How many 1'ers left?

[TMR013]

Yeah, I'm sure it's a lot. But just wonder how fast the population is going down since they discontinued. They never sold a huge amount of them, at least not in the States. Mine is a second year production and it's still going strong, so it's not like people are scrapping them yet.
Always wondered since it really was a pretty short run for the E8X 1 series, if it might make it collectible in the future.

[tock172]

Aside from the 1M and 135is, I'm not aware of any source for production numbers pertaining to the 128i and 135i we received in the US, or the other models offered in Europe.

If anyone knows, please share. I'd love to get my hands on the data, but I don't believe BMW has ever made it public.

[atr_hugo]

http://carsalesbase.com/us-car-sales.../bmw-1-series/

[Suprgnat]

http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01...s-figures.html

What's funny is that BMW sold more 3-series in 6 months than 1-series for it's entire model life in the U.S.

Calendar year 2013 (Jan. through Dec.) 3-series: 119,521

Years 2008 through 2015 E8x 1-series sales: 58,586

It might have helped 1-series sales numbers if BMW had actually advertised the car.

[The Wind Breezes]

Maybe by some really contrived definition of the word these could become collectible, but otherwise no. Not for a long time, if ever. The 1M is a different story.

[Manual Transmission]

If someone were determined they could put in a freedom of information request to every states DMV to find out how many new 1 series were registered each year of production. Actually it might be easier to FOI request whatever federal authority is in charge of importing.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes

Maybe by some really contrived definition of the word these could become collectible, but otherwise no. Not for a long time, if ever. The 1M is a different story.

Not that contrived: "A collectable (collectible or collector's item) is any object regarded as being of value or interest to a collector (not necessarily monetarily valuable or antique)."

Granted, if you only view something as being collectible if it is worth something substantial to someone else, you have a point.

[HyeWarrior]

Planning on keeping my 1 forever. Not expecting it to be valuable, ever really, but it's just gonna be such a cult classic car in the next 10-30 years

[The Wind Breezes]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

you have a point.

People think all kinds of crap is collectible, but the market will be the judge.

[champignon]

Not very many of these cars were sold into the US Market, and undoubtedly a fair number are no longer desirable due to mileage, condition, or having been wrecked, but this doesn't really matter.

Market valuation of anything in a free market is determined by supply and demand. The supply may have been small but the current demand may be smaller still. At its heart the 1-series was a throwback to earlier times for BMW, those times having been fully jettisoned by the brand, and intentionally so. Just look at the current line up. People must like them because they are selling. The fact that many of us don't like them shows that we are out of touch with what the current car-buying public seeks.

There is a small enough number of these cars out there in good condition that sales will become more and more "one-offs" and less and less a national market. There will be a few buyers who really want to buy one of these cars and who will be willing to pay up for a good example. The vast majority of these cars, however, will continue to sink in value to the point where they are being purchased almost entirely as cheap transportation. BMW's well-earned reputation for making cars that are expensive to own as they grow old, will not help the demand or desirability of the commodity part of the 1-Series resale market.

[Bimmer-Bob]

I don't think that the non-M cars will be collectible by any means, but I think that they will be desirable, to some extent, by a certain sub-set of car people. I don't think that it will matter so much which engine is in the car (N52/54/55) - I think to some extent the chassis will be respected. I think it will be similar to the E30 - M versions are collectible, to be sure, and are going up in value astronomically, especially in the last 5 years it seems. But go to any track day or autocross, and you will be sure to see one or more non-M E30s around, some in great condition, some stripped-out race cars. And then of course there are some beaters on the road still (but fewer every year, it seems).

To some extent, you see the same pattern with the E36 and E46 chassis. The thing that is kind of unique about the E82, is that in terms of absolute numbers made, it was always a niche car, even at the height of production. I think that will add something of a mystique to the chassis. Of course, there are a ton of people who think the car is butt-ugly, let's be honest - but I think the design will age well and that it will be a "cool" car going forward.

Mind you, I'm not saying it will be a "collectible" high-value car. But I do think good examples will get noticed. Even now sometimes, people sometimes see my car and make a comment like "how do you like your 1 Series?" I think it's already something of a cult car.

[HyeWarrior]

It honestly amazes me how many people don't know that a 1 series ever existed lol

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by HyeWarrior

It honestly amazes me how many people don't know that a 1 series ever existed lol

+1. Comments at gas stations, etc. I pulled into a tire shop the other day (had my daughter's SUV flat in the trunk) and the techs standing outside asked if it was an M3. And these are people that "work" on cars everyday.

My previous car was an E46 Touring (with manual of course). Lots of comments "I didn't know BMW made station wagons", etc.

[bm996tt]

I'm too old to speculate on a car going up in value lol= but do believe in 10 years or so a nice low mileage 1 series will bring decent money. Agree that most people that really like them are more on the individualist side and not followers. I still look at every e30 that comes up for sale in my area looking for that hens tooth.

[JIM1inWisconsin]

Having owned plenty of E30's don't expect the 1 to become a true collectible any time within the next twenty years and even then it's doubtful. Scarcity does not equate to it being collectible. They will bottom out in price somewhere between $3,000 and $10,000 depending on condition. Will always be a nice entry level BMW.

[ssgtcarroll]

Is there really any BMW in history with the right trim and that's clean that's not collectible?

[vinylengraver]

Every time I park the car amongst all current BMWs while visiting my dealer, people notice and comment on it. Perhaps because it usually is the best looking car of the lot (cleanest and shiniest) but what makes it truly stand out is how small it is in comparison to everything else.
It is for sure the last compact BMW there was... and that alone makes it very special.
(i30 does not count IMO.... )

When I stopped at the Fiat dealer last weekend to check out the new 124 Spider, the sales guy was sure I would not be willing to trade my car in... and assumed I'm looking at the Spider as a second car. When I told him, for shits and giggles, that I might... he replied: But..... WHY???
I found it funny.
Around where I live, 135i is well regarded and appreciated by those in the know.
Of course most people do not care, but those who do treat it with respect.

[champignon]

Originally Posted by ssgtcarroll

Is there really any BMW in history with the right trim and that's clean that's not collectible?

Without a doubt, the current 3-Series

[Matticus91]

Well I'm responsible for removing one from the road (died in a flood) so I've contributed to making all your cars more valuable lol

[LuisBoston]

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

The one time an article actually had a factor in my car-buying decision-making. Not long after reading this did I place my order for my 128i M-Sport stick.

[tock172]

Originally Posted by atr_hugo

http://carsalesbase.com/us-car-sales.../bmw-1-series/

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01...s-figures.html

These are both sales data. If anyone is actually interested in figuring out rare E8X 1-series configurations that might be collectible someday, we need to see manufacturing data. Colors, packages, options, etc. That's what really matters.

Originally Posted by champignon

Without a doubt, the current 3-Series

But what about the Jalopnik edition 320i? Even Chris Harris extolled its virtues:

http://jalopnik.com/the-six-letters-...-bmw-472513915

[FrostyDC4]

I can easily see the 1er being a cult classic car because of the low production #s, especially the 6MT 128 and 135. Honestly, its kinda the reason why I bought one . Most of the initial owners didnt know what they had & wanted the newest & greatest thing