BMW could soon bring 1 Series sedan to US

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Standard awd? They said the same about US X1s and yet we have fwd ones now. I'd bet the 1 will offer fwd just to keep the price down.

I was talking about the ~300hp M35i models only with that statement.

[omasou]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I think he meant a 2 Series sedan that shares a platform with the coupe and convertible which will remain RWD for the coming generation while the 1 upcoming F40 1 Series hatchback will join the sedan on the FWD UKL platform.

What I meant was, the odd numbers are suppose to be 4 doors and even numbers are suppose to be 2 doors. But even that get confused by the "grand" coupes.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

That's a good question on the manual - my guess is that whatever dealers are stocking will be 100% ZF or whatever it's supposed to get, but perhaps there will be the standard ordering option for a manual?

Whether or not that's even available might be a sign of things to come on that front...

Our sales guy told me that they've been gently encouraged to only order automatics for all BMWs.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Our sales guy told me that they've been gently encouraged to only order automatics for all BMWs.

Which is consistent with what you typically see at a dealer lot - I wanted to test drive a manual F80, just to see if I wanted to go back that route, and I was informed that every single M vehicle on the lot was DCT.

Basically, they're going to end up phasing them out of the non-M cars completely, at least that's what it feels like to me. And maybe even the M cars at some point. It's all about efficiency and profits related to the manufacturing process...sigh...

[M3 Adjuster]

Ohmigod did BMW finally realize where the market is for a compact sedan ! I've got the vapors !

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by AGAV13

Bad move, just make a 2er sedan.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by ///M4ster Yoda

I wouldn't call all F series cars awful. My RWD F82 M4 is pretty Badass. Just saying.

As are the F80 and F87.

[Tallest]

Originally Posted by antzcrashing

xxxxxxx - Millennials

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Weiman

He's referring to the F40 M135i which will most likely be xDrive only.

Actually, I was referring to the current F52 1 Series sedan (per this thread), but you are correct that their will be an F40 hatchback M135i model as well (and other M35i UKL vehicles too).

By the way, with respect to your use of the word "likely", I think its a foregone conclusion that these M35i UKL products will indeed all be AWD only.

Originally Posted by omasou

What I meant was, the odd numbers are suppose to be 4 doors and even numbers are suppose to be 2 doors. But even that get confused by introducing the "grand" coupes.

I see. Yes, as you point out, GC models and also GT models get even numbers too. It's true that a four door 2 Series would be the first true even numbered sedan if they were to call it "2 Series Sedan", but they could call it a "2 Series Gran Coupe" instead.

[///M4ster Yoda]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

As are the F80 and F87.

Sorry. Yes. Those are badass also

[DrivenByE30]

Originally Posted by 3PedalMINI

Mainly because of the Blue and White Roundel and not the wings...

I've had two minis in my life, 2006 and a 2011. Still to this day a vast majority of Americans have no idea Mini is owned by BMW.

It's all about the brand, nobody cares what they can get and for what. If it has a German badge they feel rich.

I've been to a few Cars and Coffees, the cockiness of the guys (and gals) driving the CLA is astonishing.

This so true.

[pz619]

Originally Posted by goj

The rwd 1er would blow away the Sales of the 3 and 5 GT. Literally no one wants those

Totally agree with this, but I think the bar is pretty low as far as sales volume is concerned. I really feel the GT line is the official car of "meh".

[raysspl]

Originally Posted by antzcrashing

Dont bother bmw, we are busy buying tesla model 3 - Millennials

[///M4ster Yoda]

Originally Posted by pz619

Totally agree with this, but I think the bar is pretty low as far as sales volume is concerned. I really feel the GT line is the official car of "meh".

The GT line is the official car of

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by ///M4ster Yoda

The GT line is the official car of

Which is a shame, because I really like wagons, and we get the GT thingys instead. My sister got an X1 earlier this year, but she really wanted a wagon...remember the M5 estate?

[F22_Alpin_Weiss]

If they sell enough of them, and the upcoming X3, that they can use that money to perfect the model lines the rest of us actually care about (similarly to how Porsche leveraged the Cayenne, and now the Macan), I'm for it.

Let the badge-conscious CLA crowd flock to the FWD 1-series. Just a volume seller for those who don't actually care about cars to keep cool products afloat.

[Kid Red]

Originally Posted by mookie45

Agreed. The CLA for example (intro MB) has done very well. The 1 series can take a good chunk of that market share.

Don't forget about the A3 which also sells well.

[///M4ster Yoda]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Which is a shame, because I really like wagons, and we get the GT thingys instead. My sister got an X1 earlier this year, but she really wanted a wagon...remember the M5 estate?

I agree. Wish we would get the cool wagons that they get in Europe. It's a shame that Americans would rather drive SUVs/Crossovers then a good wagon. Wagons have superior driving dynamics and about the same cargo capacity. I'll never get it. :

[goj]

Originally Posted by pz619

Totally agree with this, but I think the bar is pretty low as far as sales volume is concerned. I really feel the GT line is the official car of "meh".

I agree a hatch can be considered a niche vehicle still. But at least it's a niche that actually exists and not a niche BMW is desperately trying to create

[omasou]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I see. Yes, as you point out, GC models and also GT models get even numbers too. It's true that a four door 2 Series would be the first true even numbered sedan if they were to call it "2 Series Sedan", but they could call it a "2 Series Gran Coupe" instead.

A 2 series grand coupe IMHO would be a total waste of time. Before buying the M2 I sat in the back of 4 series grand coupe and jumped right out before the SA could close the door b/c I was so claustrophobic and very surprised at the comfort of the 2 series rear seats, exact opposite of what I had expected.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by omasou

A 2 series grand coupe IMHO would be a total waste of time. Before buying the M2 I sat in the back of 4 series grand coupe and jumped right out before the SA could close the door b/c I was so claustrophobic and very surprised at the comfort of the 2 series rear seats, exact opposite of what I had expected.

Your account actually suggests that a 2 Series GC would be a reasonable proposition then. If the coupe's back seats are already comfortable, then adding rear doors would give people who drive four door cars the access they expect and need. Not to mention, a GC would likely add few inches of wheelbase which would go primarily toward an even more spacious rear quarters (more leg room).

Remember, despite your experience, the 4 GC has sold well (good enough to help propel 4 Series figures above 3 Series figures in some recent months). Many people just want four seats for kids, and having four doors to make those rear seats easy to use is elementary. It's why sedans outsell four seat coupes by a ratio of something like 10-to-1.

[Gamb1t]

Same 'ol same 'ol. We're like the proverbial frog in a beaker slowly being heated up on a Buntzen burner.

There are much gnashing of teeth going on here and other forums. Best thing to do is vote with your wallet. There's a reason why SUV/CUVs are so popular in North America. Companies are just meeting that demand.

The new Civic type r was a game changer to proof that with good technology and tuning, a FWD platform can out handle a RWD and AWD cars. So who knows, maybe with enough tweaking an M-version of the 1er will be pretty awesome.