Would you still own a 1 if it didn't have the power?

[Eyeman]

I needed a sporty non-convertible daily driver to replace my high mileage Audi convertible. I was looking at Z4 coupes, Z4Ms, Audi A3, etc, the more unique the better. When I first discovered the One I was really attracted to the uniqueness and then the performance potential and the 0.9% financing reeled me in. If only a 128 had been available then I probably would have been less enthused and would have waited another year or so before buying and who knows what I would have bought.

[NYC6]

Hi, my name is Dennis and Im an addict, a hp addict.

My weekend car is a 600 hp Vette and I needed a new DD that had good power also. The 135 met my needs just fine.

[fly135]

In one simple word, NO i wouldn't. There are much sexier cars for that sort of money.

[AW128i]

New I'd get a 135i and only a 135i. But, when I went looking for a new car and happened upon CPO 128i's, I gave up searching for a 135i and was instantly hooked on the 128i. For what I paid for my CPO '08 128i, there are no better cars on the road, period, and I feel like I practically stole the car from BMW. And, I know that the 1-series looks are quite the controversial topic, but I think the 1-series coupes have much better proportions than the 3-series coupes, which look overweight and very blah in my opinion. Now, I do prefer the 3-series sedans looks compared to the 1-series coupes, but I didn't want a sedan.

[aisthetes]

I definitely wouldn't have bought the 135i without the power. I'd have gone CPO Cayman S (and almost did), but the Porsche motor bearing issue and minimal remaining warranty kept me with a brand new BMW instead. Now that the '09 Caymans have the internal fix, that'd work. The car that has my eye now is a CPO 997 C2S with their appealing prices - only about $10K more than I paid OTD for my 1.

[Hairy]

I sold my Corvette for this thing. If it didn't have pretty good power, I'd have been looking for something else.

[bluesunit]

Like many have said, I would have probably bought a 370Z (possibly Nismo) if the 1 didn't have the bigger motor.

I was in the market for a sporty rear wheel drive car to replace my Civic Si. It was a requirement of mine that the car be able to be livable in day to day driving plus be able to be autocrossed somewhat successfully.

While the 370z might have won out on absolute performance (they are close), the 1 is far and a way a better car when it comes to day to day livability and generally a posher package. Rear seat, no matter how small, wins out every day.

Tires are also cheaper for the 1. (18" vs. 19").

Also, if I ever get board of the 135 in stock form, horsepower is very cheap.

Also, the 370z has been compared to riding in the bed of a pickup truck, but with really nice seats. That's a game killer for me.

[jlquinn]

The power was a prerequisite for me. Before my 135i I had an STi, the first car I've owned with enough power to make me happy. I really enjoyed the STi except for lusting for a convertible. I still needed 4 seats, so the 135i was the closest I could get without bankrupting me. S4 was too expensive and heavy, and G37 didn't bring anything extra to the table.

It's a bit slower (seat of the pants), doesn't handle as well, and I'm still nervous about the upcoming winter, but I'm really enjoying it. The ride and daily experience is great, and I'm likely to get a JB3 (and maybe JB4), which will take care of the power. Lack of AWD, there's not too much I can do about. I definitely notice how traction limited I am by comparison.

Jerry

[The1]

Originally Posted by jlquinn

The power was a prerequisite for me. Before my 135i I had an STi, the first car I've owned with enough power to make me happy. I really enjoyed the STi except for lusting for a convertible. I still needed 4 seats, so the 135i was the closest I could get without bankrupting me. S4 was too expensive and heavy, and G37 didn't bring anything extra to the table.

It's a bit slower (seat of the pants), doesn't handle as well, and I'm still nervous about the upcoming winter, but I'm really enjoying it. The ride and daily experience is great, and I'm likely to get a JB3 (and maybe JB4), which will take care of the power. Lack of AWD, there's not too much I can do about. I definitely notice how traction limited I am by comparison.

Jerry

you'll really notice that limit when you have the JB3/4

I had the traction control light come on when i accelerated in 3rd gear onto the highway the other day with the winter tires on. I was in map 5, so i'm not entirely suprised.

you'll be pleased with the extra power. Just make sure you pick the right map for road conditions and your own internal mapping to your foot too.

[BBK]

Same goes for most powerful cars really. Would you buy a Ferrari if it didn't have power? An e92 M3 with 150hp? A Corvette with no power?

[The1]

Originally Posted by BBK

Same goes for most powerful cars really. Would you buy a Ferrari if it didn't have power? An e92 M3 with 150hp? A Corvette with no power?

I think at that point it becomes price to power ratio.

the only real exception to this rule, and it's becoming less of an exception now that the car has come to america, is the Elise. Now that it's been Americanized, they just keep adding power. But before then, people were happy with it and having only about 130hp.

[Lucky1]

Knowing what I know now? Low mileage late model E46 M3 coupe or cab with 6MT. The maintenance does not scare me; it was the perfect size, had perfect looks and probably had the last best N/A I6 BMW will produce. Sure its a lot rougher than the 1er but I'm sure its still more refined and livable than the 370Z.

