http://www.caranddriver.com/carnews/12445/spied-2009-bmw-1-series-coupe.html

Try it. You’ll love it. It’s a whole new level to owning a mini!

So as you can imagine I’ve never thought of a BMW as some vain status symbol. Since I was a kid I looked at them as well engineered machines that focused on performance and driving pleasure first and foremost. So when I hear that people won’t even think about buying a BMW it saddens me knowing that (for a few folks) the brand has been hijacked by a part of the population that simply looks at it a a status symbol.

I’ve personally owned five BMWs over the years and currently own a fantastic 3 Series wagon (sport package w/manual!). However, while I’m a big fan of the current crop of BMWs, I’ve long held out for a return to the formula of the BMW 2002. Small, high performance, efficient, and aimed squarely at true driving enthusiasts. Because of this, idea of a 130i or 135i is incredibly interesting to me. In fact my first thought when I saw this car and heard it was coming to the US was – how could I not get it. This is everything I’ve pined for since I was a teenager. Perfect balance, high output inline 6, RWD – all the ingredients are there.

But I live in an urban area with only a two car garage. A garage I’m incredibly lucky to have considering the local space constraints. This means owning three cars is really out of the question (especially considering we only really need one). So would I really consider selling my MINI for a 135i coupe or hatchback?

At this point the answer is a resounding no. For one, our 3 Series wagon will need replacing well before the MINI (one has 77k the other 15k). And it’s through that replacement that I’ll likely get my fixed for the BMW 3.0L 300hp turbo inline six. Secondly my MINI is a very personal expression at this point. Selling it would be an incredibly hard thing to do without replacing it with another. And as much as a 300hp 1 Series interests me, the MINI fits my lifestyle like a glove.

I totally agree with this. The 1 series looks like a BMW from the front (which is intended) and will appeal to those looking for performance and the BMW styling. Personally, my mum was telling me to get a 328 instead of my MINI but you just can’t compare. The look is entirely different. Even if it handles amazing and has all this super power with 300 hp it will still be a BMW.

Those looking for a car with culture and style not to mention a really unique group of owners, you will get a MINI and that’s how it always will be.

I just asked a coworker (I work at a MINI dealership) and he said that he’d take the 1 series over the MINI EXCEPT if MINI came out with an AWD. Whatever, I love my MINI, AWD or not :).

I like cars with bespoke platforms. The MINI is only MINI’s. And BMW doesn’t share any platforms with anyone but itself.

We’ll see if the new MINI can keep its charm. And if BMW actually brings the 1 series here.

Don’t get me wrong. I love MINIs. LOVE UM!!! The BMW one series… “Not so much” – Borat

Audi A 1 – …Prehaps, … Quattro… Bi-turbo… and hopefully MINI-ish.

Just my “2 cents,”… “anyone have change?”

I actually have an 07 335ci in production right now with the same I6 biturbo, but if the 1 series was available now I might have gotten it instead of the 3. Doesn’t really impact my MINI- I’m keeping that too.

I hate to use generalizations, but my impression of it is, that MINI’s more for those who are more rebellious-underdog types — meaning engines with more-than-adequate power that may be a little rough at the edges with enthusiastic handling and great looks.

In terms of price, right now, there is nothing in the BMW line up that’s priced in between the 3er and the MINI. For traditionalist-performance oriented people, you’d either have to pony up some serious doe for the 3er or save some by getting the MINI. So for MCS, it seems, for the moment, a good compromise — for relatively low price, you get good (more-than-adequate) power and excellent but not awesome handling.

Now, if you are not willing to compromise, then you’d be looking else where other than BMW. BMW is simply trying to capture those who are not willing to compromise.

For the MINI, this will definitely canibalize some of MINI’s market share — since BMW would have finally given them what they wanted — traditionalist-performance oriented car with great engine and awesome handling at a price they can afford. The question then becomes how much will MINI lose? Well, that’s the hard part. Personally, I think most people who bought MINIs falls into the latter category, meaning that given the choice, they still would have bought MINIs.

I’ve seen the 1er first hand while on vacation in Asia. IMHO, its looks are o.k. — takes some getting use to, though. Yes the 1er has a lot more power and probably handles fabulously around those sharp twisties, but it just doesn’t communicate that certain “the little car that can” type of personality to me.

So you can guess which category I fall into…. :-)

Another factor is (probably not important in terms of MINI), that how much the 1er would cannibalize the 3er market? I think this is what BMW is more worried about — they probably make a lot more money from the 3er than they do from the MINI — which may be why they are coming out with the 3-door version first.

Gabe said: Just to clear something up… BMW chooses the dealers who sell the MINI. If dealers could choose…

I wonder how they choose the dealers… in California there are absolutely NO MINI dealers between the greater Los Angeles and San Francisco areas. So if you live in the central valley (e.g. Bakersfield, Fresno, etc.), you’d have to drive 130+ miles to the nearest dealer. in the mean time, around where I live (Irvine), there are 2 dealers within a 5 mile radius.

…however,I do fall under the slot of,”I just want a damn’ good,quality car,that sips fuel;and doesn’t send me to the poor house,person”.

…with this in mind,my MC is paid off;and more than likely,I will trick out,”Sade”,to my taste(using MINI products,of course),then garage it somewhere. Therefore,I will be getting another car sometime around late 2007/2008.

…since I have a MINI…that 1-Series coupe/hatchback,would be a nice,”Sister”,for,”Sade”. Thank you,as usual,Gabe,for the great story.