BMW says 1 Series "is the purest BMW we have."

[Kirby]

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. -- BMW wants the upcoming 1 series to lure enthusiasts back into the fold.

The automaker identifies this group as former BMW owners who abandoned the brand because the 3 series got too big and too luxurious over the past 20 years.

"There are people who always loved BMW but, to be honest, loved some of the older stuff more because, for them, it was smaller, more compact, more pure," said Rich Brekus, general manager of product planning and strategy at BMW of North America LLC.

Brekus said a group of former 3-series owners who had cars in the 1980s and early 1990s fits this mind-set.

"The series has grown up, but some of them did not necessarily want the 3 series to grow up," Brekus said during a BMW event here last month. For them, "the older BMWs were more youthful."

He said the 1 series "is the purest BMW we have."

Although shorter than the 3 series, the 1 series shares some components with that model. When the 1 series goes on sale next year in the United States, it will be BMW's entry-level line.

Brekus said ride and handling will not be sacrificed despite a price below the 3 series. The 1 series will feel and drive like a BMW, he said.

The United States will get a 1-series two-door coupe; a convertible also is expected.

BMW sells a 1-series five-door hatchback in Europe that went on sale in 2003, and it recently unveiled a three-door hatchback. BMW has said that neither hatchback will be sold here.

 

[bmw046series]

I don't know why but I think this car will sell like hotcakes.

 

[Detrich]

i think it'll all depend on pricing... in the 90's u could get a well-equipped 3 for under 30k otd if u haggled your butt off. today, the otd price tags range from high 30's to high 50's... and, the issue is, the higher the price tag, the more customers will go, "hmm, what else can i buy if i'm spending THAT much $."

 

[Big Daddy]

I agree, pricing will make the big difference. No one wants to pay 30k for a little entry level car. If they can price it20-25k it will sell.

 

[sm32589g]

ha i like this report because this is the reseaon why i am not too fond of the new 3-series they are waaaay too big and well not too luxurious but just too big! also i loved the stylings that i have seen in the 1-series, especially the M3 wanna-be M1 looked sick. i love to drive cars not to tell them to drive! i hate all of the gizmomometry!

 

[gpiron]

ha i like this report because this is the reseaon why i am not too fond of the new 3-series they are waaaay too big and well not too luxurious but just too big! also i loved the stylings that i have seen in the 1-series, especially the M3 wanna-be M1 looked sick. i love to drive cars not to tell them to drive! i hate all of the gizmomometry!

What do you mean, too big? I have 2 kids, 15 and 9. My wife has the MB C230 Kompressor and we had to upgrade and to the 5 serie, because we could not fit. The 3 serie is BMW version of the MB 230...
Now I got 3 vehicles, because my wife wanted to keep hers too!!! ...That is the time to feel sympathetic!!

I guess for singles or young couple, the 1 serie would be the ticket...?

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

3 series too big? Come on now, I'm afraid I'll break my knees if I ever get into a head on in my 330i, my knees practically touch the dash, unless ofcourse I put the seat way back, which makes it impossible for anyone to sit behind me with some semblance of comfort and leg room. The 3 series is one tiny car, it doesn't even get respect on the road. The E90 got a bit bigger, to solve these issues and they redesigned the dash, but the car is still very small, but that's its niche. The 3 series is the exact same size as a Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, and Toyota Corolla, how much smaller can it get... BMW does make a Mini, but thats what is referred to as an ultra small car, almost like a heavy go cart with luxury features.

 

[Big Daddy]

Yep I sold my 3 series and got a 7 years ago because that 3 was just way too big. I need a five passenger car that can handle five adults, a three won't do that.

 

[sm32589g]

ok first of all, !. calm down there cowboys, it is purely opinion. second of all don't be too ignorant as to overview one others views on different things. Please who said the 3 is as small as a honda WOW overstatement. Please take an e30 4-door and put it up againtst a e90 and tell me which is bigger and by how much? And using the mini cooper as an example is a horrible example. the new "mini" is no where near the size of an old one, and know they are thinking about making it into a 4-door version. come on now. whenever i sit into a e92 and look back out the rear window i can feel the lengthiness and the bulkyness of the vehicle, please tell me which is easier to drive because of size? e30 or the e90/92???

 

[frolf]

The 3 series is one tiny car, it doesn't even get respect on the road. The E90 got a bit bigger, to solve these issues and they redesigned the dash, but the car is still very small, but that's its niche. The 3 series is the exact same size as a Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, and Toyota Corolla, how much smaller can it get...

you're in the clouds man, look at the progression from e9 -> e30 -> e36 -> e46 -> e90, the just keeps getting bigger and bigger.


for the record (which i know is well kept here at bmwboard), i feel that my e36 is too big most days.

