Best thing about the 1 series = rental cars!

[Chris90]

Sure we won't get one in the US (maybe a 2), but I bet this 1 series will become the default BMW rental in Europe, replacing the 318i and 320d - that would be awesome, and is enough reason to plan a trip to Europe, just to drive one! The 318/320d is too heavy to be fun, but a 120i would be a blast in Europe!

Also it'll give us a hint of what a 2 series coupe or M2 will drive like.

[SARAFIL]

Sure we won't get one in the US (maybe a 2), but I bet this 1 series will become the default BMW rental in Europe, replacing the 318i and 320d - that would be awesome, and is enough reason to plan a trip to Europe, just to drive one! The 318/320d is too heavy to be fun, but a 120i would be a blast in Europe!

Also it'll give us a hint of what a 2 series coupe or M2 will drive like.

318/320 too heavy? Sure, they could lose a few pounds, but I seem to feel that the current dimensions of the E46 are just about right-- big enough to not be too tiny, but small enough to not be a boat. Also, while the 4 banger might be underpowered, I'd hardly call it heavy. The diesel suffers from an iron block (I think... :eeps: ), but it has plenty of hp and torque fora 4 cylinder and offers impressive performance for it's category. I've driven my aunt's 320d many times, and it's a very nice car, and it's easy to tell why 99% of the E46s I saw in Portugal were 320d's.

Granted, I really like what I've seen of the 1er, and I wouldn't mind replacing my 318ti with one. Yet, I guess I don't get this fascination with small cars. I don't really think the E46 is too big, so I have no strong desire for anything much smaller.