Considering selling my M-Sport 128i - input needed

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by champignon

BMW did not sell very many of these things for good reasons, and the reasons are obvious; too small, limited access through only 2 doors, limited cargo space due to size, and too expensive to buy and too expensive to own, in most peoples' view.

So it is important to keep this all in perspective.

Also important to keep in perspective is that these statements only apply to the North American market. The 1-Series has been/is a huge seller for BMW in the rest of the world.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

Also important to keep in perspective is that these statements only apply to the North American market. The 1-Series has been/is a huge seller for BMW in the rest of the world.

I know someone from Germany who says 1ers are as common there as Civics are here. Don't know how true that statement is. Also, he's a member here.

[champignon]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

Also important to keep in perspective is that these statements only apply to the North American market. The 1-Series has been/is a huge seller for BMW in the rest of the world.

Most of those have been hatchbacks built on the F20 platform. Not the same market, and not the same car

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by champignon

Most of those have been hatchbacks built on the F20 platform. Not the same market, and not the same car

The E8x 1-series sold well over one million units in all its forms, implying that they're not "too expensive to buy and too expensive to own". 2-door anythings rarely sell as well as their 3-4-5 door counterparts. My point has more to do with the notion of "too small" and "limited cargo space", which doesn't necessarily equate outside of the NA market. Turns out that smaller has a lot of advantages in the rest of the world.

[champignon]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

The E8x 1-series sold well over one million units in all its forms, implying that they're not "too expensive to buy and too expensive to own". 2-door anythings rarely sell as well as their 3-4-5 door counterparts. My point has more to do with the notion of "too small" and "limited cargo space", which doesn't necessarily equate outside of the NA market. Turns out that smaller has a lot of advantages in the rest of the world.

Look, you are preaching to the choir here. My biggest car is an STi. I hate driving big boats.

But most people in the USA (and that is where I live and it is about that market that the OP posted) find anything less than a huge SUV or Van to be too small.

I will add, however, as someone who spends about 6 weeks a year (spring and fall combined) in France, that it used to be rare there to see big cars, vans, pickups, and SUVs. Over the last few years, they are all over the place in France, and given the price of fuel in France, I doubt that this is unique to France, especially within Europe.

[hexagone]

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...1#post19437681

posted up!

[jaximointhecut]

Originally Posted by champignon

I actually do not agree with this. If the car only has the driver in it, plus either a passenger or a reasonably sized dog (pick whichever you prefer!), for its size the 1M can carry a fair amount of shit.

+1

[RoundelM3]

I saw plenty of 1-series when I lived in TX, not as many here in NC, although there aren't as many cars/drivers here as in TX. Nonetheless, the 128i M-Sport (or any variant of the 1-series coupe/convertible) is reminiscent of the E30/E36/E46 chassis cars, and is the perfect commuter and weekend car (which is what the wife and I use hers for). The hatchback 1-series sold in Europe and other parts of the world was indeed a big seller, particularly the diesel models - but that's a totally different market. Is it a niche car? Depends on the definition, as it suits our needs for a fun-to-drive sporty convertible. If you want to talk niche cars, look at the Z4 - very limited space, no back seat, not much trunk room. I see more 1-series than I do Z-series cars, but again, they have their appeal to those not seeking an all-purpose vehicle - which neither the 1 nor the Z cars represent in the US.