5 Door coming?

blue-coupe · 05-12-2008, 02:45 PM

I'm sure many of you have seen this:

http://jalopnik.com/388747/bmw-1+ser...acturer-plates

Bringing this over seems like a no-brainer. It would cost approximately $0 extra dollars. I think it would only add sales, as most coupe/vert buyers would not cross-shop this car. And it adds a new segment that no current BMWNA vehicle even comes close to filling.

What do you guys thing? If you look through the comments, you'll see that a few have been spotted in US/Canada with manufacturer plates.

Dan203 · 05-12-2008, 03:06 PM

Those have been available in Europe for a few years. BMW has already said that they have no plans to bring it to the US market. Apparently they released a hatchback here in the US about 10 years ago and it was a total flop, so they vowed never again.

Dan

Cuz5150 · 05-12-2008, 03:06 PM

From what i understand.....Bmw autofilies hate hatch/5 door bimmers. With that said i just dont think they gonna sell many of those here. If you really want 5door check out the Audi A3 quattro. Its a nice car, or a 4 door GTI model, and have tons of mod $money$ to throw around.

blue-coupe · 05-12-2008, 04:03 PM

Well, a 135 5 door is a completely different animal than a GTI or A3.

BMW did bring the 318 hatchback over some time ago, but it was a styling/performance/price disaster. The styling of the 135 5 door is at least as good as the GTI/A3, and the performance is off the charts better. Plus it's rear wheel drive. Now the pricing is another story. The GTI 5 Door is a bargain, but the A3 is a rip off. I'm sure the 135 could be price competitive with the A3, and the added performance making it a relative bargain.

I know BMWUSA says they won't bring it over, but why are so many being seen over here? I think the business case makes sense.

blue-coupe · 05-12-2008, 04:05 PM

Another point to consider is that when BMW brought the 318 out, small cars were still seen as econo-boxes. The Mini and the A3, and now the 135 are starting to change that perception.

Plus, everybody is moving down a notch in car size nowadays anyway!

esses · 05-12-2008, 04:09 PM

BMW wants to maintain the image of a high-end performance auto manufacturer, and us Americans (as a market) associate hatchbacks with cheap Asian autos. After BMW's experience with the 318, it has said it will not offer traditional hatchbacks in the US market. I suspect the closest we will see to a hatchback in the near future is the X6.

EspressoBoy · 05-12-2008, 04:16 PM

I was told the 5 door steps on Mini Market too... I personally don't see it, but that is BMW eh?

EspressoBoy

blue-coupe · 05-12-2008, 04:20 PM

Oh well. 6 months ago I would have been all over the 5 Door, but I am growing to like my convertible (2008 Jeep Wrangler), so now I'm thinking either 135vert or 2009 Z4.

ptack · 05-12-2008, 04:43 PM

It's not offered with the twin turbo so I don't think it's performance would be any better than an A3 3.2, which has a similar amount of hp. They probably figured that a 135i 5-door would be way too competitive with the 335i sedan. I wonder if they would ever offer it? How would they even price a 135i wagon?

Spook · 05-12-2008, 04:49 PM

I would likely have bought one even though I don't love the looks but I doubt they will import it. They designed the coupe for the US market. Look at the 3 series station wagon which is a wonderful car but represents a very small portion of 3 series sales. (Though I would have been sorely tempted if they had a 335x version.)

