BMW 1-Series

creakid1

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/previews/previews_story.php?id=48832

ateixeira

What's hilarious is I openend that link and got a pop-up ad for the much better looking Peugoet 307 5 door. Just hilarious.

Not that I'd ever buy a Peugoet.

-juice

kyfdx

Pretty typical review of a BMW.. great car, costs too much.. what else is new?

creakid1

but still no compliment when comes to ride comfort & steering feedback.

I wonder if this little RWD w/ useless back seat can do as well as the next RX-8-based Miata in the 2 areas mentioned above.

creakid1

W/ this light-weight engine, they like the steering communication, but the ride still sucks. Fuel consumption is even worse than the 2.0 gas due to the lack of Valvetronic throttle system.

The weak-low-end 1.6 engine has absolutely no power to adjust the cornering line, but the driving fun doesn't disappoint due to 4-wheel-drift balance at the limit.

jrct9454

...the continuing complaints about the ride [CAR made the same comment in a comparison test with a new Golf] indicate to me that I wouldn't like the car even if they finally decided to import it, which now seems to be a dead idea.

On to the Mercedes B-Class...

m4d_cow

seems like its gonna be another mistake after the new 7 and the worst ever X3

ateixeira

X3 is actually selling briskly. It's the sole bright spot in last month's sales.

They drive well, too. I think they're overpriced once you equip them, but it's still the cheapeast BMW SUV and people are snapping them up.

-juice

nyccarguy

I don't know how many here are BMWCCA members that subscribe to ROUNDEL, but this month's issue has a great write up on the new 1er.

The writer praises the driving dynamics (suspension & brakes) of the car, as well as the interior's fit & finish, comfort and support of the seats are all BMW.

The writer complains about the styling and poor rearward visability.

The 1 series sedan will not be a car for the US. Especially in 4cyl form. The BMW I6 will fit nicely in the engine bay. He did say there was a 2 series hatchback & coupe on its way here for the '06 or '07 model year. He also speculates that a 268hp M2 coupe will be on our shores for '07 due to the fact that the next gen M3 will be V8 powered and the M division will need a 6cyl car to offer.

creakid1

as these tests already criticized the diesel 4's effect on the 1's steering communication.

Rear visibility of the notchback coupe should be great, though.

creakid1

"They drive well, too. I think they're overpriced once you equip them, but it's still the cheapeast BMW SUV and people are snapping them up."

But they(X3) don't ride well, ditto the X5, even w/o the sport suspension. I think BMW tried to mislead the public by making C&D saying that you need the uncomfortable sport suspension on the X5 in order to handle as well as a typical Beemer sedan. Well, even the X5 w/ non-sport suspension rode horribly, per CR.

& yes, even if the ride sucks, people will buy the 1-series. Just look at the Jeep Wrangler that never dies. But then, SUV sells in this country no matter how they are.

ateixeira

X3's ride is stiff, I agree. We felt even small breaks in the pavement with a thud.

I checked and we were not in a model with the sport package, the wheels are unique.

-juice

creakid1

When the original Focus was first introduced in the late '90's, BMW considered adopting this Contol-Blade-4-link rear-suspension chassis, which should also works for RWD layout, for their future entry level car. But instead, BMW developed their own platform w/ a new 5-link rear suspension. So how does they compare?

p77-82, October 04 EVO:

120d SE vs Focus TDCi vs Golf GT TDI

The 1-series' 4-cyl engine & lack of limited-slip differential means forget about the RWD's power-induced rear slide.

"The Focus has perhaps the more interactive chassis, encouraging you to take liberties and rewarding when you look for real thrills, and on the track the front-drive Ford is both more entertaining and easier to control when swinging sideways, but the BMW hangs on for longer and has the better steering(surprise)."

& the old Focus's "superb ride" is still more comfortable than these new rivals.

