BMW 1-Series Coupe (and it's coming to America!)

[DNW]

Originally Posted by LSeca

I looked up some info, it is based off teh e46 chassis and 8 inches shorter than the current 3 coupe. Def not as small as the 2002. Btw the tt 3.0 is better imo than the M3 six, better fuel economy, lighter, and a bit more powerful with slighly less redline. I think BMW is going after the tuner crowd with it as forced induction is very cheap to modify for more power.
How is it more powerful? The E46 M3's 3.2 liter engine makes 333hp. This 3.0 liter engine makes 300hp with twin turbo. I can see why it'll be popular, but it ain't easy playing with turbo. I can see some dumb 18 year old kid with too much money blowing the engine because he couldn't understand that twin 15psi turbos are too much for this car.

 

[DNW]

Originally Posted by BankerBoi

Could we please have a simple traditional dash, and no i-drive fits all ?

Love simple tactile colour coded state preserving rocker switches and knobs.

http://img113.imageshack.us/my.php?i...m003118xt9.jpg

I've always thought that BMW has been pretty sensible with the number of buttons they have and their placements. I even like the simplified version of the iDrive. I think the problem is that people want too much "customization," which means you have to come up with more buttons to accommodate that. If you want to blame someone, blame it on the people who wants more, for the sake of having more.

 

[LSeca]

Originally Posted by DarkNWorn

How is it more powerful? The E46 M3's 3.2 liter engine makes 333hp. This 3.0 liter engine makes 300hp with twin turbo. I can see why it'll be popular, but it ain't easy playing with turbo. I can see some dumb 18 year old kid with too much money blowing the engine because he couldn't understand that twin 15psi turbos are too much for this car.

The hp is closer to equal, according to the dyno charts and the manufacturer is being ultra conservative with the real numbers so the Ms don't look bad. The turbo is putting down 300 ft lbs tq at 1400 rpms (V8 numbers there), the 3.2 can't make near that power. In the BMW community, it is no secret a 335 is faster than an e46 M3 from a stop or a roll in a straight line. The M3 has the edge of course in handling but not in overall power. The psi is only around 6 lbs stock.

 

[Trilby]

I thought the 1 series was just a hatchback. Have they done a coupe version just for the US market?

 

[acidboy]

I can't help but compare this to the MB 190E, or the Baby Benz.

 

[imageWIS]

Originally Posted by Trilby

I thought the 1 series was just a hatchback. Have they done a coupe version just for the US market?

Well, right now in Europe it's only a 5-door hatchback. The Coupe is coming out worldwide.

Jon.

 

[bigbadbuff]

Any guesses on pricing?

 

[DNW]

Originally Posted by bigbadbuff

Any guesses on pricing?

Probably 3-5 grand below a comparable 3-series model.

 

[GQgeek]

The side panels ruin it. I still prefer the e46 to the newer models.

 

[imageWIS]

Originally Posted by bigbadbuff

Any guesses on pricing?

128i Starting at $26-27K.

Jon.

 

[BankerBoi]

Originally Posted by acidicboy

I can't help but compare this to the MB 190E, or the Baby Benz.

190 (w201) became 220, 230K, and 240, 260, 280, 320, 350,
c32, c36, c43, c55, c63 (!) followed.

In the US, you cannot get anything smaller than a c300 now.

 

[imageWIS]

Originally Posted by BankerBoi

190 (w201) became 220, 230K, and 240, 260, 280, 320, 350,
c32, c36, c43, c55, c63 (!) followed.

In the US, you cannot get anything smaller than a c300 now.

Huh? What do you call the C230 and the C280?

Jon.

 

[edmorel]

Originally Posted by visionology

It has the sex appeal of a Hyundai Accent.


and the Hyundai's interior

 

[imageWIS]

Originally Posted by edmorel

and the Hyundai's interior

Well, there is no accounting for taste (or lack thereof).

Jon.

 

[edmorel]

Originally Posted by imageWIS

Well, there is no accounting for taste (or lack thereof).

Jon.

taste is subjective but that is a large expanse of plastic on that dash.