jalopnik: Why the BMW 1 Series is the Next Great Future Classic

[burnsniper]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Full Article: http://jalopnik.com/why-the-bmw-1-se...ssic-508797316

Some qutoes:

You see, the future doesn't look all that great for the number 1 in North America. BMW isn't bringing us the new hatchback 1-Series that dropped in Europe in 2011, and they probably aren't bringing over its successor that's currently in the works, either. At best, we can hope for the forthcoming 1-Series GT variant that is said to be front-wheel-drive.

I can't see too many enthusiasts lining up at BMW dealerships for that.

Instead of the 1, we Americans are getting the 2, and we got the best look at that car to date when the spy photos of the M235i hit the web last week. It's a handsome coupe with a much sleeker silhouette than the 1-Series, which was often maligned for its awkwardly tall roofline.

I don't doubt that the 2-Series will perform well, but I will miss the tossability of the compact 1-Series.

The 1-Series is that rarest of creatures these days: the small, rear-wheel-drive coupe. It's the kind of car you barely see anymore, and one that harkens back to BMW's own glory days with the New Class cars of the 60s and 70s like the famed 2002, as well as the everyone-and-their-mother-loves-it E30.

Here's what I'm thinking: some 10, 15, or 20 years from now, the 1-Series may be what the E30 is to buyers today. It will be for people who want a small, purebred sports coupe with impressive performance for not a lot of money. If you find one that hasn't had the crap kicked out of it, it will make for a fantastic enthusiast bargain.

You could also argue that the 1-Series is one of the the last of the "pure" BMWs. At the moment, you can't even buy a new 3-Series sedan anymore with a naturally aspirated straight-six engine. That lineup has gone to two turbocharged fours (which are great engines) or a turbocharged six (which is also a great engine.) Presumably the 2-Series will get the same turbo-centric powerplants, or at least some of them.

But the 128i comes with a regular, silky smooth, naturally breathing straight-six, just like the BMWs so many of us grew up with, as well as a turbo'd variant if more power is required. All of this is true of the outgoing 3-Series Coupe, due to be replaced soon by the 4-Series, although I like the 1 better because it's smaller.

Universally loved by damn near everyone who ever drove it, the 1M was only ever made as a limited-edition car in 2011 and 2012, and only about 6,000 or so were ever sold. This car has the potential to be this generation's E30 M3 or 2002tii, though admittedly, it lacks the motorsports heritage of those two models. I have a feeling that one day good 1Ms will be going for a lot of money on the auction block.

In fact, I have a good feeling about this entire family of cars. I think that a generation from now, when my son Kanye Lannister George is writing for the 3D holographic Jalopnik, the 1-Series will make it onto some "Answers of the Day" list about cars future people wish they could buy new today. -- http://jalopnik.com/why-the-bmw-1-se...ssic-508797316

[Dafttt]

Found some E82 love today! (from Jalopnik of all places..)

128i, 135i and 1M owners.. It's a great read if your looking for a congratulatory slap on the back.

http://jalopnik.com/why-the-bmw-1-se...ssic-508797316

>>>>>

"With 'only' 230 horsepower to play with, some speed freaks have overlooked the non-turbo 128i, but I feel like one day, the car's purity will get the attention it deserves." - Jalopnik

C'mon now Jalop, don't make me blush

[bmw1racer]

Nice article... Great find.

[631twentyeighteye]

Funny enough I have the same exact beliefs about the e30 thing. Good article.

[Artemis]

What I liked most about that article, is its art cover picture of a 1M.

[tuco44]

Some of the comments in that article represent part of the reason I just traded my 135i MSport DCT for a 2012 (same year) 135i MSport 6MT.

The DCT is very fast but the 6MT is more engaging for me, plus in olden days, I had three 2002s. To me, the 1Series (N52 or N54/5) is today's 2002 - only better.

This car is a keeper.

