bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

When I first came into this thread I wasn't looking at dates - Clarkson reviewed the 1 series *4* years ago? And it's just becoming available here now?

And proximal, that's classic, he went from the 'ruination of BMW' to the 'best car BMW makes'... I guess they can still not be contradictory though (like the best brass on the Titanic ).

jackblack7

Well, he reviewed two completely different cars. In '04 it was a 5 door hatchback with 163 hp, while the '08 version is a two door coupe with 306 hp.

mmarshall

Yes. I reviewed a 128 convertible last month and was very pleased with it....though I agree it was overpriced (41K). A 135 convertible would be even more.

That's the main problem with the U.S.-market 1-series. It is overpriced. Even the base version is 30K......and I disagree with Jeremy Clarkson about it being an affront to the BMW name. It is every inch, in its chassis, steering, handling, gauges, and driving pleasure, a BMW. I like the 128i enough that if I choose a RWD car next time (which is unlikely) it will be very high on my list....overpriced or not.

mmarshall

I'll believe it when I see it. In the past, Lexus had numerous opportunities to market a sub-IS300 model in the American market (they sold the IS200 in Europe and Canada) but simply refused to bring it here.

However, the IS250 is a step in that direction. But, although it has the engine size to compete with the BMW 128i, it is also larger in physical size, and a 4-door as well....the U.S. market 1-series are all coupes or convertibles.

TwiBlueG35

I think it is such a good idea to sell this 1-series coupe in the U.S. A lighter, more nimble BMW with the same engines in the 3-series and 5-series, for cheaper prices with the sacrifice of some practicality? Why not? Plus, it doesn't look bad at all, still a typical BMW design. I don't think it would become a failure, or ruination of BMW. In fact, it is one of the most anticipated new cars of 2008 for me, along with Nissan GT-R, BMW M3, Mitsubishi Evolution X, new Subaru Impreza STI, Lexus IS-F, Audi A5/S5, the new Audi A4/S4, the new Honda Fit, etc.

CdeFabio

I seem to remember something about this, didn't BMW have a 1 series about 10 years ago that they discontinued because they (or other BMW owners) felt that it cheapened the brand? At the time you could get one for somewhere in the mid to upper 20's. I think it was a small hatchback that was only sold for a few years here in the States.

mmarshall

No....not a 1-series. You are thinking of the 316/318 hatchback, which was tried in the U.S and discontinued. And BMW dealers, of course, HAVE had success with another small hatchback.....the Mini, although of course it is not a true BMW.

plex

iTrader: (11)

Lol funny how things turned out, I've seen a couple 1 series in the area already and they seem to be selling well from what I'm hearing.

Stage3

iTrader: (3)

^^^
LOL!

CdeFabio

Yep, that is what I was thinking of. Thanks for jogging the memory! I remember it was a cute car, if you are into small hatchbacks.