BMW 1 series

I went to Palm Springs for a wedding and saw a 1 series BMW on the lot. I liked the look and size of the car. Anyone have any opinions on it? Anyone with any first hand knowledge? Is it potentially the recycling of the 2002 in modern trim?

I remember GRM had one of these cars for awhile and everybody liked it. However, I rarely see one of these cars on the road. I would think a (relatively) inexpensive, smaller, lighter BMW has an appeal. What's going on?

The problem is they aren't much cheaper, or lighter than a 3 series and the 328/335 coupes are much, much better looking.

it is built on the 3 series chassis, so you pay mid-sized money for a tiny car with a very unusable back seat.

Same dimensions as an E30 + 500-600lbs IIRC.

I'd love one as a DD, but at $40k for a well appointed 135i, it isn't happening.

I'm still waiting to see the stripped down Genesis Turbo coupe!

They look nice, but seem really expesnive and really heavy for what they are. I havent driven one, but just reading things about them leads me to believe they are a bit heavy on understeer and electronic nanny stuff too.

I think the shorter wheelbase makes it trickier to drive at the limit compared to the 3 series with the same engine and only a little more weight. Most of the ones I see around seem to convertibles driven my older ladies.

if only they brought the 2 door hatchback over...

for its size the car is a pig. I was pretty excided about them when the were first announced but when they released the curb weight all of my enthusiam evaporated. May as well get a 335i... in 10 years when they have depreciated apropriatly...

I think the average BMW buyer Looks at the 1 and says

1.) The cheapest BMW, i don't think so.

2.) What is a one series?

3.) I don't see any of my friends and/or relatives, peers, role models driving them.

4.) Why get the "Cheap" BMW when the 3 is just a little bit more.

As strange as this sounds, i don't think America wants a cheapish (relative) BMW. People want others around them to know they shelled out the big bucks for their whip.

JohnGalt wrote: I think the average BMW buyer Looks at the 1 and says 1.) The cheapest BMW, i don't think so. 2.) What is a one series? 3.) I don't see any of my friends and/or relatives, peers, role models driving them. 4.) Why get the "Cheap" BMW when the 3 is just a little bit more. As strange as this sounds, i don't think America wants a cheapish (relative) BMW. People want others around them to know they shelled out the big bucks for their whip.

I agree with all of this on the buyers perspective. Which is kind of funny, because I get labled as a rich snob, or as a kid who's daddy got him a BMW, etc. etc. They think I'm rich. Right... You do realize that your Toyota Carolla cost more than 3X my BMW?

I like them. I drove a 6-speed manual 328 and I loved it. They didn't have a manual 335, so I didn't bother driving that car. I don't think BMW wanted to build the car cheaper or lighter. They just wanted a smaller coupe--a step below the 3. The fact that it is $4,000 cheaper and a bit lighter is icing on the cake.

Come on...it's $4,000! That's 1.5 Miatae. You have to pay for the same radio, seats, airbag systems, computers, etc. You're just buying less sheet metal.

Datsun1500 wrote: People that look at the 1 series either buy a 3 for the same money or a MINI for $10K less....

Pretty much. I had high hopes for the 1's. Was hoping for more of a weight savings.

Maybe once they're cheap enough that I can gut one and not be wasting a ton of money I'll revisit them.

It depends what you are buying it for.

As a daily driver, the 335 is the better buy. More room, bigger car, etc. As a track/auto-x/daily car, the 135 is better. 200 lbs is 200 lbs. the 335 isn't going to compete against the Shelby GT in FS, where as the 135 has a chance in DS with a good driver.

I'm trying to find a way to pick up a 135i. Won't happen because we are broke, but I would never consider a 335i for my purposes. Its too narrow for the car's length and its 200lbs heavier than the 135. the 335 would be great if it had the M3's wide body styling, but it doesn't so it it looks weird, imo.

ah.. good to see that GRm has gotten into the "bigger is better" mentality too

Seriously, it almost seems that BMW NA does NOT want to sell the 1 series. They so load these cars up with expensive packages that they do not sell when compared to the 3er.

Shades of the 318ti all over again.

BMW needs to make a "track package" out of the Tii concept they had a year ago for the 1er and run with it. No frills, cloth sport seats, and everything you need to go fast, for cheap(er)

mad_machine wrote: ah.. good to see that GRm has gotten into the "bigger is better" mentality too

"Damn near as big while being less useful" isn't a good combination.

z31maniac wrote: Same dimensions as an E30 + 500-600lbs IIRC. I'd love one as a DD, but at $40k for a well appointed 135i, it isn't happening. I'm still waiting to see the stripped down Genesis Turbo coupe!

Ain't it the truth.

I sat inside a well-optioned 1-series at an auto show earlier this year. Impressive car, but I noted it was the same size as my E30 and that much heavier.

In reply to d_jabsd:

I daily a 335 sedan and autoxed it a few times and its tough without an LSD. I bought it because it was more practical as a daily since it was bigger(comfortable/safer) for the street. I would think the 135 would be the better of the two for tracking just because of its size. Is an LSD at least offered in the 135? Car is begging for a track package and hopefully some day a spec E82 series

westsidetalon wrote: In reply to d_jabsd: I daily a 335 sedan and autoxed it a few times and its tough without an LSD. I bought it because it was more practical as a daily since it was bigger(comfortable/safer) for the street. I would think the 135 would be the better of the two for tracking just because of its size. Is an LSD at least offered in the 135? Car is begging for a track package and hopefully some day a spec E82 series

I don't think an LSD is offered. I think the stock diff is an electronic one that is... well... not an LSD.

When you auto-crossed you 335 , where you able to stay close to Mustang GT times?

I guess it depends on which model - a relative was in the market for a drop-top and the 335 was close to $50k nicely optioned so they saved over $10k buying the 135 vert and love the smaller car too.

I think they should offer a hatchback of this car as the new ///M Coupe with the v8 out of the M3. That would be awesome.

the only cars BMW makes with LSDs are the M cars.. the rest make due with electronic nannies

In reply to d_jabsd:

Mustang GTs were not a problem unless they were R compound equipped

d_jabsd wrote: When you auto-crossed you 335 , where you able to stay close to Mustang GT times?

Wow, the fact that this is even a question makes me VERY happy, hahaha. Maybe it is time to ditch one of my fox chassis for a S197...

Top Gear compared it to a Golf R32 and the Golf was markedly better in their opinion, for what that is worth

aussiesmg wrote: Top Gear compared it to a Golf R32 and the Golf was markedly better in their opinion, for what that is worth

You beat me to it......

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5342249578921573529#