Why did you choose a 1 Series

[tvo9]

I am curious to find out how you guys chose the 1 Series vs other models or other brands.

I wanted a sport car with useable backseats, so Corvette Miata MR2 S2000 350z 370Z Cayman are out of the picture.

On top of that, I love the BMW brand, I like the 1 Series because I don't see many of it where I live. I see a Mustang or Camaro on almost every block

[edisapimp]

3 liters two turbos no roof.

[IEDEI]

i LOVE the styling. Old school coupe design in the (relatively) modern age. the 1-series captures the spirit of classic BMWs like no other modern BMW does. Last of its kind.

I fell in love with the engines and driving experience after that. Started shopping for a 128....got a 135is....then felt i 'needed' the 1M to maintain my sanity; it worked.

[Yeineken]

I chose it for its uniqueness. Although I had to jump through hoops to find my stripper m sport. Someone was getting a credit check on it when I went to get it. Sat in a few 3 series and realized I didn't want a sedan or a boat. Was about to leave to starting my searching again and their credit didn't approve. Bought her right there on the spot.

Beyond happy their credit fell through.

[Cavpilot2k]

1. I wanted something fast, fun to drive and deliberately impractical.
2. Small, light, nimble coupe with all the engine of the bigger cars.
3. It isn't a 3 series, so it isn't just like every third car on the road.
4. Best power-to-weight ratio of any non-M BMW.
5. Unique styling, very unlike the "corporate" 3,5,7, A4, A6, A8, C-class, E-Class, M-Class, S-Class...you get the picture.
6. It isn't a 3-series.
7. 10+ inches shorter than a E92 Coupe, vastly easier to park.


A friend who drives a 3-series commented on my 1er once: "That's cute, if you feed and water it, does it grow into an adult car?" I replied "You mean does it become fat, bloated, and overweight like the 3 series has? No. And by the way, how do you find your car in a parking lot, when every third car in the lot is also a 3-series. Break from the herd much?"

[Enovoc]

Ive always prefered the 1 series over the 3 series. To me the 1 series is unique and different.

[Gray_Panther]

Because I wanted to have fun.

[mr.fabulous]

Because despite the fact the brand has totally abandoned me, there is still this last one little car that tries to embody where the brand was 30 years ago. I don't want bloated, I don't want disconnected from the road, I don't want gadgets. Honestly, I cannot imagine how BMW sells any cars anymore; where they are now has no relationship to where they were when I was a kid. But there is this one last little car left. And I got one and I am *thrilled* with it.

[Esteban]

Classic old-school looks, big engine, small size.

[KNS]

I wanted a small, relatively light, rear wheel drive, manual trans coupe. Didn't really care that it was a BMW but I do like German cars.

Unfortunately I don't like any of the new BMWs so this will probably be the newest BMW that I'll ever buy.

[ShocknAwe]

I liked the RWD, front engine, 6MT combo with a modern highly tunable twin turbo straight six. Being small with an incredibly tight turning circle was a plus.

I like driving something where I won't see myself everywhere as well. The 1er has great classic BMW bulldog aesthetics and I loved it on first glance.

First drive and it was over. I would have purchased the one on the dealer lot had it been a manual coupe (test drove a DCT vert).

And, for cheek, I can say it's bigger on the inside.

[Pkaia524]

I wanted an E46 - MT, NA engine, nimble -- but with a warranty.

IMO, one should add 2 to every current BMW model series to understand their true "size": 1= 3, 3 = 5, 5 = 7

[tvo9]

Originally Posted by Cavpilot2k

A friend who drives a 3-series commented on my 1er once: "That's cute, if you feed and water it, does it grow into an adult car?" I replied "You mean does it become fat, bloated, and overweight like the 3 series has? No. And by the way, how do you find your car in a parking lot, when every third car in the lot is also a 3-series. Break from the herd much?"

LOL that's one of the best answers I've ever heard. I might use it sometimes later on...

[blinded]

Inline 6, twin turbo, rwd, 2+2, in the smallest/lightest package possible in a newish car.

