Whats the point?

Ok, I've test driven one of these, and its not all that bad as a drivers car, but it seems to lack the luxury and charisma of other BMW's. I have to say, the photos do make it look ugly, but in the metal its not all that bad!

Do you think it is just a 5 door Mini?

The 1-Series is designed to destroy the VW Golf. The Golf is one of the best selling cars in the world, and BMW believes that it can steal some of that Market by selling a RWD alternitive. I would personally buy a 1-Series over the Golf or an A3 any day.

Ohhh. I got the impression it was like a 5 door version on the Mini, just filling in a market gap or somthing. If its up against the golf and A3, then its a deffinate no go 4 me. The quality of the golf and the audi are far superior to that of the 1 series, even if the ! is more entertaining to drive.

the bmw 1 series is not designed for the american market.

it's a "cheap" bmw built to destroy the golf in the german market.

we will see if it works :iceslolan

Ohhh. I got the impression it was like a 5 door version on the Mini, just filling in a market gap or somthing. If its up against the golf and A3, then its a deffinate no go 4 me. The quality of the golf and the audi are far superior to that of the 1 series, even if the ! is more entertaining to drive.

Actually it isn't. The A3 is based on the Golf, more than 60% of their parts are the same, including engines and the chassis. The BMW handles better, engine sounds better and the interior is VERY much better. You can spec a 1 series to almost 5 series interior level if you wish to do so. When the 130i and the M1 arrives, there won't be any real competition for it.

I know that the A3 and the Golf share the same parts, I just think that they are better than the BMW's. Especially on interior quality. I was astonished by the plasticy interior of the 1 when I glanced at it. As to your comment on specing the interior up to 5 series standard, with the cost involved in doing so, you may as well buy a 3 series! Its not the point to have all the bits on a 5 door family car.

I've already read 3 articles from 3 seperate publications, that pitched the new Golf GTi against a Civic Type R and a 120i (and one against the A3 3.2 Quattro), and the golf wone hands down every time with specific comendations regarding the interior ad built quality.

As far as the 130i and M1 go, How about the S3 3.2 DSG, and the Golf R34. Both will pump out well over 250bhp, both will be all wheel drive.

BMW need to be afraid.

According to a couple articles I've read, the M version of the 1 series should have a 300bhp V6 based on the 500bhp V10 from the M5. Where as the VW R32 is in the same price range as the WRX STi and the EVO VIII, and falls way too short, the projected "M1" should actaully be competition. Finally_Retired, it seems more and more that you hate BMW...

...I own one!

And how can a V6 be based on a V10?

How much will the M1 cost? because the new Golf R34 is expected to retail at £26'000. Which is a pretty basic Evo/Suberu.

I don't dislike BMW, I love the 6 series. I've had a 745Li, and sent it back because of the pathetic I-drive, I drove a 120i out of boardom while I was waiting to speak to the dealer principal regarding faults on my X5 4.8 power stearing. I don't see the point in the M3. I adore the new 5, and the Z4, and I like the look of the new 3 series too. I just keep having problems with BMW's just lately. It pisses me off when people tell me that Mercedes have shocking quality issues, when I've never had a problem with mine, and I've owned one since 1964 and it still runs as sweet as a nut today.

Can you blame me for a little sinicism?

It pisses me off when people tell me that Mercedes have shocking quality issues, when I've never had a problem with mine, and I've owned one since 1964 and it still runs as sweet as a nut today.


I believe those people are talking about models of late.... and *especially* as they present problems a 40 year old Mercedes used every day doesn't!

(we have a 1.5 year old W211 in the family still no problems if you wonder)

I've had a 745Li, and sent it back because of the pathetic I-drive

You send the 745Li back because of the I-Drive?!?! Wow. That makes everything so easy to use. I know first hand - a good friend of mine has one, a 745i acually. But it simplfies everything and I really do not understand what people do no "get" about the I-Drive. It is a wonderful innovation and should stay around and grow to more models.

I believe those people are talking about models of late.... and *especially* as they present problems a 40 year old Mercedes used every day doesn't!

(we have a 1.5 year old W211 in the family still no problems if you wonder)

Lets get one thing clear here. I have a Mercedes that I have owned since 1964. I also have a 1956 Gullwing that I brought in 1992. Neither have caused problems. I have also owned a 250CE, 450SEL, 450SL, 500SE, 560SL, 500SL, SL600, S600, E55, SL55, SL600, S500, and I now have an S600 and SL65 all with no problems. So there are cars from the 50's 60's 70's 80's and 90's there.

I did have an SL60 in '97 with an unexplicable rattle on the dash, and an '89 560SEL with faulty power stearing. Not too bad thoug all things considering.

You send the 745Li back because of the I-Drive?!?! Wow. That makes everything so easy to use. I know first hand - a good friend of mine has one, a 745i acually. But it simplfies everything and I really do not understand what people do no "get" about the I-Drive. It is a wonderful innovation and should stay around and grow to more models.

Well, not being fluent in german, I had a problem with it when it decided to present all of the infomation in English one minuite and German the next for no apparent reason whatsoever. I also found myself staring at the screen trying to navigate the menues rather than watching the road just to perform trivial tasks, and so decided it was unsafe. Give me an S class, and simple buttons anyday.

