Vs Auto Express: 1-Series Coupé vs rivals

[Centurion]

I don't understand how they can compare the 1 coupe with a TT wich is one class upper.

You have to understand that a potential 135i buyer will look at a handful of similar cars before sealing the deal.

At the moment the 135i doesn't have an identical archnemesis from another manufacturer. Since the 135i cost close to 40k one will naturally look at TT/Z4 and the E92/A5. Simply can't ignore those alternatives since they are closely related to the 135i and come at a similar price.

The 135i reception has been uniform. The magazines like it but don't find it to be amazing. Looking at it from a critical point of view one can understand why it was ranked 3rd in this comparison. Everything about it is a bit half and half.

Interior: It's almost sub premium and is not on a par in terms of styling with the TT, A4 or E92. Very functional but not exclusive.

Exterior: As with the interior doesn't match cars in the same price.

Size: It's a 2+2 but not nearly as roomy as the E92. Neither is it as premium and exclusive as the expensive looking E92.

Weight: In relation to the size it can't be considered a light car and doesn't offer the same dynamics as genuine sports car like the TT, Z4 or Boxster.

Overall the car is stuck between different worlds and when evaluating everything about it doesn't score a ten on the scale. The car is good but not perfect, especially when you look at the hefty price tags. Other cars like the TT, Golf and E92 can't be ignored since a 135i buyer will look into those as well.

 

[Mr Robert]

The 135i reception has been uniform. The magazines like it but don't find it to be amazing. Looking at it from a critical point of view one can understand why it was ranked 3rd in this comparison. Everything about it is a bit half and half.

The reception has been quite uniform apart from this article. This is a thrashing compared to the others.

 

[Centurion]

The reception has been quite uniform apart from this article. This is a thrashing compared to the others.

Yeah there is a little bashing here and there in this Auto Express comparison.

 

[castagna]

True rival for TT is Z4 Coupe, not 1er.
What I reacted to was their comments on the steering and the "chuncky" gearbox. There is absolutly no wrong with that. Who won the comparison, I dont care about.

I have tested the 120d 5dr (163 hp), the 120i 5dr (150 hp) and the 118d 3dr (143 hp) and I completely agree with their comments about the steering, the gearbox and the suspension. And the cabin is horrible, a really unpleasant place to be in

 

[Zafiro]

I have tested the 120d 5dr (163 hp), the 120i 5dr (150 hp) and the 118d 3dr (143 hp) and I completely agree with their comments about the steering, the gearbox and the suspension.

and I driven them too and I dont agree a single bit. Beats many other cars I've driven.

and you castagna, havent changed a bit.

 

[bmer]

And the cabin is horrible, a really unpleasant place to be in

It's completely your own decision but I recommend you try to avoid comments like this because they can have a negative effect on your credibility. You could have said you don't like it instead.

 

[Benzboi_inoz]

Oh Dear

A BMW/Mercedes/Audi didn't win an Automotive review, or got 'beat' by some Japanese piece of kit.

Big deal.

The BMW didn't win.

It's still a nice car.

Not perfect, unless it's exact balance of design compromises fit you to a tee.

Get over it.

It's just a brand of car, not a personal insult.

Unless of course you feel that your choosen brand of car is your rite of passage claim to having some seemingly credible sense of identity or social recognition.

In which case, you need to get out more...lol....

Like I say, and tongue in cheek with my above comments, it's just a brand of car, taken in the greater scheme of life, and shouldn't be taken too seriously.

regards

Jon...

 

[castagna]

It's completely your own decision but I recommend you try to avoid comments like this because they can have a negative effect on your credibility. You could have said you don't like it instead.

Are you telling me not to express my opinion? Are you the censor of the site? If you don't want to read things like that go to a BMW forum, where all the Bimmers are perfect.

I'm tired of the BMW "polizeis" who can't stand other people's opinion and say them how they have to think.

 

[Zafiro]

Are you telling me not to express my opinion? Are you the censor of the site? If you don't want to read things like that go to a BMW forum, where all the Bimmers are perfect.

I'm tired of the BMW "polizeis" who can't stand other people's opinion and say them how they have to think.

Here on this place we show respect to each others and if you dont like it then there are many other places on the net to visit.

BTW I have gone through all your 27 posts and to me it looks like you joined this place for one special reason. Dont be so negative all the time, then you will gain respect.

 

[bmer]

Are you telling me not to express my opinion? Are you the censor of the site? If you don't want to read things like that go to a BMW forum, where all the Bimmers are perfect.

I'm tired of the BMW "polizeis" who can't stand other people's opinion and say them how they have to think.

Nobody is telling you not to express your opinion. But on our forum it should be done in a civilized way and not by claiming something that is simply not true.

 

[castagna]

Nobody is telling you not to express your opinion. But on our forum it should be done in a civilized way and not by claiming something that is simply not true.

It is not true for you, you are not in possesion of the truth. I know which were my feelings while testing the 1er models, and those weren't good at all, sorry.

 

[Mr Robert]

It is not true for you, you are not in possesion of the truth. I know which were my feelings while testing the 1er models, and those weren't good at all, sorry.

Of course you know what you feel, that is not the point. It's the way you present it, which is very poor and provocative. Maybe you are not able to express yourself better than this and then you should really try to get a hang of it if you want to be taken seriously. Right now you are only regarded as a screaming kid...

Furthermore, and on the subject, I have the oppisite experience from yours, the 1-series has the most involving and communicative sterring and feel in it's class. It would be very interesting to know what your references are.

