America gets a new Bimmer: The 2008 1-series
BMW has officially announced that the 1-series will go on sale in the United States in spring 2008. BMW currently sells the rear-wheel-drive 1-series in Europe in hatchback and coupe form; Americans will get the two-door coupe version, and rumors of a future convertible version abound. The 1-series is about a foot shorter than the current 3-series coupe; it is similar in shape but features more radically sculpted sheetmetal.
US versions of the 1-series will share their 3.0 liter inline six-cylinder engines with the 3-series. The 128i will have a 230 horsepower engine, while the 135i gets the 300 horsepower twin-turbocharged version. 135i models will have a body kit inspired by BMW's M-series performance cars as well as a more aggressive suspension.
Have we got pictures? Of course! Check out our BMW 1-series photo gallery. What do you think of the prospect of a small BMW coupe? What about the choice to forgo four-cylinder powerplants or a hatchback body? And how will the 128i and 135i fare against small Europeans like the Audi A3 and upcoming Volvo C30? Click the "comments" link below and tell me what you think. -- Aaron Gold
Related:
- The Bimmer that made me a believer: 2007 BMW 328i sedan test drive
- Another new-for-2008 Eurocoupe: 2008 Volvo C30 T5 test drive
- The German mini-hot-rod you can buy now: 2007 Audi A3 2.0T S-Line test drive
Photo © BMW
Comments
Aaron,
WOW! awesome car!
I like the fact that is has so much power. Of course, a more economical version may appeal to the practical senses of consumers, so it may still be a good idea to offer a peppy 4-cylinder or maybe even a TDI… like many other Euro cars.
I did have a few questions:
Any news on price? (135i)
Any news about an AWD version?
Any additional specs/economy/safety?
Any suggestions for avoiding speeding tickets in the 300HP twin turbo 135i?
thanks!
Very cool. However I do think they would be silly not to offer a 4 cylinder and a hatchback. I can’t imagine the price being reasonable with the 6 cylinder. I would consider one if it were significantly cheaper than the 3 series. I did drive a European one a year ago and wasn’t too impressed though.
So basically, this is a 3 series that’s 1 foot shorter? What’s the point? Will you really be able to save that much money by simply shortening the car by 12 inches? You may as well pay a little extra for the 3-series to get a little extra leg room in the front, back, and actually be able to fit golf clubs in the trunk.
I agree with Rob – what’s the point? A 4-banger with hatch would make more sense. Where is it written that hatchbacks don’t sell? Every minivan and SUV has one. It’s all academic; it would be overpriced in any iteration!
Try to buy a Mini for list.
4 banger? Anyone remember the days of the 318I?? Anemic and slothlike.
So Aaron, what niche would the 128i compete in? Isn’t there a 2-door Infiniti that costs about $40K? I can’t picture this car being that expensive?
This harkens back to the days of the 2002. Some old timers might remember the 2002 tii?
C
I agree with 4-cylinder and hatchback comments. If BMW envision this car as a market replacement for the long lost 2002 series, it should be based on a 4-cylinder and made to a lighter weight. I am also concerned about the drive configuration. Presuming this is the normal rear wheeel drive BMW, do customers on the lower end of the price spectrum really want to drive rear wheel driven cars all year around in the USA anymore? Personally I would not unless it had traction control that worked across a broad speed range, not just low speed for “snow plowing”. My current car is a very sure-footed Subaru WRX and I would be reluctant to abondon that package in northern Ohio for purely RWD, but that is only one man’s opinion. I already have a RWD 2-seater to play with and do not need or want another such configuration in our driving conditions with heavy rain storms and heavy snow in the winter.
I would love to buy a small, high-quality car that is easy on gas and doesn’t require premium fuel. I am really disappointed that this car won’t come with a four cylinder. I realize that BMW wants to keep the upscale image and doesn’t want an economy car in its fleet in the USA, but there are plenty of people who like to conserve fuel but drive a nice car at the same time. When I read the headline of the article I thought “this is going to be my next car,” but after reading the details I’m not interested any more.
PRICE. When will this be available in Canada. Looks great
Hey Maynard, try looking at a Saab 9-3. They’re small, fast, nice quality, turbo 4 cylinders that get about 30 MPG in mixed driving.
i’ve read that prices are expected to start around $26,000
Since it has rear-wheel drive, it doesn’t really compete directly with anything else currently on the market.
If the dealers don’t slap a lot of “Additional Dealer Markup” and useless accessories on it, it should be a success and I would definintely consider buying one. Since it has the same engines as the larger 3-series in a smaller package, I would expect better performance from the 1-series. BMW should be worried about the 1-series cannibalizing sales of the larger and more expensive 3-series.
Johnster. What about the Mustang market? I could see some folks peeling off of a Mustang GT for a German engineered car? That would also explain the high horsepowered engines.
C
I suppose there will be some overlap between the two cars, but they are really different kinds of cars appealing to different market segments.
The Mustangs have lower initial purchase prices, on top of which, having been on the market a while now, they are stacking up on dealers’ lots and dealers are ready to deal, at least on the base Mustang V-6 and the Mustang GT.
The BMWs will have smoother, quieter, and more refined engines. (The Mustang’s base 4.0 liter V-6 is especially noisy and rough.) The handling between the two cars should be comparable with the BMWs having a better and smoother ride than the Mustang with its solid rear axle.
Since the BMWs are smaller and lighter than comparable Mustangs I would expect better performance from them. Of course, there is no 1-series comparable to the Mustang Shelbys.
A base BMW 128i should outperform a base Mustang V-6, but not a Mustang GT V-8 and a Mustang GT will probably sell for about the same as a 128i.
A 135i would probably outperform a Mustang GT, but you’re going to end up paying around $5,000 more for the BMW.
