[aznshrek88]

Okay so I got one for you guys. The 1 series just released in the US and I'm not hating but MSRP is 34k, while a 335 is 40k...so if your paying 34 for a smaller car, what really differentiates the product from a 335?

See what I always understood about BMW was that price = number so the 3 was about 30k 5 was about 50k and the 7 was about 50k, which is mostly true...I expected the 1 to come in around 25-30k for an entry level BMW, but its so high.

What audience is the 1-series appealing too and why would you take a 1 over a 3?

Just a dumb question, guess i got a case of the Mondays!

[Year's_End]

I honestly don't know what demographic the car is marketed at. The 135i specifically would be a good tuner project, but the 128i is hellaexpensive for what it's worth.

[Michael Schott]

The 135 is not the entry level 1 series. That would be the 128 which I believe starts at $28K.

Thanks, Mike.

[John 070]

Maybe in Europe the differential is greater? It does seem like the 1 Series doesn't have a place in the US market. But who knows, maybe if someone stretched their finances to the limit on a 1, they cannot spend another 5k for a 3, i.e. 1 fills the need. But it does so remind me of a 318ti. Years from now it may be an oddball and "not a real BMW."

[karliejai]

in the end, its still a bmw

[aznshrek88]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

The 135 is not the entry level 1 series. That would be the 128 which I believe starts at $28K.

Thanks, Mike.

Yea Mike, but even at 28k, isnt the 328i 30kish? I don't understand how you can price something so close and still expect sales to be the same, especially if your losing so much space for a little expensive project.

[batchelorc]

Smaller cars win in Europe. Try driving down some of those city streets in an F150... Also not sure who the 1 series is being marketed at in US..

[CRZ410S]

The purpose of the 1 series is to attract young 20 somethings into the BMW family at an attrative price point. In theory, they will be future 3,5, and 7 series drivers. Mercedes has done this for years with there 190, 230, etc. Call it planting the seed and letting it grow...

[Michael Schott]

Originally Posted by aznshrek88

Yea Mike, but even at 28k, isnt the 328i 30kish? I don't understand how you can price something so close and still expect sales to be the same, especially if your losing so much space for a little expensive project.

As a 3 series owner I agree with you that the prices are too close. I doubt that BMW is too worried about it though. The markets are probably different enough to have much effect of 3 series sales. Those of us on a 3 series forum are predisposed to that car but buyers off the street probably are looking for a small sports coupe that saves them a few bucks.

Thanks, Mike.

[ArmyBimmerDude]

Originally Posted by batchelorc

Smaller cars win in Europe. Try driving down some of those city streets in an F150.

+1 Absolutely

[JO3]

Mike is right, the 128 is going to be the bread and butter entry level BMW. The 135 is going to be a pretty niche car IMO. It's for those who want a really sporty, and really small car. From what I've seen at 1addicts, these are people who can afford more expensive cars, but choose the 135 based on size and performance.

I fell in this category of 135 demographic as well. Until I priced a 135 with the options I wanted, it came out to $48k! For only $2k more I could have a 335 coupe similarly equipped. The small differential in price, combined with the small differential in the weight of the car made me think twice about the 135. Finally, when I saw one in person, it made up my mind to get the 335. About 5 years ago I would have been all for a more focused sports coupe. But at this point in my life, I'll enjoy my GT car with more space and luxury amenities.

[MontegoblueE92]

My thoughts on this were that there was a thread about a month ago that BMW was raising the prices of all their vehicles in the coming year to make up for how week the US dollar is. I figured maybe the 1 was the first vehicle to have that mark up? I don't know, but when a base 135 and a base 328 cost the same amount, that's a little crazy.

[ska///235i]

I like the 1er, but i doubt i will ever buy one at that price range.

I'm glad bmw made the 1 series (in the usa), it makes the 3 non-entry level anymore..ahahahaha

[Briar]

For this price - consider the Mini Cooper, it is a quality vehicle worthy of checking out.

[Comet]

Originally Posted by Briar

For this price - consider the Mini Cooper, it is a quality vehicle worthy of checking out.

it is exactly who this car is aimed at.. mini drivers

except now u get the real BMW badge on it

[Limegrntaln]

I dont necessarily agree with the pricing, but Im glad BMW priced it out of the way of the Camry and the Accord. Otherwise you would see alot more of them on the road and in my opinion its twice the car. More middle class and more exclusive. 48K for a loaded 1er is a little much more like $40K max.

[herbz]

Originally Posted by aznshrek88

Yea Mike, but even at 28k, isnt the 328i 30kish? I don't understand how you can price something so close and still expect sales to be the same, especially if your losing so much space for a little expensive project.

Dude, seriously. It's not hard to type in "328i MSRP" into google and find out that the 328 starts at 35-36k. not 30k. the 128i starts at 29k. thats over 6k of a difference. add one or 2 options to the 328i and you're already at 40k.

To answer your question about demographic. The 1 series replaces what the 3 series used to be. the 3 series is as big as a 5 series now. The 5 series will be phased out in the future, since the 3 series will keep getting bigger till its effectively a 5 series. the 3 will replace the 5er.

[ZJP]

Originally Posted by CRZ410S

The purpose of the 1 series is to attract young 20 somethings into the BMW family at an attrative price point. In theory, they will be future 3,5, and 7 series drivers. Mercedes has done this for years with there 190, 230, etc. Call it planting the seed and letting it grow...

Bingo.

It's a stepping stone to something greater, i.e. maybe an M3 or M5 sometime down the road.