Whew! Finally, a decent car instead of all that American crap they've been posting recently.

I second that. American cars are trash.

How is it that BMW's all so plain and boring and really 80's but everyone in the USA thinks they're good?

"How is it that BMW's all so plain and boring and really 80's but everyone in the USA thinks they're good?"

Because they're still 10 times better than anything Detroit can turn out.

"How is it that BMW's all so plain and boring and really 80's but everyone in the USA thinks they're good?"

Yea, why can't they be as good as a Cobalt, G6, Taurus or some other dull and / or overpriced car?

Honestly, I'd consider getting a Cobalt SS, but for just a couple thousand more you can get a 128i. So yea, I'll hold off and buy a 128i and have a car that's faster, better looking, better quality materials inside, and gets better mpg for just a bit more.

Ok, 300hp and only 5.3 seconds to 60mph? I hope this is just BMW being conservative on their estimates b/c the 335i can already do that.

I was hoping to see sub 5 second on the 135i. Unless the vehicle is just a lot larger than it looks in the pics? Essentially it appears to be a chopped 3 series, maybe 8-10" shorter overall. Which is fine by me, but you would expect a more dramatic weight loss.

How is it that BMW's all so plain and boring and really 80's but everyone in the USA thinks they're good?

Because they're RWD, always have a manual trans option, smooth yet powerful straight 6's, fantastic steering/feedback and a name that's legendary.

Ok, after reading that I'm annoyed - 6 airbags? What a bunch of crap. Ultimate Driving Machine my ass - Lotus doesn't bloat up their cars with airbags.

It's because of the brand prestige.

All the kids who are driving BMWs also have the newest iPod, RAZR, Sony, BMW, etc.

It wouldn't matter if they were pieces of junk, they would still buy them because they are perceived to be more expensive and 'upper class' and what all the rich kids are driving, so they have to have one too.

In the US, dumbasses who cant even drive much less appreciate a well tuned vehicle will have a BMW as a empty status symbol basically. You could stick a BMW logo on a Tercel and charge $40,000 for it and see the dumb sheep flock to it.

As I have observed, BMW cars are designed not to attract people with its exterior looks, but merely of its capacity, the features that were made to function for customers’ advantage. Even without fascinating designs, BMW stands out because its parts were known to be tough and of good quality, even the BMW Car Cover and other accessory parts. So, those who chose it to be their car, definitely understands how it is engineered.

That interior is horrible. I've seen better interiors in Cobalts. All you BMW nut-huggers need to take a step back, and really see the ugliness that this car is.

I agree with the last post. Most people that suckle from the boob that is BMW don't even know what makes a good car. The "oh, its a BMW it must be good" philosophy really ticks me off. That and the fact that 95% of BMW owners are a bunch of snobs/jerks. Oh and before someone goes posting, your just jealous because you can't afford it...trust me, that's not the reason for the BMW hating. And for the Detriot Haters, why don't you read a few articles on the Z06 and how it blows away every BMW and all but one each from Porsche and Ferrari at a fraction of the price.

Is that all you got, Detroit pukes? "Oh we have the Z06, har har its a cheap car with power!"

But how good of car is it actually? Sure, it has a 7 liter engine (which is laughable that people think 505 hp coming from 427 cubes is cool), and it looks reasonably ok. But, would you drive it EVERYWHERE? Is it a daily car, one that you can load up the trunk, blast the music and drive reasonable quick without overdoing something?

The BMW is a more balanced car, it sips far less gas than a Z06 (making it a better daily driver), it still has great driving dynamics, its not massive like a Z06 is (in terms of dimesions), and best of all, it does not have the American Engineering Guarentee. That is the guarentee that it will break sometime in the first 5 minutes of driving.

The Z06 is a testament to how little you know or care about real drivers cars. Sure, its going to beat those Porsches and Ferraris in drags, and maybe even on the short tracks, but who is winning at Le Man and pulling down the best times at the Nuremburgring? Its not the Z06.

@Allen:

Yes I would drive the Z06 everywhere, every day. It has plenty of trunk space for two, gets excellent gas mileage considering the amount of power it has and other cars in its performance range, is comfortable to drive (same as any other Vette), and doesn't break the bank compared to other cars with its capabilities.

And you're right, the Z06 isn't winning in LeMans. The C6R is. While they don't win all the time, Chevy's teams are always extremely competitive. Before the C6Rs came out, the Cadillacs were doing quite well too.

