BMW To Respond To Audi S3 With 1-Series M Model

Exactly how would an M version of the 1 series be an S3 competitor.........the 135i will outgun the S4 and S5 to 60 why would BMW need an M car to compete with Audis VW Golf 2.0t...I mean really....

— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 11/4/2009 3:58:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Which 1 body style are they talking about the lame American version or the europen hatchback version? If they would bring the hatchback over I would be very much more interested in it. As is it is too small.

I also agree the 135 already kicks the ass of the GTI...I mean Audi.

— rigid (View Profile)

Posted on 11/4/2009 4:15:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

They probably won't release it in the US... the 1-Series hasn't done very well over here.

— adamsaf723 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/4/2009 4:50:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I think you mean RS3, rumored to have the same engine as the TT-RS? And Remember, the TT-RS can spank the 135, therefore, they need a little competition if that powerplant gets put into an A3.

— AudiNewEngland (View Profile)

Posted on 11/4/2009 4:52:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

responds to S3? Don't think so. The current 135 already walks all over the 3. If the next 1 series will have 4 cylinder turbo engines, it leaves room for the M to have a slightly boosted version of the current 135 engine but with the DI and twinscroll. Put better suspension on a current 135 and you would virtually have what WILL be an M1.

— PPower (View Profile)

Posted on 11/4/2009 4:53:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

BMW didn't respond to Audi. That's like saying that Audi responded to the BMW 335i with the Audi S4.

— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 11/4/2009 5:04:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

If BMW can get this right it would be a mean car.

— synx (View Profile)

Posted on 11/4/2009 5:08:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

I love the 135i, but it didn't do well here in the US because it was over-priced. Price it around $29,900 to $32,000 maxed out, and you will see a lot more sales number.

— investor27 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/4/2009 5:52:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Remember the pics a few weeks ago, with the 135i test mule that had rear wheel flares...chances are it will have more HP. And it won't tread on the M3, because they just released what the M3 GTS will look like, and chances are it will have 450-480 HP.

This is quite telling that there will be a 135i M spec coupe (not the ugly hatchback):
"But what I would most like to see is for BMW M to stay a young brand within people’s reach. This is why a product below the BMW M3 more important to me than a super sports car which is only accessible to a few. As I have already mentioned in other interviews, we are currently looking closely at the options in this area. I hope to be able to tell you more the next time we speak."

Dr. Kay Segler, BMW M Division

— Inline6 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/4/2009 6:53:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

no s3 in the states; does that mean no 1 series M, too?

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/4/2009 7:00:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

The A3 is a hatchback, the 1 is a coupe. Unless BMW is making a 1 series 4 door hatch then there is no comparison here. Not to mention the A3/S3 will be cheaper as the 1 series already prices itself out of the market they were claiming to go for. Instead they put it in the old 3 series territory since they upped those prices so much.

— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 11/5/2009 7:51:29 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1