They also pointed out that the 1-series rides even less comfortable than the already sporty-riding 3-series Compact hatch (which has an even less absorbent ride than the Impreza WRX per another comparison else where). Overall, they couldn't rate the 1-series really better than the old 3-series Compact most likely due to "that slightly heavier an occasionally artificial steering feel, whereas the Compact shares the 3-series' light but informative system."

FYI, the Focus II is not coming to America:
creakid1 "Ford Focus 2005 release date" Sep 4, 2004 4:48am

ateixeira

Did our standards for handling go up and our standards for ride suddenly decline?

Lots of cars I've driven lately rode stiffly. Altima, Mazda6, S40 T5, all the BMW trucks, is that a trend?

-juice

creakid1

The 16"-wheel S40 T5 w/o sport package rides even gentler than the 16"-wheel 325i's std soft suspension. & the AWD V50 w/ the same comfy non-sport suspension but 17"s already has high level of handling. See MT comparison w/ the Saab "Impreza".

ateixeira

Yeah, the S40 I drove had the sport suspension, and the Mazda6s had the 17"s.

-juice

m4d_cow

is the one i think should come to US, people will love them, i drove one in london and it was awesome
when it comes to hatches BMW isnt as good as lots of competitors, mainly Ford Focus, VW golf, and (my personal favorite) Honda civic type R

juice: imo the standards for ride and handling in hatches are different from sedans, especially for the so called hot-hatches

ateixeira

Agreed. College kids buy those anyway.

When they have a family I think it's no longer allowed. ;-)

-juice

creakid1

we had still had excellent ride/handling compromise w/ a stable comfy ride. & that raw-feeling manual steering is delicious.

creakid1

The RS is now discontinued but another new one's coming out later. I'm wondering what kind of AWD system will be used this time.

The new Acura RL's SH-differential makes the AWD awesome w/ constant 4-wheel-drift fun. BMW is also working on an AWD system that applies power rather than braking to adjust the balance, so that sounds promisingly exciting.

m4d_cow

well, whatever it is bring it to US pleaseee... or at least replace the current civic Si with type-R
then again, even if RS isnt discontinued, they were always out of stock out there

jrct9454

The 130 will make its debut at the Geneva show. A sedan version of this car is what will eventually come here.

 

http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2050209.001

kyfdx

Nice!

wale_bate1

Engine me likey. Stubby hatch? Eh.

 

Wagon muchly better!

 

But engine me likey muchly.

jchan2

Nice! I like it. Hopefully it will not have iDrive, but judging from the 2006 3-Series, it probably won't, unless equipped with the Navigation System.

ateixeira

Can't really warm up to the stubby hatch look...still. Maybe the sedan will look better.

-juice

xkss

that is all.

The 1 series lacks leg room.

Kirstie_H

A newspaper reporter wants to talk with current and former BMW owners who either love or hate the brand's new styling. Please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com by Friday, February 25, 2005 with your daytime contact info and a few words expressing your opinion.

wale_bate1

The size is right. The engine is right. The idea is right. The number of doors shown is right. The only thing that ain't quite right IMO is that sawed off Gremlin butt!

Dear Audi: many thanks for sending the A3 Sportback our way. While I would much prefer a RWD platform, I'll be OK with the Quattro and the 3.2 DSG.

Sincerely,
Wale

PS: perhps you could send Bangle some pointers on styling. Aside from the idiot Auto Union nose, you guys are aces.

jchan2

the backseat definitely won't have the space of an ES330, that's for sure.

kyfdx

We aren't going to get the hatchback, anyway.. Most likely, just the sedan to start.. Maybe a 130i convertible??

I'd take the hatchback, though.. A 130i in any form would have to create a lot of grins.. I can't see the rear from where I sit anyway..

When is the A3 coming?.. Saw the new 2005.5 A4 at the auto show... very nice..

wale_bate1

I think we get A3 in May, though there are reports of advance scouts landing in Florida, of all places. The little beastie was at Chicago, and apparently made a good impression on a few of our brethren here in the hall.

