Does The BMW 1 Series Have The Moxy To Become As Successful As The 3 Series?

Agent009 submitted on 4/11/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 12:19:33 PM

47 user comments | Views : 6,141 | Category: Misc News | Source: | SOURCE: www.usatoday.com

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

BMW's 1 Series is a new to the USA line of small, nimble BMWs that offer your choice of really powerful or merely powerful engines mated with a sweet-shifting six-speed manual or non-pareil five-speed automatic.


 
And they're not, for a change, ugly. Rather, the look vaguely recalls BMW's CS coupe of the 1960s and '70s

Where can we hang crepe on that?

Maybe reliability? We've all heard stories. But, no, the data show something different. Most BMW models now earn a "recommended" from Consumer Reports magazine, a rating given only when the model has at least average reliability. And in the last vehicle dependability study by J.D. Power and Associates — which measures problems with 3-year-old vehicles — the BMW brand ranked seventh of 38, a very good showing.




Read Article


Does The BMW 1 Series Have The Moxy To Become As Successful As The 3 Series?

About the Author

Agent009

Honor thy error as a hidden intention.

— Agent009 (View Profile)


User Comments

silver1

Yes. Looks like a Mazda Miata. I can see some parents buying this for their kids.....

— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 12:31:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

daytonaviolet

A miata really?!? A miata that seats 4?!?!

— daytonaviolet (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 1:37:07 PM | | Votes: 4   

vman1013

1 series doesn't handle as good as a Miata?

Never knew the official chic convertible was known for its handling.

— vman1013 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 3:50:41 PM | | Votes: -1   

silver1

"daytonaviolet"

Yeap. A stretch luxury Miata that seats 4.

— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 4:58:12 PM | | Votes: -2   

S4cabriofoxone

vman, where have you been for the last 15 years?

The Miata started the small sports car revolution!

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 1:09:28 PM | | Votes: 3   

EL34

Agent009, the BMW 1-Series is a natural ;-)

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 12:34:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

KZ258

or not. el is not worthy to own anything from wal-mart. rather the dumpster

— KZ258 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 3:22:01 PM | | Votes: -6   

Homer008

Yugo was natural too! Dipsh1t.

— Homer008 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 2:34:55 AM | | Votes: 2   

EL34

So you drive a Yugo :-D

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 11:06:15 AM | | Votes: 3   

w209w114

I think it will be MORE successful than the 3 series and will cannibalize sales from its bigger brother.

Im not a huge fan of the car's styling, but price is everything in the entry level category, and the sales figures will speak for themselves.

— w209w114 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 12:37:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

FactsRule

Yes, the 1 series will be very successful! I've been to several dealerships and they have sold them all and their order allocations have been filled for the next several months.

— FactsRule (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 12:37:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Rupert

Only a 5 speed auto? I'm sure we get a 6 speed in Europe...

— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 12:38:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

DROOPYSAKK

it will be a best seller in high school parking lots everywhere

— DROOPYSAKK (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 12:57:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

ATrip

I just don’t know about this. I am not taking away from the 1’s capabilities, I have read nothing but good things. I think what people are forgetting on here is that we are all enthusiasts. To the average customer, the price difference is so small, they may end up opting for the more established, larger 3-series. Again, for the average consumer, (non-auto enthusiast), there is an image thing, how many of them will go for the entry level, lowest model, when they can have the 3 (which has just moved up in the family tree) for such a small amount more? Not to mention, it’s only got two doors, which right there will limit the mass appeal and success the 3 has achieved. I think the 1 is a great little car, I just don’t see it taking over the 3, not in sales figures that is.

— ATrip (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 1:18:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

ATrip

Agreed, also in the northeast and I hardly see any non AWD 3's/5's. This will hurt the 1 as well.

— ATrip (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 2:45:52 PM | | Votes: 4   

JRobUSC

First, they'll sell all the convertibles they choose to make -- a similar 3-Series convertible is about $9k more, and frankly the 1-Series convertible is a bargain for the class, no one else even offers a competitor.

