01/29/2008, 3:15 PM

BMW News

Leaked: BMW 1-series performance catalog

When the BMW Concept 1 Series tii bowed at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show, it was widely assumed that the purpose of the concept was to showcase a range of parts that would eventually be available at BMW dealerships for the 1-series. As it turns out, those assumptions were well grounded as BMW’s 1-series performance catalog leaked onto the internet today.

The catalog features a wide array of aftermarket 1-series goodies, ranging from interior/exterior tweaks to performance upgrades.

An aero kit will be available — similar to the one seen on the tii concept — as well as upgraded brakes. The performance brakes will feature six-piston calipers up front — squeezing 325mm drilled and slotted rotors — while the rear brakes will be upgraded to a two piston setup, grabbing onto 320mm rotors. Three different sets of wheels will also be available, ranging from a 18 inches to 19.

To improve the 1-series’ handling, BMW will also offer new springs, dampers and a strut tower brace.

Not much will be offered for the 1-series’ engine bay, but BMW will have intake and exhausts kits available. BMW will also offer a new shifter, said to reduce throws by 25%.

Interior offerings will include a number of aluminum and Alcantara accents and trims. The catalog also revealed that BMW will offer a sports steering wheel that has an LCD gauge built in at the 12 o’clock position that can measure 10 different lap times, 1/8 and 1/4 mile times, lateral g’s and engine temp.

 
 

01/29, 3:21 PM

posted by:

frost

eh not a bad idea but you know it will cost an arm, a leg, and maybe your first born too.

01/29, 3:25 PM

posted by:

SS4LIFE

I really liked the BMW 1 Series tii concept and thought how cool would it be if they actually offered something like that.

The list of performance parts available sounds like the standard part list of factory performance parts when we’re talking about maybe carbon fiber side mirrors or a hood for exterior mods, typical suspension upgrades with sway bars and springs and brake kits, and minor upgrades for engine performance like CAI’s and maybe a turbo back exhaust or something. But still sweet to see BMW offering this for the 1 series.

Hopefully they’ll offer more engine mods to tap into the full potential of those twin turbos.

01/29, 3:52 PM

posted by:

LexusSoarer

I have orgasmic thoughts about the 135i…

The jury will be out on the price of these items, as far as if they are worth it or not, and it’s mostly likely a strict jury.

01/29, 4:03 PM

posted by:

F451

I’ve seen the catalog, and it is impressive. At first, I thought the 1 Series wouldn’t do that well, but now I know I’m wrong…first-class marketing act that others are sure to follow.

01/29, 4:07 PM

posted by:

Madcapp

They need to make a 120si

01/29, 4:27 PM

posted by:

C6Racer

Alcantra? Sweet! I’m in.

01/29, 4:51 PM

posted by:

SS4LIFE

Hmm and maybe some stage kits to come in later….. I agree with LexusSoarer for those that don’t mind paying almost or literally 40grand for a loaded 135i, this won’t be a problem, but for a guy like me I’d buy a base 135i and pretty much get it for the better engine, put the available body kit on it, throw some black rims on it. Put some Recaro bucket seats in, tune the suspension, and with a couple bolt ons and tune the ECU (i’m sure a lot of German aftermarket performance will later be offerring ECU re-tunes or chips) and get that thing close or at 400hp. Would still cost some $$ but that’d be a sweet BMW 135i. Also that available steering wheel with the built in LCD gauge sounds pretty cool.

01/29, 5:40 PM

posted by:

sharpie

Let’s see how much more expensive we can make the 1-series! No thank you. I will stick with a Miata. Way more bang for the buck.

01/29, 6:18 PM

posted by:

Bimmer

Sharpie, are you working in a hair salon?

01/29, 9:14 PM

posted by:

C6Racer

That seems to be the case, Bimmer.

01/29, 10:13 PM

posted by:

Impulsive

Don’t give two dumps of poo. Looks like a dorkmobile and no amount of “performance” add-ons will change that fact. CTS coupe all the way, bitches.

01/30, 11:36 AM

posted by:

meanpants555

According to Evo the handling of the 135i is flawed, perhaps these suspension tweaks will cure that. Ditching the run-flats would help, too.

01/30, 11:37 AM

posted by:

LexusSoarer

The thing is, I’m not sure if I could justifying purchasing a new 135 over a 335 coupe, I just love the 3-series couples but I’m out of M3 range at the moment…

01/30, 11:37 AM

posted by:

meanpants555

You can build your own 1-series on the BMW website now.

01/30, 11:39 AM

posted by:

LexusSoarer

BTW-Impulive; comparing a BMW 1, as in one, series to a CTS coupe that hasn’t been developed yet, was pretty stupid honestly.

01/30, 12:19 PM

posted by:

SwerveEarly

Big deal, they sell all this stuff for less at Bavariaautosport.com and have better service.

01/30, 12:58 PM

posted by:

Impulsive

Really, ‘LexusSoarer’, …

I want a COUPE, as in two (2) door. I want about 300hp, as in three hundred. I want something that looks GOOD, as in not dorky.

Now, honestly, who’s looking stupid? Like I stated, CTS coupe, bitch!

01/30, 2:52 PM

posted by:

SS4LIFE

True SwerveEarly, while you could get cheaper performance parts on a website selling aftermarket parts, chances are those parts may void the factory warranty (I don’t know how BMW’s warranty coverage is)
and your typical BMW owners are “upper middle, and upper class college educated afraid to get their hands dirty” so they are going to have to install them themselves or pay more $$ taking them to a garage or a performance shop to have them installed.

Or instead they can just pick out whatever parts they want pay a little more $ and have them installed right at their local BMW dealer and probably have those parts covered under the warranty.

For a guy like me I’d save some $ and install most of the parts myself.

01/30, 3:17 PM

posted by:

hanlond

This is probably pretty nice for those getting a 1, and that steering wheel with the lcd gauge is cool. However, I still think the 1 isn’t worth it. Just shy of 49k fully loaded (and I know cause I just built one on their website) is too much. You could get a lot more car and performance for that kind of money, like an A5 (fully loaded 50k), or base Corvette (I know its not entirely a competitor to the 1, but I’d still take it over a 1). The CTS coupe will probably be better than this for less money, but I’m not saying anything for sure right now.

01/30, 3:33 PM

posted by:

lyndon_h

Theres not a lot of difference between a loaded 135 and a well equipped 335. The 135 is too high.

01/30, 10:40 PM

posted by:

hateful83

Doesn’t it seem like the 135 should out perform the 335? Same engine, smaller car? They might end up taking sales from their 3 series with this one. Although, if they keep it affordable, it wouldn’t be a bad car to have.

 
 
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