Edmunds Inside Line - No M1, probably 135is instead

[jayson]

My gut tells me that it isn't going to happen, not with this model at least.

[BMW86]

The M1 will definitely happen and it will be based on the E82. The spy photos of the 135i with flared guards was enough to tell me that an M is in the works. BMW would never alter the body for any other reason. The M1 is coming, this is typical of BMW to let us think it isn't.

[Oulixes]

Originally Posted by Spartikus

I think BMW loves drama. I'm still waiting for the fat chick to sing.

+1, it is now in vogue to stress things green that eat little gasoline, and M1 might be too much of a diversion.

[Hans Delbruck]

I'm gonna be pissed if I can't upgrade my "BMW Performance Power Kit" to match 135is Power..... is the Power Kit an obsolete overpriced ugly stepchild already????

[Mark M]

The 135is will just be a normal 135 with the BMW Perf suspension, the overboosted N54, and perhaps some BMW performance cosmetic goodies.

To me, there is no allure to a 135is. Those of us with a tune and coilovers already have a 135is.

[MachineDriver]

What a confused company

[bavarian19]

Id rather see the 135is than M1.

[bmwzone]

Thr M1 is a prank joke 1-Series sales are down year over year while 3 series are up. Meanwhile GM just built their 100,000th new Camaro and Ford has almost 15k preorders for the 2011 5.0 GT.

Seriously, BMW should dump the 135 stick with 128 for the girls let the boys lease a 3 or GTI and rich men get an M3 Porsche or Vette.

GM Ford are taking back their US Market in the 20-35k performance cars.

The M1 whatever would flop on it's arse HARD.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by bmwzone

Thr M1 is a prank joke 1-Series sales are down year over year while 3 series are up. Meanwhile GM just built their 100,000th new Camaro and Ford has almost 15k preorders for the 2011 5.0 GT.

Seriously, BMW should dump the 135 stick with 128 for the girls let the boys lease a 3 or GTI and rich men get an M3 Porsche or Vette.

GM Ford are taking back their US Market in the 20-35k performance cars.

The M1 whatever would flop on it's arse HARD.

What a complete lack of understanding of the market.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

What a complete lack of understanding of the market.

+1 and what a complete lack of respect for 128 owners.

Double

[bmwzone]

Does anyone actually *get* the 128? Chick car not to mention anyone with all limbs (and brain) functional getting a 135i slushbox.

[bmwzone]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

What a complete lack of understanding of the market.

Oh please enlighten us. Preferably with facts and actualy numbers (not just opinion).

HPFP

[bmwzone]

Originally Posted by MachineDriver

What a confused company

www.autoextremist.com says the same however I disagree. BMW needs to stay 3 up the 6 and 5 are amazing.

The 1 should be just that 1 model.

How about the 1 - N55 motor coupe/vert. None of this other stuff for USA. Not the diesel either as nice as it is in EU.

BMW = Status and Image which could explain thr inferiority complex Audi drivers seem to have.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by bmwzone

Oh please enlighten us. Preferably with facts and actualy numbers (not just opinion).

HPFP

What facts or numbers have you provided?

The 1 Series has hit its sales targets in spite of a very challenging economic situation that cut deeply into luxury sales, including the 3 Series. That's proof that the market exists for the car.

A small, premium vehicle was never expected to sell in numbers like the Camaro or Mustang, which start at the low $20k mark. The Camaros sales numbers are starting to level off now that initial demand has been filled, and you can walk onto the lots and find a good selection of them at any time.

It makes no sense whatsoever to continue to sell the 128i and not the 135i. There are plenty of 135i owners who won't buy a 3 Series (or M3) because it's too big, and I damn sure wouldn't touch a GTI, not only because it's a VW, but because it's FWD. There's an obvious market for an M version of the 1 Series, assuming they get it right.

[marvinp]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

What facts or numbers have you provided?

The 1 Series has hit its sales targets in spite of a very challenging economic situation that cut deeply into luxury sales, including the 3 Series. That's proof that the market exists for the car.

