Why is the 1 series...

Why is the 1 series...

Author
Discussion

pattyg

Original Poster:

1,340 posts

233 months

Tuesday 25th July 2006
quotequote all
always thought so inferior to the 3 series?

Afterall it shares a lot of common parts including some engines and lots of interior parts and imo it looks better in Sport form than the basic 3s.

Yes, I admit that some things eg door linings glove box and Business CD could be better and are prob the results of some cost cutting but big deal.

r988

7,495 posts

235 months

Thursday 27th July 2006
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Most people don't like how it looks.

The Dude

6,546 posts

253 months

Thursday 27th July 2006
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r988 said:
Most people don't like how it looks.


That's it for me. It has looks only a mother could love, IMHO.

pete

1,598 posts

290 months

Thursday 27th July 2006
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The Dude said:
It has looks only a mother could love, IMHO.

Or an owner

I wouldn't say my 130 MSport is exactly pretty, but it certainly looks purposeful with the (much) lower suspension, 18" wheels and deep front spoiler. It does seem to attract a lot of attention when you're pootling to the shops.

rob05

1,194 posts

234 months

Thursday 27th July 2006
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It does look much better in sport trim,i'd rater buy that than a top spec focus,st apart.

The Dude

6,546 posts

253 months

Thursday 27th July 2006
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pete said:
The Dude said:
It has looks only a mother could love, IMHO.

Or an owner

I wouldn't say my 130 MSport is exactly pretty, but it certainly looks purposeful with the (much) lower suspension, 18" wheels and deep front spoiler. It does seem to attract a lot of attention when you're pootling to the shops.


Sorry Pete, no offence intended, I just don't like the look. I reckon it should've been a 3 door but that's just my opinion.


niva441

2,023 posts

237 months

Friday 28th July 2006
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I had the misfortune to briefly own one, it fell some way short of the excellent driving characteristics I expected from the BMW hype.

The brilliant idea behind the looks was that no one would notice if was given a kick in. Unless some of the panel edges actually line up.

ettore

4,289 posts

258 months

Friday 28th July 2006
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when I drove one the main problem was the truly appalling ride quality. Oh, and the room in the back is truly unnaceptable.

xxplod

2,269 posts

250 months

Friday 28th July 2006
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Beat me to it Ettore. The car is effectively a 2+2. OK, I'm 6'0" but I physically could not get in the back of it, whereas I can in our 3 series compact.

eliot

11,701 posts

260 months

Friday 28th July 2006
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I just think its a pointless car.

Oakey

27,759 posts

222 months

Friday 28th July 2006
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I think Sniff Petrol summed it up with one of their spoof ads, the one that basically had a dog turd as the main photo and said something along the lines of "because you'll buy anything we make"
Edit: sorry, i mean this one:

www.sniffpetrol.com/AdBMW1series.jpg

Edited by Oakey on Friday 28th July 11:12

niva441

2,023 posts

237 months

Friday 28th July 2006
quotequote all
ettore said:
when I drove one the main problem was the truly appalling ride quality. Oh, and the room in the back is truly unnaceptable.


Oh yes the (lack of) ride quality, one of the long list of things wrong with mine. Eventhough it was an SE on some surfaces it made no noticeable effort to absorb bumps, just bounced down the road, exaggerating the road surface.

Edited by niva441 on Friday 28th July 12:40

taffyracer

2,093 posts

249 months

Friday 28th July 2006
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I had a 120d for a a few days as a courtesy car and quite liked it to be honest, agreed its not a looker and agreed the space inside is poor, but it drove well I thought. the biggest problem with it is simply cost, it's a base model and should be base model money, it is NO better than a focus or golf so why is it so overpriced, becuase BMW know they can sell it

CommanderJameson

22,096 posts

232 months

Friday 28th July 2006
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taffyracer said:
I had a 120d for a a few days as a courtesy car and quite liked it to be honest, agreed its not a looker and agreed the space inside is poor, but it drove well I thought. the biggest problem with it is simply cost, it's a base model and should be base model money, it is NO better than a focus or golf so why is it so overpriced, becuase BMW know they can sell it

Not overpriced then, is it? If it were overpriced, sales would suffer.