And of course this BMW gets better mileage than a Z06. The ones that even come close to comparing to it in performance however, don't. And its wide because thats what sports cars are. Wide. And as far as its length, its hardly that long. Not much longer than my Cobalt.

I've driven a 2001 Z06. One of the best drives of my life. And I've seen a Corvette where the guy had to hit the 200 shot of Nitrous just to break the tires loose for a burnout because it had so much grip.

Corvette's are hardly breaking in great numbers above industry standard. Or Chevy's in general for that matter. My Cobalt SS 2.4L has over 36,000 miles on it in 18 months. Still on the original tires, brakes, belts, and hoses. Only things I've had done are oil changes, and 30,000 mile servicing, and change the air filter.

Furthermore, I'll always buy American. They make great cars at great prices. I'm not paying more for a car to have a BMW logo on it. Yes they're good cars, but so are Chevy's and they're cheaper.

The majority of people buy a BMW because its a BMW. They could care less about its performance. It's a status symbol to say "Look at me. I am/think I'm rich so get out of my way". Same reason people buy an Escalade when they have 1 or no kids. I went to a school full of people like that.

But don't cry when good ole American muscle whoops your ass at a stop light. I raced an M5 in my Camaro. It barely kept up only because I missed every shift since I really wasn't looking to race and didn't pay much attention. Sure on a road course it'd win. But I don't really go to that kind of thing, nor am I interested in it. I don't try to take 90 degree corners at 50 mph.

I buy a Chevy because it meets my needs. No my Cobalt isn't fast. But I needed a car that got 30+ mpg when I got out of college. It suits the bill while having enough pep to keep me happy for now until I get another V8 RWD car.

Whoot Allen!

The Z06 isn't a cheep car though (it retail for $70,000), but the regular Vette is, and it couldn't keep up with a VW around a track. Muscle cars (which is what a Vette is) don't do that great, unless you’re going around in a circle (retarded NASCRAP) or unless you’re on the drag. Oddly enough, Pontiac is doing really well in the Le Mans series (better than Chevy which is good, I like Pontiac's).

When your looking to compare the Vette and any BMW, you have to keep in mind that your comparing apples and oranges. And, when car mags. compare these cars, it's the Z06, Z4M, and Porsche Boxter. The best Vette vs. an entry level Porsche vs. a BMW that isn't BMW's strong point (they make sedans, not roadsters), and the Vette barley wins! I've sat in a Vette, and I've sat in a Viper; I can't imagine taking either on a long road trip.

I'm all for buying an American car, but I want a quality car first and foremost; American cars just can't cut it (although they're getting better). A BMW will last longer with fewer problems, give your great performance, you'll get great gas mileage out of it (we have a 2000 328i; 25 in town and 35 on the freeway), and you can fit 5 (there's sooo much leg room in the smallest sedan they make, I can't imagine the 5 or 7 series). And on top of that, for what you get, a BMW doesn't cost that much more than anything else in its class ($40,000 for a 335xi). With the 1 series coming out (starting at $22,000 I think), they won't be able to keep them on the showroom floor.

And you obviously know jack about who purchases BMW's. I know I'm not a rich person, and I know that most of the people at the BMW clubs aren't rich (a little better off then most, but they bought the car for the performance not the name). Most of BMW sales are in Germany (where the cars sell for way, way less than here because of import tax) not in America. For those that own BMW in America, the rich snobs own the 7 series (far from a sport anything). The 3 series is targeted at the middle class/car enthusiasts. People who are old enough to buy a BMW's know what they're getting, the rich kids who get one (mostly female) know jack about cars and their parents want to get them a cheep car (yes I said cheep, if I had the money I'd want a Porsche GT3 which smokes the Z06) to shut them up.

@Larry:

You obviously know nothing about the Corvette. It's not a muscle car. It's built to handle more than drag race. Hence the fully independent rear wheel suspension. A drag car uses a fixed axle. Corvette's handle the same or better than many cars in it's class.

I saw a track test of an 06 Corvette (not Z06) vs. a Porsche that cost around the price of a Z06. The Corvette was keeping up with it just fine around a road course. Yes the Porsche was about a half second faster around the course. I'd rather have a Vette thats .5 seconds slower, $20,0000 less, and costs a hell of a lot less to maintain. Porsche's are renowned for their lack of reliability.

