RE: New BMW 1 Series will be everywhere
Friday 17th September 2004
New BMW 1 Series will be everywhere
But will they be driven like a RWD car should be?
Expect to see a lot of 1 Series BMs on the road next year. Due to hit the road tomorrow, according to BMW the whole of its UK allocation for 2004 has already been sold.
Competing directly with Golfs and the like, the rear-wheel drive hatch is a first for BMW. In BMW-speak, it offers "best in class driving dynamics and a BMW that will attract a whole new group of buyers to the brand." According to project design manager Kevin Rice, no manufacturer has ever successfully produced both a luxury and an economy branded car.
It remains to be seen whether Britain's middle-of-the-road buyers are heading for the excitement of rear-wheel drive and a loose rear end, or whether it's the badge that tweaks their trilbies.
Somehow, Pistonheads doesn't think it's the former.
1 Series prices range from £15,690 to £20,800.
Discussion
Having driven the 1 series I'm quite impressed. You get the benefits of rear wheel drive even while driving quite slowly...although at the limit is where it's most obvious and most enjoyable.
I think BMW should be applauded for shaking up the market. I wouldn't buy one mind, it doesn't really move the game on from the E36...except in a stylistic/"felt tip fairy" kind of way.
The badge is worth a lot to very many people, it must be said that BMW have earned their status.
Shane
I think BMW should be applauded for shaking up the market. I wouldn't buy one mind, it doesn't really move the game on from the E36...except in a stylistic/"felt tip fairy" kind of way.
The badge is worth a lot to very many people, it must be said that BMW have earned their status.
Shane
Most people won't be aware that it is RWD or the implications of it anyway I'd imagine. They'll look at the "bump" in front of the middle back seat and never realise its the transmission tunnel.
All will be forgiven for the badge and its kudos in the work car park - I'd expect a lot of the current Mondeo-level company car owners will be looking at this if they can't get a promotion to 3-series management!
Have they plans for a hot M-series model?
All will be forgiven for the badge and its kudos in the work car park - I'd expect a lot of the current Mondeo-level company car owners will be looking at this if they can't get a promotion to 3-series management!
Have they plans for a hot M-series model?
Wouldn't a de-badged one make a great mile-eater when I want to replace the four-ring-barge..... If a 120i is coming in at just under £20k then a sporty one would be too expensive IMO.
We need back to basics if we want to see more great hatches. The Clio Cup has the right idea. Most hatches are too lardy to base a good hot hatch on. A lightweight CSL stlye 1 series would be the way forward...but that would cost a lot!
Agree with the comments that most people wont know the advantage of 50/50 weight distribution and RWD...the majority of the cars will be sold people wanting the badge.
We need back to basics if we want to see more great hatches. The Clio Cup has the right idea. Most hatches are too lardy to base a good hot hatch on. A lightweight CSL stlye 1 series would be the way forward...but that would cost a lot!
Agree with the comments that most people wont know the advantage of 50/50 weight distribution and RWD...the majority of the cars will be sold people wanting the badge.
Rob P said:Not so sure, if it had the power to compete with the red-hot hatches, the Alfa GTA, Golf R32, Audi A3 R32 equivalent which are all around the £25k mark.
If a 120i is coming in at just under £20k then a sporty one would be too expensive IMO
BMW would have their M1 at around £28k will full leather and say the 3 litre straight six (petrol and diesel) for a good big of power.
They'd sit under the prices for Scoobies and Evos, but have a less in your face image...
BMW's marketing department really are full of sh*te aren't they? This has all been done before. Does no-one remember the 3-series Compact that they have been flogging for the past ten years (or the BMW 2002 hatch, Chevette HS2300, Lotus Sunbeam...)? Sure, this has 5 doors rather than three, but is boring two extra large holes into an already wobbly body (because it has a massive hole in the back and no rear bulkhead) much to be blowing your trumpet over?
And a modern day 205GTI/R5 Turbo? Buy a Clio 182 Sport and save yourself £5k. You can forget any notions of fun, as any trace of excitement will have been engineered out of the thing so that the bank manager's wives who will be driving the 1-series don't kill themeslves on the way to the nail bar. Need evidence this isn't an enthusiasts car? Check out the parafin stove under the bonnet of the range topper.
I can't believe anyone is lapping up this cr*p!
hendry said:Depends on your criteria for a hot hatch, the basic stripped out approach worked well on the Mk1 Golf, 205 GTi and the like, but just doesn't cut it these days when people expect some luxury for the well-earned - so few are interested in driving dynamics and the idea of saving a few Kgs through removing aircon and electric windows makes no sense to these people.
And a modern day 205GTI/R5 Turbo? Buy a Clio 182 Sport and save yourself £5k. You can forget any notions of fun, as any trace of excitement will have been engineered out of the thing so that the bank manager's wives who will be driving the 1-series don't kill themeslves on the way to the nail bar. Need evidence this isn't an enthusiasts car? Check out the parafin stove under the bonnet of the range topper.
