How come I don't see any 1ers out there?

[TurboDan]

They seem like cool enough cars. 230HP I6 engine, great handling, not a lot of frills to break down. I live in an area where BMWs are extremely popular, but I can't tell you the last time I saw a 1er on the road. The 3er still rules supreme.

The only thing that would prevent me from buying one is the price. For the car it is, I think it's overpriced. Even if they priced it $4K less, I'd probably give it some much more serious thought. I'd rather buy another Passat or a CC (even an S40), perhaps pick up a 3er off a lease for the same price. Also, I have to say that the Mazda3 and VW GTI both give it a run for its money at a much lower price.

FWIW, I just saw an '07 3er with 27K miles for only $17K and change. I was extremely tempted, but the Passat just hit 100K and has a few years left.

[ifcar]

How often do you see any two-door BMWs? I see 1-Serieses just as often as current 3-Series coupes, but neither with any frequency.

[Raza]

I do see them less often than 3 series coupes.  I think it's a combination of a few things:

1.  Men often equate size with status.  Small luxury hasn't been that big in the US (sorry).
2.  Women like small, cute cars.
3.  The 1 series, while small and good looking, is not cute. 

[MX793]

I've seen one or two running around.  The nearest BMW dealer doesn't even carry any in stock that I've seen.  Although from driving through their lot a few times over the past couple of months, they don't carry much of anything in their new car lot.

[2o6]

It's ugly, and the 3-series is bigger and not much more.

[Catman]

Overpriced.

[sportyaccordy]

It's ugly, and the 3-series is bigger and not much more.

And not much heavier. The 1 to me failed on many levels.

[Payman]

A guy up the street has one... I'm sick of looking at it.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

It's ugly, and the 3-series is bigger and not much more.

That sums it up!

[cawimmer430]

Move to Europe and you'll see them everyday: sedan, 2-door and coupe. 

[TurboDan]

Move to Europe and you'll see them everyday: sedan, 2-door and coupe. 

How do they price them over there? Like Greg said, they just seem to be priced too high for what they are in the U.S. market. It seems like they want to sell one of their cheaper cars at a big premium simply because "it's a BMW." And it doesn't seem to be working. Drop the price to start at $24K and I think they'd move a lot more of them.

[sportyaccordy]

How do they price them over there? Like Greg said, they just seem to be priced too high for what they are in the U.S. market. It seems like they want to sell one of their cheaper cars at a big premium simply because "it's a BMW." And it doesn't seem to be working. Drop the price to start at $24K and I think they'd move a lot more of them.

They would have to put 4 bangers in them at that price (which I wouldn't mind personally). Don't know if BMW is willing to move that far downmarket. Can't imagine a huge profit margin on a 25K Bimmer, no matter how decontented.

[TurboDan]

They would have to put 4 bangers in them at that price (which I wouldn't mind personally). Don't know if BMW is willing to move that far downmarket. Can't imagine a huge profit margin on a 25K Bimmer, no matter how decontented.

Eh, the old 318i had a four-banger, right? And they have plenty of them in their European stable. I think they'd do better selling this car at a lower price with a less powerful engine. The people who are buying 1ers aren't too concerned with having tons of power anyway - they just want a new BMW any way they can get their hands on it.

[the Teuton]

If they made a turbo 4 1er at $25k or less, I'd rock it for my first newer car.

I saw a 135i yesterday. I think the car is charming. It's a hell of a lot smaller than the 3er, a hell of a lot less useful, not much lighter, and not much cheaper.

It makes about as much sense as an X6 would in the Paris-Dakar.

[TurboDan]

If they made a turbo 4 1er at $25k or less, I'd rock it for my first newer car.

I saw a 135i yesterday. I think the car is charming. It's a hell of a lot smaller than the 3er, a hell of a lot less useful, not much lighter, and not much cheaper.

It makes about as much sense as an X6 would in the Paris-Dakar.

I like smaller, semi-luxury cars. Hell, I was a big fan of the C230 Kompressor coupe a few years back. I'd take a 1er too if it was priced right.

[Cookie Monster]

I personally see way more 3er hardtop convertibles than any 3 series, and I've seen a 1er twice before. I see more 3er verts than I do the sedan.

And IMO the 1 series looks awkward when compared to the 3 series.

[cawimmer430]

How do they price them over there? Like Greg said, they just seem to be priced too high for what they are in the U.S. market. It seems like they want to sell one of their cheaper cars at a big premium simply because "it's a BMW." And it doesn't seem to be working. Drop the price to start at $24K and I think they'd move a lot more of them.

I'll focus on the coupe and convertible since you guys don't get the sedan and 2-door. Below are the prices with the standard German 19% VAT. $ 24,000? We Europeans can only dream about such prices. 