 

[castagna]

Of course you know what you feel, that is not the point. It's the way you present it, which is very poor and provocative. Maybe you are not able to express yourself better than this and then you should really try to get a hang of it if you want to be taken seriously. Right now you are only regarded as a screaming kid...

Furthermore, and on the subject, I have the oppisite experience from yours, the 1-series has the most involving and communicative sterring and feel in it's class. It would be very interesting to know what your references are.

Only a few people say that the 1-series steering is communicative (are they objective enough? I don't think so ); precise? yes, communicative? not at all. Steering feel is not exactly the strongest point of modern BMWs and confort with the run-flats is another of the weakest points of those cars. And talking about the gearbox, you only have test, for instancce, a Miata, to realise that 1-series gearboxes are not really that good.

About the cabin...cramped, hard plastics here and there, mediocre design (IMHO) and luckily after the re-styling they changed details like this:

View attachment a5d63deea5ff655d61e6724c914ee590.jpg

That provoke situations like this:

View attachment 7588d61df27bc3db8795ef6c02079b57.jpg

 

[bmer]

It is not true for you, you are not in possesion of the truth. I know which were my feelings while testing the 1er models, and those weren't good at all, sorry.

The problem is that you state your opinion in an exaggerating and provocative way. And that's never a good way to start constructive discussions.

 

[Zafiro]

Only a few people say that the 1-series steering is communicative (are they objective enough? I don't think so ); precise? yes, communicative? not at all. Steering feel is not exactly the strongest point of modern BMWs and confort with the run-flats is another of the weakest points of those cars. And talking about the gearbox, you only have test, for instancce, a Miata, to realise that 1-series gearboxes are not really that good.

Steering and gearbox is just fine. I drove both GTI and R32 and the 1er isnt inferior to them. The gearbox thats included in M-package is tight and exact and with shortshifts and the steering is better than the GTI. Also the manual gearbox is better than any Mercedes. And talking about Miata here, well then Audi/Vw/MB/Volvo/Ford use bad gearboxes as well and not only BMW. But I rather compare the gearbox with similar cars like Golf, C30, A3, MB C Sportcoupe and then gearbox in 1er comes on top.

Plastic? there isnt more plastic than in the GTI and after the facelift the interior is now on pair with Audi A3.

Cabin cramped? not compare to an Audi TT. In the backseat two adults fit just fine, good headspace. I transport three adults almost on daily basis and for 40 minutes ride and noone has complained. Its not like a 5-series but its not bad for a car in this size.

Only thing I agree with you is about the runflats but the rest isnt what I've experienced.

I dont feel uncomfortable inside, I enjoy every minute with my car. One of the best cars I've ever driven and I have driven a lot of cars in my life.

May I remind this is a thread about 1-serie, TT and Golf GTI and not Mazda Miata.


Castagna, what car do you drive/own?

 

[Mr Robert]

Only a few people say that the 1-series steering is communicative (are they objective enough? I don't think so ); precise? yes, communicative? not at all. Steering feel is not exactly the strongest point of modern BMWs and confort with the run-flats is another of the weakest points of those cars. And talking about the gearbox, you only have test, for instancce, a Miata, to realise that 1-series gearboxes are not really that good.

About the cabin...cramped, hard plastics here and there, mediocre design (IMHO) and luckily after the re-styling they changed details like this:

I totally agree with you regarding the interior face lift, that was badly needed!

Am I correct when asuming that your point of reference when it comes to steering feel and precision is the Miata? In that case I also have to agree with you, because that is in many respects a sports car and the points you make are very true. But if you compare the 1-series with other cars like for instance the Audi A3, Golf V and Alfa Brera I think it will fare really well!


Only a few people say that the 1-series steering is that bad (are they objective enough? I don't think so )

 

[castagna]

I've tested the SEAT León 2.0 TDI and altough the engine was quite inferior compared to BMWs diesel engines, I liked the steering and gearbox more and specially the suspension had a much better compromise between sportiness and confort than the 1-series suspension. The SEAT cabin was as a bad as the 1-series cabin but there was clearly more space inside.

 

[Mr Robert]

I've tested the SEAT León 2.0 TDI and altough the engine was quite inferior compared to BMWs diesel engines, I liked the steering and gearbox more and specially the suspension had a much better compromise between sportiness and confort than the 1-series suspension. The SEAT cabin was as a bad as the 1-series cabin but there was clearly more space inside.

Then maybe you and I have different opinions regarding what goes and what don't. I have'nt driven the current León but other VAG-siblings are not at all as sporty and balanced in the steering and chassis department as the 1-series, in my opinion that is.

 

[Zafiro]

I've tested the SEAT León 2.0 TDI and altough the engine was quite inferior compared to BMWs diesel engines, I liked the steering and gearbox more and specially the suspension had a much better compromise between sportiness and confort than the 1-series suspension. The SEAT cabin was as a bad as the 1-series cabin but there was clearly more space inside.

I've driven a Seat too and it was worse than Golf GTI, particulary the interior. We all have different opinions and whats count the most is what your own feelings are. No other can decide for you.
----------

Now for everyone, lets not involve other cars in this thread, its between TT, GTI and 135i. Off-topic ends here!

 

[klier]

Like expected the TT came on top. The 135i is nothing but a smaller 335i, a small GT. The Z4, TT or Boxster are better choices if you want to go all the way. The 135i is a bit in between. It's not a practical coupe and it's not a full blood sports car either.

You made me lol.

The 135i is much more of a sportscar than any version of the TT, period.
Much faster, and probably better in braking, handling, steering as well.

But to each his own For me, 135i has ABSOLUTELY no competition. Zip zero non.