I wouldn't have one because I don't like the way it looks, and because the back seats are pretty darn titchy.

mat205125

17,790 posts

219 months

Friday 28th July 2006
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I agree with the majority on here regarding the looks, however the worst part of the car (that seems to be infecting other BMW's too) is the stupid indicator stalks that "don't work right like what normal ones do"!

Why redesign something that didn't need redesigning?????

Oakey

27,759 posts

222 months

Friday 28th July 2006
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mat205125 said:
I agree with the majority on here regarding the looks, however the worst part of the car (that seems to be infecting other BMW's too) is the stupid indicator stalks that "don't work right like what normal ones do"!

Why redesign something that didn't need redesigning?????


I'm surprised they actually went to the trouble of redesigning them rather than just completely removing them.

finchy

201 posts

226 months

Friday 28th July 2006
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Drove a 130se recently, great performance but agreed re indicators, well annoying.

My pal choose it as the only hot hatch with rear wheel drive , & also being more understated than astra vxr, ford focus which were on his short list.

Can undestand why some dont like the looks though

griff2be

5,089 posts

273 months

Friday 28th July 2006
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I had a 130i M Sport for 6 months and it was a fabulous little car. Incredibly quick, with bags of torque. The ride was a little on the firm side for very long journeys, but through the twisties it gave the car a kart like feel. It was immensely 'chuckable'. I would have loved to have driven it on a track as I suspect it would have been a huge amount of fun.

Inside was well built and comfortable. Mine was fully specced with air con, professional sat nav and leather, and it was a very nice environment to spend time in (particularly with the I Pod plumbed in!)

Those of you who complain about the indicators have more than likely not spent enough time in the car. The 'soft' touch for three blinks to change lane or the 'firm' touch to keep them going is very useful. What catches people out is trying to 'cancel' the three blinks by flicking the indicator the other way, which causes it to blink the other way.

After using it for a few days you get completely used to it. And then when you switch to a car without it (e.g. I now have an Z4 M Roadster that doesn't have this feature), you really miss it.

The other big factor about the 1er is that it is a hatchback with all the versatility that implies. I rarely have anyone sitting in the back , but it was very useful to be able to put the seats down and shift loads of gear in it. Try that in a 330 saloon or coupe.

And I actually quite like the looks of the car in M Sport trim with big wheels. Like most of the Bangle designed cars, they don't look good in low spec with small wheels and in certain colours.

niva441

2,023 posts

237 months

Friday 28th July 2006
quotequote all
griff2be said:
Those of you who complain about the indicators have more than likely not spent enough time in the car. The 'soft' touch for three blinks to change lane or the 'firm' touch to keep them going is very useful. What catches people out is trying to 'cancel' the three blinks by flicking the indicator the other way, which causes it to blink the other way.


What I found compounded the indicator problem was some muppet designed the cruise control to be near identical in form, feel and position. So I'd frequently start them off instead of adjusting cruise control or vice versa. Once they were started they could never be stopped, leading to the unusual situation of a BMW instead of never indicating, giving far more signals than intended.

pattyg

Original Poster:

1,340 posts

233 months

Friday 28th July 2006
quotequote all
I agree with the comments re the indicators..they take a little getting used to but I think I'd miss them now. Certainly used to make a right ar$e of myself indicating all over the place.

Re looks...can't agree at all. It looks soooo much better in the metal. As stated I have a Black Sapphire Sport with 7 /7.5 inch alloys (142 design)and everyone I've met including some very hard to please "mates" say it looks great. It sits very squat and looks purposeful with 225s on the rear.

With regard to room in the back it is fine for normal sized people although its certainly no limo. Hatchback convenience is also great as seats split 60/40 and fold flat.

Handling is immense and is as confidence inspiring as any car I've owned incl 205GTI (1.6) and Elise.

All in all totally underrated car if rather expensive. Not as dear as the glorified Golf (A3) sportback though with its truely ancient engines.

Edited by pattyg on Friday 28th July 21:49