05-12-2008, 02:45 PM	#1
blue-coupe Second Lieutenant 115 Rep 253 Posts Drives: 1999 Z3 Coupe Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dallas TX iTrader: (0)	5 Door coming? I'm sure many of you have seen this: http://jalopnik.com/388747/bmw-1+ser...acturer-plates Bringing this over seems like a no-brainer. It would cost approximately $0 extra dollars. I think it would only add sales, as most coupe/vert buyers would not cross-shop this car. And it adds a new segment that no current BMWNA vehicle even comes close to filling. What do you guys thing? If you look through the comments, you'll see that a few have been spotted in US/Canada with manufacturer plates.
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05-12-2008, 03:06 PM	#2
Dan203 Lieutenant Colonel 136 Rep 1,592 Posts Drives: 2016 340i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Carson City, NV iTrader: (1)	Those have been available in Europe for a few years. BMW has already said that they have no plans to bring it to the US market. Apparently they released a hatchback here in the US about 10 years ago and it was a total flop, so they vowed never again. Dan
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05-12-2008, 03:06 PM	#3
Cuz5150 Major 215 Rep 1,489 Posts Drives: 06-M3ZHP/04-M3 Vert/02Duc998 Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	From what i understand.....Bmw autofilies hate hatch/5 door bimmers. With that said i just dont think they gonna sell many of those here. If you really want 5door check out the Audi A3 quattro. Its a nice car, or a 4 door GTI model, and have tons of mod $money$ to throw around. __________________ -Diplomacy is saying, "nice doggie while trying to find a rock"- 07-Z4 coupe-Black/Black/6MT/sport/premium/X 04-M3 vert-Black/Imolla/6MT/Cold/Xenon/HK/ 06-M3 Coupe-Mystic/Black/6MT/ZCP/Xenon/HK/ 09-135i- AW/Bk-Lette/6MT/M-pac/Nav/Hi-Fi/Usb-Ipod/SOLD
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05-12-2008, 04:03 PM	#4
blue-coupe Second Lieutenant 115 Rep 253 Posts Drives: 1999 Z3 Coupe Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dallas TX iTrader: (0)	Well, a 135 5 door is a completely different animal than a GTI or A3. BMW did bring the 318 hatchback over some time ago, but it was a styling/performance/price disaster. The styling of the 135 5 door is at least as good as the GTI/A3, and the performance is off the charts better. Plus it's rear wheel drive. Now the pricing is another story. The GTI 5 Door is a bargain, but the A3 is a rip off. I'm sure the 135 could be price competitive with the A3, and the added performance making it a relative bargain. I know BMWUSA says they won't bring it over, but why are so many being seen over here? I think the business case makes sense.
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05-12-2008, 04:05 PM	#5
blue-coupe Second Lieutenant 115 Rep 253 Posts Drives: 1999 Z3 Coupe Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dallas TX iTrader: (0)	Another point to consider is that when BMW brought the 318 out, small cars were still seen as econo-boxes. The Mini and the A3, and now the 135 are starting to change that perception. Plus, everybody is moving down a notch in car size nowadays anyway!
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05-12-2008, 04:09 PM	#6
esses • 19 Rep 709 Posts Drives: like I stole it. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (1)	BMW wants to maintain the image of a high-end performance auto manufacturer, and us Americans (as a market) associate hatchbacks with cheap Asian autos. After BMW's experience with the 318, it has said it will not offer traditional hatchbacks in the US market. I suspect the closest we will see to a hatchback in the near future is the X6. __________________
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05-12-2008, 04:16 PM	#7
EspressoBoy 1addict, and proud 40 Rep 1,019 Posts Drives: BMW 135i 08 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canada iTrader: (1)	I was told the 5 door steps on Mini Market too... I personally don't see it, but that is BMW eh? EspressoBoy
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05-12-2008, 04:20 PM	#8
blue-coupe Second Lieutenant 115 Rep 253 Posts Drives: 1999 Z3 Coupe Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dallas TX iTrader: (0)	Oh well. 6 months ago I would have been all over the 5 Door, but I am growing to like my convertible (2008 Jeep Wrangler), so now I'm thinking either 135vert or 2009 Z4.
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05-12-2008, 04:43 PM	#9
ptack Brigadier General 269 Rep 4,470 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [6.50]	It's not offered with the twin turbo so I don't think it's performance would be any better than an A3 3.2, which has a similar amount of hp. They probably figured that a 135i 5-door would be way too competitive with the 335i sedan. I wonder if they would ever offer it? How would they even price a 135i wagon?
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05-12-2008, 04:49 PM	#10
Spook Bring Bail Money 12 Rep 492 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jan 2008 iTrader: (0)	I would likely have bought one even though I don't love the looks but I doubt they will import it. They designed the coupe for the US market. Look at the 3 series station wagon which is a wonderful car but represents a very small portion of 3 series sales. (Though I would have been sorely tempted if they had a 335x version.)
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