[bmw1racer]

Compact dimensions, classic BMW normally aspirated six... Probably the last of its kind.

[will-go]

"I wanted a sport car with useable backseats" … I don't find the backseat to be very practical. Otherwise this is a fun to drive, responsive, powerful and comfortable car. It's like putting on a favorite piece of clothing - it just feels good.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by edisapimp

3 liters two turbos no roof.

[ChiBimmer]

I got bit hard by the car bug this summer and spent a lot of time on car blogs, forums and did more autotrader searches than any human should. I don't think anything came even close to my 135i 6MT mix of sportiness, practicality and luxury for the price I paid. Well, maybe 335i, but that's it.

Primary reasons. These were my musts for a car selection:
Sports or GT car
4 usable seats. I take my kids all the time. Works for my tween girls. For large adults YMMV, but this is good for my needs. 911 seats didn't cut it.
Fast
Stick
Great road feel. I rented a BMW while my Infiniti was being worked on...man, what a world of difference!
Handling. Love that small car feel.
Price: approx $20k

(Given the main criteria, where else could I have picked?)

Secondary reasons:
Great seats. Have the M-Sport seats and the bolsters, leather, etc are great.
Amenities: Leather heated seats.
BMW dash and gauges. Teutonic elegance. Reminds me of Braun and by extension Apple. Did you know that BMW has their own version of Helvetica font? Awesome.
No crappy manufacturer infotainment. I specifically avoided iDrive and didn't want anyone else's screen either. I may get an aftermarket double din Carplay unit later. Until then my iphone 6+ is better than just about anything else I know of this side of Tesla. If I do get a Carplay unit, I'll get a back up camera to go with. That might be the only feature the car doesn't have that I want. Well, cooled seats, but that's a different thing.
Modifiable. Mastering the third pedal now, will get a Cobb in a few months. N54, baby!
Decent cargo room. Seats folded she will handle just about any Costco trip as long as I don't get a new flat screen.
Looks. I find the 1 series a mix of muscle and cute. Also, its a sleeper which I find appealing. Its a polarizing design but I'm on the pole that loves it.

Tertiary reasons.
Love the greenhouse and visibility. Gives great confidence for lane changes.
Rarity. 335i coupe or even sedan might have been more practical, albeit a little more expensive, but I love that there just aren't many of these around.
Color. BMW has nice paint finish and a few interesting colors. I didn't go seeking Deep Sea Blue but I'm glad I have it.
Last, not least there's a fantastic BMW community.

[Tuxedo]

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

there is still this last one little car that tries to embody where the brand was 30 years ago.

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

Classic old-school looks, big engine, small size.

Got my first car(Mercury Lynx) in the 80's and 4-5 movies had e30's as a focal point on the big screen. I was poor teen and no garage then and now I'm poor with a garage, when I look at my e88 I see a modern e30. When I drove the e93 it felt heavy and all hood and e88 feels nimble.

[goonerstrike]

- Best german engineered bang for the buck(used) IMO
- Very mod friendly
- 3.0L straight six
- Less common and more sporty then the 335i

Just picked up mine about a month ago(51K) with a few go fast upgrades for a very reasonable price. It is in the shop now for M3 suspension bits, rear subframe inserts and the swift/koni combo.

Perfect part-time driver for the street and possibly the track in the distant future.

[MightyMouseTech]

I like small cars. The 1er is the best car of it's size. Had a Civic Si previously, was the perfect size for us, was time to replace and wanted something a little more special. The 135 is perfect.

It is also very classy. I don't feel like I have to drive around with a flat brimmed hat like the Suby guys, does not suit me even slightly. I carry a Tumi purse for christs sake.

[fcman]

Originally Posted by will-go

"I wanted a sport car with useable backseats" … I don't find the backseat to be very practical. Otherwise this is a fun to drive, responsive, powerful and comfortable car. It's like putting on a favorite piece of clothing - it just feels good.

You wouldnt want to be back there for 10 hours, but to shuttle some friends around the city it's not so bad. I've had some taller than average adults back there and they had no complaints.