And I don't know how big you are, but I'm 6' 1", 210 lbs. and fit perfectly in a Corvette. And I've been in the back of a 4 door BMW. My 2 door Cobalt has as much rear leg room. I've sat in the back of the Cobalt, as has my dad who's just as big. Both of us were perfectly comfortable save the tops of our heads barely touching the rear window. Granted we don't get in the back much nor would we take a cross country trip sitting in the back. But for running around town it was fine.

A Viper though yes, has much less room.

You want cheap and equally nasty performance?

2003 Cobra

Mines making 700 HP to the wheels and with 60,000 miles on it, ZERO problems and the oil is still clear as water between changes.

Yeah the Z06 is 427 cubes so what? I'll care when your turbo 6's make 505 HP on junk 87 octane without exploding.

And FYI the Z06 does the "Nurburgring" in 7:42. So does the Ford GT. So does the Porsche (997) GT3 that you mentioned.

To put that into perspective, those three cars, two of which are American, are faster than the Ferrari 360, Skyline R34 GT-R, Acura NSX, BMW M3/M5/M6 & Z8, Lamborghini Gallardo, the Subaru WRX Sti, and any Porsche 996 including the GT3.

The Saleen S7 would also be there but I don't think it's actually run it.

Not that BMWs aren't nice cars, I'm fond of the E46 M3 myself. But you guys act like Americans don't make anything but Pintos and it's total BS.

But no, I don't think there is an American equivalent to a 4 door grocery getter that is also a well performing tuned sport coupe. Not because it can't be done, but because the market here is rather black and white. Americans are either looking for a be all end all high performance car with no bling and frills, or something to put child seats in. There isn't much of a market for a sporty family sedan in the states, which leaves BMW with a virtual monopoly on that segment.

"My Cobalt SS 2.4L has over 36,000 miles on it in 18 months. Still on the original tires, brakes, belts, and hoses."

Uh...that should be a GIVEN. Yes, American cars are intentionally (or at least were) built to break sooner so that you'll buy a replacement, but even at their worst I don't know of many American cars that didn't make it to 36,000 miles (in 18 months) without those things intact. Really, bragging about that is like saying that you drove all the way to the grocery store without getting into an accident - it happens all the time. Now, if you were at 136,000 miles with the original tires, brakes, belts, and hoses all in good condition, that would be something to brag about.

Also remember the kind of people who buy cheaper cars are less likely to properly care for them. Obviously someone who spends $40,000 on a BMW is going to be more careful with maintenence or have a dealer service plan than someone who spends $10,000 on a Neon and waits until the oil pressure warning light comes on to add oil.

I've seen plenty of BMWs up on blocks at trailer parks right next to the Pintos.

"And FYI the Z06 does the "Nurburgring" in 7:42. So does the Ford GT. So does the Porsche (997) GT3 that you mentioned.

To put that into perspective, those three cars, two of which are American, are faster than the Ferrari 360, Skyline R34 GT-R, Acura NSX, BMW M3/M5/M6 & Z8, Lamborghini Gallardo, the Subaru WRX Sti, and any Porsche 996 including the GT3."

It cracks me up so much. The z06 is a track car, thats all it is. If any of you ever get the chance to drive or ride in one, you will realize that within 5 minutes of being in the car. Its spine compressingly stiff suspension. I'll give it all kinds of props about the mechanics, its a really great car for going fast, be it at the strip or track, but thats the only place where the Z06 shines. The ONLY place.

I also find it amusing that all the cars in your list are either 4-15 years old, OR cost less than 40k, and you're comparing them to a 75k Z06 and a 150k Ford GT. The only legitimate comparison you have is the gallardo. And even then its not really legitimate, people who buy lambo's dont get them strictly for performance reasons, they buy them because of the feel of the car, the fun factor. Ferrari buyers buy it for the surgical precision of the engineering, the technology, etc.

People seem to forget that the large majority of people buy cars for transportation, not just for track use, or ONLY because of their stats (0-60mph, 0-100mph, 1/4 ET, etc) And not one of you could argue that if you had to take a 4 hour drive somewhere, that you would be much more comfortable in the seat of an M5 than a Z06 corvette.

I have LS1/LT1 owners, and mustang GT owners etc constantly telling me they would much rather have my B5 S4, even though its slower, because its a better all around car. Yeah, they'll smoke me at the strip, or around the track. But i'll be happily driving around in the snow with my comfortable heated leather seats, listening to my quality bose radio, etc etc. And when its dry and its time to play, the car is still fun. Thats whats important. The constant penis wars as to hp figures, 0-60 times, 1/4 miles, lap times etc mean jack in the end. In the end its what makes you happy. And if some guy smiles every time he starts up his 328ci, who the hell are we to judge him?