A small, premium vehicle was never expected to sell in numbers like the Camaro or Mustang, which start at the low $20k mark. The Camaros sales numbers are starting to level off now that initial demand has been filled, and you can walk onto the lots and find a good selection of them at any time.

It makes no sense whatsoever to continue to sell the 128i and not the 135i. There are plenty of 135i owners who won't buy a 3 Series (or M3) because it's too big, and I damn sure wouldn't touch a GTI, not only because it's a VW, but because it's FWD. There's an obvious market for an M version of the 1 Series, assuming they get it right.

I agree. I didn't want a 128i b/c I wanted more performance. If the 135i didn't exist, then the cheapest sporty BMW would have been the 335i coupe, but for me that was too expensive and too big.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by marvinp

I agree. I didn't want a 128i b/c I wanted more performance. If the 135i didn't exist, then the cheapest sporty BMW would have been the 335i coupe, but for me that was too expensive and too big.

Exactly. If the 135i didn't exist, I'd be driving something other than a BMW right now, likely a Vette.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

Exactly. If the 135i didn't exist, I'd be driving something other than a BMW right now, likely a Vette.

Id be driving an S4 vert, I can say that much. Didnt even look twice at a 3er and that tin can roof.

[RäDIOCLäSH]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

This isn't comsmetic BS:

you're right,it's not B.S..........but the faltering to bring it as an M product is!
I love that big flare!

[arnoldisnumerouno]

Originally Posted by cracka

My business case for the 1-Series M...

1. M Division cars don't have to recoup their R&D expense directly. As halo cars, they do so indirectly, by attracting devotees to the brand, not necessarily to a specific model. If some of their tech filters down to the mass market models, that's a bonus.

2. The 1-Series is already a niche car, at least in the NA market. In that way, its value to growing the business is similar to an M-division car. It's there to lure new customers to the brand, but this time to a specific model. Adding an M variant just amplifies the effect.

3. The R&D of the 1-Series coupe was relatively cheap, and was largely paid for by the E9x. So many bits are shared, and so many E9x have been sold, that the the 1-Series owes its existence to the 3 in more than one way.

4. Wouldn't it follow that M Division would use the same approach in developing a 1-Series M model? Bastardize as much of the E9x M3 as possible (engine notwithstanding) to slash R&D costs, and focus on optimizing existing parts for the E8x.

5. Based on photos we've already seen, the R&D $$ for the 1-Series M has already been spent. I agree with everyone who's said that a 135is model would not warrant a drastically wider track & the accompanying bodywork.

6. In terms of growing future business, if you can ensnare brand (and especially M Division) devotees when they're young, you are in a great position in years to come. A sub-50k M coupe would be a powerful tool towards that end.

Excellent points.

[spudw]

Originally Posted by bmwzone

Does anyone actually *get* the 128? Chick car...

Wow, that is so off... I love my 128i. With sport and manual, it's a great drivers car for every day. When are some (not all) 135i owners going to stop playing with themselves and realize there are currently two good engine variants for the 1er?

Yes, yes, yes... I know yours is faster, and we're all really impressed...

[npd2983]

Originally Posted by spudw

Wow, that is so off... I love my 128i. With sport and manual, it's a great drivers car for every day. When are some (not all) 135i owners going to stop playing with themselves and realize there are currently two good engine variants for the 1er?

Yes, yes, yes... I know yours is faster, and we're all really impressed...

Hey the 128i manual is a no-brainer. I just love mine - after test driving a 135i, I decided it is a lot of power for the $$, but alas I would not need or use that much power. Moreover, I like the looks of the 128i better than the 135i, especially with sport package - the more horizontal/linear front bumper and side rocker panels help tone-down the curvy sheet metal.

Maybe the 135is will look better than the 135i, but somehow I doubt it.

[arnoldisnumerouno]

Originally Posted by bmwzone

Does anyone actually *get* the 128? Chick car not to mention anyone with all limbs (and brain) functional getting a 135i slushbox.

worst. post. ever.