What brought me to the 1 Series

[Perfect128]

As one of the minority on this forum who is old enough to actually remember the heyday of the 2002, I want to share my perspectives on why the 128i has enticed me to BMW for the first time.

The 128i reminds me not only of the 2002, but the Alfa GTV. These are both cars I coveted as a kid. They represent variations on the same thing – a sporty coupe that is rewarding to the person who is a car guy, yet a wonderful daily driver. They are all short RWD 2+2’s with an upright, airy greenhouse for good visibility and a comfortable seating position. All are well-balanced, good handling cars with enough power to be fun. All demand an initial slight premium in price over competitive coupes of the day, but provide a return to the driver. With the price premium comes the credibility of a manufacturer known for making drivers’ cars. Both the 2002 and the GTV served as platforms for high performance versions that did well on racetracks throughout the world, as I’m sure the 1 Series variants will accomplish. They both created a strong following to this day. I think the 1 coupe styling is evocative of both of these cars, with the strong crease running the length of the car, thin pillars, compact proportions, and strong grille identification cues.

It’s not the badge, or all the other baggage that comes with being a BMW owner (both good and bad). It’s about the car – a return to what initially interested the world in BMWs. All three of these cars represent the essence of what I look for in a sporty coupe. Sure, there are faster versions available, and more power to them - but this package at this price point is too good to pass up.

[atr_hugo]

Perfect128 - great post! Add to that the GT capabilities of, say, the 3.0 CSi and you'll have the Quadrafecta!!

[imported_Maurice]

Thanks both of you for giving some perspective on what makes the 1 so attractive to me. I wasn't in the the car market when the 2002 arrived, your descriptions represent perfectly how I feel.

[mchaskell]

Nicely said Perfect128.

I was wondering about some of the intangibles that make the 135i and BMW's in general worth the higher initial investment.

[Perfect128]

atr_hugo - Yes you can't forget the great 3.0 CSi. It is what the 2002 wanted to be when it grew up!

[scs]

excellent write up!

[ersatzS2]

Originally Posted by Perfect128

The 128i reminds me not only of the 2002, but the Alfa GTV. These are both cars I coveted as a kid. They represent variations on the same thing – a sporty coupe that is rewarding to the person who is a car guy, yet a wonderful daily driver. They are all short RWD 2+2’s with an upright, airy greenhouse for good visibility and a comfortable seating position. All are well-balanced, good handling cars with enough power to be fun.

I agree, (at least in theory: the reality is most of us have never driven a 1er so we are basing our hopes on specs and reviews!) I will only add (for the final time I promise) the observation that both from the standpoint of product positioning/marketing that you articulate very well, but especially from the standpoint of bodywork design, the 1ers are highly reminiscent of the Lotus-Cortina of the 60's. Few other car designs have employed that extremely sharp waistline which expresses itself as a horizontal shelf running the length of the car. (the Studebaker Lark and 1960 Impala come to mind but don't share the sports sedan heritage!) It's an interesting feature: not Bangle-like at all, and something I find very appealing. Historical side note: while Alfa GTVs and 2002tiis were really successful sports sedan racers in their day, the Lotus Cortina mops the floor with them nowadays in vintage events!

[gocal73]

not only do I remember the 2002, but I grew up when BMW was making itself known to most of America with the 1600 and the Glas GT. Peter Pan Motors, now a large BMW located in San Mateo, California, had it's original store in South San Francisco at El Camino Real and Orange Ave. The place was small - there is a gas station there now. The "showroom" could fit two cars. After school I'd drop by just to gawk at these strange, yet exciting cars. I tried like heck to get my dad to buy a 1600, but he opted for a Fiat (two-tone red & black) instead. 5 miles south we had a Lotus/Morgan dealer. Unlike the 1600 sedan, the Morgan was a totally impractical sports car with it's ash frame and side curtains. But, it was beautiful. ANYHOW, even with the 1600, which was a very affordable car, BMW innovation, performance and quality jumped out at you. The combination of performance and practicality of the 1600 and the 2002 was just so unique in a small sedan.

I think the values that BMW has stood for over the decades has served them well. Sure, they have always cost more. But, with a BMW you really get what you pay for. Another nice thing about a BMW for those of us who keep their favorite cars is they age well. Keep them up and they'll never look out of style. If you don't believe me, attend some vintage auto events and see which cars get the most attention. The 2002tii in stock showroom condition will almost always outdraw the new M3. Driving that 2002 around town will get you tons of attention - remember, this is a small sedan, not a vintage Corvette! If you invest in them, BMW's will always make you feel good about owning and driving them, for as long as you like.