120i (170-hp): ? 28,200
125i (218-hp): ? 32,550
135i (306-hp): ? 40,100

118d (143-hp): ? 27,600
120d (177-hp): ? 29,750
123d (204-hp): ? 33,450


Source: http://www.bmw.de/de/de/newvehicles/1series/coupe/2007/allfacts/prices_service/prices.html


It's difficult to define if your average European or BMW shopper feels the entry-level 120i and 118d are well-equipped, but I suspect these cars are mainly bought for "driving fun" purposes and perhaps badge reasons. I know that in my stripper 118i hatch of my sister the only options she ordered extra were nice rims, nice exterior trim, an automatic transmission, sunroof and the aluminum (actually aluminum-imitating plastic) interior. I personally could live without all those options except the nice rims and exterior trim, which mean more to me, personally, than a sunroof etc.

[565]

Because it looks like a 3 series affected with dwarfism.

[ChrisV]

I see a lot of young guys wanting to look cool in 3 sereis. the only 1ers I see are drivein by older people who wanted performance and not so much concerned about looking like the typical 3 series geek. One of my coworkers has a 135i that got maybe $15-20k worth of upgrades out of the BMW motorsports catalog before it even left the dealers when it was new (he ordered the car, then ordered all the parts and had them installed before picking it up). Turbo upgrades, exhaust upgrades, suspension and brake up grades, etc. Very rapid little car, and quite muscular looking.

[SVT666]

I see lots of 1 series cars around here.  Not as many as the 3 series, but enough of them.

[sportyaccordy]

I like smaller, semi-luxury cars. Hell, I was a big fan of the C230 Kompressor coupe a few years back. I'd take a 1er too if it was priced right.

Yea I am a big fan of A4s and 3's. For someone living in a city a car like that is a good compromise. But the 1 is too ugly & low quality inside.

[dazzleman]

They seem like cool enough cars. 230HP I6 engine, great handling, not a lot of frills to break down. I live in an area where BMWs are extremely popular, but I can't tell you the last time I saw a 1er on the road. The 3er still rules supreme.

The only thing that would prevent me from buying one is the price. For the car it is, I think it's overpriced. Even if they priced it $4K less, I'd probably give it some much more serious thought. I'd rather buy another Passat or a CC (even an S40), perhaps pick up a 3er off a lease for the same price. Also, I have to say that the Mazda3 and VW GTI both give it a run for its money at a much lower price.

FWIW, I just saw an '07 3er with 27K miles for only $17K and change. I was extremely tempted, but the Passat just hit 100K and has a few years left.

I was just at BMW of Darien today for servicing, and I was talking to my salesman about the 1er.  I saw one in the showroom, and commented that the price was high for what was supposed to be an entry level car.  He said that after they introduced the car, they started putting stuff like a bigger engine in it, and that a 135 costs more than a 328.  Maybe that explains why you see more 3-series than 1-series cars on the road.

[dazzleman]

Overpriced.

See my post above.  I've come to the same conclusion.  Typically, you got there with fewer words. 

[r0tor]

there is a 135i that i see around town every once in a while and that thing looks amazing... but they are just overpriced

[Vinsanity]

I was just at BMW of Darien today for servicing, and I was talking to my salesman about the 1er.  I saw one in the showroom, and commented that the price was high for what was supposed to be an entry level car.  He said that after they introduced the car, they started putting stuff like a bigger engine in it, and that a 135 costs more than a 328.  Maybe that explains why you see more 3-series than 1-series cars on the road.

yeah my ex gf's 128 convertible is already close to the starting price of a 335 sedan

[Alan]

FWIW, I just saw an '07 3er with 27K miles for only $17K and change. I was extremely tempted, but the Passat just hit 100K and has a few years left.

Wow... was this at a dealership or a private sale!?  Does anyone know if there is a website that specializes in finding used cars that just came off of a lease?

I am looking for a new car and am leaning towards an 06/07 3er with around 30K miles..I test drove one last night and loved it!

[2o6]

I think that a 120 hatch would be the perfect entry level BMW. Enough power to make it fun, thrifty, and still offers the BMW quality.

[93JC]

I posit that people don't buy them because they're useless. Some other cars are useless too, but people who can afford to own cars that are useless can afford better ones than the 1-series. Therefore people don't buy 1-serieseses.

[TurboDan]

Wow... was this at a dealership or a private sale!?  Does anyone know if there is a website that specializes in finding used cars that just came off of a lease?

I am looking for a new car and am leaning towards an 06/07 3er with around 30K miles..I test drove one last night and loved it!

Was at a Dodge dealership, ironically. I stopped by to pick up a part for my mom's Durango and it was sitting on the lot. The thing was "Firetruck Red" so to speak, but I think I could deal with that...

[TurboDan]

I think that a 120 hatch would be the perfect entry level BMW. Enough power to make it fun, thrifty, and still offers the BMW quality.

I agree. The 1-series should be an entry-level BMW to get people "hooked" on the brand who may have overlooked a 3er due to its price tag. Much like the 4cyl C-Class once was for MB. Pricing it to where it actually is somewhat on par with the 3er is just pointless. The deals probably won't even be good on the used market.