OFFICIAL: 1-Series Convertible

[RikfromBelgium]

^good try.. but now it looks like a bastard..

well than, you should like it even more

 

[LaArtist]

^why

 

[bmer]

I get the feeling there's only one antenna. Seems like the shark-fin antenna is purely cosmetic. I think the shark-fin has become a new BMW design 'trademark' (ala kidney grille, hoffmeister kink, and so on), so they're incorporating that design feature, even if it doesn't really serve a purpose on some models.

Maybe Eni or Scott can confirm my thoughts on it being cosmetic here?

** Edit: Just curious guys, where exactly is the antenna for the 6er and 3er cabs? .. and why couldn't the 1er cab have it so well hidden like its older siblings?

I find it weird if it only has a visual function as the other 3er & 6er Cabrios don't have it. Maybe the 3er & 6er Cabrio have the antenna integrated into the windshield like the Audi A6.

 

[EnI]

I find it weird if it only has a visual function as the other 3er & 6er Cabrios don't have it. Maybe the 3er & 6er Cabrio have the antenna integrated into the windshield like the Audi A6.

True.

Radio AM / AM antennas are integrated in windshields (except in 1er & Z4 - where classic antenna stick is used).

While functional shark fin antenna is needed for eg. cell phone (BMW Assist), satellite radio etc.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

While functional shark fin antenna is needed for eg. cell phone (BMW Assist), satellite radio etc.

If that's the case, then where is the shark-fin for the 6er and 3er cabs?

When the 3er cab was being tested it had the shark-fin on the bootlid like the 1er cab has, but the production ready 3er cab no longer had it. Confusing.

 

[Matt530i]

If that's the case, then where is the shark-fin for the 6er and 3er cabs?

When the 3er cab was being tested it had the shark-fin on the bootlid like the 1er cab has, but the production ready 3er cab no longer had it. Confusing.

All the promotional pics seem to not have the shark-fin on the bootlid, but I've seen a 3er cab irl with one on the bootlid. Perhaps it's as Eni suggested, the shark fin only appears when you order satellite radio and/or BMW assist.

 

[siko]

1er Cabrio Promo Video:

BMW E87/E88 1-Series Video Gallery

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Excellent job BMW! They have really left Mercedes biting the dust in the small car category.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

All the promotional pics seem to not have the shark-fin on the bootlid, but I've seen a 3er cab irl with one on the bootlid. Perhaps it's as Eni suggested, the shark fin only appears when you order satellite radio and/or BMW assist.

After a little more researching,.. yep, you're right Matt (and Eni), the 3er cab' does have the shark-fin, and yep, it's placed smack-bang in the middle of the rear-deck.

Stupid me. My apologise.

 

[Merc1]

Really a let down for me, looks like an open bath tub. Though I'm sure it will be a bit hit here in the U.S. and there is a lot of room under the 328i Cabrio for this thing to sell.

M

 

[SDNR]

I really like this car. I think it is going to be a huge success for BMW.

 

[SDNR]

Really a let down for me, looks like an open bath tub.

M

Hmm, well that's a problem many convertibles suffer from.

 

[Merc1]

Hmm, well that's a problem many convertibles suffer from.


A little OT for a second: this was probably the most bathtub-looking car ever created.

Well I disagree with that Rob. Only the older Saabs really had that problem to me and that was because they had that rising hip-line. Anyway, the Audi you posted looked great in its day. My problem with the 1-Series is that body crease at the top that stick out from the body and that sagging cut line at the bottom, looks awful. Though BMW for some reason seems to pic some of the worst colors for official pics nowadays. Some of the dark color pics from LLN look a little better.



M

 

[SDNR]

My problem with the 1-Series is that body crease at the top that stick out from the body and that sagging cut line at the bottom, looks awful. Though BMW for some reason seems to pic some of the worst colors for official pics nowadays. Some of the dark color pics from LLN look a little better.



M

Interesting, I quite like that bold crease/ridge that runs along the top of the body.

The sagging line is something BMW have been do for a while now, the Rolls-Royces have it too (in a more subtle way) -- I am not particularly crazy about it either -- but somehow it seems like a logical aspect of the design ....I mean, it seems to work with the overall styling of the vehicle.

 

[Merc1]

Interesting, I quite like that bold crease/ridge that runs along the top of the body.

The sagging line is something BMW have been do for a while now, the Rolls-Royces have it too -- I am not particularly crazy about it either -- but somehow it seems like a logical aspect of the design ....I mean, it seems to work with the overall styling of the vehicle.

Well I guess if you're going to have that bulge up top, a sag down below goes with it. That doesn't sound right, but ok.

M

 

[Beemer B773ER]

The reason why BMW's have that sag-line down low is try and make the car not seem so big. It's more a visual trick than any thing else. If the BMW's didn't have that sag-line, the car would seem very tall on the sides. The most recent example of a car which suffers from not having that lower sag-line is the Lexus IS.



Because the IS doesn't have a lower crease along the side, the whole side of the car looks very tall/stretch and also very bland.

By having that crease it makes the 1er's doors not seem so big. It's a very interesting and clever way to make the car seem skinnier and smaller than it really is. Also, BMW use this upper-crease and lower-crease combination to create that 'stretched sheetmetal' look. I remember the designer ofthe 5er said he got this 'stretched sheetmetal' inspiration from the Zeppelin Airships. Have a look and you'll kinda see what he was talking about:



This whole upper and lower-crease effect to make the car seem slimmer and sportier is something MB and Audi also use.

I agree with Rob that Audi convertible's really look like bathtubs. Not sure why the 1er cab's overall shape should be a suprise, it's virtually the CS1 Concept they showed to us at the 2002 Geneva Motorshow.

 

[Merc1]

I see what you and Rob are saying here, but I can't stand the way it looks. The IS does suffer a slab-sided look for those very reasons you gave though.

M

 

[Beemer B773ER]

I see what you and Rob are saying here, but I can't stand the way it looks.

That's fair enough.. each to his own, not your cup of tea, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.. and all that sort of stuff come to mind there.

But Merc1, I have to say I feel sorry ya mate. There's gonna be a lot of these 'bathtubs on wheels' around the States.. you're gonna have to put up with them somehow.

 

[Merc1]

That's fair enough.. each to his own, not your cup of tea, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.. and all that sort of stuff come to mind there.

But Merc1, I have to say I feel sorry ya mate. There's gonna be a lot of these 'bathtubs on wheels' around the States.. you're gonna have to put up with them somehow.

For sure, the car will be a hit, but the BMW I'm waiting to see and drive is that X6. Now that is gorgeous. Still though by this time next year BMW could be ahead of Lexus in sales, nothing would please me more. Well unless of course MB passed Lexus in sales, but that is highly unlikely.

Oh and just for the record I'll still reserve absolute/final judgement on the 1-Series until I see it at the dealer around the corner.

M

 

[bmwownage]

As much of a bmw fan i am, this is just not my cup of tea, it doesn't look 'cool', a bit of a ladies car maybe.. the coupe is better, because the rear of this thing is even more weird than the coupe.. or if i sum up the 1series lineup, i would say the hatch actually looks the best.. 1er coupe? would rather pay a tad more to get a E90. In fact the dealer here when people look at the new 1, they suggest second hand 320i's.