1 Series [Spy Shots] BMW 1-Series coupe, part 2 (fully exposed 135i!)

[Centurion]

Regardless of how well the car will handle, that is one disgusting looking rear. It is as embarrasing as a scrotum. Big dissapointment.

 

[klier]

I think BMW are playing it tooo safe now. None of the new cars (3-series coupe, X5, 1-series coupe) make your jaw drop like the 5-er did.

It doesn't matter, those were the last cars of this generation.

Next gen will half start with the introduction of the X6 and fully start with the introduction of the F01 7er, next year. From then, we will see the next design line, that of the BMW Concept Sedan Coupe


Oooh, exiting times. I cannot wait to hear more about that engine pic of the F01

 

[LaArtist]

but then again those shots we seen are very crappy and blurry and wont help the car much. Lets wait and see for the officiall photos shall we.

sure lets wait..im sure it will look better than a blurry shot..
but better pics dont change how the car looks..
but we can wait..no probs

 

[martinbo]

...very funny.

I think the model proliferation thing is probably where the auto-industry is going. As the technology will allow greater production flexibility and variation, I believe we will see much more scope for (and emphasis placed on) individualism: vehicles which can virtually be customized to order and niche vehicles which fulfill very specific requirements or desires -- the market certainly desires it, we can already see it in such things as customized ring tones or special edition iPods and Xboxes.

Thanks Rob - at least someone saw the humour behind it...

You know, you, Eni, Osna and the rest are right; model proliferation is here to stay and it's pervasive throughout all of the auto makers. It's not new either - it's been going on for ages.

The difference is however, that now it's becoming very difficult for the average consumer to identify with all of a major brands different models. I consider myself to be well informed about the various models on the market (well besides that whole Accord / Acura thing) and even I find it a daily chore to keep myself abreast of new models and new developments.

Surely this must in some way alienate the average consumer?

 

[Imhotep Evil]

I don't think most of us here expect or want to see an "affordable" car from BMW. That's not the point. What we'd like to see is a compelling value proposition, which isn't something BMW hasn't offered for quite some time. The problem with 2002 nostalgia is that we're all pining away for an era when BMW had less market leverage, and give you that "all warm and fuzzy feeling" you get when you make a smart buy.

Yeah, the 135 is bound to be one hell of a ride, but all the while there will be a nagging voice in the back of your head saying: "Boy, I paid a snotload of money for this thing." A 2002 it can't be.

Uhm let's see ...
Safety + enviromental parts = a lot of extra costs.

As for a smart buy, it depends ... it's relative.

The german mark actually became strong when the 2002 was made, and BMW thought of killing it.

Even more, some countries had punitive import taxes, such that the 2002 was put up, on a price base, against bigger more upscale cars.

In the USA, the 2002 was a bargain, but ... in the UK, initially, it felt like a rip off.
Because for the same money you could have bought a Rover 2000 TC or a Triumph 2500 PI, both bigger and more upscale cars. So unless you liked the superior driving dynamics of the BMW, you had no reason to buy it.

So the cost was always relative to the taxation policies as it is today.
Expect monstrous prices in Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Singapore, Egypt.

 

[Zafiro]

sure lets wait..im sure it will look better than a blurry shot..
but better pics dont change how the car looks..
but we can wait..no probs

Im working with photos for our catalogues and a good photo and a bad photo can make a difference.

with correct color and correct rims, this car can be hot, Im sure of it.

 

[EnI]

other than that.. its not just me.. seriously about 85% of the comments thus far are negative..
how sad

Even Jessica Alba can look like a disaster on a crappy pics with crappy lighting.

Wait till better pics are available where all details can be seen (CELIS LED strips, creases on boot lid, 3rd break light on a boot lid, ...).

Believe it or not - even the sexiest car can look like a cr.p on some pics.

I'm surprised how easily people are able to judge upon only one single pic!


Ehhh ... I'm used to hear bitching about BMW design ... Especially the rear ... Yet how come the majority of customers like the designs, and BMW cars getting all possible design awards?

 

[PanterroR]

Im working with photos for our catalogues and a good photo and a bad photo can make a difference.

...on a computer or TV screen, but not in real life, you must admit.

 

[Zafiro]

...on a computer or TV screen, but not in real life, you must admit.

real life is different thing. As history has shown many new bimmers dont look good in photos, seeing them IRL can make a person change his mind.
I hate the R8 on photos but I adore seeing the car IRL

 

[klier]

Thanks Rob - at least someone saw the humour behind it...

