BMW 1 series Drop Top

[Poverty]

First Pictures

At the upcoming Geneva Motor Show BMW will release the sporty three-door variant of the current 1 Series model which so far was available as a five-door only.

However, this will not be the only variant of BMW’s smallest model, here are the very first pictures of the future 1 Series Cabrio, taken during a short test drive in Munich’s city traffic. The prototype in the photos still has some BMW typical disguise on, yet clearly visible is the canvas top.

While the 1 Series sporty three door will be in the dealerships coming this summer, the convertible’s launch cannot be expected before at least a year from now.

 

[Amemiya]

Cool.

 

[niky]

Is that front end a disguise? Looks like an improvement.

But I do say, that cloth top looks perfectly proportioned. I'm reserving judgement on the coupe's body style till we see one
"in the flesh", but I'm hopeful they won't mess it up.

 

[backspace]

Cool.

Stop posting that crap.


The car is pretty heavily disguised, but from these pictures I can't imagine it looking good.

 

[Ev0]

Ladies and gentlemen, the answer to a question nobody asked. The 1 series cabrio.

How has the normal 1 series been selling overseas anyways? I'd assume poorly because of its absurd pricetag.

 

[YSSMAN]

Wassent this car supposed to come out like back in 2003? I seem to remember the 1-series convertable being all over the pages of most American car magazines...

Hey if its a BMW thats cheap and performs well, its going to sell well wherever it goes. I hope it comes stateside...

 

[niky]

Ladies and gentlemen, the answer to a question nobody asked. The 1 series cabrio.

How has the normal 1 series been selling overseas anyways? I'd assume poorly because of its absurd pricetag.

You'd be surprised. It's obviously not selling as well as the Mini, but I'm seeing a lot of them around.

It's like the old 3-series... anyone will pay absurd amounts of money for a relatively small car just for the badge.

I think the 1-series hatch was the answer to the question nobody asked. The 1-series coupe-cabrio question would be "Why didn't they just do this in the first place!?!".

 

[a6m5]

Looks very promising. I want those wheels.

 

[SRV2LOW4ME]

I agree, nice rims, and alright looking body lines. Its all going to come down to whats under the masks to say whether or not I like it for sure.

 

[ExigeEvan]

That's too heavily masked to judge IMO.

I've seen a few 1 series'. There was one down teh road that I walk past to get to school, I think they have an SLK now though

 

[JohnBM01]

It seems like a nice package, but until we see it at a car show, see its close-to-production model in a magazine or anything like that, we can only speculate. If a car isn't doing too well, then coming up with different models could help. But if this car is selling as well as the 2000-ish Ford Thunderbird, then maybe this will offer a spark to the baby BMWs, the 1 series.

 

[Onikaze]

Nice, now I want to see a 1/2 Coupe.

Followed by an M version, and a CSL.

 

[Poverty]

It's like the old 3-series... anyone will pay absurd amounts of money for a relatively small car just for the badge.

The old 3 series was worth every penny.

 

[niky]

The old 3 series was worth every penny.

I meant the 316. The 320-330 were all great cars, but buying an E90 316i just meant you had the money to spend on the BMW roundel and not much else.

That's basically the selling point of the 116 and 118... you're paying a lot of money for the badge and just a tiny smidgeon of the BMW driving experience.

They'll impress other people who think like that, but most other people would either spend more and get a practical BMW (like the new 3-series) or spend the same amount of money and get a faster and roomier Japanese compact.

But there are enough aspiring badge buyers out there to keep the 1-series rolling off the showroom floors.

 

[Wolfe]

Since when does the BMW driving experience consist of a stop-light dragrace? The 116i and 118i deliver just as much handling prowess as their bigger brothers.

Also, there isn't an E90 316i, only a 318i, which, interestingly enough, would run almost exactly side-by-side with my car in a drag race...

 

[niky]

True, BMWs aren't really about stoplight drags (amazing how many idiots still say M3s suck because they're not sub-five cars )... but you can get much for your money for the price of a 316i.

EDITED: MY MISTAKE... I meant the E46... sorry! I'd hit a 318 or a 320, definitely, but the 316 was definitely very little car for a lot of money... especially since the E46 body was kind of heavy for the engine. It had very little of the luxury features that its six cylinder brothers had, and owners complained about the tepid performance.

I'm not sold on the 116i or 118i. If they're going to give us small BMWs with small engines, make them lighter please... and lose the useless rear seats.

I still smile when I see a 120i... because I think it's a fun drive, and possibly worth the money.

 

[Robin]

An M1 version would be quite amazing.... but I dont know if there would be any money it is as you could probably get a better BMW for the money or a cheaper hot hatch.....

 

[High-Test]

I was waiting for the repeat of the eye melting I recieved from the regular 1 series, but this one is pretty cool. It's way too masked, though.

 

[Onikaze]

130i > Your pants

Really, its like a Revival of the E36 cars.

A 230i would make me cream myself.

Wonder if that 3.0 TT engine would fit...235ti? <Yes, please>

 

[240Z]

Eh, I'd buy the 3-door (especially in 130i or even M form), but not the Cabrio. I've never been a fan of convertibles, especially when there is a fixed-roof version avaliable.

 

[Wolfe]

True, BMWs aren't really about stoplight drags (amazing how many idiots still say M3s suck because they're not sub-five cars )... but you can get much for your money for the price of a 316i.

EDITED: MY MISTAKE... I meant the E46... sorry! I'd hit a 318 or a 320, definitely, but the 316 was definitely very little car for a lot of money... especially since the E46 body was kind of heavy for the engine. It had very little of the luxury features that its six cylinder brothers had, and owners complained about the tepid performance.

I'm not sold on the 116i or 118i. If they're going to give us small BMWs with small engines, make them lighter please... and lose the useless rear seats.

I still smile when I see a 120i... because I think it's a fun drive, and possibly worth the money.

Okay, I'll admit that the E46 316i was going a little too far (apparently BMW agreed )...

Also, I definitely agree that the 1er should be lighter (and cheaper).