BMW 1 Series - Good or Bad for industry?

[TiG]

Question came up talking to a mate last night on whether the BMW 1 series was good or bad for the Motor industry....

I mean mercedes has tried with the A-Class, do we think that the BMW 1 Series is going to be a sucess or are we going to just see more and more models trying for the same market share....

Rather than invovating and bringing out new style cars, which are revolutionary we just come up with the same thing with different manufacturers?.

BMW making a big point about it being the only rear wheel drive car in its class, does the majority of the idiots on the road even know what RWD is?

TiG

[Stoo]

Really W*** Driving?

That's the thing with the motor industry, someone gets a half decent idea then everyone else just copies it for the next 6 years..

Mind you, it can't really help that most of them have already merged together, so you just get the odd variation on the same chassis..

[dkmech]

Well, if the 1 series will be good to drive, which i am sure bmw are trying to make it, well equipped (not for the price obviously), comfortable then others will have to compete with it. To do that they will either have to outprice it or outperform it, which can only be a good thing.

We may not need more sad dreary cars, but i am sure the 1 series will have its merits and wont be totally rubbish. Most of people here would never buy one, but someone will. And if it makes bmw money and lets them develop some of the other cars that make their brand - i don't mind.

[gobbo]

From pre tests, it does drive very well. But it's a very tight market at the moment, with new Golf/Fabia/Astra/Almera(on the way) at out recently, its getting crowded.

Personally, i don't think the 1 series will be that amazing...........unless they do an M1

[Stoo]

hmmm M1.. that would be "interesting"

[Richie]

Really W*** Driving?

pfft


BMW have had to be smart with their 1 series in order for it to keep to the BMW principles of RWD and near 50:50 weight distribution.

To do this they have had to shove the engine back as much as possible and do weird things like making the front suspension/brakes from alloy and the rear setup from heavier steel....

Be good to see what these 2 things (RWD and 50:50) do in a car like this.

[Skii]

I'm looking forward to it - I think they look revolting, looking forward to a good laugh

[Howard]

Am I the only one who likes the new style of BMWs. I like the 1 series

[jon bda]

Looks the ugly sister of the M Coupe...

[Skii]

Am I the only one who likes the new style of BMWs. I like the 1 series

Yep

[Stoo]

I'm still not sure about it, the front doesn't seem to match the rest of the car..

[gobbo]

Headlights look like an afterthought imo!

I do like the advert with the Horses though, but i'd accuse BMW of false advertising. As it's not "The Only 1" as there are much better cars on the market!

[Stoo]

Aaaaaaahhhhh.. just saw the 1 series advert..

lots of tortoise imagery.. *now* it clicks what it reminded me of!

[unrealrocks]

I'm not too keen on the 1 series although I like the new 5 series, and the 7 is just too big

[RoganJosh]

I'm contemplating switching from my 320i to the 120d - assuming the baby's buggy and shopping will fit in the boot