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05-12-2008, 02:45 PM | #1 |
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5 Door coming?
I'm sure many of you have seen this:
http://jalopnik.com/388747/bmw-1+ser...acturer-plates Bringing this over seems like a no-brainer. It would cost approximately $0 extra dollars. I think it would only add sales, as most coupe/vert buyers would not cross-shop this car. And it adds a new segment that no current BMWNA vehicle even comes close to filling. What do you guys thing? If you look through the comments, you'll see that a few have been spotted in US/Canada with manufacturer plates. |
05-12-2008, 03:06 PM | #2 |
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Those have been available in Europe for a few years. BMW has already said that they have no plans to bring it to the US market. Apparently they released a hatchback here in the US about 10 years ago and it was a total flop, so they vowed never again.
Dan |
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05-12-2008, 03:06 PM | #3 |
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From what i understand.....Bmw autofilies hate hatch/5 door bimmers. With that said i just dont think they gonna sell many of those here. If you really want 5door check out the Audi A3 quattro. Its a nice car, or a 4 door GTI model, and have tons of mod $money$ to throw around.
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05-12-2008, 04:03 PM | #4 |
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Well, a 135 5 door is a completely different animal than a GTI or A3.
BMW did bring the 318 hatchback over some time ago, but it was a styling/performance/price disaster. The styling of the 135 5 door is at least as good as the GTI/A3, and the performance is off the charts better. Plus it's rear wheel drive. Now the pricing is another story. The GTI 5 Door is a bargain, but the A3 is a rip off. I'm sure the 135 could be price competitive with the A3, and the added performance making it a relative bargain. I know BMWUSA says they won't bring it over, but why are so many being seen over here? I think the business case makes sense. |
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05-12-2008, 04:05 PM | #5 |
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Another point to consider is that when BMW brought the 318 out, small cars were still seen as econo-boxes. The Mini and the A3, and now the 135 are starting to change that perception.
Plus, everybody is moving down a notch in car size nowadays anyway! |
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05-12-2008, 04:09 PM | #6 |
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BMW wants to maintain the image of a high-end performance auto manufacturer, and us Americans (as a market) associate hatchbacks with cheap Asian autos. After BMW's experience with the 318, it has said it will not offer traditional hatchbacks in the US market. I suspect the closest we will see to a hatchback in the near future is the X6.
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05-12-2008, 04:20 PM | #8 |
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Oh well. 6 months ago I would have been all over the 5 Door, but I am growing to like my convertible (2008 Jeep Wrangler), so now I'm thinking either 135vert or 2009 Z4.
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05-12-2008, 04:43 PM | #9 |
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It's not offered with the twin turbo so I don't think it's performance would be any better than an A3 3.2, which has a similar amount of hp. They probably figured that a 135i 5-door would be way too competitive with the 335i sedan. I wonder if they would ever offer it? How would they even price a 135i wagon?
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05-12-2008, 04:49 PM | #10 |
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I would likely have bought one even though I don't love the looks but I doubt they will import it. They designed the coupe for the US market. Look at the 3 series station wagon which is a wonderful car but represents a very small portion of 3 series sales. (Though I would have been sorely tempted if they had a 335x version.)
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