What would you buy to replace your 1 series?

[Cavpilot2k]

I haven't been in an Evora, but I did consider an Elise (Exige, actually) a while back as a DD, but I was working from home and on the road, so I didn't have a daily commute.

I decided against it, and if I were looking for a DD with a commute, I would definitely NOT get an Elise. It is VERY small and kinda cramped. It isn't a very comfortable car, and frankly I wouldn't feel safe on the road with it on a daily basis. It is so small and low that it could be easily overlooked and not seen by every soccer mom in an oversized SUV and every lifted pickup on the road.
I'm not interested in being involved in a highway version of a monster truck rally (and being one of the cars they run over).

The only way to tell is go drive one, but if you do, take it on a crowded highway and see if you feel safe. I wouldn't.

[swifttiga]

Any thing but another BMW and this is from someone that has always owned BMWs' dating back to 1980 two at times. Just driving these two into the ground then move on (08 128 coupe and 08 Z4 coupe)

[Gangplank]

How about a new Jaguar F-Type with a BMW engine?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mot...mw-engine/amp/

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

How about a new Jaguar F-Type with a BMW engine?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mot...mw-engine/amp/

My wife would sell her Q5 for that car!

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

My wife would sell her Q5 for that car!

Would consider it if it came in a manual. Sadly I'm sure it will not.

[Funky Cold Medina]

another 1 series 'cause love the oner

ND Miata. drives great, very agile, perfect shifter

1980's manual transmission Honda Accord

all new cars have terrible steering feel, M2 steering is no exception

[champignon]

Originally Posted by Funky Cold Medina

another 1 series 'cause love the oner

ND Miata. drives great, very agile, perfect shifter

1980's manual transmission Honda Accord

all new cars have terrible steering feel, M2 steering is no exception

M2 steering is not terrible, it's just not good:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-g8XYynQvs

[varoadking]

I don't replace...I augment...

Just bought a new Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited to go along with the 128i; Tahoe; RAM and Harley...

I'll drive them until one of us dies...

My wife and youngest daughter both drive Honda's...and at 66, those will very likely outlast me...

[jlc45]

Hi guys,
This is a funny thread and kind of helpful.
Car guys are a bunch of weirdos, aren't we, lol.
I am 73 yo. Have been nuts about cars since I was a little kid in the '50's.
I had a new '69 Dart 340, 4 MT, 3.91 gears back in the day.
It was very fast but the worst pos I've ever owned from a quality perspective.
One of my favourite cars I had new and for 13 years was a '99 Acura Integra.
It had the best shifter I've ever driven. FWD too so go figure.
I know you BMW guys don't want to hear it but the 6MT in my 2012 135i is only OK, not great. But to stay on topic, I totally agree with most of the posts here: I can't think of another car that appeals to me as much as my 1er. It's gorgeous, fast, sounds cool, fits me OK, has rear seats that fold down, heated seats, heated steering wheel for my arthritic fingers, etc. I don't like the RF tires and there's a hell of a clanking noise somewhere, I'm just now replacing the water pump for $1500, but I guess I'll be keeping it. (Glad to hear confirmation of my HO that the new Civic is fugly, lol.)

Jim

[Happy Jose]

It's the perfect reasonably sized car with more than sufficient power, good brakes, and decent handling! About the only way I'd replace it is if it was involved in a serious accident.

Whatever disasters happen mechanically, I'll spend the money to fix them. The common problems are oil leaks like the pan, oil filter housing, and transmission gaskets. I expect the water pump will die around 50K miles, and that's about it.

If I had something really serious happen like the engine throwing a rod, I'd buy a new engine. However, that isn't likely to happen, because I don't tinker with the fuel, timing, and boost maps with nonsense like the JB4. Regardless of the various maladies BMWs are famous for , the engines have a rock solid history of being reliable and durable.

[duder13]

Originally Posted by Happy Jose

It's the perfect reasonably sized car with more than sufficient power, good brakes, and decent handling!

That's really it. It really is a reincarnation of the 2002 in that regard, not to mention the quirky styling, and I'm not sure there's anything else to replace it. If I could stand less trunk and a smaller rear seat, I'd look at something like Porsche or Lotus, and there are tons of options if you can go a little larger, but the 1er is really, uh, 1 of a kind.

[Gray_Panther]

Originally Posted by duder13

That's really it. It really is a reincarnation of the 2002 in that regard, not to mention the quirky styling, and I'm not sure there's anything else to replace it. If I could stand less trunk and a smaller rear seat, I'd look at something like Porsche or Lotus, and there are tons of options if you can go a little larger, but the 1er is really, uh, 1 of a kind.

+1 to that!!
The 1er really is one of a kind!

[Esteban]

Love the styling of the 1 series. Nothing like it in my opinion.