That said, the Mustang, especially the Mustang GT, is not without charms of its own. There’s still a lot to be said for the V-8 rumble of the Mustang GT (and a lower purchase price).
Why in the hell would BMW think that the US needs another gas sucking hot rod? They must think we are all stuck on the muscle cars of the 70’s. I travel Europe each spring and I love the mileage I get with the zippy turbo diesel cars I rent. They are all in the 1.3L to 1.9L engine size. 140kph on the A roads is easy and smooth. The mileage is 18 to 20 kpl( 45 to 50 MPG)
Johnster-Let me be the first to request:
A Shelby BMW 135-I
I’d buy that!
Paul-you’re a wet blanket! We’re all impressed that you get to drive Europe in the spring but there’s no market here(U.S.) for diesels. I’m not arguing that they’re not affordable to drive but the fact is, if you want to sell cars in the U.S. you need to provide zippy gasoline powered vehicles. Or, at least that was the plan 4-5 years ago when they started to build this car.
I really wouldn’t want to be in the car biz right now? What does the future hold? How do you design the vehicle of the future when you don’t know if diesel, ethanol, gasoline, propane, battery or whatever alternative fuel someone invents next will be the next panacea? Right now, it’s still gasoline though. And, I doubt BMW has the bucks to educate 300 million people otherwise.
C
Hi all, sorry for the late reply, been road tripping and didn’t have internet access as I expected… I felt cut off from the world!!!
No official word on pricing for the 1 series. So far they’ve only announced RWD. Best way to avoid a speeding ticket in the 135: Don’t start the engine.
I can’t see the BMW as a Mustang competitor… Mustang’s at it’s best in a straight line, but it doesn’t deliver the performance in the curves of a BMW.
I don’t think a 4-cyl 1-srs would be anemic — the 328i has plenty of power, especially with a manual transmission. I bet a 2.0-liter 1-series would have plenty of scoot.
As for who will buy it — if they price it right, I bet it could take a chunk out of VW GTI, Audi A3 and MINI Cooper S sales. But – oops – MINI is owned by BMW. Uh-oh.
By the way, Chuck, I disagree (now there’s a surprise! *grin*) with your thoughts about diesels. We’re going to see more diesel cars here starting in 2009 and 2010, and once Americans get a taste of the fuel economy and superior torque offered by modern turbodiesels, I think demand will rise. Look at how many big-pickup owners are opting for diesels over traditional big-block gas V8s. If you have the opportunity to test drive a Mercedes E320 Bluetec, do it — it’s a real eye-opener to see how far diesel has come.
I agree with the diesel lovers…this is the way to go…for now…they crossed the bridges of noise,particulates and odor…and those big torque numbers sure impress me…if BMW put a small diesel in this car and manages an under 30k price tag, I’ll be sprechen zie Deutsch!!!
The best ideal to come out of the motor works in some time. The 135i should be much faster than the 335i and even come close to the M3. All that for a price in the low 30’s; Dang, ein sprechen zie Deutsch also.
Aaron,
We’ll have to agree to disagree on the Mustang vs 128. It’s true most Mustang folks would prefer the sound of a V8 but I think cars like the 128/135 could erode the Mustang market. I love the Mustang but I would entertain the thought of a 128 coupe.
RE: “plenty of scoot” this coming from the same guy who placed a Honda civic, Sebring and Altima on his dad’s day car list? You’ve lost much of your credibility of even knowing scoot and I know scoot and a 2.0 bmw aint no scoot.
Finally, re: diesels…You’re disagreeing with a strawman. My comment involved 20/20 hindsight and I’m sure I’m right that 4-5 years ago, few thought that the market would be headed towards diesels. And rightly so. It didn’t. It may in the future but not for long. The inertia to move away from fossil fuels will include diesel fuels. With little demand now, the prices are low, but increase demand and guess what? We’re back to the supply and demand factor again. With -0- new refineries being built and not enough time to refit the ones we have I doubt diesel prices will stay low for long. That’s going to limit diesel auto sales. Alternative fuel vehicles also cloud the horizon as far as how auto makers plan their future marketing. So, I don’t have your ability to see into the future but I do have the ability to look at probabilities and I don’t see it happening. But, close your eyes and wish real hard and your wish may come true ;op
C
hi Aaron,
that’s splendid
hopefully it would b in my country’s market shortly..am Malaysian
i tell u,BMW is now really boosting up in the market..n one of the leading company in the premium segment car..
PETRONAS will never feel sorry for sponsoring BMW in the F1 team!
n an important question here,how its fuel consumption??
Price? I heard a rumor of the 35K range to compete with the STI, EVO, and budget luxury coupe crowd.
I’d like to see the hatch come over the pond but if it doesn’t I’d still take the coupe!
On the MPG front, I’d guess it’s going to get around 30MPG on the highway maybe a little better because the 335i gets 29MPG. Not shabby for a six.
This car is going to definately eat into the ponycar market. You know how I know, because I’m a Mustang GT lover (owned 2) who has been giving serious thoughts about getting a 2008 GT at rock bottom prices next spring. After running across the 135i, it’s like Mustang-what? In my opinion, this car will steal many of the older generation ponycar lovers (like myself), but I think the younger buyers will still flock to the Ford dealerships as opposed to the BMW ones. After test driving the 135iin 2008, I suspect that I will be an owner.
I have to agree, I was waiting on the Camaro to come out, but given the 135i’s performance capabilities, that may be my choice. I have visited the local BMW dealer, and they have a waiting list. To be put on this waiting list it requires $1000.00 (REFUNDABLE). Once they get the allowed allocations, they will go down the list. This dealer told me that there was a good possibility that if you don’t get in on it soon, it would be 2009 before stock would be available off the lot. He showed me their waiting list, and there were already 65 that put down the $1000.00.