I wouldn't want a 182 for my only car, and if I wanted do go for stripped out car at the Clio 182 price I'd be looking at a Caterham 7 type car.
All IMO of course.
Talking to non-petrolheads about the stripped out road cars like the CSL and Stradale etc. they just look confused, "why would someone..." uusually being their response.
Tripps said:
Depends on your criteria for a hot hatch, the basic stripped out approach worked well on the Mk1 Golf, 205 GTi and the like, but just doesn't cut it these days when people expect some luxury for the well-earned - so few are interested in driving dynamics and the idea of saving a few Kgs through removing aircon and electric windows makes no sense to these people.
I wouldn't want a 182 for my only car, and if I wanted do go for stripped out car at the Clio 182 price I'd be looking at a Caterham 7 type car.
Don't disagree Tripps, I was pointing out a true spiritual successor to the likes of the cars mentioned. But you are quite right, times *have* moved on and enthusiasts don't want to have to compromise on comfort - these were in fact my demands when I chose my current car: a Cooper S.
Chances are I will want to change the S in the next year or so though. In spite of being an enthusiast - I'm here aren't I? - I wouldn't consider any of the 1-series, even if I did give birth to twins between now and then (good reason for needing two additional portes). Let's face it, it has all the goodies, but an oil-burner with a list of safety device acronyms looking like a bad hand in Scrabble is not going to set many pulses racing.
The new Golf GTi however *does* look interesting...
Even the 3 series is built down to a price so what chance for this shopping trolly?
As has been said before I'd be amazed if anyone wanting 'exciting motoring' would lay their money on the table for one of these under powered skateboards.
They'll all be bought for the badge, although even that I fail to understand these days. The 3 series seems to be driven by morons with little regard or respect for other road users, so I guess the 1 series will be bought instead of a 5 yr old 3 series.
Were indicators on the options list because I can guarantee that fog lights are standard fitment!
Tim
As has been said before I'd be amazed if anyone wanting 'exciting motoring' would lay their money on the table for one of these under powered skateboards.
They'll all be bought for the badge, although even that I fail to understand these days. The 3 series seems to be driven by morons with little regard or respect for other road users, so I guess the 1 series will be bought instead of a 5 yr old 3 series.
Were indicators on the options list because I can guarantee that fog lights are standard fitment!
Tim
Tripps said:
Most people won't be aware that it is RWD or the implications of it anyway I'd imagine. They'll look at the "bump" in front of the middle back seat and never realise its the transmission tunnel.
All will be forgiven for the badge and its kudos in the work car park - I'd expect a lot of the current Mondeo-level company car owners will be looking at this if they can't get a promotion to 3-series management!
Have they plans for a hot M-series model?
You think people are going to spend upwards of £16k on a car and totally miss the company's main selling point for the car?
fid said:Ask any Mum in Chelsea about the off-road capabilites of her £70K Cayenne-S! The selling point of a BMW for most has nothing to with RWD, for the same reason that Audi can get away with such bland handling...
Most people won't be aware that it is RWD or the implications of it anyway I'd imagine. They'll look at the "bump" in front of the middle back seat and never realise its the transmission tunnel.
All will be forgiven for the badge and its kudos in the work car park - I'd expect a lot of the current Mondeo-level company car owners will be looking at this if they can't get a promotion to 3-series management!
Have they plans for a hot M-series model?
You think people are going to spend upwards of £16k on a car and totally miss the company's main selling point for the car?
PS. I know someone who bought I brand new TVR because his son had one, spent a year whinging about it not being that comfortable, lack of ABS, traction control etc.
Badges and image go way beyond techinical specs. in most peoples minds, have a look at some brochures around these days for a car you don't know and see what is says about the drive-train...
We here on PH are different, we care, few others do
Badges and image go way beyond techinical specs. in most peoples minds, have a look at some brochures around these days for a car you don't know and see what is says about the drive-train...
We here on PH are different, we care, few others do
I was in Elms BMW cambridge last night picking up my everso bland 3 series. As yesterday was the launch of the 1 series I asked if they had sold many, to which they replied yes, then they said that most of the punters seemed to be older couples rather than the youg trendies that BMW were aiming at.
D
D
fid said:
Most people won't be aware that it is RWD or the implications of it anyway I'd imagine. They'll look at the "bump" in front of the middle back seat and never realise its the transmission tunnel.
All will be forgiven for the badge and its kudos in the work car park - I'd expect a lot of the current Mondeo-level company car owners will be looking at this if they can't get a promotion to 3-series management!
Have they plans for a hot M-series model?
You think people are going to spend upwards of £16k on a car and totally miss the company's main selling point for the car?
Uh, Yes. Plenty of folk with too much money or no sense do that day in day out.
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