What to think of the new BMW series 1 ?

http://www.auto55.be/content/fotospecials/bmw230304/photoframe2.php

Cut'n'shut of a 3 series and a Chrysler PT?

Rob.

I wouldn't know its even vaguely a BMW without the badge. Looks almost like its taken some lessons from Japanese designers... I'm also not sure why called it a 1 series, but I guess this could the first beemer hatchback? Dunno about the way it looks though, very un-beemer like.

:rubchin:

Rob.

I think the BMW is bigger Rob.

Although the 1 series makes it the smalles of the pack. ( I guess)

Got an excellent write up in Autocar. Apparently it handles and drives brilliantly and the only downside is loss of room due to the transmission tunnel for the rear wheel drive. Will be interesting to see what sort of price this goes for as it could have a major influence on VW/Audi hatch sales.

The one series is a big steaming pile of poo !

All in my opinion of course.

I guess this could the first beemer hatchback?

What about the proper M3 I can't remember the full designation but it looks vaguelyZ3 with a Scimictar style Hatch and goes like f**k squared. :confused:

I wouldn't know its even vaguely a BMW without the badge. Looks almost like its taken some lessons from Japanese designers... I'm also not sure why called it a 1 series, but I guess this could the first beemer hatchback? Dunno about the way it looks though, very un-beemer like.

The curves and creases along the side remind me of the Z4.

Wasn't the 3 series compact a hatchback?

Yes, the curve along the side is Z4-derived. Thing is, it worked for the Z4 but it looks soooo ugly on this one - it's too short and too high compared to the Z4 for it to work.

My first thought was - hangbuikzwijn! (Could Q translate please? I don't know the English word...)

Also, I'm sure that it will be the world's most expensive 1.6.

As a driving experience I suspect it will be great - I'm sure the future 1-series coupe derivative and its M2 flagship will be the new reasonably expensive driver's car, as opposed to the gobsmackingly expensive M3 CSL...

First thinkg I thought was alfa aswell Rob.

bleeding safty...bring back mkII Jag's E-Type, real designers where there is more to the car than well, a 20+ year old car costs as much now as it did then + some...put's it into perspective really.

From Autocar:

1) They will peg production to 150,000 a year to keep it as a premium brand - will not compete on volume with Focus & Golf;

2) Top performer is 120d (diesel ) with 160bhp & 281 lbft, 0-62 in 7.9, Top 137mph, Weight 1340kg;

3) At 2660mm the 1 series is 65mm shorter than the 3 series compact

4) "Today's Compact is essentially a stumpy truncated three door 3 series ( ). The arrival of the 1 series means it won't be replaced."

3) Summary: "Yes there is a compromise in terms of ride comfort and rear set accomodation is tight, but that is of little account to those enthusiasts who yearn for the chassis poise that only comes from a beautifally balanced front engine/rear drive car."

Why can't those German t055ers just stick to making the Mini as their small car rather than clogging the roads up with more ferkin Beemer bleedin drivers, who will just do more tailgating, inappropriate accelerating and overtaking.

I really don't like it, it's another Bangle bodge job, with more creases than an unironed t-shirt, and why are they trying to attack a market segment that's already too full?

However, I do like the idea of the multi-stage braking lights....

I think hangbuikzwijn is something about a pig's belly, which could be in English "making a pig's ear of it" i.e. not doing a good job.

Chaos

the only nice car bangle ever did was the Fiat Coupe.....

althought I do like the new 5 it seems to have been de-bangled.

its pretty hideous really..I will never understand drivers who would pay the extra for a compromised car...you can get better equipped, slightly more spacious cars for the same money

yes you get better handling but how many people in the market for a family hatch EVER take the car to its limits on a public road

cars for people with more money than sense if you ask me

I think hangbuikzwijn is something about a pig's belly' date=' which could be in English "making a pig's ear of it" i.e. not doing a good job.

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No, that's just what I think the curve on the side looks like - a pig's belly!

What about the proper M3 I can't remember the full designation but it looks vaguelyZ3 with a Scimictar style Hatch and goes like f**k squared. :confused:

You mean the Z3 M roadster then.

Although ~I like the current crop of beemers, this new 1 series looks rubbish and is bound to be a sucsees as it will be brought by those that aspire to BMW ownership (sad people) and can't afford a 3 series.

yes you get better handling but how many people in the market for a family hatch EVER take the car to its limits on a public road

Depends what you mean by "better"...I've only driven lowly versions of the BMW (such as the 320d), and big fat tyres combined with over-assisted PAS, auto-transmission and loads of traction controls make it really really boring.

So for budget money, I don't think the BMW presents anymore of a "good handling" car than boggo FWD hatches, 'cos it's not even close to being set up to take advantage of it!

Rob.

smart cars.... as driven by homosexual footballers on tv (Footballers Wives ITV 9.00pm Wednesdays) give more entertaining handling when driven hard from the rear do they Rob?

smart cars.... as driven by homosexual footballers on tv (Footballers Wives ITV 9.00pm Wednesdays) give more entertaining handling when driven hard from the rear do they Rob?

Yes.

Rob.

Looks like a cross between the Nissan Micra and Alfa 146.

Dont see the logic of a rear wheel drive town car. Which high street are you going to be able to explore its driving characteristics? Plus the loss of inside room with the transmission tunnel.

I think BMW have lost the plot, or perhaps they think it will sell just because it is a BMW.

Plus the loss of inside room with the transmission tunnel.

Unless they put the engine in the rear too... :rubchin:

Rob.

I think BMW have lost the plot, or perhaps they think it will sell just because it is a BMW.

Yep I think you've hit the nail on the head. Because it is a BMW it will sell. However I don't know if it will be that sucessful for reasons of poor space compaired to rivals, cost and looks.

In the early 90's small cars meant cheap, and the brands like BMW, Audi and Merc wouldn't go near them with a barge pole. Now there all at it with A classes, 1-series and A2s! How times have changed. I wonder by downsizing and becoming more common will the badge lose some prestige? I mean look at all the Easy Rent a Car Mercs about?

I wonder by downsizing and becoming more common will the badge lose some prestige?

The brief for the A-Class was to produce a vehicle which would allow someone to buy into the Mercedes brand for

Dont see the logic of a rear wheel drive town car. Which high street are you going to be able to explore its driving characteristics? Plus the loss of inside room with the transmission tunnel.

Unless somewhere down the road you make a coupe version called the 2-series, shoehorn the M3 lump in it and turn it into an affordable (at least for some) M3 CSL beater... It will be called M2.