@David:

David, I don't believe you've been in a BMW, ever. I'm 6'1" 220 lbs. There's plenty of room to fit my not so small rear in the plush seats (in the Viper, especially, I feel like I'm hanging over the sides...and I don't look 220, everyone thinks I'm about 180-190). In the 328i, with the front seat back all the way, I can barely touch the firewall, With my toes pointed out (oh and if your wondering, I have wear a 34 long and size 13 shoe). For any normal person to sit in the front seat, including myself (and not be a scmuck) they can put the seat forward a bit and plenty of room in the back, plenty of room.

@Chris:

Yeah, your right, the Z06 does do 7:42.9...the fastest Z06. The fastest GT3 does 7:42 flat (and that doesn’t' include the mfr). Go to supercars.net for a posting. And one more time APPLES VS. ORANGES. The Vette is a 2-door muscle car (Yes it is a muscle car, it is not a super car and muscle cars do fall into the "sport car" category) BMW makes sport sedans and coupes. Give me a car in the same category!

@Remy LeBeau:

I'm not talking about 36,000 miles I'm talking about 200,000 miles. I've got an old '87 Pontiac Sunbird wagon and I absolutely loved it (don't use it anymore though). There is no comparison the thing was built amazingly (it's way faster then it should be for the little 90 hp 4 cyl in it). Now your right though, it all depends on how you drive the car (had to replace the engine in the '87 because I wouldn't let it warm up in the winter before taking off), but German cars are designed to run on the Autobahn (high speeds greater stress on the car), plus Germans don't fix their cars (if it needs to be repaired, they go sell it and get something new). They design BMW's to still drive at higher speeds (on the Autobahn) at 150,000 miles. American cars (in general) have trouble doing that.

@Chris...again (and everyone else):

What is the title of this page? BMW...1-Series Coupe! Where talking about a car that is supposed to retail for (starting at) about $22,000 in America. Where not talking about a Hyundai or about a $40,000 vehicle here, where talking about the 1 series: a vehicle that will rival the 3 series in performance (and it seems overtake it) and be more competitive (price wise) to the American and Japanese market! Oh, and by the way, BMW says that you only need to change the oil ever 15,000 miles (yes, 15,000). Call a dealership and they'll say the same thing, you do not need to change the oil but every 15,000 miles period. 15,000 change the oil, 30,000 get the car serviced, 45,000 change the oil, 60,000 get the car serviced (there's even a thing on the dash that says how many miles you have left until you need to have the oil changed or to have the car serviced!) simple.

"quality Bose radio"

That explains everything.

@Chris

BMW uses Harmon/Kardon for their premium sound system. Trust me, compaired to H/K everything else sucks (especially Bose, which for home audio is only good - and I mean only - if your room not square, or the listening area is not enclosed).

Here, deep in the trenches of my opinions... I can deflect the things I don't want to read and lob grenade-style insults at anyone who disagrees...

Oh, sorry, I was overtaken by some kind of observatory muse.

The car is a bit on the boring side, the interior isn't horrible, just small and I'm still trying to figure out I-Drive... One hand off the driving controls, eyes off the road.

It is, however, a very small body wrapped around a very stout set of drivetrains. That's "Ultimate" driving machine material... Though, you do have to take into consideration the 6 airbags mentioned above, I agree that isn't necessary for propulsion. However, these cars are probably able to get their drivers into trouble more often than slow cars are, if only all the drivers were good enough to let the great suspension help them out of trouble...

You gotta be kidding me. You're comparing a 128i to a Z06 Corvette? You can buy two 128i's for the price of one Z06, they don't carry the same number of passengers, they don't have the same engine/displacement, etc etc. The only thing they have in common is 4 tires and a steering wheel. I love how people try to defend the American car industry by always pulling the Vette into the argument. That doesn't say much for the entire industry. I am a 2006 C6 owner (LMB/Coupe/Z51/No Nav) and I love the car. I wouldn't even dream of comparing my orange to this apple. You people are nuts. Let's state facts here:

1. BMW has a winner on its hands here with the 128i/135i
2. Corvette is a fine car - price for performance it can't be matched by anyone
3. Almost every other American car sucks - materials, build quality, design