Does 1 series dilute the BMW brand?

Jackdaws · 04-03-2008, 05:31 PM

When I drove my new 128i home, I proudly checked out the BMW Car Club of America website. My BMW dealer had given me a Club brochure that said I "belong" in the Club as a new BMW owner. I visited the Club forum and was surprised to see member posts that the 1 series "dilutes the brand." I strongly disagree, considering the 1 series shares the same power train as the 3 and 5 series! Many 1 series owners are previous BMW owners. Will 1 series owners be welcome at the BMWCCA? Do we care? Can't we all just "get along"?

dbtheo · 04-03-2008, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackdaws

When I drove my new 128i home, I proudly checked out the BMW Car Club of America website. My BMW dealer had given me a Club brochure that said I "belong" in the Club as a new BMW owner. I visited the Club forum and was surprised to see member posts that the 1 series "dilutes the brand." I strongly disagree, considering the 1 series shares the same power train as the 3 and 5 series! Many 1 series owners are previous BMW owners. Will 1 series owners be welcome at the BMWCCA? Do we care? Can't we all just "get along"?

considering that 1's have actually been around for a while now & that they will be here in limited quanities, I would give a resounding answer of "NO"

M3_Dust · 04-03-2008, 05:36 PM

I think it enhances the brand but there are a lot of snobs and elitists that don't like to see other people drive the same brands of cars or wear the same brands of clothes they do. Enjoy your car and ignore the haters.

0002s · 04-03-2008, 05:39 PM

As welcome as your $40 dollars gets you.

crzy4135i · 04-03-2008, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3_Dust

I think it enhances the brand but there are a lot of snobs and elitists that don't like to see other people drive the same brands of cars or wear the same brands of clothes they do. Enjoy your car and ignore the haters.

Very good advice.

Most people will never understand why I bought such a small car and will assume I couldn't afford a larger 335i. I could care less and won't attempt to explain why I actually prefer the smaller car with the 335i's engine. I'll probably just tell them I'm on a tight car budget. Little do they know the 135i is over $40k with a few options.:biggrin:

Mad Dragon · 04-03-2008, 05:45 PM

Junk like the 318ti dilutes the brand.

wiltk · 04-03-2008, 05:47 PM

Being an avid Roundel reader, it seems that most of the club folks are really excited about the 1 series. I've owned both Bmw's and now a MINI and I have a blast in both.

crzy4135i · 04-03-2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Dragon

Junk like the 318ti dilutes the brand.

I'm afraid I'll have to agree with you on that one. They looked terrible styling-wise when new and the ones I see on the road now look beat to hell.

larryn · 04-03-2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crzy4135i

I'm afraid I'll have to agree with you on that one. They looked terrible styling-wise when new and the ones I see on the road now look beat to hell.

Mine would do a number on these 135s.

It looks good too.

digivue · 04-03-2008, 06:17 PM

BMW has to expand the market. Porsche had to do the same thing by going SUV, otherwise they are in trouble. Statistics indicate that the cheaper models generate most revenue!!!
As for the 1 series, IMO it's the most agile and sportish daily driver (especially 135i) you can get for the money, which also has utility to some degree. Seems to be very good for the city tight parking too... Should also fair on a track pretty well.

happywalmartcustomer · 04-03-2008, 06:20 PM

I still grind my teeth when someone says Boxster...

William Caspar · 04-03-2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackdaws

When I drove my new 128i home, I proudly checked out the BMW Car Club of America website. My BMW dealer had given me a Club brochure that said I "belong" in the Club as a new BMW owner. I visited the Club forum and was surprised to see member posts that the 1 series "dilutes the brand." I strongly disagree, considering the 1 series shares the same power train as the 3 and 5 series! Many 1 series owners are previous BMW owners. Will 1 series owners be welcome at the BMWCCA? Do we care? Can't we all just "get along"?

Snooty members dilute the Club.

1996 328ti · 04-03-2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackdaws

I visited the Club forum and was surprised to see member posts that the 1 series "dilutes the brand."

I haven't seen those posts and what if one or two people did say that?
That hardly represents the membership.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Dragon

Junk like the 318ti dilutes the brand.

Talk about elitists!

ichiban · 04-03-2008, 06:43 PM

eh, i think those haters are mainly own the 335i. I've seen soo much 1er bashing on forums like e90post that it's actually kinda funny. then again, if i had paid 10k more for a car, and a cheaper, faster, better equiped (steering wheel, shift knob, brakes, body kit) car comes around, i'd hate too.

1996 328ti · 04-03-2008, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ichiban

eh, i think those haters are mainly own the 335i. I've seen soo much 1er bashing on forums like e90post that it's actually kinda funny. then again, if i had paid 10k more for a car, and a cheaper, faster, better equiped (steering wheel, shift knob, brakes, body kit) car comes around, i'd hate too.

There will always be a pecking order.
E36 world M3 --> 328 --> 318 --> 318ti
At the end of the day, WTF cares?

