Building a 128i

[ocnblu]

Dreaming on the roundel: I just "built" a 128i at BMW's website, white with taupe leatherette... NO options. $29,375. A very appealing little coupe, but still about $5000 out of my comfort zone. Why, oh why doesn't an American manufacturer build a small, sporting, RWD 4 seater coupe for about $24,000? Dream on, ocn... dream on.

[A Horse With No Name]

It's called the Mustang...to be followed by the Camaro and the Challenger.

Seriously, though...I really wonder what a modern BMWish version of a Malibu/Cutlass/Skylark/Torino/Cyclone/whatever could be.

High winding v-6, couple of different suspension choices, a slick paddle shift automatic or a 6 speed...built in Michigan and available down the street at your local dealer.

Chris

[Drew Dowdell]

Why, oh why doesn't an American manufacturer build a small, sporting, RWD 4 seater coupe for about $24,000? Dream on, ocn... dream on.

Cause they sell like snowblowers in Texas. The C230 coupe was $25,800 sticker.

[pow]

The GTI, C30, and Clubman S are as close as you can get. Well-equipped, safe, comfortable, fuel-efficient, and usable everyday, yet they go like stink, handle well, and look great.

If only Ford could send the Focus ST over here, then I think you'll find the perfect car that meets your criteria. It's a working class hero against the pricey Generation Golf Euros. Escort RS Cosworth, FTW!

[Satty]

The GTI, C30, and Clubman S are as close as you can get. Well-equipped, safe, comfortable, fuel-efficient, and usable everyday, yet they go like stink, handle well, and look great.

Yep, only criteria they dont meet is RWD, and frankly I doubt you'll notice it when you get behind the wheel.

Edit: price on the Volvo and Mini get up there, but frankly prices on everything are getting high, ten years ago you could get a Mustang GT for about $20k.

Edited February 16, 2008 by Satty

[Z-06]

The GTI, C30, and Clubman S are as close as you can get. Well-equipped, safe, comfortable, fuel-efficient, and usable everyday, yet they go like stink, handle well, and look great.

If only Ford could send the Focus ST over here, then I think you'll find the perfect car that meets your criteria. It's a working class hero against the pricey Generation Golf Euros. Escort RS Cosworth, FTW!

Sorry Empowah, I feel like being a jackass.

Why, oh why doesn't an American manufacturer build a small, sporting, RWD 4 seater coupe for about $24,000? Dream on, ocn... dream on.

[ocnblu]

Well of course you can feel the difference between FWD and RWD through the steering.

The Mustang is out there and it is truly authentic, but doesn't feel right with the V6. A V8 Mustang will eat too much gas and be too expensive for my criteria.

The Mini, GTI and C30 are all well and good and I like them, but this thread is extolling the virtues of an upright, RWD 4 seat coupe with sporting credentials... something I hope to see from GM on the Alpha platform with a Pontiac nameplate... but indications so far are that the Alpha cars will go to Cadillac and Chevrolet, the latter in sedan form only (why on earth... who knows?)

[Z-06]

A fully decked out 135i costs $50,740.

It seems like BMW is tacitly adapting America to European Flavor. Size of car does not matter, what matters are the comforts. Which is fine. Then BMW should reduce the price of the cars by $10k.

[Robert Hall]

A fully decked out 135i costs $50,740.

It seems like BMW is tacitly adapting America to European Flavor. Size of car does not matter, what matters are the comforts. Which is fine. Then BMW should reduce the price of the cars by $10k.

BMW has long had lengthy, pricey option lists...same with the 3 and 5 series..there's a huge price difference between a base model and a fully loaded one.

[thegriffon]

Well of course you can feel the difference between FWD and RWD through the steering.

The Mustang is out there and it is truly authentic, but doesn't feel right with the V6. A V8 Mustang will eat too much gas and be too expensive for my criteria.

The Mini, GTI and C30 are all well and good and I like them, but this thread is extolling the virtues of an upright, RWD 4 seat coupe with sporting credentials... something I hope to see from GM on the Alpha platform with a Pontiac nameplate... but indications so far are that the Alpha cars will go to Cadillac and Chevrolet, the latter in sedan form only (why on earth... who knows?)

So contact GM and make yourself heard. You know my solutions, I hope.

[Z-06]

BMW has long had lengthy, pricey option lists...same with the 3 and 5 series..there's a huge price difference between a base model and a fully loaded one.

Yeah. But with the current models the list has even become longer...........

So contact GM and make yourself heard. You know my solutions, I hope.

I asked about it to Troy Clarke when Fly and I met him at the Miami Autoshow. He said that expect something from GM soon, unless Euro-Gang killed the Alpha from that time to now.

[Blake Noble]

Why, oh why doesn't an American manufacturer build a small, sporting, RWD 4 seater coupe for about $24,000? Dream on, ocn... dream on.

