1 series - true successor to E30?

[Dr Firefly]

Opinions? Handling, quality etc?

Don't like the looks, but the 130i must be a bit of a beast to drive.

Who's driven one and how does they compare to E30s? Do they feel closer to the E30 than the E90s/ E46s do?

[Frenchy]

Don't like the look of them....period........... the 3 litre probably flies but still ugly!

[Dr Firefly]

Personally think they should reshell them in an E30 shell, and then put E30 suspension on, and change the interior to make it look more like the E30's... in fact maybe they should just start making E30s again.

[Frenchy]

Agreed

[harry_p]

saw some pics somewhere of a 1-series coupe.

probably a lot closer size / proportion wise to the old e30 tan anything else theyve made since, and i thought it looked quite good too. would be tempting if they did one with something like the e46 m3 lump in

[Simon]

Drove an M-sport one the other day, the steering wheel was the best steering wheel I've ever had my hands on, as for everything else...

Unlike the current 5 series, they looked ugly on paper, and still look ugly in the metal!

I'd love a 535d touring with the M-sport package myself.

[Frenchy]

Simon,Sent you a PM re your car ?

[1993E30]

I like the 1-series, its got a good thing going.....rear drive and a 3 litre straight 6, who else dares do this?

Like the styling too, but cant help but feel embarrassed for the people that buy the 116i with plastic wheel trims and back door handles...bit of a victim?

Each to their own.

1993 Lux Cab

[Davenotouring]

No way!

The one series is ugly and uncool.

The 130i is a pretty quick chariot, I had a play with one at the 'Ring driven by a handy Swiss chap, and it was going well.

[maxfield]

Personally think they should reshell them in an E30 shell, and then put E30 suspension on, and change the interior to make it look more like the E30's... in fact maybe they should just start making E30s again.

Why the 1-series will be a much better suspension.

And i bet the interior is much better.

Cars are much better made etc now.

But we love the E30 for many other reasons.

[Dr Firefly]

Personally think they should reshell them in an E30 shell, and then put E30 suspension on, and change the interior to make it look more like the E30's... in fact maybe they should just start making E30s again.

Why the 1-series will be a much better suspension.

And i bet the interior is much better.

Cars are much better made etc now.

But we love the E30 for many other reasons.

Is it really better suspension? Anyone driven one? Nicer handling then an E30 or not?

I don't reckon much to the one-series interior myself - haven't seen one in the flesh, but it looks a bit cheap and tacky in photos, and lots of review have said that.

I'd dispute that they're better made now - my dad's diesel 330d E46 is about the same mileage as my petrol 320i, and he's had a lot of problems with it. Definitely wouldn't put it as better build quality, especially as it's got an 18 year advantage. Also I think the sheer quantity of electronics on them will be a disadvantage for long-term maintenance - what happens in 10 years time when there's one frayed wire somewhere wrecking everything? Surely they'll be so expensive to trouble-shoot they'll end up getting scrapped.

I agree with you about loving the E30s though - I don't think they could ever build new E30s with all the electronic gizmos etc - the beauty of them is that they're basic but that all the luxuries, OBCs, cruise control, heated seats etc can still be fitted fairly simply. Though if they did build a new one I'd be first in line... would love a factory built one with a modern 3.0l in In fact lets send a petition anyway asking them to start up the production lines! Just for zoners for now...

[Davenotouring]

Handling on newer cars in general has improved vastly.

I would write more, but I am going to bed, up in 1.5 hours to drive to Germany.

Laters!

[maxfield]

Would prefer a brand new sport evo!

4cyl rightness

Technology has improved vastly in 20 years - look at mobile phones 20 years ago and look at them now look at tvs etc.

[Brianmoooore]

I'd love a 535d touring with the M-sport package myself.

There's a saloon version of this parked outside my door right now! It's got its attractions, but it's no E30.

[BAUR335I]

Worked with a tool fitter from Fords,and unfortunately for any car manufacturer to make these kind of cars now would not be A-profitable and B-pass there road safety checks.Its a pity really seen as the v.w beetle and campervan still get made new in Mexico and imported. Who has the press for e30's.

[Jhonno]

1 series is a nice car, rides pretty hard from the factory esp with the m-sport package. Handling is better than an e30 in fact pretty much everything is, but the fact its not an e30 is the issue to some..

[johnna]

A 1 series five door looks very much like a touring to me.

plus 1's are about as aerodynamic as a brick... just like the e30!

