... as in 4.7 to 60mph and doing the quarter in 13.3 at 106mph across the line -- basically E46 M3 speeds and perhaps a touch quicker than all but the fastest Stang GTs. Makes sense though given it weight (3420lbs), power (300/300) and six speed RWD drivetrain.

Kinda on the pricey side at $35K base and over $40K loaded, though you do get a lot of stuff, quality and excellent ride/handling balance. The motor is readily hotted up too with but a chip, though if anything like the 335i, one might want to fork out for a great big oil cooler too.

Anyway, interesting to see what the boys in Bavaria are doing with their 2+2 RWD sport coupe.

 

I just read an article about the 1-series in Automobile mag. It sounds like a nice little ride.

 

Don't see why the 1-series is running into the 3-series price range... rather strange of BMW.

 

BMW messed up the 1 series.

They should have made it.

A. lighter weight.
B. Cheaper price.

 

I would agree with the above, while it's a very nice ride, it is a bit big and heavy (for an ostensible modern day 2002Ti) and its price, too, is a bit much and does risk overlapping the 3 series (a little inter-model cannibalism perhaps?).

That said, should a meteor fall on my E46 M3 and Ford hasn't brought out a 21st suspension in the '10 Stang, this might be a very compelling option.