[Zombie_Head]

Originally Posted by Happy Jose

It's the perfect reasonably sized car with more than sufficient power, good brakes, and decent handling! About the only way I'd replace it is if it was involved in a serious accident.

Whatever disasters happen mechanically, I'll spend the money to fix them. The common problems are oil leaks like the pan, oil filter housing, and transmission gaskets. I expect the water pump will die around 50K miles, and that's about it.

If I had something really serious happen like the engine throwing a rod, I'd buy a new engine. However, that isn't likely to happen, because I don't tinker with the fuel, timing, and boost maps with nonsense like the JB4. Regardless of the various maladies BMWs are famous for , the engines have a rock solid history of being reliable and durable.

I can vouch for this. Our first BMW was in 1999. We got an E36 328is used with 70,000kms. We kept it till 2006 and clocked well over 340,000 kms. Yes, we replaced the shocks, bushings, control arms, water pump etc but the only item that failed was the ABS pump once.

In 2006 we got a brand new E90 325i, and kept it till 2012. Again we clocked 260,000kms on it and other than regular wear and tear servicing (we did replace the water pump once) ran faultless.

That gave us (my family and myself) the BMW hook for being reliable, so in 2012 we sold the E90 and got the 2012 5 series 525i instead (it became my mother's car) and sold it in 2014 since we were moving.

We never had once any issue regarding engine, transmission, differential etc (major components) with our experience. We always followed the service schedule and dealership servicing (yes it was expensive at times but look at the results) and that was a major influence on my decision after selling that VW R joke of a warranty and to get the E82 125i.

I was a bit...skeptical regarding "downgrading" from a 310 turbocharged car to a 217 NA, even my first software tune was better but not what i was expecting. After finding a second software tuner and installed their tune, that N52 engine really feels like a proper I6 BMW NA engine now. Still not even remotely fast as you 135i guys, but it makes me smile. After doing 6 track days this year on that 125i (with the old tune) with temperatures ranging from 30c to 42c (even 50c on track) those engines are really built to last. Like any other car, do the service/maintenance properly and they will probably last you a lifetime.

It is the mods such as arms, suspension, RSFB, LSD etc that gets you hooked

[Cavpilot2k]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Love the styling of the 1 series. Nothing like it in my opinion.

Have to agree 100%.
When I was initially shopping for my 1er, I was also seriously considering an E92 335 coupe.
But ultimately I decided 3-series are just too ubiquitous. 135 was something different.
(I also cross-shopped with 370Z and G37. The 135 won out in almost every category (the G37 has a nicer interior but was too soft and wallowy in the handling department; the 370 had better handling and arguably nicer appearance on the outside, but the outward visibility is atrocious, bordering on dangerous IMO).

The 135 has everything and was different enough to stand out.

[Cavpilot2k]

I've always been a one-car guy, but even though I've been shopping around for another car, I now plan to hold on to my 135 even when it gets relieved of daily driver duty.

With that in mind, I am considering a Mustang GT as the bigger, louder, less refined stablemate.

[Gangplank]

BMW Z4 Coupe. That's what I was looking for when I found my 1er.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...coupe-hold-up/

[mr.fabulous]

There was a guy getting out of his car at the beach a few weeks ago. The car very seriously caught my eye.

"HEY - what kind of car is that?"

"It's a 5th-generation Miata!"

"You're kidding! Looks a lot like a mid-70s Opal GT!"

That car is *beautiful*... and I bet I can get it with a stick

[gary_william]

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

There was a guy getting out of his car at the beach a few weeks ago. The car very seriously caught my eye.

"HEY - what kind of car is that?"

"It's a 5th-generation Miata!"

"You're kidding! Looks a lot like a mid-70s Opal GT!"

That car is *beautiful*... and I bet I can get it with a stick

Agreed, the 5th gen is gorgeous in hard top. Dont like the convertible much.

[duder13]

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

There was a guy getting out of his car at the beach a few weeks ago. The car very seriously caught my eye.

"HEY - what kind of car is that?"

"It's a 5th-generation Miata!"

"You're kidding! Looks a lot like a mid-70s Opal GT!"

That car is *beautiful*... and I bet I can get it with a stick

Yeah, my aunt has the new MX-5, and they did a great job on the design. I just can't imagine replacing the 1er with a small two-seater. I bought a 1er in the first place because I needed more space than my Cayman, and I wanted a legitimate backseat in a small couple, which is why I'm not sure what I'd pick to replace it. Although it may not look much like a 2002, the 1er really fits the same category.

[Gangplank]

The hardtop is the Miata RF. They did a great job. The Club trim is available with 6MT, limited slip differential, billstien shocks.

[mr.fabulous]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

The hardtop is the Miata RF. They did a great job. The Club trim is available with 6MT, limited slip differential, billstien shocks.

DAMN that is sexy as hell, I want one