C&D Sept. '07 135i Article

[ibeam81]

I'm still wondering what a base 135i will include. The UK is getting a full blown M Sport (exterior, interior, suspension, and brakes). I'm hoping that's also the case for the US.

[SCA]

Originally Posted by ibeam81

I'm still wondering what a base 135i will include. The UK is getting a full blown M Sport (exterior, interior, suspension, and brakes). I'm hoping that's also the case for the US.

I would not be surprised if the US got screwed and did not get the interior goodies.

[ibeam81]

Originally Posted by TheUltimateDriver

I would not be surprised if the US got screwed and did not get the interior goodies.

I'm expecting to be disappointed, so if it's the full blown M Sport I can be pleasantly surprised. :wink:

[Robert]

I don't care much for interior goodies as long as it has the M performance goodies

[imported_MPower]

Originally Posted by Brookside

33k seems awfully low until you think about how much the options will be-
the M-sport option I would think would go for at least another 1500-2000.
It begins to add up fast when you start upgrading sound/nav.

I've heard this a lot and it really doesnt make much sense to me in this application. What is the defining characteristic of this car that no other BMW has? It will be offering in M Sport-guise only. No other option. Why did they do that? Probably for performance reasons but I bet for cost saving. The cost of an M Sport kit on other models is high because of the cost to develop a different aero kit for that specific engine and model, a suspension specifically for that car, etc. But when all you are producing for that car happens to be an M Sport version, the production costs are no different than producing a car without an M Sport kit. The cost to produce an M Sport kit is not inherently higher just because it looks different or handles different. The only reason those M Sport kits cost more is because they have to cover the cost of producing two different sets of equipment. Offfering more standard equipment lowers the production costs because you dont have to worry about producing a multitude of different panels and so on. You only have to produce one mold for the car. That results in lower production costs. So, for the US market, the M Sport stuff really shouldnt jack the price of the car up much at all.

[Maximus Decimus]

I would really take that article with a grain of salt. There are some obvious inaccuracies there.

An almost 8K price gap between the 135 and the 335 would make it almost a no brainer to get the 1er unless you just couldn't stand the look or lack of prestige (not an established BMW in the US) of the 1er or it was completely not practical for you (but both are coupes so not sure I would buy that argument). I can almost say without a shadow of a doubt, BMW will not make the decision that easy, especially given the nice level of standard equipment on the 135. Same motor, M suspension, better brakes, for 8K less... I'll take two please.

Quick and dirty excel comparison of US MSRP's and German MSRP's. On a weighted average, US prices are generally 90% of the German counterpart. Using that 'logic' 135 should come in around 35K. 33K would be only 84% of the German price is which is 38,950 and German models includes less standard equipment. The #'s below are totally worthless other than for pure speculation but is what I used to build the 'logic'. There are so many factors in determining price, pulling a # out of the sky, which they seem to have done, is pointless.

........DE / US / US as % of DE
335i 44650 40800 91%
550i 62700 58500 93%
650i 77800 74700 96%
Z4 coupe 40200 40400 100%
M5 91600 82900 91%
Z4M Coupe 57900 50100 87%
M6 Coupe 113300 99100 87%
X5 4.8i 68700 54500 79%
Total 556850 501000 90%

[BimmerBoi2100]

The M-package is standard on the 135i. You guys should read the whole press release....

[BimmerBoi2100]

http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/futur...e=NEW1FVTOPNAV

READ THE WHOLE THING!

[SCA]

Originally Posted by BimmerBoi2100

http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/futur...e=NEW1FVTOPNAV

READ THE WHOLE THING!

Still no mention of the ///M door sills, steering wheel, shift knob nor anthercite headliner. :iono:

[BimmerBoi2100]

It's not an M-Car...asking for a little too much aren't cha?

[SCA]

Originally Posted by BimmerBoi2100

It's not an M-Car...asking for a little too much aren't cha?

YES, I know this....

FYI, The US Sport Pkg. X3 comes with these interior goodies and a previous press release mentioned that the 135i would also receive them.