Ok, I've test driven one of these, and its not all that bad as a drivers car, but it seems to lack the luxury and charisma of other BMW's. I have to say, the photos do make it look ugly, but in the metal its not all that bad! Do you think it is just a 5 door Mini?


Well, it is a segment that BMW could not afford to stay away from.
In fact considering the period Audi A2 is on the market, it was about time.

I think it is very elegant but as A3 is most profound car in this segment, and A2 is also undisputed in refined design and overall build quality...
1 is not as exquisite from design corner.

I drove friend?s 1 and it certainly has better handling then average A3, but not as bliss as S3 ;)

And it certainly offers less interior quality compared to A2 and A3 :(

Anyone has link with 1 presentation in Top Gear or 5th Gear?

In fact considering the period Audi A2 is on the market , it was about time.


Just about... Audi has long announced now that there won't be any replacement for the A2.

Just about... Audi has long announced now that there won't be any replacement for the A2.

Such declaration is always to be taken with reservation.

If certain car segment becomes promising and competition presents alarming sales (to competition car brand) you can be certain there will not only be A2 but in years to come even perhaps A1.

Remember Mercedes claims that would never build car below certain size and price range? :lol:

Soon as they've seen how lucrative was small car segment in EU, those words were forgotten as last winter's snow. BMW claimed the same and look at the new 1.

Profit is always the last dot that comes after such remarks ;)

If they abandon A2 at some point...only lack of sales would determine such decision. But even then, they would probably dedicated more aggressive promotion before really sending A2 for departure.

Well I'm sure Audi have considered all these arguments before making the announcement! And the announcement about the death of the A2 still stands as far as I know..

I think the 1 Series is great except for one thing.

They are only bringing them to the U.S. with the big 2.5 and 3.0 liter six cylinder engines that come in the 3 Series. My wife is driving a 2004 325ci with Sport and Luxury packages, and she complains it runs through a tank of gas faster than any of her previous Porsches, Audis or Bimmers. Only the Corvettes, Benzes and Jaguars used more fuel.

In the smaller, lighter chassis they will be rockets, but I want to be able to buy a four cylinder gas or diesel version, like 80% of the Bimmers sold in Europe.

We have had various four cylinder 3's from 1980 to 1998 models and even the ones with automatic had all the performance you need on the street or highway.

Is it too much to ask for a quality, safe, great-handling car with GOOD MILEAGE too? BMW USA is miscalculating badly in an environment of $3 plus fuel. It must seem cheap to Europeans but larger and thirstier vehicles are languishing on dealer lots across the U.S.

Go ahead and offer the sixes for the fast and furious market, but let's have some sensible 1 Series choices too!

I think the 1 Series is great except for one thing.

Yeah, they are too frick'n expensive--Great idea, just needs to drop a couple of $k...

I'm sure they are wonderful to drive, especially with the 135--bi-turbo--a real racer on the track.

I was hoping BMW was going to revive the M1, but I had hoped it was going to be a supercar that would do justice for the original M1. Hopefully a mid-engined supercar like the original was intended to be. Any word on the progress of the Z10?

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b191/tcole1/LolaT400-BMWM1-Hill-DP84-400x.jpg

They are not going to call the ultimate performance 1 series the M1; that name is reserved for the '80s mid-engine car. As I recall Lamborghini built the bodies for 500 or so over two or three years.

Latest word from BMW is they will call it a "tii", bringing back the performance suffix from the 2002 era.

Maybe they will produce an improved version of A2:-p

whatever the point is, it seems bmw hit a soft spot for consumers as I see tons of people talking about getting these cars. I think they did well marketing it.

the 1 series is about sports,its a drivers car ,i think it will have better performance than the 3 series,i like 1series ,especailly the coupe

My BMW sources have told me informally that four-cylinder gas 1 Series are scheduled for EPA certification for U.S. sale. Expect them some time next year. Diesels may also be coming.

Whoopee! 30-40 mpg!

You send the 745Li back because of the I-Drive?!?! Wow. That makes everything so easy to use. I know first hand - a good friend of mine has one, a 745i acually. But it simplfies everything and I really do not understand what people do no "get" about the I-Drive. It is a wonderful innovation and should stay around and grow to more models.


Enough people objected to i-drive that it was simplified and made optional on the 5 Series. So you can have it both ways.

While we're ranting, I went to the local unveiling of the 1 Series and X6. What's the point of the X6? Four passengers, tiny cargo space, an SUV without "U". They asked how I liked the styling. I told them honestly it looks like a 21st century Pontiac Aztek!

My BMW sources have told me informally that four-cylinder gas 1 Series are scheduled for EPA certification for U.S. sale. Expect them some time next year. may also be coming.

Whoopee! 30-40 mpg!

i like Diesels because they very fuel efficient and have much power

so choose a car based on you like ,not with much reason

BMW definitely won't lose money with the 1-series, but i agree that it's not as built for the American market as it is for the European market. It is a nice new flavor to the BMW lineup though

Is it cheaper ,l don't think so, but it is really very smart