Yup - that's why so few survive. They rusted like crazy.

Do you have a source for this assertion?  C/D magazine reports slightly
skidpad better figures for the 135i vs. the 335i.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/bmw_performance_m
_power/2008_bmw_135i_short_take_road_test/(page)/1

Tom K.

I am old enough that while I never owned a BMW 2002 when they were actually
being made, like any good reader of Car and Driver reviews of the 2002, I
lusted after them a lot. Unfortunately, at the time I only had $3500 to
spend and 2002's were around $5000 with very few dealers, so I ended up with
a Ford Capri 2600 (German made) that promptly dissolved away in the Chicago
winters (lots of salt). Why I did not look for a used 2002 is a mystery to
me at this point, but I fear it would have dissolved away, too, so maybe it
is better I did not get one in that environment.

Nevertheless, my respect for 2002's is quite high (sensible design, big
green-house, tasteful and simple styling, good, but not over-the-top power,
even semi-affordable).

So BMW introduces the 1-Series hatch in Europe as a kind of son-of-2002. And
while it looks nothing like the 2002 (this is the age of Bangle, alas), one
can accept it as a spiritual off-spring...especially from the practicality
standpoint. Then they decide to send it to the US, but not as a hatch, as a
coupe and now a convertible. Both slightly less porky off-shoots of the
3-Series and both seriously expensive and, let's face it, esthetically very
challenged.

Now comes the really weird part. The automotive press goes ga ga over both
of them and I have no clue why. Worse they continue to compare the 1-Series
to the sainted 2002. At least as sold in the US, the 1-Series is the
antithesis of the 2002. The 1-Series is nothing more than 3-Series
(slightly) Lite, with worse handling.

I am no fan of the current 3-Series (vastly prefer my 2003 E46 zhp sedan),
but OK, it's the only 3-Series being made for now and until the twin turbo
engine over-heats and dies, it is very nice, so I can see people getting
them, but where is the attraction in the (non-hatch) 1-Series that costs
almost as much and looks even worse?

- GRL

While stationed in Germany (Bitburg Ab) in 1968-70, I was able to purchase a
1970 BMW 2002 in 1970 before my rotation back to the states for $2500.  I
found the car exhilarating, a 4 cylinder that could reach 100mph easily,
premium fuel but back then it was a lot cheaper and a lot of fun to drive,
especially on hilly, curvy roads.  I only hope that the new 1 series reaches
that level of price and performance.  I was only able to keep my 2002 for
about 5 years.  I had put about 180,000 miles on it, started selling life
insurance and travelling all over NY, upstate and long island the miles
piled up.  It served me well and I never regretted anything about it,
especially the maintenance, solidd lifters and having the valves adjusted
every 6k.  Ah the memories.

*Very* slightly less porky, unfortunately.  I don't really "get" the
1-series.  A 3-series with a shorter wheelbase does not a new car
make.