German Car Zone

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.

If the 135 is priced around $35K, I'd be pretty happy with where it will score in the bang for the buck measure. That is about the same value as a 350Z, WRX or Evo but instead from a premium German manufacturer. The only other German car in the same segment is the A3 3.2 and I think it is around $34K and going to be way slower. Having said that, is it is gonna set the sales chart on fire, most probably not - all the uppety people buying a Bimmer for the image will get a 328 coupe - but I think it will pick up the enthusiast crowd, provided the driving dynamics is up there where people expect it to be.

Here is another bang for the buck comparison, I paid $39K for my E36 M3 in 98, if the 135 is cheaper and faster than that despite the inflation over the last decade, I say that is a good deal.

Hey guys... long time no see.
How much did 2002's go for back in the days?

Call me thick. But why do we need a 1 series coupe if we've already got a 3 door hatch? Surely it's not just down to some sort of sentimental 2002 homage?

I think a 3 door 1er hatch is a far more credible - and better looking - offering than this less practical, albeit cute, two door coupe. 135i coupe? Why not a muscular twin pipe 135i (M-Sport Package only) 3 door with new front treatment and rear-diffuser to blast the S3 and R32 into low lunar orbit?

Are BMW developing Mercedes Benz model-plethora syndrome?

"Vee need und little coupe for ze hairdresser, und den vee need a soft-top convertible for his air steward life partner, und den vee need a MPV because zis is ze future of passenger conveyance... oh and also vee need a SAV because vee like parking on ze pavement at shopping malls. All ze while vee vill make zem pay thru their noses for them!"

Ok, cliched and puerile pulling the p*ss out of the best automotive engineers in the world aside - there is a very serious undercurrent to my frivolity. I am sick and tired of this model proliferation strategy on the part of modern automotive manufacturers.

I'm starting to perceive the automotive industry as being more akin to the fashion sneaker market.

Don't like a hatchback? No problemo - here's a coupe!
Don't think your Golf looks to MPV-like as it is but you don't want a breadvan either? Hey presto - Golf Plus for you madam!
Want a coupe but don't like shifting the front seats forward? Go on - have a 4 door coupe!
And my personal, current favourite...
What? You think an extra few inches, more hinges and doors than a farmyard barn and an extra wiper will give your cutesy hot hatch more practicality? Help yourself to the new Clubm....

I'm all for new and innovative cars where practicality is a guiding determinant of the end design - but when it's purely in the interest of fashion, I just get frustrated and cynical.

I'm getting old.

Martin! You're thick!

(Voice of John Mclaughlin) "The 1er Coupe is needed to capitalize on a fertile and receptive American market that can't be penetrated with a hatchback. That's it."

Thanks for the rant regarding model diversification. I don't think BMW has hit that point yet, but Mercedes and Volkswagen most certainly have. I think it's funny that a brands like VW can be so overdiversified but at the same time completely miss the mark when it comes to key products like... well, like the lack of any answer to the Honda Element and Scion xB.

Martin, car industry is a business - just like any other industry.

They go beyond reasonable with their products. Every industry does that.

Have you every check how many hair shampoos are available in your local supermarket?


Industry is marketing driven today. That's a fact. We can bitch as much as we want but that won't change anything. Marketing trick work due human nature of customers. Psychology is a powerful tool.

Thanks for the affirmation.

I'd rather hope though that in the interests of reduced R&D and improved profitability that BMW and other car makers would engage the car buying public with a global marketing message that says "hatches are the new compact coupes" than introduce models solely on the basis of local market sentiment.

But hey, maybe that's just me with my blinkered 3rd world perception in a market characterised by over-saturation.

btw, martin ... check your PM box!

...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.

I am afraid I'm just not feeling this car.. After all the anticipation, spy pics, teasers from Scott et al. I expected to be blown away, and so far that hasn't happened. Maybe it is bad quality pics, lighting etc. but hey I am not loving what I see.. After the teaser with Hans, my expectations were raised to very high levels. I guess I will wait for "real" pics and press release, or even seeing the car IRL. As for now very disappointed....