I did read that we would get the sedan (such as it may turn out to be) here as the sole 130 variant. Oh well. We shall see what we shall see! The concept is certainly enticing enough (perfect, IMO), but thus far I'm not much impressed with the sheet metal.

kyfdx

I tell you.. the Cincinnati car show sucks!!

Maybe it is because it happens the same week as Chicago.. We never get to see anything new..

ateixeira

A3 looks even better in person.

At first I thought it was an A4 Avant. It seems very long and low. Pretty sleek.

-juice

wale_bate1

Just think if we could get these two kids together! Audi lines and interior with an inline six and RWD (Quattro as an option).

Just think...
;-)

jayelleseven

It will fare well because its a BMW and because it won't be too pricy. Also, BMW needed this in its limited lineup. They will now appeal to more people, younger to middle aged women especially.

wale_bate1

That's interesting. Why women?

dewey

"They will now appeal to more people, younger to middle aged women especially."

Interesting gender analysis! You should write a book!(although it would most likely end up being fictional).

wale_bate1

Yeah, I don't get that one. Is the implication that because it's smaller it's just too cute for us guys?
;-)

kyfdx

In my experience, women want bigger (hee hee)..

No really, who do you think is driving all of those LX470s, Pilots, MDXs, etc..?

They are the new mommymobiles...

wale_bate1

Actually, Pontiac had it right all along (according to sources steadfastly undisclosed): "wider is better..."

Yeah behemoths and babes just seem to go together these days. Besides, I don't recall a huge number of 318ti fans of female persuasion. Matter of fact, I can't recall a single one!

Now if we were talking about somethng lame like a del Sol OTOH...
;-)

ateixeira

Demographics are a touchy subject, it's hard not to get politically incorrect.

However, fact is on average women spend less on a car and have lower median incomes.

So I bet there will be a higher percentage of women buyers than with other BMW sedans.

Wish KBB still had figures but I bet as you move up in price and size in the BMW range you have fewer and fewer females. Just how it is, not my opinion.

-juice

ateixeira

The data is a bit old, but still useful. Source is AutoPacific, this data is from 1999:

BMW 3 had 60% male owners
BMW 5 70%
BMW 7 70%
M3 73%
Z3 73%

Basically as you go up in price you see more and more male bias. Sportier models also carry a heavy male bias.

1 series will bring more women, he's absolutely right!

-juice

jrct9454

...now tell me again why this matters?

kyfdx

Go back.. and get info on BMW SUVs.....

ateixeira

Did they have any SUVs back in '99?

It doesn't matter, but the topic was brought up so I was just keeping us honest. There will be more female buyers, I'd bet on it.

-juice

dewey

"There will be more female buyers, I'd bet on it."

I dont get the logic?
As implied by kyfdx, why dont you check out the SUV stats. I am sure there are a higher % of females driving an x5 versus the less expensive 3 series.

Your gender/vehicle/income argument faces a pothole when confronted with more expensive family orientated cars.

kyfdx

Lower priced cars will have a higher representation of female buyers, for the reasons you stated...

But, I don't think that is because it is their preferred mode of transport.. I think it is swayed by income more than gender..

Plus, most cars, even those that are driven by women, are registered by a male or in a joint manner...

I just think, from my own anecdotal wife.. that women prefer SUVs.. ;-)

ateixeira

SUVs have nothing to do with the demographics of the BMW sedans. It's not relevant to look at other classes of vehicles.

Even so, if you got a break down I'm sure there would be a lower % of female owners as you moved up in price (V8 vs. I-6 for instance).

Income being one of the main reasons, sure. But also women tend to be more practical as buyers.

So sure, they'd opt for an X5 rather than, say, a Z4 or Z8.

But back to the sedan world, it's only common sense to expect more women at the affordable end of the spectrum.

-juice

wale_bate1

So they sell more Kias to women? ;-)

This brings up an interesting corollary though. Are we saying that it's a more masculine trait to opt for bigger as income allows? We're basically saying a guy doesn't voluntarily go for a smaller vehicle if he can afford the next size up?

If so, I'm alarmingly in touch with my femenine side on this issue!
:-)