 

[Big Daddy]

Yep I think the mini got an inch or two bigger...hehe

 

[sm32589g]

an inch or two? ya maybe 2inches on the top on the bottom and on both sides and o maybe a foot front to back.

 

[sm32589g]

honestly it looks like you can fit the old mini inside the new one!

 

[Big Daddy]

I was talking old Mini as in first generation since BMW has owned it and the current model, not Mini from 20 years ago..

 

[///M SPEED]

ok first of all, !. calm down there cowboys, it is purely opinion. second of all don't be too ignorant as to overview one others views on different things.

Try swallowing a spoonful of hypocrisy you just dished out. Seems all the "opinions" in thread fall into your blanket statement. As ignorant as it seems to you about others questioning your "opinion" you seem to be the clan leader.....

Notice how you follow up with:

Please who said the 3 is as small as a Honda WOW overstatement.

Again, seems to me ones view of the a Honda is their "opinion". "Don't be to ignorant as to overview one others view on different things." The door swings both ways.....

P.S. I own an E46 and I have never found it harder to drive than an E30. Guess some cars are harder to handle for some.....

 

[sm32589g]

Again, seems to me ones view of the a Honda is their "opinion". "Don't be to ignorant as to overview one others view on different things." The door swings both ways.....

P.S. I own an E46 and I have never found it harder to drive than an E30. Guess some cars are harder to handle for some.....

i said wat i said i mean wat i say, because it is still my opinion, no matter if someone else states their opinions i was just saying my opinion agaisnt theres i understand that all human are entitled to their opinion.

 

[///M SPEED]

i said wat i said i mean wat i say, because it is still my opinion, no matter if someone else states their opinions i was just saying my opinion agaisnt theres i understand that all human are entitled to their opinion.

I see, but it's not OK for others to state theirs opinion against yours; let see how was that put - oh yea, "cowboy"?....

This is YOUR statement to others regarding "your opinion", that somehow seems to get lost in the shuffle with you:

second of all don't be too ignorant as to overview one others views on different things.

I guess it doesn't pertain to you when your opinion is at stake or questioned.....

P.S. Are you sure this is wat (???) you meant to say?.....

 

[sm32589g]

no u are going backwards i just replied to u explaining myself saying that i relize wat i said and i accept others opinions but i am going to reply with my own opinions as well.

 

[Average Jae]

i can't recall a car that got smaller as newer generations came out.
if you want something to talk about, talk about the Altima! that thing's even bigger than the bigger brother Maxima now!!

press seems to like increased head room, leg room etc. no one ever praises decrease in leg room and headroom. that would be like taking a step backward!

i really want to see the 1 in person and drive it around.
i just saw the new m coupe at the dealers, and i really wanted to take it around for a spin!

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

ok first of all, !. calm down there cowboys, it is purely opinion. second of all don't be too ignorant as to overview one others views on different things. Please who said the 3 is as small as a honda WOW overstatement. Please take an e30 4-door and put it up againtst a e90 and tell me which is bigger and by how much? And using the mini cooper as an example is a horrible example. the new "mini" is no where near the size of an old one, and know they are thinking about making it into a 4-door version. come on now. whenever i sit into a e92 and look back out the rear window i can feel the lengthiness and the bulkyness of the vehicle, please tell me which is easier to drive because of size? e30 or the e90/92???

E90 is easier to drive, since the E30 will slide off the road in wet conditions...

The E46 is 176 inches long, last time I checked so is the Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla, and Mazda 3.


Frolf, the view up here is very nice. Again the Honda Civic is 176inches long and so is the BMW 3 series, it is the same size as a Honda civic. You might have a more driver friendly coupe, but in my Sedan, in order for me to sit comfortably. I kill the rear passengers comfort and legroom. Also try driving the 3 series in NYC traffic with Yellowcabs everywhere, see how much respect and right of way the car gets. Unless you use the cars power and drive with fast-reaction, you will get walked all over.

P.S. I recently drove a rental Toyota Avalon 07' it was pretty fast, got good mileage, and I enjoyed smoking the front wheels on a few occasions. However, after going back to my 330i, I noticed the steering was a lot firmer, and I couldnt steer the wheel with my pinky finger like in the Avalon. I guess in that sense, the E46 is harder to drive. Gives your wrist quite a workout, I'd imagine...