1 series suspension? Similar to E30 or not?

[Dr Firefly]

Just wondering, as I can't find any info... does the new 1 series have similar suspension set-up etc to the E30? Just I remember the E36 compact does, and when you sit next to the new 1 series at traffic lights etc they seem a similar size... thought it might be a good potential donor in a few years that's all if any parts are compatible?

Would be interesting to drive one actually - do they feel similar to the E30 to drive, with them being the same size? I find the E46 3-series feels very remote to drive when compared to my beloved 320i where you can feel every bump and contour of the ground, and know exactly what every wheel's doing. Be interested to know if they can still make good handling small(ish) cars or if they've forgotten how over the last 20 years...

[Dr Firefly]

Just to add, with the 130i, is that a physically small engine? Surely that would be crying out for an E30 conversion too... complicated electronics though...

[Chris-W]

Suspension is very not E30.

[Dr Firefly]

Really? Thought development-wise it might have been cheaper to just transplant the whole lot from the E30 - surely it would produce a nice handling car...

Just looked at the 1-series on wikepedia - apparently it's bigger than the E30, which surprises me! 1320-1450kg! Isn't the E30 between 1100 to 1250? So perhaps not as good a handler then?

[harry_p]

suspension and tyre technology moves on

the e30 may be fun, but it's suspension design is pretty basic and old tech. the compact used e30 rear stuff as the more complex e36 setup would have left it with a boot the size of a briefcase, and was criticised for it's rear suspension setup by the press when it was released back in the mid 90s.

i'm not suprised in the slightest that bmw desinged something totally new for a car realeased a good 20 years after the e30

[gareth]

doesn't the E30 suspension date back to the E21 too?

[Dr Firefly]

suspension and tyre technology moves on

the e30 may be fun, but it's suspension design is pretty basic and old tech

i'm not suprised in the slightest that bmw desinged something totally new for a car realeased a good 20 years after the e30

Does basic and old tech really matter that much though? Surely it's something that can't have changed that much? I mean some things don't do they? Like i'd imagine all the basic plumbing, piping, etc is pretty similar in modern cars, its just the electronics that have taken off massively. As far as mechanics have they really changed that much outside of the engine?

Ok obviously i don't know that much about suspension technology etc - just from my perspective I've never driven a car that handles as well - haven't driven that many cars though;

1.2 Polo
Series 3 1970s Land Rover (love it, in bits though)
330D E46 BMW
Skoda Fabia 1.4
Saab 9-5 top of the range

Now the E30 pisses on all those as regards handling from my perspective, though it's only the Saab and E46 that are any good. Maybe E30s just better because it's smaller and you can have more fun. And it's less expensive so I'm not as nervous with it.

Was just interested to know if the 1-series is as fun to drive... will have to go for a test-drive sometime.

[maxfield]

Don't forget alot is to do with geomentry.

Shocks these days can adjust to many settings altho the M3 had an option like this.

[Brianmoooore]

Don't forget alot is to do with geometry.
.

It's a lot to do with litigation! You'd never get a car that can bite back like an E30 can past the company lawyers these days.
All has to be fail safe for the most incompetent driver these days!

[billgatese30]

1 series and also the new 3 series are fantastic chassis, try a test drive for your self and feel how nice they can be to drive, much better than the e46 chassis was