German Car Zone

I've always been quite smitten about the 135i. I knew about it well over a year before production thanks to insiders like ''Scott'' and ''Eni.'' I was in the position to buy a 1 series but held out. I took the cash and poured it into a nice investment. I plan on getting an extremely nice return in 12-18months.

I still love the 135i, but its not really going to cut it. I need an //M car and I feel like the M3 will be overkill for me.

Any tidbits?? Has it gotten the green light? Someone put me out of my misery. Throw me a bone or something. Its been a while since we've had this often talked about topic on here. Give me a genuine M car and I will buy it.

-2k

I don't have info like scott or eni do, but I don't think an M version of the 1 series will be produced. I think the 306 ps in the 135 will be top of the line. They can't use the name M1 cause it is and will always be linked to a supercar, and they ca't use the M3 V8 either as they will create a car that will kill the M3 in performance, so a 135 with M Package is the best you will begetting IMO. Of course there are always aftermarkt solutions that will provide your 135 with 400 or more HP in case you need it.

Thanks man^^ From what I've read there is definitely more room for improvement. Lets say the next-gen debuts in 2011. An M car wont come for at least 2 years later. Thats 2013! That is too damn far away. BMW must have something up their sleeves.

135i+M Package is the closest thing to an M1 you'll get... unless of course you splurge on BMW performance parts (see thread here (Autobild: BMW 135i Performance Package vs Cayman S)).

Chipping it will give it more power but it will not make the 135i a true M car, as M cars are more then just power machines.

If you trully want an M car, you might want to consider a used E46 M3... should be around the same price as a fully-loaded 135i.

There were talks about a 135iS of some sort no? I think that would be pretty damn close to an "M1"

I understand the talk that making an M1 would eat an M3, but it will have to do it eventually. I think the M3 would have to worry about the Z4 with the new M engine.

The Z4 and the M3 are in a different league. A Z4 is a two seater and in an M3 it is possible to take your kids or your wife and your mistress
An M1 or 135is (whatever the name would be) can do the same so that woud be a real competitor to the M3 although it will be smallerthe difference can't be that big. And using an engine that is between the TT 6 cyl and the M3 V8 is rather pointless IMO.

You make very valid points...BUT putting an N54 into a car as small as a 1series seemed pointless to some also. I mean a 535 is about $50,000 U.S. Having an SUV that handles like a car seems pointless too. BMW seems to do whatever they want and I'm hoping they do this. The fastest I've seen a 135i rip 60mph is 4.8 seconds. The fastest M3 did it in 4.1sec. There is PLENTY of room to squeeze in an M135i. The quarter miles are 13.3 and 12.6 respectively. Once again, plenty of room to squeeze in an M135i.

i have read somewhere ( i think car and driver ) that BMW will release a tii line of cars including the 1 and 3 series, which will focus on losing weight and being even more of a drivers car, so that may just be your answer

correct me if im wrong.

Regarding the name "M1," this was printed in Car Magazine's article about the M1 Hommage presentation:

"And there's another snag: the car can't be called M1 - that badge is reserved for a hot version of the next-generation hatchback."