We want the 5-door 1 series!

[LeucX3]

If you want it, let BMWNA hear it otherwise we're not gonna get it.

[bren]

3 door M version for me please...

[Sean]

I'll take mine in a M Coupe (2dr.) version

[Pete Teoh]

Count me in for a reasonably price M version. :hi:

[Kaz]

I'd take a 3dr or maybe a touring.

[WILLIA///M]

I'll take mine in a M Coupe (2dr.) version

:stupid:

[JFS]

If you want it, let BMWNA hear it otherwise we're not gonna get it.
I want a 4 or 5-door RWD compact car!

[Chris90]

I'll take any 1 series they will give me, including this one! Give me a small inline six though. The 180 hp 2.2L sounds perfect - those smaller shorter stroke inline sixes rev real sweet!

[SARAFIL]

I'll take any 1 series they will give me, including this one! Give me a small inline six though. The 180 hp 2.2L sounds perfect - those smaller shorter stroke inline sixes rev real sweet!

I tend to agree with the BMW "research" that cites a limited market for a 1 series in the US, and I know of the trouble dealers had with the 318ti back in the day.

Yet, I'd like to see what kind of reaction we can get from potential buyers. BMW has listened in the past, and I have no doubt that they'd listen if enough people spoke up. Many of the changes BMW makes every year to their cars are based on customer demand/feeback.

That being said, has anyone started or come across an online petition to get BMW to bring this thing over? Maybe if they got a large enough response, BMW might be tempted to reconsider their options with the 1/2 series in the US.

[01silber]

Hey Sarafill
Any idea what it will cost in europe, Im eying the volvo s40 for my parents but would rather have a 1 or 2 series for them, Im not financially able to go to a 3 or 5 series right now

[LmtdSlip]

They can keep the 5 door!

Three door M please...light on options, weight and price thank you very much.

[SARAFIL]

Hey Sarafill
Any idea what it will cost in europe, Im eying the volvo s40 for my parents but would rather have a 1 or 2 series for them, Im not financially able to go to a 3 or 5 series right now

I haven't the slightest idea. Time to ask our resident BMW native. Herr Baumann, what do you say?

[·clyde·]

3 door M version for me please...

5 door M version for me please...

[tgravo2]

I'll take mine in a M Coupe (2dr.) version
:banana: :thumbup:

[swchang]

5-door or a 4-door ///M. :thumbup:

[Clarke]

5 door M version for me please...:stupid: (http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/misc.php?do=getsmilies&wysiwyg=1#)

[OBS3SSION]

Last year, I was disappointed I couldn't get a 330iT. One year into my lease, even though I love it, I have a few regrets on having my sedan. Lack of cargo capacity. I've also built a new house in the past year, so my financials are now much tighter. When this lease is up, for me to stay with BMW, I would need a more affordable car with cargo capacity... and I dislike the X3/5.

1 Series 3-door hatch - This would be my preferred configuration. Sporty, yet roomy. If I had to get another car at this very moment, it would be a VW R32. A 1er 3-door would be better than that.

1 Series 5-door wagon/hatch - If I can't get a 3-door, then the 5-door will do. I think adding 2 doors takes away a bit of the sportiness I want.

1 Series 2-door coupe - Practicality be damned. If a 5 or 3-door aren't available, this will more than satisfy my sporting needs.

1 Series 4-door sedan - Sure, I have a sedan now. And every car I've ever owned has been a sedan. But it's time for a change. A 1er 4-door holds very little interest for me.

Of course, make M models of any of the above, and my interest has just tripled!

[racerdave]

I agree with Eric on his 1 and 2 choices. (except the R32 part)

Bring on the 3-door and 5-door M versions. :thumbup:

[andy_thomas]

I haven't the slightest idea. Time to ask our resident BMW native. Herr Baumann, what do you say?

I'm not Herr Baumann, but the base price of the 116i (comparing to other models in the range) would put it at around $21k. Quick thumbnail:

UK price of 116i: £15k (tax/reg inc.)
UK price of 325i: £24k (tax/reg inc.)

US price of 325i: $33k (plus tax/reg)
US price of 116i: $21k (plus tax/reg)

Assuming identical specs, no price rises etc.

A better comparison for the US would be with the 325ti, which will be rendered surplus to requirements by a 2/3 door 1er. That goes for £22k list in the UK (but can be had with a very healthy discount). Assuming the same price ratio, that's $30k for a US-market 125i with an appropriate number of doors. Not a lot less than the US entry-level 3, but isn't some overlap entirely normal?

[01silber]

US price of 116i: $21k (plus tax/reg)

Not bad at all, why the hell are they not bringing it here, Im sure demand would be good

[Motown328]

$21,000 116 + a good $2,000 for the I6 and you have a $23,000 sales success on your hands!!!!!!

