1 Series Launch in the US

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20ducks

Elite
Wow, a whole load of hoopla over the new-to-the-US market 1 series....ads in all the media, heavy rotation, blah, blah, blah. I took a look at this car and although it is an interesting vehicle, I found it uninspired and overall rather boring. I made the comment that it looks like a mini-3 (as in mini-me fame). It drives fast and looks to be well made and all that BMW stuff. However, it doesn't compare to a Z4 in any of my "gotta have" criteria.

Does this car fall flat to anyone else besides me?
 
Not too keen either, but you're only getting the coupe and the convertible aren't you? Try looking at the 5 door hatch, it's fugly.
 
Wife loves the car (it doesn't do anything for me either). I was disappointed in the creep of the base model in price before it's official launch. I believe that adding a few options only leaves you a few thousand off a 335i. I had really believed this would be a nice entry level BMW and it would really open up the BMW market to the Acura, etc. market. Now I really have serious doubts about a proposed entry level Z2, below $30,000.00.
 
Car & Driver also made some comparisons/comments comparing the cost and value versus the 3 series. I'm not really understanding the Germans on this one. Maybe if the price started at $29k and then add on the goodies. The differential between the two just doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy.
 
While it certainly would never make it onto my list of the 10 cars I must own before I die, I could see it as a good option for a daily driver. That said, I probably would opt for a 335i (or in my neck of the woulds, a 335xi) first.
 
I like the fact that BMW is releasing a new line in the US. I will wait for the second gen before I consider buying one. At least they did not release them with a 4 banger like they did with the 318 .
 
I looked at and sat in a 135i last week when flyboyaj was taking delivery of his new 3.0si. Driving position and seats seemed comfortable but not sure I would buy one.
 
I saw on on the road, a convertible, last week. Sat in one at the dealership on Wed. Not that impressed. Salesman pushed pretty hard for me to take a test drive, even though he knows what I want.

Of course I don't like ANY of the BMW 4-door models...
 
I'm still getting used to the looks of the 1er. IMHO, it doesn't look like it fits in with the rest of the lineup, looks wise. Too cartoonish with the big big headlights up front and sort of boring in the rear. It's one of those cars that looks good only in certain colours.

That said, though, it's pretty peppy of a car, and I'd almost be afraid to drag one of them @ the strip. Definitely a sleeper-ish car for those unaware.
 
ay8306 said:
While it certainly would never make it onto my list of the 10 cars I must own before I die, I could see it as a good option for a daily driver. That said, I probably would opt for a 335i (or in my neck of the woulds, a 335xi) first.
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I was thinking along that line as well with a 128i.... but overall it's just OK.
It could have been so much more.
 
I drove a 135i last week on an extended run over some nice roads. I found it more faster, more stable, better ride, and all around much more fun than my Z4. It's an apples and oranges comparison, they are much different cars but my bottom line is the performance and "fun to drive" factor and the 135i makes my Z4 seem dull and a little old. The looks of the Z4 still get my blood pumping but the real test for me is a drive on a good road.

I'll keep my Z4 for one more year and then it'll be the 135i, or, if I can stretch the budget a little I'll get a 335i coupe.
 
I personally like how BMW priced this a bit higher....closer to the 3-series. Where I live I don't see too many BMW's (maybe 2-3 Z4's in the past year, half a dozen 5-series/7-series, and a fair amount of 3-series cars). I like to be one of the only ones on the road with a given vehicle. As a BMW owner I like that they didn't price the 1-series lower otherwise it would be like a Honda Civic where you see at least 2-3 of them on every street corner. just my .02
 
I dont think the car looks right. It looks tall and short, like a 3 that got caught in the crusher. Its not for me.

The original price that was leaked was around 27k I believe. Now its up around 30k. I hope they are not planning on adding 3-5 grand to the 3 to justify the spread.
 
I just priced a 128i on BMW's website and it came to $46,335!....lol. A 135 'vert could be well over $50k fully optioned out!

EDIT- $53,195 for a fully optioned 135i vert! Outrageous if you ask me.
 
The concept of the 1 series bugs me...maybe its the fact that for about $1000 less than the base z4 in the U.S. you get 300hp and 0-60 in 5.1 seconds (coupe) compared to the z4 3.0i roadster with 215hp and 0-60 in 6.2 seconds. 5.1 seconds is only 0.2 seconds off the Z4M!!! :cry:

...Or maybe it's HP envy :oops:
 
azroadie said:
The concept of the 1 series bugs me...maybe its the fact that for about $1000 less than the base z4 in the U.S. you get 300hp and 0-60 in 5.1 seconds (coupe) compared to the z4 3.0i roadster with 215hp and 0-60 in 6.2 seconds. 5.1 seconds is only 0.2 seconds off the Z4M!!! :cry:

...Or maybe it's HP envy :oops:
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Yeah... but the Z4 styling leaves the 1er in the dust.
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wasupdu said:
I personally like how BMW priced this a bit higher....closer to the 3-series. Where I live I don't see too many BMW's (maybe 2-3 Z4's in the past year, half a dozen 5-series/7-series, and a fair amount of 3-series cars). I like to be one of the only ones on the road with a given vehicle. As a BMW owner I like that they didn't price the 1-series lower otherwise it would be like a Honda Civic where you see at least 2-3 of them on every street corner. just my .02
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:roll: god forbid those poor people get their hands on an elite driving machine like a BMW.
 
zednik said:
I drove a 135i last week on an extended run over some nice roads. I found it more faster, more stable, better ride, and all around much more fun than my Z4. It's an apples and oranges comparison, they are much different cars but my bottom line is the performance and "fun to drive" factor and the 135i makes my Z4 seem dull and a little old. The looks of the Z4 still get my blood pumping but the real test for me is a drive on a good road.

I'll keep my Z4 for one more year and then it'll be the 135i, or, if I can stretch the budget a little I'll get a 335i coupe.
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Very interesting comments. I'm hoping to get to my local dealer in canberra next month for the official launch. We currently own an 06 Z4 2.5si and a 120i. As we've just moved from the 'burbs into an apartment in the city, the need for two cars is becoming redundant, so the 135 coupe may be worth a serious look. The reviews I've seen and the vids on youtube seem to point to something pretty special. The attraction for me, if we decide to sell the two cars we've got for the 135, is that I get a sporty twin turbo 6 cylinder car which satisfies my needs, while the missus gets whatever. Unfortunately, a 335 coupe is just not for us, but how I wish I could afford an M3 as the weekend special!! In the meantime, I'll continue to enjoy open top motoring via the zed but I know it's going to be an agonising decision to make whether to keep the two cars, or move onto the 135. I need a bigger garage.
 
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