I've taken the 1er plunge!

[MiniRoll]

Well, despite my worries about the early production problems, I've just paid a deposit on a pre-order for a 120d.

The deposit is fully refundable until the car starts being built (about 1st August) so I've got time to mull it over. The dealer said they have taken loads of pre-orders already - but I guess they would say that!

Anyone else been brave enough to take the plunge yet??

[racerdave]

Wait a minute, did you send that on April 1...

No, today! :)

Cool!

Good luck with it and let us know how it comes out.

Are they all 5-doors at this time?

[MiniRoll]

Yep, all 5 doors. I'll be a while for the 3 door versions.

[racerdave]

Color? Options?

[OBS3SSION]

If I send you a check, an empty box and some packing peanuts... can you pack one up and send it my way? :)

[Chris90]

EU bastards!!!

[andy_thomas]

Well, despite my worries about the early production problems, I've just paid a deposit on a pre-order for a 120d.

The deposit is fully refundable until the car starts being built (about 1st August) so I've got time to mull it over. The dealer said they have taken loads of pre-orders already - but I guess they would say that!

Anyone else been brave enough to take the plunge yet??

Doubtless there are plenty of Germans, Frenchmen and others. Not necessarily anglophones though :). I am surprised you have an August build date - I would have thought RHD sales wouldn't start until 2005, as [rant on] BMW delays RHD UK launches for months these days. It's only the second-largest export market after all. I guess I shouldn't moan - the other RHD markets sometimes have to wait up to a whole year before BMW can be bothered. [rant off]

[swchang]

Doubtless there are plenty of Germans, Frenchmen and others. Not necessarily anglophones though :). I am surprised you have an August build date - I would have thought RHD sales wouldn't start until 2005, as [rant on] BMW delays RHD UK launches for months these days. It's only the second-largest export market after all. I guess I shouldn't moan - the other RHD markets sometimes have to wait up to a whole year before BMW can be bothered. [rant off]

What other ones are there? I thought it was just you guys and Australia?

[andy_thomas]

What other ones are there? I thought it was just you guys and Australia?

: popcorn:

India
Indonesia
Pakistan
Japan
Bangladesh
Thailand
United Kingdom
South Africa
Tanzania
Kenya
Nepal
Uganda
Malaysia
Sri Lanka
Australia
Mozambique
Zimbabwe
Malawi
Zambia
Hong Kong
Papua New Guinea
Ireland
New Zealand
Singapore
Jamaica
Lesotho
Bhutan
Namibia
Botswana
Trinidad
Mauritius
Swaziland
Fiji
Cyprus
Guyana
Macau
Suriname
Solomon Islands
Malta
Brunei
Maldives
Bahamas, The
Barbados
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent
US Virgin Islands
Grenada
Dominica
Kiribati
Seychelles
Antigua
Guernsey
Bermuda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Cook Islands
Turks and Caicos Islands
British Virgin Islands
Anguilla
Nauru
Tuvalu

[MiniRoll]

Color? Options?

I'm not able to specify colour or options yet as the basic spec and available colours have yet to be agreed in the UK. I have got an early version of the brochure, but it's all fairly provisional at the moment. I would at least like to match my Mini Cooper S. Therefore I need:

Climate control
Xenons
Multi Function Steering Wheel
CD Player
17 in Alloys
Leather

This might get a bit pricy, so I may lose the alloys and leather. Not sure yet.

By the way, the build date of 1 August 2004 was just a rough idea of when I can cancel without losing any cash. Nothing has been confirmed yet. But the dealer is expecting RHD cars in September. 1 October 2004 suits me better - just have to wait and see!

[Motown328]

: popcorn:

India
Indonesia
Pakistan
Japan
Bangladesh
Thailand
United Kingdom
South Africa
Tanzania
Kenya
Nepal
Uganda
Malaysia
Sri Lanka
Australia
Mozambique
Zimbabwe
Malawi
Zambia
Hong Kong
Papua New Guinea
Ireland
New Zealand
Singapore
Jamaica
Lesotho
Bhutan
Namibia
Botswana
Trinidad
Mauritius
Swaziland
Fiji
Cyprus
Guyana
Macau
Suriname
Solomon Islands
Malta
Brunei
Maldives
Bahamas, The
Barbados
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent
US Virgin Islands
Grenada
Dominica
Kiribati
Seychelles
Antigua
Guernsey
Bermuda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Cook Islands
Turks and Caicos Islands
British Virgin Islands
Anguilla
Nauru
Tuvalu

Bloody Nauru!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No wonder the U.S. 1er is being delayed!!!!! ARGH!!!!!!! And don't even start about Malawi either!!!!!!!!!! :mad:

[springo]

It's not always like that though. The Z4 was launched in the US in oct/nov 2002 I think, but did'nt come on sale in Europe before spring 2003. But normally BMW's tend to be released some months later in the US as you say, and who knows why really ( different specs?). According to some european carmagazines the 1 series won't be released over there before the six sylinder models are ready.

