A real challenge: What compares with the 1Series?

[gyrfalcon]

Originally Posted by evoshane

lexus is350 rwd, 2x2, similiar power, targeted at younger men

Sedan with 4 doors though.

I would say the most comparable car in terms of size, power, and status would have to be an E46 M3. But of course it would be used.

[Guildenstern]

Originally Posted by Evolved

How many times has this exact same topic been "discussed" now?


I've never been on a site where the people constantly feel the need to defend their cars as much as you guys do. The 135 is a great car, enjoy what you have and move on.

Some people just need Pidgeon Holes. It needs to "FIT" in order to see it in relation to other things in the same Hole.

That being said I don't really think the 1 can be categorized easily.

First, I think the Premium Category is rubbish. The 7 is a premium car. It's pourpose is to compete with other Premium cars (Big Lexus, Big Audi, etc..) The one isn't a premium car. To me it simply is at current German car quality levels.

So that opens up a lot of competition. It still is a tricky one though.

Certainly the 135 can be compared to the likes of the 370Z and the Cayman on strictly a perfomance standard. Although it has more seats then they do.

The one can also be compared to the Mustang, RX-8, G37, and Genesis Coupe in relation to RWD, 2-door, 2+2, Sporty car.

And it sits in a list with the likes of the R32, Evo, 370z, RX-8, Genesis Coupe, and STi in the Mental little boy racer rocket category. (or Fun Little Car category)

Then there are price point comparisons, "I don't care about RWD" Comparisons, and the whole convertable thing....

The only real category this car easily sits in is the Fun little car category I think. Not a hard core Sports Car, and not just the Up Badged version of a big volume crowd pleaser. In this category Price is measured by Bang for the Buck, and quality takes a back seat to fun to drive. Sure Quality still matters but that's just part of the Bang for the Buck.

That's my take anyways.

[tbird]

I took a closer look at the Audi TT line. The vert is a 2Seat, but the coupe IS a 2+2, so I stand corrected. Thanks Jason and BForbes.

Therefore, the Audi TT would then be a direct competitor to the 1Series.

[tbird]

Oh and to clarify. This debate is not to justify the 1Series. Believe me, I am happy with it. I am just trying to organize the "Car Reviews" on it. The 1 is getting compared to all the cars that are direct comparable to the 335ci, and that is neither accurate nor fair.

[Monterra]

Originally Posted by HeyMoe53

All of the above points to one fact. People who cross-shopped, and ended up buying a 1-series test-drove a lot of different cars.

Add to that the reality that many of the cars of a similar size to a 1-series are FWD, then it is logical to conclude that the 1-series is pretty much in a category of its own.

That said, I am still interested in getting a 128, but I don't know what other cars I would test-drive, unless I went to FWD, which puts cars like the GTI into play.

It's part of what makes the 1 so unique.

Its funny because while I made the case earlier in the thread that the 1 does have fairly direct competitors I didn't really cross shop anything in the traditional sense because nothing else fit so many bills that I knew others couldn't in one or more ways. To be fair I have tested prior iterations of most of the ones I mentioned (save Genesis and Camaro). If the R32 had a proper manual like the 04(great car I thought) I would've tried it but no manual and crappy mileage made it a no go.

My criteria were(3rd car of the fam):

1. Fun to drive RWD manual coupe (RWD because AWD adds weight and saps power, FWD isn't a discussion for me)
2. usable back seat when (seldom) needed and trunk room for 2 sets of clubs and a bag or 2 so the wife and I can tour a bit.
3. relatively light weight, compact, and fuel efficient
4. relatively low cost(wanted to stay close to 30) esp. being that its a 3rd car.
5. uniqueness a +
6. sprinkle in some luxury too please...
7. if it can make its power without a blower, yeah that's a plus too

Actually the closest I came to 1er defection was a CPO'd 328 coupe that was priced well but at the end of the day for a couple grand more I got a brand new more nimble, more unique 128 to my exact specs and couldn't be happier about the decision.

[dbtheo]

Well, when BMW introduced the 1 series to us & we went to an event for it. The cars they had on hand to compare:

- G37 coupe
- WRX sti/ they mentioned the EVO & R32 as well. They used the subie as rep for the class.
- A4 cabriolet
- VW eos (vert)
- C230 sport


So in BMW's eyes, these are the competitors. To me, just because something has a different size or is FWD/ AWD doesn't make them NOT a competitor. It just means that the car is their idea of what it should be. You have to remember, just as many people don't choose 1 series because of no awd/fwd as because it is RWD. To me a competitive car is one that offers similar levels of performance/ features/ quality & usability for a similar price. I would very much include the BMW's own Mini brand as competition. If every car was the same, it would be kind of pointless.

[Evolved]

Originally Posted by dbtheo

Well, when BMW introduced the 1 series to us & we went to an event for it. The cars they had on hand to compare:

- G37 coupe
- WRX sti/ they mentioned the EVO & R32 as well. They used the subie as rep for the class.
- A4 cabriolet
- VW eos (vert)
- C230 sport


So in BMW's eyes, these are the competitors. To me, just because something has a different size or is FWD/ AWD doesn't make them NOT a competitor. It just means that the car is their idea of what it should be. You have to remember, just as many people don't choose 1 series because of no awd/fwd as because it is RWD. To me a competitive car is one that offers similar levels of performance/ features/ quality & usability for a similar price. I would very much include the BMW's own Mini brand as competition. If every car was the same, it would be kind of pointless.