[Insider]

Not bad at all, why the hell are they not bringing it here, Im sure demand would be good
The reason they are not bringing the 1-Series to the US is international exchange rates. The euro is so high and the dollar is so low that the exchange based on proposed profit margins would actually result in a loss on every vehicle. If they increased the price of the car to overcome that disparity it would compete too closely with the 3 series. The costs of bringing a new model to the States is the problem, if the dollar were stonger it most likely would be coming for '05. I wouldn't get too depressed though, the press release from BMW sounded as if they are leaving open the possibility of bringing it here in the future.

[Chris90]

The reason they are not bringing the 1-Series to the US is international exchange rates. The euro is so high and the dollar is so low that the exchange based on proposed profit margins would actually result in a loss on every vehicle. If they increased the price of the car to overcome that disparity it would compete too closely with the 3 series. The costs of bringing a new model to the States is the problem, if the dollar were stonger it most likely would be coming for '05. I wouldn't get too depressed though, the press release from BMW sounded as if they are leaving open the possibility of bringing it here in the future.

You are right I think, though I don't quite see how it affects the 1 any different than another BMW. With the Euro up 50% against the dollar and gaining, when BMW's hedge scheme runs out in 2005, BMW prices could go up 50%. Scary.

[SteveM]

To heck with all that, I want a 1-door 5 series!










:rofl:

[e.biemold]

Hey Sarafill
Any idea what it will cost in europe, Im eying the volvo s40 for my parents but would rather have a 1 or 2 series for them, Im not financially able to go to a 3 or 5 series right now


According to dutch car magazines the expected price for the 116 is around € 26.000. The cheapest Volvo S40 costs € 27.000 at the moment. Later this year S40's will be available with smaller engines.

For both cars you can expect to pay around an extra €2.000 for metallic paint, rims etc.


My 316ti costs € 26.750 in the Netherlands. In Germany the same car costs € 21.800. Based on this I think a 116 will cost around € 21.000 in Germany.

[swchang]

According to dutch car magazines the expected price for the 116 is around € 26.000. The cheapest Volvo S40 costs € 27.000 at the moment. Later this year S40's will be available with smaller engines.

For both cars you can expect to pay around an extra €2.000 for metallic paint, rims etc.


My 316ti costs € 26.750 in the Netherlands. In Germany the same car costs € 21.800. Based on this I think a 116 will cost around € 21.000 in Germany.

You think a 116 will be only € 750 less than a 316? If that's true, and similar pricing holds in the US, then I don't see a 1er being successful at ALL. :thumbdwn:

[e.biemold]

You think a 116 will be only € 750 less than a 316? If that's true, and similar pricing holds in the US, then I don't see a 1er being successful at ALL. :thumbdwn:

That is what I think yes. But keep in mind that I have a 316ti, which is a compact. A 316 sedan costs € 31.150 in the Netherlands. The compact will not be replaced once the new 3-series are available.

[swchang]

That is what I think yes. But keep in mind that I have a 316ti, which is a compact. A 316 sedan costs € 31.150 in the Netherlands. The compact will not be replaced once the new 3-series are available.

Oh, okay. I didn't realize there was such a gap in pricing between the compacts and the sedans (or saloons, for those of you in Britain :p). Do you know how much a 325i is in Germany? I'd always figured they'd be cheaper in Germany than anywhere else because of ED pricing and because they're made there.

Anyone remember the pricing on the compacts when they were (briefly) in the US?

[e.biemold]

These are the german prices for the 3 serie sedans:

316i € 24.150
318i € 25.950
320i € 29.800
325i € 31.800
330i € 35.500

[Magna]

I tend to agree with the BMW "research" that cites a limited market for a 1 series in the US, and I know of the trouble dealers had with the 318ti back in the day.

Yet, I'd like to see what kind of reaction we can get from potential buyers. BMW has listened in the past, and I have no doubt that they'd listen if enough people spoke up. Many of the changes BMW makes every year to their cars are based on customer demand/feeback.

That being said, has anyone started or come across an online petition to get BMW to bring this thing over? Maybe if they got a large enough response, BMW might be tempted to reconsider their options with the 1/2 series in the US.

What's your theory on what the 318ti didn't work out here. Lack of power? Or the hatchback design? Or perhaps both reasons.

[andy_thomas]

What's your theory on what the 318ti didn't work out here. Lack of power? Or the hatchback design? Or perhaps both reasons.

The hatch design. Look at the popularity, in the US, of the Jetta (Bora) and sedan derivatives (e.g. Civic/Corolla) of similarly-sized hatches - and compare to the sales figures of these smaller sedans elsewhere. Hatches simply didn't shift well in the US. They still don't, compared to other places.