[kyfdx]

It's not always like that though. The Z4 was launched in the US in oct/nov 2002 I think, but did'nt come on sale in Europe before spring 2003. But normally BMW's tend to be released some months later in the US as you say, and who knows why really ( different specs?). According to some european carmagazines the 1 series won't be released over there before the six sylinder models are ready.

The Z4 is made in the U.S. I think that might have had something to do with it.

[LMC]

: popcorn:

India
Indonesia
Pakistan
Japan
Bangladesh
Thailand
United Kingdom
South Africa
Tanzania
Kenya
Nepal
Uganda
Malaysia
Sri Lanka
Australia
Mozambique
Zimbabwe
Malawi
Zambia
Hong Kong
Papua New Guinea
Ireland
New Zealand
Singapore
Jamaica
Lesotho
Bhutan
Namibia
Botswana
Trinidad
Mauritius
Swaziland
Fiji
Cyprus
Guyana
Macau
Suriname
Solomon Islands
Malta
Brunei
Maldives
Bahamas, The
Barbados
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent
US Virgin Islands
Grenada
Dominica
Kiribati
Seychelles
Antigua
Guernsey
Bermuda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Cook Islands
Turks and Caicos Islands
British Virgin Islands
Anguilla
Nauru
Tuvalu

Oh, sure...try to impress us, eh? That can't be more that a billion or two population...

(In fact, that is quite an impressive list!)

[LDV330i]

Oh, sure...try to impress us, eh? That can't be more that a billion or two population...

(In fact, that is quite an impressive list!)
That is the legacy of having been a subject of the British Crown at one time in their history. At least in the majority of cases. How did Suriname (a Dutch colony) and Mozambique and Macau (both ex-Portuguese colonies) get on that list? :dunno:

[andy_thomas]

That is the legacy of having been a subject of the British Crown at one time in their history. At least in the majority of cases. How did Suriname (a Dutch colony) and Mozambique and Macau (both ex-Portuguese colonies) get on that list? :dunno:

No idea. There are a few anomalies in there, though - well spotted.

I got this from http://www.brianlucas.ca/roadside/ - a plethora of partially useful trivia about all things to do with highways and byways, and not just about who drives on the left, right or in the middle.

[Motown328]

That is the legacy of having been a subject of the British Crown at one time in their history. At least in the majority of cases. How did Suriname (a Dutch colony) and Mozambique and Macau (both ex-Portuguese colonies) get on that list? :dunno:

AHEM!!! The last time I can recall, the U.S. WAS a British colony!!!

SO WHERE IS MY BLOODY 1 SERIES?!?!?!?! :mad:

[andy_thomas]

AHEM!!! The last time I can recall, the U.S. WAS a British colony!!!



Indeed. Also I don't think the Japanese would take kindly to being referred to as a British colony, past or present :)

[LDV330i]

AHEM!!! The last time I can recall, the U.S. WAS a British colony!!!

Not when car driving laws were created. :p

I remember seeing a world map that showed on which side of the road cars were driven. It showed that some countries had actually changed sides in the 50's and 60's. What a nightmare that must have been.:eek:

[Motown328]

Not when car driving laws were created. :p

I remember seeing a world map that showed on which side of the road cars were driven. It showed that some countries had actually changed sides in the 50's and 60's. What a nightmare that must have been.:eek:

Yep. Sweden, 1967.

[MiniRoll]

I have found this forum dedicated to the BMW 1-series:

www.babybmw.net/

:yummy:

It's not bad - needs a few more registered users, so why not give it a try!!

:beerchug:

[Mpire]

Already... Good grief.

[The Roadstergal]

If I send you a check, an empty box and some packing peanuts... can you pack one up and send it my way? :)

:rofl: Darn lucky Europeans...

[BMWer]

Yep. Sweden, 1967.


why? what's the advantage or reason for driving on a particular side?

[andy_thomas]

why? what's the advantage or reason for driving on a particular side?
Its neighbours all drove on the right. Interestingly, although Swedes drove on the left-hand side of the road before 1967, their cars generally still had steering wheels on the left-hand side of the car. So in one sense, it was only a matter of time. Maybe that explains the Swedes' legendarily psychotic overtaking behaviour :).