I've been looking at used E36 3-Series BMWs lately, just for the hell of it. Maybe a little bit smaller than I would like, and probably a little more, well, used than I would like, but you can't really argue with a rear-drive, six-cylinder, five-speed manual coupe for less than five-grand. This car is a prime candidate on my shopping list (as well as two others), if I can't afford a new Camaro.

[Robert Hall]

I've been looking at used E36 3-Series BMWs lately, just for the hell of it. Maybe a little bit smaller than I would like, and probably a little more, well, used than I would like, but you can't really argue with a rear-drive, six-cylinder, five-speed manual coupe for less than five-grand. This car is a prime candidate on my shopping list (as well as two others), if I can't afford a new Camaro.

They make great used car buys, IMHO...I really enjoyed my '96 M3...(bought it used in '98). Compact and light, very balanced cars.

Edited February 17, 2008 by moltar

[Sixty8panther]

You're preaching to the choir.... I'd even take an ecotech powered RWD coupeif it was like $22K.

We need a 21st century version of the '61 Tempest or in more modern terms, a 4-cyl Fox-body.

[The O.C.]

A fully decked out 135i costs $50,740.

It seems like BMW is tacitly adapting America to European Flavor. Size of car does not matter, what matters are the comforts. Which is fine. Then BMW should reduce the price of the cars by $10k.

????

I get $48,995 adding everything on the list......but that includes a ton of stuff I wouldn't include such as an auto, active steering, park distance control, etc......

My perfect 135i has an MSRP of $38,900:

Jet Black ($0 non-metallic)

Black leatherette/Gray Poplar Wood Trim

6-speed manual ($0)

Sport Package

Comfort Access System

Heated Seats

HD Radio

Premium Audio System

Other than not having leather, this is a pretty loaded car. Standard items included are things such as Xenons, 8-way seats (manual), power sunroof, auto wipers and headlights, 18-inch wheels/tires (on sport package.)

[Z-06]

[The O.C.]

Oh....you added accessories. I just stuck with factory options.

[Robert Hall]

Oh....you added accessories. I just stuck with factory options.

I have to laugh at the $81 set of floormats..what nonsense. And $400 for an iPod and USB adapter? Should be standard. BMW certainly knows how to stick it to people w/ the options.

[Northstar]

The 1-Series looked like what it is at the auto show: a subcompact car. It doesn't look very good in person. Looks scrunched, poor proportions. It may look better than many cars it's size, but it costs 3-4 times more than most cars its size, so it better look better. Still, for the ~$5k difference to a 3er, I'd pay an extra ~$5k for sure.

[RBB]

I have to laugh at the $81 set of floormats..what nonsense.

Ahem...

-RBB

[regfootball]

BMW knows they can stick it to the people shopping for these. fine by me. you wanna pour money down the drain, ok with me.

[ocnblu]

On the other hand, the car is extremely well-equipped with no options.

[Z-06]

On the other hand, the car is extremely well-equipped with no options.

True, if you can live without two boombox subwoofer, leather, and other crap like homelink etc.

[The O.C.]

I have to laugh at the $81 set of floormats..what nonsense. And $400 for an iPod and USB adapter? Should be standard. BMW certainly knows how to stick it to people w/ the options.

Well you have to look at reality......I worked for a BMW store for a time and so did my ex.....in 99% of the cases, the dealer throws in things like floor mats for free. That's pretty typical of BMW stores in this area. The $81 for floormats is more often gained by people going into the parts department and ordering a new set or something like that....

[The O.C.]

True, if you can live without two boombox subwoofer, leather, and other crap like homelink etc.

Premium audio is a pretty inexpensive option on this car (and the 3-series.) And while I would still prefer leather, BMW's leatherette is so good, it's almost worth saving the money. And you can stay with leatherette....but still get the sport seats included in the sport package. All 1- and 3-series come with things like a sunroof, all power accessories, multi-adjustable seats (manual though) and stuff.

BMW's basic option prices aren't really all that out-of-whack (witness the cost of floormats for an AURA) it's the basic price of the car that hits you. That and IF you choose to add pricey options such as active steering, active cruise, or navigation.

[Robert Hall]

Well you have to look at reality......I worked for a BMW store for a time and so did my ex.....in 99% of the cases, the dealer throws in things like floor mats for free. That's pretty typical of BMW stores in this area. The $81 for floormats is more often gained by people going into the parts department and ordering a new set or something like that....

When I bought my BMW, the dealer did include floormats, but it was a certified pre-owned. My Jeep came with no mats...so I stopped at Target on the way home and picked up a couple sets (carpeted for summer, rubber grooved for winter).

[Robert Hall]

Premium audio is a pretty inexpensive option on this car (and the 3-series.) And while I would still prefer leather, BMW's leatherette is so good, it's almost worth saving the money. And you can stay with leatherette....but still get the sport seats included in the sport package. All 1- and 3-series come with things like a sunroof, all power accessories, multi-adjustable seats (manual though) and stuff.