[Dr Firefly]

but the fact its not an e30 is the issue to some..

Lol there's quite a few cars I've seen that have that problem

[maxfield]

I'd love a 535d touring with the M-sport package myself.

There's a saloon version of this parked outside my door right now! It's got its attractions, but it's no E30.

Would love one with a remap

[Brianmoooore]

This one's an ex demonstrator from the local dealership, and has loads of extras.
Don't know what it weighs, but it ain't light. Had it on my ramp last week repairing damage to the lower front.
Took twenty minutes to get it on the ramp because of the ground clearance, and it didn't half make the ramp groan as it lifted it.
Front end seemed to be all bits of flimsy plastic bolted to other equally flimsy and fragile bits of plastic. Undertray resembled something out of a chocolate box, and about as strong!

[Dr Firefly]

According to wikepedia it's between 1320-1450kg depending on the model! Isn't the E30 between 1100 to 1250 or thereabouts?

[gazm3]

Drove an M-sport one the other day, the steering wheel was the best steering wheel I've ever had my hands on, as for everything else...

Unlike the current 5 series, they looked ugly on paper, and still look ugly in the metal!

I'd love a 535d touring with the M-sport package myself.

My dads just shelled out 42k on the E60 535d saloon Msport with everying individual. Its stands out big time from the usual motorway 5. Still ugly.

[Jhonno]

5 series is a great looking car!! Aggressive as hell front end, with Xenons and the angles eyes and sport kit.. (its the e60 btw, e90/91/92 is the new 3 series.

[Cyril]

I've a 130i and recently got an e30 m3 so here's a comparison-
Appearance - 130i is a bit funny looking whatever way you look at it, best with the m sport bodykit and it grows on you but it'll never be a classic shape like the e30.
Driving - 130 pulls well from low revs, loads of torque and then flies from about 4k, always smooth, lovely engine.
Standard ride is harsh on runflats (I changed to non runflat wheels and tyres from an e46 which has improved both ride and handling as it's much less keen to skip sideways over ruts on corners). Steering sharp, turn in is good, safe handling and you can turn off the stablity control but there is no standard LSD even on the m sport.
Interior is nice, rear seat space minimal, feels solid.

By comparison the e30 m3 feels raw, sharper handling, more feel in the steering, louder, more fragile - it is 19 years older but it feels like you it would wreck you in a crash whereas the 130 feels massively solider and safer.
The m3 engine feels rougher (it is a four, but it feels rough even for a four), there's much less torque but when it picks up it also flies after about 4k rpm and the rev limit is higher.
Handling in the m3 is just so much more direct, the 130 feels aloof compared to it, even though it is one of the best handling of modern hot hatches, just shows how times have changed.
Only one is special.

[zimmerbimmer1]

hows this then The 1 series 3 door may soon have a very nice engine.

Yes on the track very grippy and quick. But its really for 2 adults and 2 kids as there is F**K all room in the rear

Oh yes, they have shoe horned in the new 3 litre twin turbo engine and testing it to see if any good for the
public

[Andyboy]

I'm not a fan of them. They just don't have any of the old BMW character at all and 130i aside you're better off with a Golf for a lot less money. The 116i is a shocking piece of crap for £16 large.

The E36 Compact was as close as BMW got to making another E30 although the E46 version was a bit of a flop (good car though).

[stuartgallafant]

i dont care what anyone says, the 1 series is an amazing car, albeit ugly!!

the handling is absolutely impeccable, especially with the M-Sport package. Its got the 5 point multi link rear suspension, as does the E90, 91, 92 and E93. The 120d and the 130i are the ones to go for.

and as much as I love all things E30, there is nothing you could do to one to make it handle like a 1 series. i HATED the 1 at first, but after giving loads of them SO much abuse, you grow to love it very quickly

The new E81 3 door 1 series looks better. The Andy Priaux Special is quite cool, with a kit, uprated suspension, 3.0 straight six, motorsport wheels and steering wheel and even a one-off start/stop button!!!

i feel a bit sorry for the 1, as its such an underrated car, with loads of potential. bit of an underdog really

[Jhonno]

i dont care what anyone says, the 1 series is an amazing car, albeit ugly!!

the handling is absolutely impeccable, especially with the M-Sport package. Its got the 5 point multi link rear suspension, as does the E90, 91, 92 and E93. The 120d and the 130i are the ones to go for.