Shhhhh, this is no place for logic.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by tbird

I took a closer look at the Audi TT line. The vert is a 2Seat, but the coupe IS a 2+2, so I stand corrected. Thanks Jason and BForbes.

Therefore, the Audi TT would then be a direct competitor to the 1Series.

Glad to be of service.

[Monterra]

Having said all that I think people should test more brands and models than I'm sure most do based on type or brand consciousness.

[dbtheo]

Originally Posted by Evolved

Shhhhh, this is no place for logic.

sorry.


Hows this:

The 1 series is KING, KING I say! Nothing campares! if you say it does, then I call you girly man!

[Evolved]

Originally Posted by dbtheo

sorry.


Hows this:

The 1 series is KING, KING I say! Nothing campares! if you say it does, then I call you girly man!

Now that's the spirit!

[ptack]

We're in a class by ourselves.

[SlickShift]

There really are no "direct" comparisons for the 1er. It's more of comparing cars with similar intentions (fun, sporty, small). Before I ordered my 135i, I test drove an Audi TT 3.2, Audi TT-S, and BMW 328i coupe. All of them were awesome cars (especially the TT-S), but the 135i was the best "all-around" car that met my needs.

[nordique14]

my wife's C30 R-Design compares very close to the 1-series in size. Wheel base, height and width are all within 1". The C30 is 4" shorter though and 300lbs lighter. At 227hp, power is very close to the 128i. Interior is very nice too. Problem is that it is FWD and the ride is on the soft side compared to the 1-series.

[Judge]

The RS3?

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...on+id-107.html

The top small-car power slots are currently occupied by the 300-hp BMW 135i and the 305-hp Subaru Impreza WRX STI.
...
Tweaked and equipped with a large single turbocharger, the five-cylinder engine's character is transformed. In the TT RS, it makes 340 hp and—at least as impressive—332 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers won't change much for the RS 3.
...
Performance will be impressive, with 0–60 times of around 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph, with a more lenient 175-mph governor a likely option. Quattro four-wheel-drive will be standard.

The current Audi A3 is in the autumn of its life cycle, but the RS models have traditionally been launched at the end of a car’s run. So it makes sense to introduce an RS 3 this year, even though the next-generation A3 is only two years away.
...

We can’t wait to slide behind the wheel of the RS 3, but since we’re not even fortunate enough to get the S3, it’s highly unlikely the RS 3 will make it stateside.

[tbird]

Originally Posted by Judge

The RS3?

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...on+id-107.html

Yes, definitely. Thanks.

Ok, a good list of "very similar" cars is emerging. The Audi A3/RS3, Audi TT Coupe, the Volvo C30, the Mazda RX8, and the Alfa Brera.

[MOCKBA]

1ser is a new car, so reviewers are quite puzzled, which niche the car belongs. Is it a sport car like Porsche? Or it is small family car as Civic. Or it is entry level luxury coupe as C class, 3 series, A4, G, TL. IS? Or right peers for this car are just A3 and Golf? Why do not write one more questionable review and get some money? 1ser brings tremendous money to car journalists. So many possibilities to write reviews.

[bmwzone]

Originally Posted by HeyMoe53

All of the above points to one fact. People who cross-shopped, and ended up buying a 1-series test-drove a lot of different cars.

No way that's a fact. I found nothing to cross-shop the 1 against. When I heard N54 for 35k with bluetooth stick and a BMW badge I was sold the second I test drove.

It's like the concept of love at first sight. Do wo/men "cross-shop" when they find "love at first sight"? That's an oxymoron.

135i = "Love at First Drive" for me where cars are concerned.

If you want to talk "cross-shopping" - that's what I'm doing with exhaust systems for my 1. BMW Performance, cp-e, Dinan?

[scorcherjf]

Originally Posted by bmwzone

No way that's a fact. I found nothing to cross-shop the 1 against. When I heard N54 for 35k with bluetooth stick and a BMW badge I was sold the second I test drove.

It's like the concept of love at first sight. Do wo/men "cross-shop" when they find "love at first sight"? That's an oxymoron.

135i = "Love at First Drive" for me where cars are concerned.

If you want to talk "cross-shopping" - that's what I'm doing with exhaust systems for my 1. BMW Performance, cp-e, Dinan?

haha, similar boat here. I only really test drove the 335 and a few audi's to compare, but I was pretty set on the 1 for a while, even before I drove it.

Now I'm deciding between those same exhausts!

[pavelitto]

I would also agree on new Audi TT or TTS however thats awd.
The new Ford Focus RS is also a big competitor being more sport-focused (also 300bhp) but fwd which is supposed to be real big hit though...
Bu to be honest I chose bmw because I know the brand well and I feel alright driving one.
However I must admit, being young myself the stock car lacks a little bit of sportiness in the looks etc, so I went or all the performance accessories including brakes, seats (which change the whole perception of the car) and Im perfectly happy with it now and must say: I can't see any direct competitor (size, rwd, power, price)

[pavelitto]

I didn't even test drove it
I knew I won't be disappointed as I said before I know bmws quite well

[Jumpman]

Yeah, it's precisely because of the fact it is almost a class by itself that the reviewers have to go outside the class to find comparisons. In that sense they are probably thinking from the mindset of the type of buyer they expect would like the 1-series -- what might they also like?