[BimmerBoi2100]

Well than would be a seperate package...just like the X3

[atr_hugo]

Here's what we know the 135i will come with, based on the US press release and the info on the 1ntensity site:

• M-Aerodynamic kit
• Sport Package (suspension and brake upgrades)
• Leatherette (no cloth option in the US)
• MP3 input jack
• 60/40 split fold rear seats
• Audio controls mounted on steering wheel (standard on 128i also)

And that's about it - M bits in the interior are likely to be part of another package. Anything else is speculation and what they've announced so far is subject to change. ; -)

[BimmerBoi2100]

And there you go. Expect too much and you'll set yourself up for disappointment.

[Maximus Decimus]

Here in the Germany, the M interior bits are the M package option for the 135i. The M aerodynamics package, suspension, and sport seats are standard equipment for the 135i. 'M Package' is a 550 Euro option for the 135i and includes; anthracite headliner, M steering wheel, shift knob, foot rest, door sills, and wheels. Also if you select the M package you will limit your choices of available interior colors and trims. I don't remember exactly what these are now, so can't tell ya. But similar to the ZHP choices for the E46.

MD

[BimmerBoi2100]

It would be interesting if they offer it....I'd get it. But so far that kind of package hasn't been offered on US spec vehicles.

[Powerman]

Originally Posted by Maximus Decimus

'M Package' is a 550 Euro option for the 135i and includes; anthracite headliner, M steering wheel, shift knob, foot rest, door sills, and wheels.

What the heck is an anthracite head liner? Is it just a black color, or is different material?

[SCA]

Originally Posted by Maximus Decimus

Here in the Germany, the M interior bits are the M package option for the 135i. The M aerodynamics package, suspension, and sport seats are standard equipment for the 135i. 'M Package' is a 550 Euro option for the 135i and includes; anthracite headliner, M steering wheel, shift knob, foot rest, door sills, and wheels. Also if you select the M package you will limit your choices of available interior colors and trims. I don't remember exactly what these are now, so can't tell ya. But similar to the ZHP choices for the E46.

MD

Doubtful the US will see the M Package. Is this not also the package that you must have to order Le Mans Blue?

Originally Posted by Powerman

What the heck is an anthracite head liner? Is it just a black color, or is different material?

Yes, it = black headliner.

[Maximus Decimus]

Originally Posted by TheUltimateDriver

Doubtful the US will see the M Package. Is this not also the package that you must have to order Le Mans Blue?

Will 2x check when I get home, it said something about certain exterior colors, can't remember.

I'd bet the farm the US will offer the M package, these bits go perfectly with the character that they seem to be pushing for this car. '1ntensity'.

[BForbes]

Originally Posted by Brookside

Yeah, I've had a chance to chill after reading the C&D article.
Reality has begun to give me some doubts.

C&D could have been lazy and not contacted anyone at BMW...
just reprinted the earlier info. But that is really lazy and journalistically irresponsible.
These mags make mistakes all the time, but on the other hand I see the editor Csaba Csere being interviewed on the network shows as an authority when it comes to automobiles...
so there's a stake in getting it right.

33k seems awfully low until you think about how much the options will be-
the M-sport option I would think would go for at least another 1500-2000.
It begins to add up fast when you start upgrading sound/nav.

Right now- even tho it's the second time this number has appeared in print-
maybe it's too good to be true. :iono:

I feel you man. I actually went looking for in-print 1 series material at the bookstore yesterday and read this. I dont think the 33k holds much water. I mean this is the same article that quoted we would not get the N54 engine in the U.S. 3-4 months ago. It is just an estimate and they've been waay off before. I'm still sticking to my 35-36k estimate.

[Genericuser1]

It would be wonderful if it were true but I'm more thana bit skeptical. Jus have to wait for offical pricing in what 5 months?

[Brookside]

Originally Posted by Design1stCode2nd

It would be wonderful if it were true but I'm more thana bit skeptical. Jus have to wait for offical pricing in what 5 months?

That's pretty much the reality, tho I'm sure there will be many more articles weighing in with prices...and even then it won't matter until BMW N/A lets loose with the figures.