BMW 1 Series coming to America?

[Big Daddy]

According to the April 2005 edition of the Roundel;

"Pay close atention to the 130i that debuted at last month's Geneva auto show because that's the car most similar to the one that may find its way to BMW showrooms in America." The article goes on to say that dealers have not wanted the four cylinder because they consider them "sale proof". BMW is making a six cylinder version that in European specs delivers an "impressive" 258 horsepower, "good enough to propel the tiny car from a standstill to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds with a regulated 155-mph top speed." Sounds interesting and it says more information is available at bmw.com.

 

[bmw046series]

The only problem with the 1er is the room, it lacks it, and the transmission tunnel runs through the back seats- what are you going to do, make it FWD, ha ha ha!

 

[Average Jae]

i would love to check one out. weird tho that bigger 330i gets upto 60 quicker..

 

[jrt67ss350]

The article goes on to say that dealers have not wanted the four cylinder because they consider them "sale proof".

I don't buy this for a second. I think the 4 cylinder 1 series would sell well as long as it was priced accordingly. BMW doesn't want to introduce a cheap 4 banger model here because they want to maintain the "status" that the BMW image has here - as a result, we only currently get the higher profit margin 6 cylinder versions of all the BMW cars (as well as only the higher profit margin interior configurations).

 

[aNoodle]

I don't buy this for a second. I think the 4 cylinder 1 series would sell well as long as it was priced accordingly. BMW doesn't want to introduce a cheap 4 banger model here because they want to maintain the "status" that the BMW image has here - as a result, we only currently get the higher profit margin 6 cylinder versions of all the BMW cars (as well as only the higher profit margin interior configurations).

I totally agree. I think a cheaper 4 cylinder would sell like crazy. I suspect the dealers don't want the smaller profit margins while the increased units strain their ability to service them and pull down sales of higher end cars.

 

[tool fan]

4 cylinder Bimmer in the states??????????? Not good, next thing you know, you will have ricer kids trying to mod up 1 series bimmers and in my book that goes against any and all things pure and un-perverted. Kinda like Michael Jackson!!!