BMW's basic option prices aren't really all that out-of-whack (witness the cost of floormats for an AURA) it's the basic price of the car that hits you. That and IF you choose to add pricey options such as active steering, active cruise, or navigation.

True, they are pretty well equipped to start with... about the only extras I'd seriously want would be Homelink (my Jeep has it and I use it for my gate and garage door) and a sound system with CD player and iPod jack.

[Z-06]

I want Lumbar support standard because of my lower back problem. Everytime I build a BMW they have it in the premium package. I honestly do not care for the leather and just like O.C. said the leatherette is pretty good. I prefer the home link, but I can put the big dong for the apartment opener on the sun visor. In that way I like the TSX that it comes with everything standard. You really appreciate the value for money but with the wrong set of wheels turning the car.

[Robert Hall]

I want Lumbar support standard because of my lower back problem. Everytime I build a BMW they have it in the premium package. I honestly do not care for the leather and just like O.C. said the leatherette is pretty good. I prefer the home link, but I can put the big dong for the apartment opener on the sun visor. In that way I like the TSX that it comes with everything standard. You really appreciate the value for money but with the wrong set of wheels turning the car.

That's what I like about the TL... very few options, it pretty much comes loaded...

[LosAngeles]

The option I would want is for it to be a HATCH.

Surely the A3 has prioven that Americans aren't scared of hatchbacks that much.

[Bimmer325]

I saw a white 135i w/ the M-package a few days ago. Hot.

[LosAngeles]

I saw a white 135i w/ the M-package a few days ago. Hot.

The M1, eh? LOL.

[gmpartsgirl]

Why, oh why doesn't an American manufacturer build a small, sporting, RWD 4 seater coupe for about $24,000? Dream on, ocn... dream on.

I totally feel your pain, which is why I bought the Z. I was tired of waiting. Mine isn't a 4-seater unfortunately, and it was $34,000, but it was the most car, closest to what I wanted in a car for a reasonable amount of money. If I could have afforded the extra $5000 or so, I would've gotten the G37, so I could have a back seat.

[Duncan]

Cause they sell like snowblowers in Texas. The C230 coupe was $25,800 sticker.

And the C230 Coupe did not exemplify the kind of quality anyone expects from Mercedes-Benz. It was also, to be blunt, not very attractive.

The 1-Series is at least a nice-looking piece, but (as mentioned) it's expensive as hell. My biggest problem with it is that it's incredibly heavy for its size.

[Duncan]

BMW knows they can stick it to the people shopping for these. fine by me. you wanna pour money down the drain, ok with me.

It's smaller than a 3, so it makes people think they're saving money somehow. Go figure.

[pow]

BMW knows they can stick it to the people shopping for these. fine by me. you wanna pour money down the drain, ok with me.

A luxurious sports sedan that gets from 0-60 in 4.7 seconds for $35K... sounds like a good deal to me.

[pow]

I checked one out at the dealer a few weeks ago... I love how it looks, especially the 135i Sport in black. I'd honestly rather have one over a 335i Coupe, which is sleek and attractive but by no means as distinctive. The 3-series coupe looks like a whale of a car parked next to the 1.

[The O.C.]

It's smaller than a 3, so it makes people think they're saving money somehow. Go figure.

It's about $5,000 less comparably-equipped.....that's not insignificant for a vehicle that shares a large portion of it's architecture, not to mention it's fabulous engines, with it's more expensive 3-series cousin.....

[regfootball]

i'll have to pass, i don't think my 4 year old could even fit in that back seat

[bobo]

I was at the BMW dealer today to check out the 1-Series, though I didn't drive one or even sit in one. It looks cute in person, and I would consider a 128i if I wanted to go the BMW route. I did drive a 335i, which was plenty nice. I'm not normally a fan of turbos, but the car doesn't suffer from any turbo lag. It's a more interesting ride than the old 330i, as you'd expect. I drove an M3 last week, which is almost too much car. It's slightly weak of torque for a millisecond off the line, then revs like crazy. It has extremely powerful, almost touchy brakes. At about $67K, it's not priced in the stratosphere, but the 14/20 mpg rating seems a little irresponsible these days. BMW still has some the best balanced, best handling cars out there.

[Duncan]

It's about $5,000 less comparably-equipped.....that's not insignificant for a vehicle that shares a large portion of it's architecture, not to mention it's fabulous engines, with it's more expensive 3-series cousin.....

But it begs the question - if it's that similar, what's the point? Why sell a slightly smaller, less spacious version of the same vehicle?

The same vehicle with BMW's new four-cylinder engine would make a lot more sense. Maybe that's BMW's plan - I hope so.

Edited June 15, 2008 by Duncan