What ever happened to the BMW 1 series?

ya... but I also helped someone buy a new 2011 ford edge sport... it was 38650 MSRP... and loaded out tahoes exceed 40k...


cars are just expensive nowadays... plain and simple

 

i agree with your entusiasm and I love the euro focus especially the "hot" versions...

But... where you are way off is in the fact that anyone would buy the 1series 5 door. It wouldn't happen.... not now not ever in the US.

People in the US do not purchase "hatchbacks." Mazda has done ok with the 3... but that is a completely different price point.

Look at the 318ti. FAILURE
Benz C230k hatch. FAILURE
Just about any wagon. FAILURE

The Golf is the number 1 selling car in europe. Here... not so much... hell I think the Jetta outsells the Golf... let alone #1 selling

The US market hates hatchbacks. I like them and think we should all drive them... BUT... its just not the case.

The 1 series 5 door would be a MASSIVE failure in the US and would/could hurt the brands image.

 

True, as we mostly think the SUVs are dominant. I like hatchbacks also, depending on what they are. But the 135i hatchback does bring in a lot of people wanting the brand name and not the price (although they are still not in a great price range). If I was looking for a new car, it would either be a sports car, as I have no need in carrying things, and I hate driving people around. Think of the A3, I see plenty, the 1 hatch is competition, along with the B-series MBenzs, so these people buying the A3 might want the Audi name, instead of getting a GTi or Golf.

I think we should learn from the Europeans in the case that we don't need Hummers, or massive SUVs when other cars will suffice.

 

I see a ton of A3's in Atlanta, not so many 1 series. Interesting as most specced A3's come in the same price as A4's and 1 series are also close to 3 series price.

It makes me wonder if the looks aren't hurting the 1 series. The A3 is much prettier.

I also think an S3 would sell well in the US.

 

There's lots of them here in Calgary, problem is, you can't tell them apart, even with all the 1,3, and 5 badges on the back.

 

I see a lot of 1 series daily in the Atlanta area. I even test drove a 135 convertible when looking for a 4 seat drop-top last Spring, but went with the Audi S5 Cabriolet instead

 

They are EVERYWHERE in south florida..

I doubt the new M1 will sell well though.

 

i disagree... i think the 1 series M is going to take quite a few customers from the m3... at least the ones who actually track there cars.

The M3 has gotten WAY WAY WAY too expensive.

 

I agree with the track oriented people, but 99% of the M cars i see in palm beach wont even see a trackday..... and I agree the msrp on the new m3's is unreal.. 70k for a well optioned car.

However some of the "new" leftovers sold for under 50

not a bad deal if you ask me.... esp since my 335 was nearly that on the sticker.

 

but those left overs were probably base sedans... not 70k dollar coupes.

BMW doesn't have 15k trunk money on the car M3... I am very very familiar with BMW "programs"

But yes, you are correct, many M3s that are sold are purchased by "badgers" but there really is a surprising amount of M3 enthusiasts who do track their cars... at least here in AZ... Im actually surprised on how many that do...

 

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=241705

I stand corrected... they were around 50... but there were coupes available in this.

I personally wish the 1 series hatch came here... I also wish the n54 didnt have so many issues ..... lol.

 

I see surprisingly few of them here in trendy L.A. I think they are too expensive and pretty ugly.

 

yup... a year ago there were some pretty good deals to be had.

 

I'd agree that the 1 series in too $$$ in the US mkt. Despite not seeing too many locally, I believe the mkt for small "premium" cars will continue to grow.

Separately, lets see how well the 1 and other cars do in face of $4 gas that i expect to see in '11.

 

It's ridiculous almost.

I was talking about that with my friend who bought a Ford F250 a few months ago. He brought up something about how expensive trucks are now days. I said, I know, and it's crap that someone that there are people that drive a $50K truck/suv and yet those same people label me as the "rich guy" because I have a bimmer. lol

 

Agreed

 

$64k and change for an F-250 with all the fixin's.

Almost $48k for a fully loaded 1 series coupe which in my mind is north of sane by about 20 large.

 

As I stated in the M3 thread, I just picked one up a short bit ago. The original sticker was $40,000 and it is fairly well optioned with the coral red leather, Ipod, cold weather and the must have sport package. The car was enthusiast own and was lightly modded. He even bundled in a lightly used set of winter wheels to sweeten the deal.

Before purchasing, I drove a number of cars including the E46 M3, 330CI ZHP, 335i and a newer 328xi. The 135i is what the E9X 3-series should have been, but the car needs to go on a diet as it is only 100lbs lighter then the stout big brother. Weight aside, the cars have a totally different feel, the 335i seemed more refined and tame, where as the 135i makes you want to go. I saw it as a compromise between the 335i and E46 M3 while still retaining a warranty.

Looks are subjective but I truly enjoy this car and I like that you don't see the car often.