The coupes, they'll sell to people who think of the car as a throwback to the 2002, to people who want a more nimble car than a 3-Series, and to people to whom the $5000 between the 1 and the 3 is a lot of money. Which is quite a few people. People who might have bought something else more affordable before the 1-Series was available, like a G37 Coupe.

Considering how low the volumes have been set on the 1-Series I don't think BMW is going to have much trouble selling them all.

— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 3:26:37 PM | | Votes: 3   

daytonaviolet

It looks like a great car, but not a volume car. With only 2 doors I don't think it will effect the 3 series much. The big seller for the 3 series is the 4 door.

— daytonaviolet (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 1:35:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 10   

w209w114

Look out for a future 1 series 4 or 5 door variant for the U.S.

— w209w114 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 1:47:02 PM | | Votes: 3   

daytonaviolet

If they bring a 4 door to the US, it really would be interesting to see what would happen.

— daytonaviolet (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 2:26:44 PM | | Votes: 2   

AgentOrange

Ummm, skuse me Agent009.
Both trannies (AT & MT) in the 1er are 6 spd...

— AgentOrange (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 2:40:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

528i

Who cares, its UGLY!!

— 528i (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 2:54:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5   

bmwdrvr

i fail to see how the 1 series looks like the "GT" CS from BMW, the 2002, but not the CS, the 6 series is much more a successor to that car than the 1 series, the 80's model 6 series looked like a larger CS

— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 3:02:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

KZ258

hmm...agent 009 came up with the article. what a change of events

anyway, no, the 1 series does not have the looks or the significant price difference to overcome the 3 series. its only 5 gs apart from the 3 fully loaded and practically the same with the g37.

— KZ258 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 3:20:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

jag30

perhaps this car is more fuel efficient than the 3series and people like that, however i really don't think we can compare this car to the 3 series at all! good luck! Jag

— jag30 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 3:34:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

macker83

NO!

— macker83 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 3:42:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

theoptimisticpessimist

Love the car,but no.

— theoptimisticpessimist (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 4:40:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

06TLDude

Nope, chic car

— 06TLDude (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 5:05:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

richardp996

As much as I like this car I am going to say no. The car doesn't seem to have taken off even in Europe even though its reception was mixed from decent to great depending on the model and equipment.

— richardp996 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 9:45:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

rubenkincaid

"vaguely recalls BMW's CS coupe of the 60's and 70's"... now, that statement is a stretch. The 1 series looks like a child's shoe in profile. No comparison to the CS.

— rubenkincaid (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 9:55:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

MunichRob

The 1-series is the more appealing car to collectors, true driving enthusiasts, women & posers. However due to its 3-series price tag I doubt it will be as popular.

— MunichRob (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 11:59:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

ubercool

The front is fugly and the interior is cheap and nasty

— ubercool (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 9:08:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

EL34

I agree with you 100% on the Nissan GTR :-|

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 1:41:17 PM | | Votes: 3   

0to60

amazinBimmer = idiot

there you have it

— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 10:42:13 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

cdoke

You never cease to amaze me, amazinBimmer. We can always count on you for an erudite and objective opinion.

— cdoke (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 2:32:35 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

cdoke

Apparently, "sarcasm" is something some on here have little grasp of.

— cdoke (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 4:22:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Audiphile

amazinBimmer - don't look back, someone is gaining on you! I am referring to GoObama. His comments are as every bit as idiotic as yours, but without the snobbery lurking under the surface of so many of your threads. However, he's younger than you. Give him time, he'll catch up with you soon!

— Audiphile (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 4:59:14 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Hatemachine777

I believe the main problem with the possible success of the 1 series is going to be it's price. The 1 series is appealing for younger people who want an entry level luxury car, however, I think most of this group just go ahead and opt for the 3 series even if they have to get one a year or two old.
The other group consists of enthusiasts but it remains to be seen if there are enough people in this group to make it a real success. You also have to consider the fact that the people in this category with the cash will buy the new M3 and those without the cash for a new M3 might decided they would rather buy a used M3 than the 1.

— Hatemachine777 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 4:10:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Add your Comments

Images hosted in your AgentSpace can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters): [img]IMAGE URL[/img]
Example: [img]http://agent001.myautospies.com/images/sample.jpg[/img]