Hey now!

I thanked you because I thought it was funny

 

[PanterroR]

real life is different thing. As history has shown many new bimmers dont look good in photos, seeing them IRL can make a person change his mind.
I hate the R8 on photos but I adore seeing the car IRL

Of course you're right, especially when we talk about BMW. But in this case i don't think i'll change my mind when i see it IRL; simply the lights look too big for me. I have no problems with shape, it's the size that bothers me...

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Regardless of how well the car will handle, that is one disgusting looking rear. It is as embarrasing as a scrotum. Big dissapointment.

LMAO

 

[Zafiro]

Of course you're right, especially when we talk about BMW. But in this case i don't think i'll change my mind when i see it IRL; simply the lights look too big for me. I have no problems with shape, it's the size that bothers me...

I will remember this and ask you again in 12 months

 

[PanterroR]

I will remember this and ask you again in 12 months

Be my guest...

 

[klier]

BMW needs to get official material out ASAP

There is a bad vibe around this car right now, with these badly taken blurry shots. I am not really liking what I see from the back either.
This scares off potential custumors if they don't give us official press material for another month or whatever time frame they are thinking of.

90% of all people don't like the back.....that's saying a lot

I need more detail...I didn't even notice the third braking light or ceases.

 

[martinbo]

True, partially, but irrelevant really ... The Boxter is a fine driver's car, but it's seen a hair dresser's car.

To understand this, read a little bit of Alvin Toffler, particularly his report on AT&T.

Coming from the man who frequently puts a totally irrelevant historical lesson into any automotive debate - I'll take the whole relevancy criticism from whence it comes.

What on earth does a Boxster being perceived as a hairdresser's car got to do with model proliferation on the scale of what's being discussed here?

No wait. Don't answer that - I'm worried that I'm going to get a history lesson on 507's, Duesenbergs and Model T Fords...

 

[LaArtist]

Ehhh ... I'm used to hear bitching about BMW design ... Especially the rear ... Yet how come the majority of customers like the designs, and BMW cars getting all possible design awards?

That is a mystery to me my friend.. the only explenation i can give is..that the designer world has lost grip of what the ppl appriciate.. the design world tries to hard to be diffrent.. that why BMW suits them..bmw is diffrent..
with all good and bad that comes with that..

 

[PanterroR]

Coming from the man who frequently puts a totally irrelevant historical lesson into any automotive debate - I'll take the whole relevancy criticism from whence it comes.

What on earth does a Boxster being perceived as a hairdresser's car got to do with model proliferation on the scale of what's being discussed here?

No wait. Don't answer that - I'm worried that I'm going to get a history lesson on 507's, Duesenbergs and Model T Fords...

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Coming from the man who frequently puts a totally irrelevant historical lesson into any automotive debate - I'll take the whole relevancy criticism from whence it comes.

What on earth does a Boxster being perceived as a hairdresser's car got to do with model proliferation on the scale of what's being discussed here?

No wait. Don't answer that - I'm worried that I'm going to get a history lesson on 507's, Duesenbergs and Model T Fords...

Very simple:

a) the Boxter, and, now Cayman, was/is an example of model proliferation, for the sake of survival;

b) perception and the image that is created; perception is reality, truth is irrelevant/a lie;

 

[PC Valkyrie]

I'm a little late to this party.....but it is indeed nice to know that a 135i will be made and likely for the North American market.

From a looks point of view, I agree with the majority that this "coupe" seems a bit forced and unnatural from a visual point of view. I much prefer the 3 door hatchback that the rest of the world gets.

However, I am very interested in this car because of the potential performance and price. As some of you know, I'm becoming more intrested in tracking, and I can envision the 135i (with some optional M-sport suspension) to be a very good car for that purpose, and for daily driving. It should be quite a bit less expensive than the 335i, which means it will likely be less expensive than the new STi or EvoX.

We know the 3.0L biturbo is a huge performer. The 135i will be lighter than the 335i, which makes the car likely faster and more agile. The only question is transmission choices: there will undoubtedly be a 6 speed manual transmission, and probably a Steptronic automatic transmission. But will BMW fit any sort of DSG or SMG type of gearbox into this little car?

Another car for me to keep an eye on in the next few years.......