130i M

[KTN419]

2006 BMW 130i M Sport...too bad its not avail in the US but looks like a fun ride!

http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=103483

[YankeeBimmer]

Cute little Bimmer

[powers1]

That car is still ugly even with the M-Tech kit which normally does wonders to a 3,5 series!
We had a thread on which car was the ugliest Bmw ever and the Serie 1 was included.
Some cars kind of grow on you after a while (like rhe new 3-series) but the Serie 1 is going to be the exception!It looks ok from the rear but that front......

[motordavid]

What I don't understand is all the CarCos' reluctance/refusal to bring more of their pocket-rocket models and, better performing models to the US? This isn't a new wonderment by me, or anyone else, but the continued refusal and bs reasons "why not", are pretty lame.

A case in point: we rented a Ford "Focus"-type car a few years ago, for a 10 day, 2000 mile run around the entire country of Scotland, including Skye, Outer Heberdies, Orkneys, etc. It was a lucky "no charge" upgrade...the car had a hot motor, very slick 5 spd manny, huge/wide wheels and tires and very sporty/stiff suspension. It got exc mpg, went like stink and handled as good as my Vette at below 80 mph speeds on the miles of constant One Lane roads we bombed down. It was a fooking hoot! Back at the ranch, Ford has Never had a Focus, here, that came close to that "rental car". WTF?

Just one anecdote, but ya'll get my point.
Not a big deal in the scheme of life, but Pablum for the US Masses seems to be the corp directive by these "world-wide" companies.
Rant over. BR,md

PS: I like the lil' 1Series pocketrocket!

[ChristopherM3]

Actually, my friend just bought an '04 Ford Focus SVT and that thing is unbelievable. It has the European Apperance Package on it. It is all factory and one mean little car. HID's & everything! They also make a Saleen Focus that has NOS as a factory option.......

[alpac]

Originally Posted by motordavid

What I don't understand is all the CarCos' reluctance/refusal to bring more of their pocket-rocket models and, better performing models to the US? This isn't a new wonderment by me, or anyone else, but the continued refusal and bs reasons "why not", are pretty lame.

A case in point: we rented a Ford "Focus"-type car a few years ago, for a 10 day, 2000 mile run around the entire country of Scotland, including Skye, Outer Heberdies, Orkneys, etc. It was a lucky "no charge" upgrade...the car had a hot motor, very slick 5 spd manny, huge/wide wheels and tires and very sporty/stiff suspension. It got exc mpg, went like stink and handled as good as my Vette at below 80 mph speeds on the miles of constant One Lane roads we bombed down. It was a fooking hoot! Back at the ranch, Ford has Never had a Focus, here, that came close to that "rental car". WTF?

Just one anecdote, but ya'll get my point.
Not a big deal in the scheme of life, but Pablum for the US Masses seems to be the corp directive by these "world-wide" companies.
Rant over. BR,md

PS: I like the lil' 1Series pocketrocket!

That is a good point David. As I am travelling to Europe and rent cars over there pretty often I too wonder why some of these nice pepsi little cars, with amazing MPG, are not imported over here. It sounds like here engine size only matters.

[motordavid]

Well, I haven't driven the FF SVT that's new/current...my point was that our "rental" from a few years ago, was well appointed, good go fast stuff and performed better, at the time, than Any Fous I've ever seen, here. In fact, every car I've ever rented in Europa was heads&shoulders above any similar model here in the US. As for a SaleenFocus, Lmao!
BR,md

[JCL]

We lived in the UK for three years (2000-2003) and bought a new Focus for my wife. It was a great little car, with the sport package, 1.8 litre, etc. I liked the handling of it. Although Ford had set out to build a 'world car' yet again with the Focus, the NA engineers later got their hands on it and recalibrated the suspension for sale in NA. They also changed several small things for no good reason. There were multiple recalls in the US/Canada on those small items, and the handling of the NA version was nothing like the Euro version.

The SVT and others later models bolstered the performance of the NA versions, but it was sad that they couldn't just leave well enough alone in the first place.

I'm with MD, I like small cars that handle well. I would consider a 1 series in the family, although probably not for me (that old problem with headroom).

[ChristopherM3]

I agree.........small performance cars are very fun to drive. I guarantee that the 130i M would probably sell like crazy here in the states if they don't overprice it.......