BMW 1-series Hatchback

[SDKmann]

I dont really like the 1 series look anyway. And once everyone here can afford a brand new BMW it will take away from the prestige of the brand. I think that they should bring over another ti instead of the 1 series, that would sell.

[GDB]

Originally Posted by Panzer_M

BMW NA doesn't believe in a entry level/Compact BMW less the 25K USD

arent' the new e90s starting just under $30k? 29,999.99 or something like that.

[angel318ti]

are you talking about the E46 ti? anyway I agree with Weezer's point but one thing that I don't agree on is that the 1 series is a 4 door as opposed to the 3 series ti only came with 2 doors. So that alone puts them in two different categories. Why not have two competing car from the same company? Ford and Dodge are doing it right now.

[96cali]

Cooincidentally, I just got back from lunch where I asked my dealer about the 1 series coming here. The sales person called another on speaker, maybe a district rep, who said the 1 series is not confirmed. If it is it will most likely be a 2008 model and only as a sedan or wagon, no 4 door hatch. His whole message was one of non-commitment on the part of BMWNA.

When I asked him about the dealer interest in selling the 1 series, he got a wierd tone in his voice and mentioned BMW would subsidize the 1 to make it competetive and sure to sell because "aside from the 318ti, they've never made a mistep in the marketplace". Of course the guy on the phone didn't know my ti was parked outside. I wispered to the sales person next to me "hmmm.. that's what I drive!". She shot me an embarassed smile. LOL, guess I have time to sdave my pennies.

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by SDKmann

I dont really like the 1 series look anyway. And once everyone here can afford a brand new BMW it will take away from the prestige of the brand. I think that they should bring over another ti instead of the 1 series, that would sell.

Gee, that sounds like what the ti did to the brand.

[318tibimmer]

OK, I think this car is sexy - Check this out (I know it's in German)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FRv_p0C2U4&search=BMW

[Matt-UK]

Havnt been here for a while cos of certain reasons I.e some asian chick has WRITTEN my ti off. Its totally wasted she went sraight into the back of me, i was stationary at the time and she must of been doin about 50mph from the sate of it! The accident was about 2 weeks ago and ive had the 1 series for that period so far, and probably another week! Its a 2.0 diesel pix are in my gallery! Ill post some pix of my ti as soon as its all over. Matt

[davep-uk]

sorry to hear that Matt. your car was so tidy too, it was obvious that you'd put a lot of hard work into making it look really nice. were any of the extras salvageable? rims, etc?

[Matt-UK]

thanks. Luckily i managed to salvage some of the stuff i had done, but one things for sure that magnex wont be creating any emissions anymore!

[halek]

sorry about your motor matt you must be gutted, I hope she was insured. Your gonna get another ti I hope or has the 120d tempted you?

[SDKmann]

That sucks about your car! Are you going to be selling any of the parts?

[H3_2.1-ti]

I was at the Montreal International Auto show recently and they had a 120d there. I wasn't too convinced until I saw it in person. The Canadian Government tested the car's efficiency and it is very possibly coming to Canada by next Fall. Here are some specs forthe 120d:

• 2L-16 valve 4 cylinder turbo-diesel
• 163hp@4000rpm
• 251lb-ft@2000rpm
• 6-speed manual
• top speed 137mph
• 0-60mph: 7.5 seconds (conservative)
• 37/61mpg (city/highway)
• E46 suspension

Impresive figures; frugel, powerful and extremely TUNABLE.

Cheers,

[stormos]

hmmm. think i'll book a test drive.

[Phil Marx]

Originally Posted by 96cali

When I asked him about the dealer interest in selling the 1 series, he got a wierd tone in his voice and mentioned BMW would subsidize the 1 to make it competetive and sure to sell because "aside from the 318ti, they've never made a mistep in the marketplace".

There's been a lot of misinformation about why the Compact (318ti) "failed" in the U.S. Since I was involved with selling new BMWs back then as sales manager and general manager of a BMW dealership, I have my opinions of what BMW NA did wrong and it has very little to do with the product and lots to do with advertising and promotion including financing. Get's kind of long but let me just leave you with this information I sent to another list recently:

In the March Roundel (BMW Car Club of America) there will be two letters from members discussing why the 1 Series should come to the U.S. One writer cites the alleged poor sales performance of the ti as why BMW NA is slow to embrace another hatchback and the other cites the success of the wagons in the U.S. as an indication that we're now ready to embrace hatches.

Here's my reply:

Phil Marx replies: Some facts might help put these arguments in perspective. For calendar year 2005, BMW NA sold 3,660 "sport wagons," including both new and old 3 Series, 5 Series, and all-wheel-drive versions of these models, making total wagon sales less than 2% of total BMW car sales of 197,833. By comparison, BMW NA sold 7,238 318ti Compacts in 1996---nearly 7% of 105,761 total sales. 318ti sales slipped to less than 4,000 in 1998, the last full year of sales for this model, but still accounted for 3% of total U.S. BMW car sales. How do you measure success?

[Matt-UK]

My compact was so much more fun to drive than the 1 series i would do anything to have it back. Im buying another one as soon as i get a settlement. Traction control- PAH!