135i ...

[adren77]

What are your thoughts people?

30k for 306hp, 18' wheels, 6 piston calipers, sports + aero package... seems hard to beat

Flame on!

[Omegamerc]

It looks like they put a 3 series into a compactor. I thought the 100 series died off state side twice already?

[ugaexploder]

sounds like you just described a g35

[grantman240z]

The 135i looks alright...it will be pretty quick though..weighs noticeably less than the 335i. However, the 135i is going to start at around 35k (128i, is the sub-30k).

It is nowhere near as nice looking as a G...and their interiors are terrible!

[ugaexploder]

bmw makes no sense some times...135i costs 35k but the 335i costs 42k or so...if i were to buy a v6 TT then it would have to be the 335i.

good luck to bmw in selling the 135i

[k@osx71]

I've read about the 1 series from last year, and supposedly it was supposed to be a cheaper more affordable line of bmw's, mainly for college students who can't afford the other lines of bmw (guess not). With that price, i'd stick to the G hands down!

[grantman240z]

I've read about the 1 series from last year, and supposedly it was supposed to be a cheaper more affordable line of bmw's, mainly for college students who can't afford the other lines of bmw (guess not). With that price, i'd stick to the G hands down!

Well, the 128i is going to be somewhere around the 28k mark...thats the "affordable" version...not ALOT less than a 328i.

The car is lighter, it will definitely move quick...but I would definitely take a 335i over an 135i and my G35 over both!

[adren77]

Edmunds said 30k for 135!

[torbach1]

Car and Driver, Automobile Magazine, Motor Trend, etc. all have estimated a mid $30's starting price for the 135i. Don't forget that BMW is also notoriously expensive with options, so a well specced out 135i could end up at $42k.

Having said that, a friend of mine in South Africa drives a 120i, and from what I've heard that is more fun to drive than the equivalent 3 series, so the 135i should be a blast to drive. I don't particularly like it's looks, and the service issues I had with my 330i would remain the same issues, but I'm still looking forward to test driving the 135i for fun.

CheersTamir

[abdoman]

I think the 135 looks great. The engine is great and I'm sure it will handle really well. The interior can't be any worse the the G35. I might just be trading in my g.

[ugaexploder]

i respect the idea from bmw tracing its roots to what made them the prestigious corporation of the modern world...the bmw 2002 was the flagship car for bmw. small, nimble, yet still powerful. my friend is rebuilding an older 2002 turbo bimmer and its hideous yes...but its history also.

[ArEs23x]

I am very sorry and kinda surprised to say this....but I actually like the BMW 135i coupe more then the g37...the body itself in my opinion looks better plus its lighter with twin turbo...I can say much about the interior until the 135i comes out next year....but either way... I hope infiniti comes out with a great 09 coupe next year..im anxious to see both cars...

[ArEs23x]

Found these.... Dont get me wrong... I love my G35... But these cars have always been in the back of my mind





























Srry but U cant say that car doesnt look a lil good... The only thing that worries me is the rep they have for being fragile

[Kendahl]

Before I decided on a G37, one of the cars on my short list was a 328i coupe. Because of the turbos, I did not want a 335i. If this were next year, I would have been looking at the 128i rather than the 135i or any 3 series car.

128i advantages:- Lighter, therefore faster, than 3 series. Maybe faster than G37.- Normally aspirated engine cheaper to buy, run and maintain than turbo.- Better fuel economy than heavier cars, such as 3 series and G37.

128i disadvantages:- Run-flat tires (one reason I rejected the 328i).- Hard to find manual transmission cars (the other reason I rejected the 328i).- Still not cheap. I predict an extensively optioned 128i will cost $45k.- Questionable reliability. More expensive to maintain than G37.

Styling is always a personal preference. To me, the 1 series front, rear and interior are OK. However, I find the sculpturing along the lower sides to be ugly. Perhaps, it looks better in person than in photographs.

[G_whizz]

Not a big fan of the interior... the exterior isn't bad... looks like a mini M3 IMHO

[abdoman]

While I agree on most of your list, it's cheaper to maintain a BMW, at least for the first three years, than it an Infiniti. BMW gives free maintenance for 3 yrs.

[zozoka1212]

That is only true in USA everywhere else it is paid by the costumer.

To put my .02 in I do like the exterior of the car but the interior still looks like they forget to update it. That's the problem with most of the europian cars. Also it is going to cost more than the same equiped G35. Otherwise with a little tuning it should be a nice pocket rocket.

zozo

[ugaexploder]

that car looks awesome, the seats do not look comfortable at all though...i would just hate the fact that in 5 years or so it'll be like the 318ti

[Kendahl]

it's cheaper to maintain a BMW, at least for the first three years, than it an Infiniti.

I'm less worried about the first three years than about the following twenty.

[abdoman]

How many cars have you kept for 20 years?

We are talking about maintenance, not repairs. It's actually been quite a bit more expensive to maintain my G35 than my last three BMWs. Much more frequent oil changes.

I can't comment on how reliable an Infiniti will be as this is my first one but I have owned several Bimmers and they have been very reliable until about 125K.

[Kendahl]

How many cars have you kept for 20 years?

Well, technically, only one, the 1984 Mazda RX-7 I will give away when my G37 arrives at the end of the month. I don't think it would be fair to count the 1968 Corvair my wife inherited from her father 21 years ago. Typically, if we buy a car new or nearly new, we keep it for at least 10 years.

Since the line between them is fuzzy, I don't try to separate routine maintenance from repairs. Every one agrees that oil changes, tires and brake pads should be classified as maintenance. But what about timing belts or the brake rotors the RX-7 persists in warping? How would you classify a clutch? (The RX-7's original clutch is still holding fine after 24 years and 188k miles.) If you keep a car long enough, the engine will need to be rebuilt. Does that make it a maintenance item rather than a repair?

If you define maintenance as the work that should be performed at regular intervals of 3 years / 30k miles or less, I will agree that BMW will be cheaper than Infiniti during the warranty period. After that, I suspect they will cost about the same.

Repairs, after the warranty expires, are a different matter. In my experience, they cost much more than routine maintance. You can buy a lot of oil changes for the price of a clutch, valve job or rebuilding the suspension. This is where it will cost more to own a BMW than an Infiniti. The BMW will need repairs more often and each repair will be more expensive.

[zozoka1212]

I only have licence for 19 years.

I guess first the ages than the beauties.

sorry had to.

zozo

[Kendahl]

I guess first the ages than the beauties.

Thats ok. The first step in becoming an old fart is to live long enough.

[abdoman]

You are definitely in the minority. I have never had the luxury of owning a car for 10 years, as I drive way too much.

I have noticed that Infiniti is extremely expensive on parts, even more than I paid at BMW. Even oil changes (the reason I change my own). I always let the BMW dealer change the oil as it was very reasonable ($65 for a synthetic oil change).

I do believe that the G35 will be more reliable, but I can't really comment as I've only had mine for 5 months. (I've owned 5 BMWs)
Modified by abdoman at 5:26 AM 11/5/2007

[zozoka1212]

You are absolutely right.

zozo