and as much as I love all things E30, there is nothing you could do to one to make it handle like a 1 series. i HATED the 1 at first, but after giving loads of them SO much abuse, you grow to love it very quickly

The new E81 3 door 1 series looks better. The Andy Priaux Special is quite cool, with a kit, uprated suspension, 3.0 straight six, motorsport wheels and steering wheel and even a one-off start/stop button!!!

i feel a bit sorry for the 1, as its such an underrated car, with loads of potential. bit of an underdog really

+1

[Andyboy]

i dont care what anyone says, the 1 series is an amazing car, albeit ugly!!

the handling is absolutely impeccable, especially with the M-Sport package. Its got the 5 point multi link rear suspension, as does the E90, 91, 92 and E93. The 120d and the 130i are the ones to go for.

and as much as I love all things E30, there is nothing you could do to one to make it handle like a 1 series. i HATED the 1 at first, but after giving loads of them SO much abuse, you grow to love it very quickly

The new E81 3 door 1 series looks better. The Andy Priaux Special is quite cool, with a kit, uprated suspension, 3.0 straight six, motorsport wheels and steering wheel and even a one-off start/stop button!!!

i feel a bit sorry for the 1, as its such an underrated car, with loads of potential. bit of an underdog really

Hmmm. And for a few quid more you can have an E90 saloon which is a much better car. I fail to see how the 1 Series is better than the E46 Compact which was also a very sharp handling car with such advantages as rearward vision and rear legroom. The 1 Series is like driving a post box and the packaging is totally unacceptable. Sorry, but at four cylinder levels the Golf is a better all round car and it handles very well indeed (as does the Ford Focus).

[stuartgallafant]

Andy, I agree with the E90 and the Golf, however, I wouldn't go near a Ford. The E46 Compact was just F*CKING UGLY, FAR worse than the 1 series and the end of the day, I think its just a gay car!! Men drive saloons and coupes, women drive gay little hatchbacks like Compacts. A very personal opinion, but, I dont give a sh1t!! Plenty of rear legroom in the 1 series and the chassis is a far greater design with far more sharpness, rigidity, control, feedback and forgiveness. I also feel it is over priced, however, that hasnt stopped them selling like hot cakes!!

[Andyboy]

Plenty of rear legroom in the 1 series

If your name is Douglas Bader. However I had to ship myself and 4 other geezers to the Donington BMW show a couple of years back in a 116i - no way did it have enough legroom.

It sells okay but nowhere near as well as the E36 Compact did. The E46 was a bit of a sales flop and the 1 Series, although selling better than the E46 Compact has never hit the targets set by its masters. The problem is that for the price of a shit 1 Series on steels, punters can nip next door and buy a very well equipped Mini Cooper or a basic Cooper S. And for a bit more they can buy a 3 Series - BMW answered a question nobody was really asking!

As for Fords - these days they're every bit as reliable as a German car. Well, made in Cologne, they would be. The current Focus isn't as sharp looking as the old one but it's still a formidable bit of kit and the TDCi is very good.
The only cars I think are genuinely crap are Vauxhalls (council) and Fiats (Italian) but that's only going on the garbage they made a few years ago.

[hubble]

Just recently had a 1 series from the dealers last week. Build quality so, so, but no way on this earth a true successor to the E30.
A million miles apart. Even the Sport version was lame.

116i retail £20,000.....sorry did I just say £20,000?? somebody get me the smelling salts.

Enough Said.

[hubble]

Plenty of rear legroom in the 1 series

The only cars I think are genuinely crap are Vauxhalls (council) and Fiats (Italian) but that's only going on the garbage they made a few years ago.

Excuse me Andyboy, you may want to rephrase the 'Italian' line

[Andyboy]

Plenty of rear legroom in the 1 series

The only cars I think are genuinely crap are Vauxhalls (council) and Fiats (Italian) but that's only going on the garbage they made a few years ago.

Excuse me Andyboy, you may want to rephrase the 'Italian' line

I've no respect for any of the Italian stuff anymore, it's just cheap crap wrapped up in a pretty looking shell. Time was when an Italian car was a crap body containing some really sophisticated mechanicals, when run of the mill Fiats and Alfas had twin cam engines and five speed boxes, five link rear axles and Lancias had all alloy V4 motors.

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Plenty of rear legroom in the 1 series

If your name is Douglas Bader.

Hahahahahahahaha My laptop is now two tone. Silver and coffee!!!