Perhaps some singular thoughts on the "1"

[3050rpm]

I was just reading a piece on the plans to bring the 1-series to these shores, I believe in late 2008, but not the full complement of body styles available in Europe, i.e. no hatchback or wagon here, only a sedan (maybe a coupe) and a convertible, if I've got it right. My quibble isn't so much with the body styles as the engine choices. Europe evidently can choose from among three 4-cylinder engines including a diesel, while we're slated to get just two versions of the 6-, one at ~215 hp, the other at ~230.

Frankly I think this is stupid on BMW's part, going for the "pocket rocket" image rather than provide a sensible entry level model having the cachet of the nameplate; and sensibilities about fuel economy getting more rational nowadays with global warming, BMW should have something in its offerings addressing that. BMW 4-cylinder engines are terrific, efficient powerplants (of course we here in America look upon them as being weak and cheap), and the newer diesel technology is resulting in some very fuel efficient and powerful and clean engines.

BMW has got itself in somewhat of a bind in the American market, figuring it needs some entry model, but it can't commit fully to a reasonable one because a) they don't want to "cheapen" their image by appearing downscale, and b) they don't want to bite into the Mini market, and perhaps the 3-series to some extent as well. So what they've done is come up with an overpowered, less utilitarian, overpriced offering to maintain a certain "brand image," while chasing away potential new-time buyers to look elsewhere for something just as good if not better, and less expensive to operate as well as purchase outright. It's too bad, BMW could be doing something smart with the 1-, cashing in on a number of trends coming together, and instead they're listening to the idiot marketers.

[witeshark]

I have a lot of the same thoughts. The 128i and 135i from BMWUSA.com Nice cars though!

[Dudesky]

Excuse my argumentative stance, but this is quite the pot calling the kettle black??? You drive a '95 E36, and any form of the 1 series is light years ahead of your car in terms of efficiency and environmental impact. If you want to do something about the environment, don't wait for manufacturers to lead you. You must make the decisions yourself. They're free to do whatever they like, just the same as you are. It's like blaming others for something that you don't have the conviction to do on your own

[MTurboPower3]

You guys and criticize the 1 series but I love it because it small and will be very quick, I am thinking about getting one when comes to the U.S. I think that all cars around the world should be like the 1 series, No more SUV's or Pickup's

[Chris]

Apparently you missed the press statement last year where BMW said that the American economy can't support the 1 series the way europe can. In layman's terms, because of the exchange rate and production costs, the 1 series in europe actually ARE cheaper than the 3 series. but to build and sell the exact same cars in the US, the cars would cost the same as the US 3 series.

so they brought it here, but they can't make a profit by offering the same lineups as they do in europe. Frankly, we should feel lucky that they brought it to the US at all, considering that their margins are so low, its a bad business deal on paper.

And on the engine thing, they picked those two engines because the VAST MAJORITY of their target demographic in the US will buy those two engines. Sorry, but they care about making money more than they do about making sure every single BMW owner is happy with the offerings of a car they may or may not buy anyways.



And you're wrong with your numbers. 128i is rated at 230 and the the 135i is rated at 300 HP. Personally, I think the 135i is powerful enough, and torquey enough to kill yourself with (a couple times over) and its nothing to complain about.



------------------------------------------

For the 135i Coupe, acceleration from 0-62 mph is accomplished in 5.3 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.

2006 BMW M3 0-60 mph Acceleration 5.1 s

We're definitely talking M3 numbers with an intake and exhaust..... Bigger turbos and a retune =

[MTurboPower3]

I can't wait the day it comes out I'm gonna go to a dealership and test drive it.

[nick_318is]

Its going to be pretty cool, I thought there was some discussion of BMW bringing over some of its other engines in the near future?

[celsdogg]

i want a diesel 4 banger hatch 1 series myself as well. they get more than 50 mpg.

aside from all the pertinent arguments stated here, i have heard quotes from the head of BMW NA that they wish to keep the BMW brand a premium one, and doing so means no more 4 bangers. thats why we never got a E46 with a 4 cylinder.

[denyo77]

if I would buy a 1-series here, I'd go for the 120d... the four-cylinder engines lack the spirit and sound and aren't really sporty, but they have a great mileage. We had a 320i as a rental car couple months ago and we got a mileage of about 35 mpg. Even though we drove on the Autobahn more than half the time. And the others are just not affordable.
I'd take the 2-door model, you can't really seat 4 persons in the sedan anyways...
the coupe is ugly...
so yeah, that's my opinion

[Chris]

Personally, I'll be the first one at the dealer the day it becomes available to buy a 135i manual wilver, with a light colored tan interior