LA TIMES: BMW 1-series can fly; too bad it's heavy and ugly

[CobaltSScrazy]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Yeah. Wouldn't it be cooler if Cadillac had an "ATS?"

About 8 inches shorter than the BLS on Alpha, with the same 306HP V6 as the sole engine? A car that was build to run and eat up the curves!!??

Forget a DI V6.

Give me an Alpha Cadillac 3series size with a standard HFV6 and add a Turbo on it, make it 'turn, stop, and go' as per SS format but with Cadillac luxury, refinement, and BMW level ride/handling/power price it at ~38-45k for the V-series version in two and four doors as a BLS/BTS and that's my second car bar none! (Unless I feel need for a Vette 2LT model year old with GMS discount b/c)

On a side note, MG, I found the Tag I want when I graduate!!! One question though, it retailed for 1400$ but the Lady got out the calculator and said 'we don't sell it for retail' and said it cost 1190$... Why? Whats up with this? Tried it on at Macy's. Its so nice!

CobaltSS

[BrickTamland]

He's right on about the car's portliness. It needs to lose 400 pounds when redesign time comes around.

[Ach]

Enough about the weight. This car is lighter than an Evo or a VW R32, less than 100 lbs. heavier than a WRX STi and just over 100 lbs. heavier than a VW GTI.

As for the price, it starts at nearly $6000 less than the 335i coupe. The 128i starts at nearly 7K less than a 328i coupe. That is significant. A stripper version of the 135i at 34.9 is a bargain IMO.

[goblue]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

I take it you don't like the Z4 then?

The Z4's are more pronounced, and there are less of them. This (the 1 series) is the BMW that has the worst styling IMO. Even worse than the X3, which is saying a lot.

I really liked the last gen BMWs - pre-Bangle era. I know he has fans, but I am surely not one of them. This is Bangle gone bad - which I didn't think was possible. It takes some of his cues, and then adds all these cuts, lines, and concave bends.

[t-rex]

Originally Posted by Mr. Burns

Honestly what part of this car is ugly?

What part of this car isn't ugly?

[Mr. Burns]

Originally Posted by t-rex

What part of this car isn't ugly?

all of it

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by goblue

Actually - I think he called it dead on. I could do without the hyperbole and cliches, but basically the 1 series is a slightly smaller, just as expensive, slightly faster, and much less attractive version of the 3 series - without its fantastic hardtop convertible. Thats how he called it - couldn't agree more.

BMW had real opportunity here. Use that fantastic motor in a lighter, tighter vehicle, and they could have built a refined, comfortable lotus. Instead we get a 3 series that spent a few seconds in a car crusher.

Thats what Neil is getting at - lost opportunity, and its refreshing to see that vitriol aimed at something not wearing a domestic badge.

I agree w/you 100%.......the styling is such that (the 'high speed hernia' comment was hilarious!), whoever shat out that thing onto the drawing board made Chris Bangle look like Harley Earl.

As to the price.....whoever does grab this instead of a 335 needs their head examined.....

[ohmywrd8]

It's not bad looking. Oh well.

[Squachy]

Originally Posted by Mr. Burns

all of it

It could be the Msport package trimmings but the car does have a fairly awkward look in the 128 models.

In person, the 128 literally looks like a 3 series convertible that got accordioned/squashed.

Im not sure if the 135 would give off a better impression in person but it definately looks better in pictures than the 128 does in person.

[Xenon]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Yeah. Wouldn't it be cooler if Cadillac had an "ATS?"

About 8 inches shorter than the BLS on Alpha, with the same 306HP V6 as the sole engine? A car that was build to run and eat up the curves!!??

I think the 1 Series is supposed to be less luxury and more of a focus on driving. And I'd rather have it as a Pontiac for the same reason, more speed ans less luxury. I kinda wish there is a CSL version of the 1 series.

[goblue]

Originally Posted by Xenon

I think the 1 Series is supposed to be less luxury and more of a focus on driving. And I'd rather have it as a Pontiac for the same reason, more speed ans less luxury. I kinda wish there is a CSL version of the 1 series.

Why not have both? Just put a different suspension under each, drop the 4 cyl DI into the Pontiac and the DI 6 into the Caddy. One could make a wicked V series using whatever is the new uplevel Caddy motor coming in 2010. Strip the Pontiac down to a true drivers car with a quality interior, call it G4 and load the ATS up. And don't let them share a single piece of sheetmetal or interior parts.

[TheGeneral]

Ugly might be a little offensive and BMW might be sending a letter to the LA TIMES shortly.

[goblue]

Originally Posted by TheGeneral

Ugly might be a little offensive and BMW might be sending a letter to the LA TIMES shortly.

Yeah, and that did GM a lot of good didn't it. Maybe they can pull their advertising.

[FenwickHockey65]

The 1-series looks fine to me. A little squeezed, but it's not as bad as he describes it.