Why an E90??

Originally Posted by LarryN

If they brought the the 130i here, with the 255hp motor, then it would be a great car for people who would have bought a Z coupe.

Exactly so.

Most reviews I read of the 1 series mentioned that the back seat is not big enough if you have a family. Plus, I think the 1 series will be imported in the US only as Coupe and Cabrio (much less practical so it won't cannibalize sales from the 3 series).

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03 330 ZHP

Originally Posted by tagheuer

I respectfully disagree. If you wanted space, you'd buy something else. My 325 sedan is tiny, the back seat is about the same size as a Jetta!!

I take it you don't have children. If you do, you would have looked in the back of a 130i and laughed at the tiny amount of space and gone "too small, I had better look at a 3er instead, but since I only have xx to spend, I may have to forego the full-fat engine". The logic is extremely sound...

Originally Posted by Fzara2000

Ok, let's bring the 1-series performance argument in again.

How can a 330i and a 130i have the exact same performance numbers considering their size and weight differences? They have the exact same engines...this ultimately destroys any competitive uniqueness the 3 series has now that the 1-series is a cheaper, same performance, same build quality and engineering alternative.

You need to take a look at, and preferably drive, a 1er and a 3er back-to-back before you make general comments. The 1er is nowhere near an E46 3er in terms of practicality (like not having to fold your legs in half to sit behind a driver who is more than 5'10" tall), and it will be miles off an E90 not just in terms of basic requirements for a four-door car (space for grown people, luggage capacity) but also material quality and possibly build. Having driven and crawled all over a 120d and 118d, I would say material quality in the 1er is on a par with an E46, or slightly worse.

Furthermore your general logic that the smaller version renders a bigger version with the same engine superfluous doesn't really hold - unless you can find another way to explain the 5 series, 7 series, E-class, S-class, A4, A6, A8...

Originally Posted by tagheuer

Lets face it, most of us don't buy them for space, we buy them for performance.

Someone please explain if I'm missing something...

Yes - knowledge of other buyers' needs Sure people consider practicality when they buy a four-door BMW. I did. In fact I wish I'd bought a 318i Touring, as the rear headroom opening is much better. A 1er is very poor in terms of rear seat space and luggage capacity, yet is barely lighter than the outgoing E46 and incoming E90.

Lots of comments here from people who obviously haven't yet had the chance to look over a 1er. I strongly suggest doing so the next time you visit a country where the 1er is sold (Mexico, for starters, and anywhere in Europe or Asia) so that you can appreciate why the 3er will live very happily alongside a 1er.