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04-26-2007, 05:48 PM | #45 |
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Well of course the term "Sex sells" is still very much in fashion..
This is an interesting discussion and I would like to comment further when I am less busy (I am in Japan as MINI Clubman shoot has begun in Tokyo) - But in my approach when you see both driver and passenger smiling as they cruise in their new BMW I put it down to the fact that they love the handling and dynamic comfort and luxury of the BMW . Not because the driver thinks he is getting lucky after they reach their destination. |
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04-27-2007, 12:28 AM | #46 |
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I know I have complained a lot about this car taking a long time to reach our shores, but now I am kind of happy that they took their time. It looks like they have something really special put together, and I cannot wait to own one :roundel: .
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04-27-2007, 10:23 AM | #47 |
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04-28-2007, 07:46 AM | #48 |
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Beyond Cult Status
When I talked about lifestyle what I mean is this car will change the way thousands of ordinary people feel about the driving experience. RWD in a comparatively light car that is sporty with a great interior and backed up by a premium manufacturer is what’s going to seal the deal for a generation that’s mostly known only front wheel drive. The 1-er is going to be an instant cult car. We’ll be able to say that we knew all about it in the early days before it came into production - or maybe some of us will be early adopters...the first people to own one in our neck of the woods....but the point is going to be moot once sales take off and we start seeing them everywhere. If priced competetively, this is going to be the car that brings BMW into neighborhoods across the country for people who otherwise probably would have shopped Japanese. And all the clever marketing strategies and historical tie-ins are only going to enhance it’s image as the car to have. |
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04-28-2007, 09:04 AM | #49 | |
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Under $30K there is a conspicuous lack of a good RWD non-roadster sporty car other than the Mustang and the likes. Therefore I think the base 1er needs to come in slightly under $30K with basic options like sports pack and Xenon if it were to hit the sweet spot of the market. |
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04-28-2007, 10:59 AM | #50 | |
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04-28-2007, 03:55 PM | #51 |
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You can configure a 3 door 130i M-sport with the newly updated front end on the BMW England website. this may or may not be useful in imagining how the coupe and convertible might look.
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04-29-2007, 02:19 PM | #52 |
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I've re-thought the price spread...because it is looking like we'll get an M-1.
I Guess...$26 - 45,000. with the sweet spot (3.0 manual, sports option, leather, 18" wheels, winter pkg.) being somewhere around 30 -31k. Just a guess...but that's what I'm anticipating. |
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04-29-2007, 03:03 PM | #53 | |
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I think that's on the optimistic side, but for this thing to be a real hit, I believe something like that will be very much necessary. In my mind $5K gap between the 1 and the 3 is the minimum. Anything smaller I think a lot of people would just get the 3. |
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04-29-2007, 05:19 PM | #54 |
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My guestimations:
128- $28,000 135- $34,000 M1- $45,000 Hopefully euro-delivery will be available on some of these models and bmw SHOULD include the 4yr 50k, covered service. |
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04-29-2007, 05:26 PM | #55 |
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The 18"'s as option.:biggrin:
But I'm very much expecting price overlap between the "1" and "3". They'll have such different characteristics...size just for starters... but I just don't expect the 1-er to be cheap. It's BMW. It's sporty. We're going to have to pay for our fun...especially considering the dollar-to Euro exchange rate which is extremely one-sided for BMW.... basically the entire N/A market is getting a free ride by all the German manufacturers. I'm not sure how BMW is doing these margins, but I know that N/A customers are getting a deal when I see what their line is selling for in other countries. |
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04-30-2007, 12:29 PM | #56 | ||
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I completely agree that purchasing a particiular car to make a lilfestyle statement is IMO a bit questionable. When I was considering selling my M3 to purchase the MINI, I had several people question what type of lifestyle statement that would make. My response then, and now, is that the car I choose to drive should not be construed to mean anything other than: "I like this car." I don't intend to project any message whatsoever. That was true then, and if I get the 1 Coupe, it will be true again. I love the MINI and don't miss the M3 at all. I'm optimistic that a 135i M sport would replace the MINI with the same success, not because it has a great badge but because of how it drives. If it doesn't provide the great drving experience, I won't buy it. Quote:
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04-30-2007, 03:04 PM | #57 |
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"Whatever the case, the MINI is not style over substance (and I don't know that's not what you were saying), and I sincerely hope the 1 coupe isn't either." Watch, we'll get both. Style and substance.:biggrin: BMW must know exactly who is interested in this car...and I think it takes in a wide spectrum of people including those (like me!) who want some basic bang. it wouldn't be coming here as a coupe...rather than a sedan if there wasn't a strong reason to match performance to the car's sporty design. They aren't going to blow it...especially at introduction when there'll be a lot of people giving it a serious look. Which engines are available, especially in the base model, and the price point is going to be the make or break deal from the get-go. I don't see the 1-er as a niche model that's aimed (only) at the performance crowd... even the guy who wants something that goes great, handles great without breaking their bank account should be able to find what they want... without feeling that they ended up with a cut-rate BMW. |
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04-30-2007, 03:46 PM | #58 | |
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Well, that will truly make my day. And, like you, I'm feeling very optimistic. BMW has an opportunity here to hit a grand slam. Unfortunately, my expectations are so high that a simple homerun will disappoint me. Still, my optimism is really high. Uh... I guess I already said that.
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04-30-2007, 04:03 PM | #59 | |
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I think s2k's price predictions are realisitc, possibly except for the M1. (who knows what the M1's gonna be like, let alone cost) But as I have said before, $4~5K spread between the 1 and the 3 is probably reasonable, which is also in line with s2k's guesstimations. |
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04-30-2007, 04:16 PM | #60 | |
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Priorities dictate that I won't have US$35K to spend on a car. Kids, a mortgage and a family car all relegate things like 306 bhp, 18" wheels and Dakota Leather to a pretty low place on the priority list. But that doesn't mean I'm going to settle for a i4 turbo when every other post-1999 BMW in NA has an i6 or better. I really hope an i6 engine with 220+ bhp is available for somewhere aroung US$30K. Like I've said in a previous post, if they introduce an i4, it has to be done to make a clear and convincing statement about giving BMW clients fuel economy-firendly choice. But if it's just about throwing out a cheaper option to snag some of the low-end of the market, offering an i4 in the absence of a reasonably priced i6 will fail, fail, fail... Fingers crossed for a 128i or 130i... |
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04-30-2007, 07:39 PM | #61 |
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I'm such a big diesel fan so I think I'll go with the 120d or maybe even the new 2l with 200+ hp, so I'm really hoping that the coupe is getting this engine. The current 120d 3-door starts from 38.500€ so the coupe with the new engine may be a bit too expensive, but we'll see.
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