Corrado's def are hot, but I like the "newerness" of the R32 =)

 

I am on the "early test drive" list for the 135i. I think it's badass... It's very much like an E30 or 2002ti - small, fast, nimble. Should be a lot of fun and on the shortlist, especially if the C63 ends up with that crappy interior I saw on the C300.

 

No, because they're made by Karmann.

 

The 1 series is seriously cramped in the back, it's too expensive (in Europe at least) to justify the fact that it has nicer engines/handling than its direct competitors. I also *read* that the 130i desperatly needs a diff, wich is clearly evident to anyone who has seen pictures/vids of this car under hard and tight cornering. If I remember correctly, BMW is putting a new diff in the 135i. I'm not entirerly sure about that though.

 

I love how bmw is taking the Porsche road with their cool cars.

Lets hype the Cayman so much...then give it an Open Diff!

I don't think there's a 335 owner out there that wouldn't have tacked an extra grand on their loan for an LSD.

 

I like the idea of the 1 series coupe and may be interested in the 128i. I drove a 335i a few weeks ago and wow was that a fun car, but I may find myself getting into too much trouble with that engine. If I don't get a 1, I may consider a 3...but I won't get anything for another year and a half.

 

What is Karmann?

All I know is that the R32 beats the 1 series around the track....

IMO has a nicer interior....


and has AWD.... better choice.

 

Around what track? Thats a pretty broad statement, and the 135i hasn't even come out yet, so its pretty hard to make a comparison.

Also, I highly doubt the 135i will come with an LSD. They stopped non-M LSD's in 95 with the 325is.

Either way, you can get an aftermarket diff for slightly more than a factory option'd diff, so just add one after your purchase.

Whats the ETA on the 1-series in the states?

 

I think he's talking about this,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQr_ptJ0oJY

Here's more of R32 vs 1 series.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwKLXzEz3yA

 

The fanboy-ism is rampant here... wow....

 

its a good little drive. handles well on the road.

it is a little cramped inside, but its a small car. its what you expect.

i felt the driving position felt a little high though, which was weird. but only i found it to be so.

definitely test drive one. the 130i motor-sport is alot of fun. rear wheel drive in a tight little package.

 

In his review in the times Jeremy Clarkson said something very correct about BMW (at least IMO).

From all the BMW's that have emerged in an effort to have a car for every need, the 1 series is the least annoying to me. The 135 is not out and IMO the biggest difference with the 335 is the shorter wheelbase that will make it more vivid. Although, the shorter wheelbase of the Z4M compared to the E46 M3 made it too nervous...

Spencer, there is no optional diff for the 1-series nor the 3-series. From 2007 and on BMW welds the diff to the housing making the aftermarket installs even more complicated. Hartge offers an LSD for the 335 that could probably apply to the 135 too but that's at over 3k.

Buying the 1 series as a toy or as a daily driver if you have a better car is a good choise IMO. Buying it as the only car is not advisable. Back room is limited, boot is tiny even for a hatc and the price is rather high for what it offers. That said, I would take the 130i over the 265hp turbo S3 or A3 3.2V6 any day even though I think the Audi looks better. But if I was 20 and looking for a nice hatch I would probably stick to a cooper S or a GTi.

 

I hate the haldex system with a passion. It is heavier than a system with a mid diff. Runs FWD most of the time and weighs almost the same. It's just the easy way for companies to avoid driveshaft tunnels and offer more space in the rear and it's ok in small cars that see snow. But for anything else it's unacceptable IMO. I would rather drive something FWD with LSD.

 

If the S3 was available in the States, I'd already have one, especially if it came in an S3 Sportback.

I'm just glad the manufacturers are finally realizing they need to send their "different" cars to the US. The 1-series, new GT-R, Smart, etc. are all examples of what we can look forward to.

 

Did the first gen S3 make it there? I used to have one and it was a totally amazing car. I wouldn't look forward to the smart to be honest the new Fiat 500 is the definitition of the city car in this century IMO and I doubt it will ever make it to the states.