RE: BMW 1 Series facelift details

[Negative Creep]

Not sure if it's on every model, but I parked facing a current 1 Series today and couldn't hlep but notice two massive struts behind the kidney grille.

[Blakewater]

There are rumours the next generation 1 Series will be available as a saloon. This is just a computer mock up I think as the front images show the current, pre facelift 1 Series face. A saloon, with a more 2 Series like rear end, would sort out the awkward rear end and bread van shape of the 1 Series though.

[Inertiatic]

Still a hideous looking thing, but admittedly not as hilariously ugly as before

I'm sure the 135 is a hoot to drive, and i'd love one in reality...but its no looker :-)

Edited by Inertiatic on Saturday 17th January 23:57

[Nohedes]

I quite like it - it's not pretty but handsome enough and the engines/interior/drivetrain appeal more than anything else in the class. It's probably quite difficult to make a good looking small hatchback that can take 3-litre straight six, has rear or four wheel drive and still meets pedestrian impact legislation.

[nickfrog]

Escort3500 said:

nickfrog said:

Fortunately, not everyone is into styling.

If I was going to spend £30k + on a car I think it's reasonable to expect it to look pretty good.

What if looks are subjective ? You never know...

[aeropilot]

Blakewater said:

There are rumours the next generation 1 Series will be available as a saloon. This is just a computer mock up I think as the front images show the current, pre facelift 1 Series face. A saloon, with a more 2 Series like rear end, would sort out the awkward rear end and bread van shape of the 1 Series though.

Yeah, but the next gen 1-Series is going to be transverse engined fwd platform like the 2AT is, so somebody photoshopping something based in the current platform is just a waste of time

[ajprice]

aeropilot said:

Blakewater said:

There are rumours the next generation 1 Series will be available as a saloon. This is just a computer mock up I think as the front images show the current, pre facelift 1 Series face. A saloon, with a more 2 Series like rear end, would sort out the awkward rear end and bread van shape of the 1 Series though.

Yeah, but the next gen 1-Series is going to be transverse engined fwd platform like the 2AT is, so somebody photoshopping something based in the current platform is just a waste of time

Good job that isn't a next gen transverse FWD 1 series chop then, its from the launch of the current gen when Audi & Mercedes were launching the A3 saloon and CLA, so why not a 1 series saloon?... http://www.theophiluschin.com/?p=3349

[hufggfg]

nickfrog said:

Fortunately, not everyone is into styling.

Yeah I guess, it's certainly not top of my list, but I still like to walk up to my car and think "damn that looks awesome!"

I used to love my C63 estate for that reason, so aggressive, just looked like it meant business.

Don't get me wrong, it wouldn't stop me buying a BMW (an M235i is potentially on the cards at the moment), but it's just a shame that it doesn't look better!

[nickfrog]

Fair comment.

[Blakewater]

aeropilot said:

Blakewater said:

There are rumours the next generation 1 Series will be available as a saloon. This is just a computer mock up I think as the front images show the current, pre facelift 1 Series face. A saloon, with a more 2 Series like rear end, would sort out the awkward rear end and bread van shape of the 1 Series though.

Yeah, but the next gen 1-Series is going to be transverse engined fwd platform like the 2AT is, so somebody photoshopping something based in the current platform is just a waste of time

I know what it is. I'm just saying a saloon would perhaps fill a gap in the market for those who fancy a 1 Series but don't like the look of the hatchback. As has been pointed out, Audi and Mercedes offer saloons in this market segment and BMW is associated with saloon cars as much as they are, so it wouldn't be a silly idea.

[aeropilot]

Blakewater said:

aeropilot said:

Blakewater said:

There are rumours the next generation 1 Series will be available as a saloon. This is just a computer mock up I think as the front images show the current, pre facelift 1 Series face. A saloon, with a more 2 Series like rear end, would sort out the awkward rear end and bread van shape of the 1 Series though.

Yeah, but the next gen 1-Series is going to be transverse engined fwd platform like the 2AT is, so somebody photoshopping something based in the current platform is just a waste of time

I know what it is. I'm just saying a saloon would perhaps fill a gap in the market for those who fancy a 1 Series but don't like the look of the hatchback. As has been pointed out, Audi and Mercedes offer saloons in this market segment and BMW is associated with saloon cars as much as they are, so it wouldn't be a silly idea.

I think the rumour mill is supporting the idea of a fwd 1 Series Grand Coupe more than a traditional saloon shape.
If you look at a 2AT side on, you could see how an extended rear with a sloping coupe like rear into a boot would work.

[Patrick Bateman]

This is far superior to the pre-facelift.

[Bodo]

aeropilot said:

O/T - separated at birth.

[Sampaio]

Blakewater said:

There are rumours the next generation 1 Series will be available as a saloon. This is just a computer mock up I think as the front images show the current, pre facelift 1 Series face. A saloon, with a more 2 Series like rear end, would sort out the awkward rear end and bread van shape of the 1 Series though.

If the 4 and 6 series are originally coupes and both have 4-door Gran Coupe versions, wouldn't such a car be a 2-series Gran Coupe instead of a 1-series?

[iloveboost]

Patrick Bateman said:

This is far superior to the pre-facelift.

I agree. Some people don't like the rear, but the old rear looked like a Polo, and it was a bit dull. The slightly weird headlights have gone, and now I think it looks quite nice.

[DanBMW]

I think they have improved the front, not so sure about the back. Looks like a Toyota Auris/what ever the small lexus is.

[Lowtimer]

It's hardly beautiful but for me it's a lot less objectionable than previously.

[P4GNO]

I've owned my M135i for coming up to a year now and looks were not high up on my list of requirements. I wanted a daily to beat my 928, a fast petrol 5dr hatch, auto and RWD, not much choice then. The face lift seems to align it with the corporate look, proportionally slightly better at the front but who cares, I can't see the outside styling as I'm sitting in the driving seat enjoying the car. Engine, power, drive train, interior comfort and toys far outweigh the looks for me. I've never thought it bad, just quirky and different.
I assume all the haters are not going to buy one, fine by me, knowing what you think didn't sway my decision to buy one.

Edited by P4GNO on Friday 6th March 14:49