[RichReg]

Originally Posted by BMW786

I really hope they don't bring a 1 series to the States. I was reading this article in a magazine where they said it would really bring down the BMW brand as everyone could afford a BMW. It would be major brand degeneration on the part of BMW.

That's the same argument that BMWNA's dealers are making right now.

[shimshimhada]

Originally Posted by DDTAN

I always thought that the E46 looked too much from afar like an Accord (apologies to all E46 owners).

O...M...G...

[Ed_330i]

Originally Posted by RichReg

That's the same argument that BMWNA's dealers are making right now.

im down with that.

[dmg]

I agree 110%. Back in year 2000 as a gift my Dad bought me a new 323i auto, and from day one I never felt as if it was fun to drive. (My friend always got car sick in it - maybe it was my driving?).
I feel bad as if I should of helped him save some dough and buy an E36, looking back I should of bought a Honda Prelude stick... that car was more fun to drive then the Bimmer, which felt more tossable.I almost hated it, it felt heavy and boring and the electronics were frustrating... the car would lock itself and trying to unlock you had to reach into the center console, as with the windows.


The E90 is pure bliss going out of the parking lot. They finally got it right.

[xyz123]

Originally Posted by ward

what we need is a 1 series in the states, about the same size as an E30
that would be the most fun ride you could buy

From what I read, Americans just will not buy hatchbacks. I have never heard an explanation why. This is a big difference in the car market from here in Canada where small "sporty" hatchbacks of every brand seem to be flying off the lots. I notice a lot of Mazda 3’s around for instance and I think they, and other hatchbacks, look pretty sharp. The BMW name alone won’t sell cars; I remember a truncated 318i that BMW put on the market here a few years back that bombed badly. Cost alone is not the key factor for everyone; I would have bought an E90 323i instead of the 325i that I did order but besides being not available at the time, a 323i cannot be bought with some features available on a 325i or 330i. One reason why 325i’s are popular might be because it is available with everything else that is available on a 330i for those (like me) who don’t want more power, bigger wheels and harder suspension. Whether the BMW 1 succeeds over here might depend on what else it offers over the Asian hatchbacks besides just its name, because it is bound to be one of the most expensive in what is perceived to be a down market segment.