Just need to become very very friendly with the local BMW indie mechanic and/or find a good extended warranty...

[tritonx]

Originally Posted by Mr. Clarkson

People already do. It's called the 128i

The 128i with manual is far from being much slower than a 135i. Now if we talk about a 118i and 116i, like they sell on the other side of the ocean. Would you have gotten one?

I probably would have considered a 118i if it was offered here.

I drove a '94 318is for years and was OK with the power it had. Especially in winter, all the power of the 128i is wasted, DTC is always engaging.

[JimmyT]

I had a 2008 VW R32 that I bought while deployed overseas. It's main competitor was a "08 135i. I drove the VW for 3 years and had fun in the car, but it was NOT a performance hatchback by any stretch of the definition. I bought my "11 135i with DCT to correct my decision of 4 years ago and haven't been happier! The motor, for me, makes the whole package come together, and causes me miles of smiles!

[AW128i]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Knowing what I know now? Low mileage late model E46 M3 coupe or cab with 6MT. The maintenance does not scare me; it was the perfect size, had perfect looks and probably had the last best N/A I6 BMW will produce. Sure its a lot rougher than the 1er but I'm sure its still more refined and livable than the 370Z.

Just need to become very very friendly with the local BMW indie mechanic and/or find a good extended warranty...

I don't know if that's necessarily true. My brother had a '01 M3 and put 100,000 miles on it and the only problem (literally) he had was a bad alternator around the 70,000 mile mark. Cost him $250 to replace by sourcing the part and installing himself. Yes, it had recalls and TSBs and such, but no other actual problems. And yes, timely maintenance was a must, but he adhered to the scheduled maintenance and didn't even perform the "premature" oil changes and other maintenances that so many people are still doing.

[roo97ss]

Originally Posted by AW128i

I don't know if that's necessarily true. My brother had a '01 M3 and put 100,000 miles on it and the only problem (literally) he had was a bad alternator around the 70,000 mile mark. Cost him $250 to replace by sourcing the part and installing himself. Yes, it had recalls and TSBs and such, but no other actual problems. And yes, timely maintenance was a must, but he adhered to the scheduled maintenance and didn't even perform the "premature" oil changes and other maintenances that so many people are still doing.

agreed. have had 2 e46 m3s.

an 03 coupe from 40-70k, no problems, just inspection 2. was ready for front control arm bushings, but otherwise was zero problems.

an 02 vert, from 55-85k, needed rear trailing arm bushings, otherwise just oil changes. did have the insp 2 done at 53k, so that was the major cost and didn't hve to deal with it.

Also had an S54 z3m for about 5k (40-46k) zero issues.

My 1, has had 2 3rd brakelights, 2 software upgrades with hpfp symptoms, and then failure and a ride on a rollback finally for the pump. all from 6-14k miles. The epitome of reliable...

[ennislaw]

Hmm. Worthless poll. If I wanted less power, I would have gotten a 128i instead of a 135i. Or a Mazda MX-5. I don't see the point of this poll.

pge

[FDfranklin]

Originally Posted by ennislaw

Hmm. Worthless poll. If I wanted less power, I would have gotten a 128i instead of a 135i. Or a Mazda MX-5. I don't see the point of this poll.

pge

I don't see the point of your post? Ya see?

[ennislaw]

Originally Posted by FDfranklin

I don't see the point of your post? Ya see?

The point is - the poll doesn't accurately indicate what you are trying to reflect. There is a 1-er with lesser power, it's the 128i.

Love the juvenile icon though.

pge

[FDfranklin]

Originally Posted by ennislaw

The point is - the poll doesn't accurately indicate what you are trying to reflect. There is a 1-er with lesser power, it's the 128i.

Love the juvenile icon though.

pge

The thread was directed towards 135i owners, so how does the poll not accurately indicate what I'm trying to reflect? If you answer yes then you would probably consider a 128i, if you answer no then you would not.

Take the poll as you see it fits best to you and describe it in your post, no need for pointless posts such as yours.

Love the closed mindedness though.

[ennislaw]

Originally Posted by FDfranklin

The thread was directed towards 135i owners, so how does the poll not accurately indicate what I'm trying to reflect? ...

Well, read your title "Would you still own a 1 if it didn't have the power?" and the poll states "Would you still own it?" with two choices. Does this mean when the HPFP goes out? Sorry, I'm not trying to bust your chops, but really it's not clear at all what you're trying to get at. Are you trying to rate handling qualities, gas mileage, or etc? In fact, reading the thread, looks like most comments don't even deal with the question in the poll.

pge

[FDfranklin]

Originally Posted by ennislaw

Well, read your title "Would you still own a 1 if it didn't have the power?" and the poll states "Would you still own it?" with two choices. Does this mean when the HPFP goes out? Sorry, I'm not trying to bust your chops, but really it's not clear at all what you're trying to get at. Are you trying to rate handling qualities, gas mileage, or etc? In fact, reading the thread, looks like most comments don't even deal with the question in the poll.

pge

and yet you are the only one that has a problem with this poll..

why bring negativity into a non negative thread?