[Bimmer-Bob]

I've always thought that the E82 chassis would age well, and eventually be regarded as a classic. Love it or hate it, it's distinctive, and dammit if it doesn't just look like a BMW. I'm actually kind of surprised to be seeing the chassis getting som much deserved attention so soon, however. I guess the reveal of the M235i makes the imminent end of the E82 seem that much more real, and people get to thinking...

Really liked that the author included a bit about the 128i, and all of its purist's attributes that we're so familiar with around here.

[SpencerMH]

Good find and little read.

[b33g33]

Those guys do good work. I've been hanging out there for a few years now.

Interestingly, while the commenters will bash on most BMWs including the E9x M3, they are almost reverentially quiet when it comes to the 1M.

the 1M is strong in it's jalopness.

[ozinaldo]

Thanks for posting this, I never get tired of reading about the 1M or 1 coupes in general from the hands of people who have an idea what they are talking about. I also agree with the author that a mint 128i coupe will be a great catch in the not-so-distant future. BMW should have put the 258 hp version of N52 engine in E82 (the same that Euro 330i, 130i hatch and Z4 3.0i had). Engine was the best thing about my old E90 330i, together with LeMans Blue color!

[Hops128i]

what a great read!

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by tuco44

plus in olden days, I had three 2002s.

Sweet.

Back in the day, my brother had a Fjord Blue 2002... It was the start of my love affair with BMWs.

[Reapur]

There isnt much I enjoy on Jalopnik anymore, with their crappy news gathering and reporting (see bad journalism). But this article was pleasantly good. Thanks for sharing!

[EINSER M]

woohoo

[tuco44]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

Sweet.

Back in the day, my brother had a Fjord Blue 2002... It was the start of my love affair with BMWs.

Ahh, yes, Fjord Blue. My 1974 3.0CS was that color. My three 2002s were Grey, Colorado, and Mintgrun. The 2002 was the start of it for me, as well. My current one is #17. I have been fortunate.

[Dafttt]

Originally Posted by tuco44

Ahh, yes, Fjord Blue. My 1974 3.0CS was that color. My three 2002s were Grey, Colorado, and Mintgrun. The 2002 was the start of it for me, as well. My current one is #17. I have been fortunate.

17(SEVENTEEN) 2002's, 1974 3.0CS.. Holyyy smokes.

Based on your sig, to say you're a BMW fan is a total understatement. It's really interesting that guys like you ended up in the E82.

I see this theme a lot throughout 1addicts - mostly talks of 'rekindling BMW's past'. But then BMW goes ahead and states, "80 percent of 1-Series owners believed their cars were front-wheel-drive." Are you kidding me?

I can't believe how divided our numbers are:

20% relentless passion?
80% relentless ignorance?

No wonder people think I'm just another idiot in a white BMW.

I wish it weren't about the profits, but let's not kid ourselves. BMW's sales are fantastic because they cater solely to the masses, no longer the enthusiast. At the end of the day, at least they made a shit ton of great cars from the 70's to mid-late 00's that I'll probably continue feeding off of. I still love BMW but I literally have nothing positive to say about their future.

When you loose the passion, it's time for a divorce.

[P7X]

Nice read!

[TheSt|G]

Article writer actually appears as if he is familiar with the chassis, which is a refreshing change of pace.

Wish BMW had sent me that survey about RWD or FWD...

Originally Posted by tuco44

Ahh, yes, Fjord Blue. My 1974 3.0CS was that color. My three 2002s were Grey, Colorado, and Mintgrun. The 2002 was the start of it for me, as well. My current one is #17. I have been fortunate.

I'm staggered you never built/bought a M2 build.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by tuco44

The 2002 was the start of it for me, as well. My current one is #17.

WOW.

I don't suppose you have pics of all of them... What a family album that would make.

[CarJunkie]

Thanks!

[Greenkirby21]

[fs454]

I just posted in the article comments a little picture-journal of my last year of adventures with my 135i which took me from Florida to Boston, New Hampshire, Ithaca, NY, and all the way across the country via the south route to California where it sits now.

If you could take a look near the bottom of the comments (posted as "jessedacri") and if you like the pictures, hit "recommend" so it pops up on the main comment feed, i'd appreciate it!