As for the 1-series, once again I must point out the fact that it's real heritage is the 325i e30. A small sedan with a powerful straight 6, great balance, handling and brakes. It's striking how close in size and specs these two cars are. I just love that the 1-series gets BMW back where they are the greatest - powerful, great handling small sedans and coupes!

[Perfect128]

Its great to see this historical perspective from people who've been around these cars for awhile. I never thought about the comparison to the old Lotus-Cortinas, and the direct lineage e30, both good comparisons. ErsatzS2 rightly points out that we have not driven them yet. I've driven the 3's as a proxy, and can somewhat extrapolate from them. Anyway, in a couple weeks I get to drive the real thing and THEN sign on the dotted line. Seeing the Einers in Munich last week at the BMW Welt was a great experience and made me even more sure of my direction!

As for the comparison to the older cars that are icons - even the 128 wipes them off the map in performance, handling, safety, comfort, and mileage.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by Perfect128

The 128i reminds me not only of the 2002, but the Alfa GTV.

I've thought the very same thing before regarding the GTV.

[Oregon]

Perfect,

You and I come to the 1-Series from a similar passion, the 2002. While I never drove an Alfa, I nearly bought a vehicle of similar proportions, the Ferrari 246 Dino. Ever since BMW discontinued the 2002 I've had no desire whatsoever to drive, let alone, own, any BMW. The 135i changed that with zero ambivalence on my end.

Thanks for the terrific opinion post.

[C_Topher]

I loved my '73 2002. Sunroof, comfort seats, 4-barrel Webber carb that growled when I stepped on the gas. Steering wheel would have been at home on a school bus. Who needs a 5th gear? Well, it would have been nice at 80mph. There are a lot of heritage BMW drivers (and riders) on these forums.

[MZWIE]

I would add the Datsun 510 (five and dime) and the late seventies 320i as well. The 1 harkens to those days of more pure motoring where the driver was really engaged in the actvity of driving.

[1ToBeOn2Wheels]

Originally Posted by Perfect128

Sure, there are faster versions available, and more power to them - but this package at this price point is too good to pass up.

I agree. That's exactly what appealed to me the most. As an overall package of performance and price, the 1er instantly won me over.

Hope to see you at Bay Area meets, when I get around to setting one up.

[PA135i]

What won me over was that the 135i is a comfortable M3. Rode in and priced E46 M3's and could not live with it as an everyday car. The 1er is perfect to me for this purpose. A great mix of power and comfort. Just what I was looking for.

[BMW Dreamer]

WOW. before the 135i came out, the 335i coupe with sport pkg was TOO expensive for my income. NOW the 135i sport is within my spending limit. And to have a car that is FAST and handles FANTASTIC is just UNBELIEVABLE to me !!! I am so excited I can't keep from telling everybody I know. Its the only thing on my mind everyday. 330 days and counting until I order one "1"

[roadburn]

Perfect 128: That's an excellent perspective on a couple of cars that are rightly enshrined in history.

I loved my burgundy 2002. A friend of mine had the "luck" to hit an exit ramp in the rain just after an oil-recycling tanker had had a valve failure. That was one orange tii that never made it into the 21st century, although, luckily, my friend did.

Now, 2008 is another historical moment. All that's missing are a bunch of rabid fabois who are thumping their soon-to-be-hirsute chests and insisting that they could have a better car for half the price with a chipped Datsun 510....

[Esmallstii]

Grew up riding around w/ my dad in a 72' 2002, and a 76 2002 tii. (The ugly magenta color), Can still remember the smell of the waffle pattern vinyl seats.
Great cars!

[Yoot1]

I remember the 2002 too, and I hope the 135i is nothing like it. I expect immensely better brakes, handling, grip, and certainly power.

It's fun to reminicse, but if the 1 series felt anything like the last 2002 I drove I would cancel my order today. Sorry to be a downer, but while the 2002 was great in it's day it pales to even a modern Imprezza.

The 1 series is all about what BMW brings to the market today, not 30 years ago.

[WhiteOne]

The 2002 was excellent. You could take cloverleafs with two tires in the air. You would not even know it till your buddies told you or showed you pictures. I loved that car. YOMV