a receptacle that the cup holder (in the 2nd pic) snaps into.

yeah i agree because i think you can see the base depicted in the first photo in the second photo. still it almost looks like there are some pivoting parts in the cup holder. ah well.

[theroyalwe]

it looks to be the same cupholder unit that they put in the current 6 series.

It is actually MUCH stronger than you expect. It's kind of surprising to me to be honest. From what I remember and looking through my pictures I don't think the car I sat in had it.