1er Trojan · 04-03-2008, 07:02 PM

Just see all negatives against the 1-series as JEALOUSNESS!

They are all jealous that the 135i is pretty much the "fastest" current BMW with bolt ons....for the lowest price....hmmm

They all trippin!

1ToBeOn2Wheels · 04-03-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryn

Mine would do a number on these 135s.

It looks good too.

That's the best looking 318ti I've ever seen! :eyebulge:

colonel1961 · 04-03-2008, 07:12 PM

Some of those posters have probably not driven (nor even seen) the 1er and it's also possible that they don't understand the idea behind it - the 1er is going back to BMW's roots.

Quite frankly, I can drive any BMW (or car) I choose and the 128i Cv was a great choice for myriad reasons. And, it has not only been exciting for me personally, but it is (and will continue) matriculating a new demographic into the BMW family...

As Rodney King pondered 'Can't we all just get along?'

:roundel:

UR2SLOW1 · 04-03-2008, 07:31 PM

In my opinion the two biggest things that dilute a brand are 1. Flooding the market (overproduction) and 2. Pricing that is significantly lower than other models in the lineup. I honest don't think the US allocation of 10K units is anywhere near overproduction and I'm sure the majority of 1 series cars will be sticker priced in the $40K range so that's sure not out of line with other BMW's. Verdict: The 1 series will NOT dilute the hallowed BMW brand.

TrojanBMW · 04-03-2008, 08:13 PM

The idea of diluting the brand is funny to me. Anyone who thinks the 1-series will dilute the brand has a very US-centric view of what BMW is.

You could easily make the argument that the portly 7-series dilutes the idea of what a BMW is much more than the 1-series.

atr_hugo · 04-03-2008, 08:29 PM

The 1er won't dilute the brand (in the US). The 4 cylinder hatches have not evidently diluted the brand in the rest of the world based on the BMW AG's board of director's view either. What would dilute the brand would be a range of less-than-sporting, IC, hybrid or fuel-cell, FWD cars.

There are pressures for BMW to expand, however. BMW wants to become a 2 million vehicle per anum maker. There's some thought that that's the magic number that ensures independence (no takeover; as in, say, Toyota purchases BMW).

Another pressure they have are mandated environmental restraints. It's hard to have a premium brand renowned for its inline sixes and V8s and meet some of the demands governments are imposing on vehicle emissions.

BMW also has to deal with an internal pressure, that pressure is not to have non-premium brands. The Mini is a premium brand small car; when they had Land Rover, it was a premium brand; and of course there's the ne plus ultra of premium brands, Rolls-Royce. So resurrecting Triumph, which I thought they might do, really doesn't make sense.

So who's left? You need a premium brand and one with an established brand image that can bring them close to the 2 million target and let them hit the environmental targets.

The sale of Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata may be a clue as to what may happen. What if Ford were to put Mazda or Volvo up for sale?

We can take Mazda out of that equation, even though it has a great sporting cachet in the US, it can't be considered premium. That leaves Volvo and to be honest it would be a real good fit for BMW; it has the scale, the image, and a differentiated platform from the existing BMW product line. A real good fit.

Now, what was the OP asking again? ; -)

larryn · 04-03-2008, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ToBeOn2Wheels

That's the best looking 318ti I've ever seen! :eyebulge:

Thanks! :smile: 1996_328ti has a gorgeous M52 powered (from a 328i) 318ti as well. Mine has a S52 M3 motor that's tweaked, TC Kline coilovers, LSD.... Trust me, they handle very well, are light, and fun to drive in the 1.8l or 1.9l versions even.

They are great little cars, but were a marketing disaster, not an automotive disaster. Head on over to 1996_328ti's website, 318ti.org to check out some really nice examples of 'tis. There are far nicer ones than mine.

04-03-2008, 05:31 PM	#1
Jackdaws Private 6 Rep 97 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	Does 1 series dilute the BMW brand? When I drove my new 128i home, I proudly checked out the BMW Car Club of America website. My BMW dealer had given me a Club brochure that said I "belong" in the Club as a new BMW owner. I visited the Club forum and was surprised to see member posts that the 1 series "dilutes the brand." I strongly disagree, considering the 1 series shares the same power train as the 3 and 5 series! Many 1 series owners are previous BMW owners. Will 1 series owners be welcome at the BMWCCA? Do we care? Can't we all just "get along"?
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04-03-2008, 05:36 PM	#3
M3_Dust Michelin Man 388 Rep 740 Posts Drives: F10 535i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on forums iTrader: (0)	I think it enhances the brand but there are a lot of snobs and elitists that don't like to see other people drive the same brands of cars or wear the same brands of clothes they do. Enjoy your car and ignore the haters.
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04-03-2008, 05:39 PM	#4
0002s Mein Führer! I can walk! 45 Rep 822 Posts Drives: Not a BMW Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bunker iTrader: (0)	As welcome as your $40 dollars gets you.
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04-03-2008, 05:45 PM	#6
Mad Dragon . 27 Rep 932 Posts Drives: 2010 GTI Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Junk like the 318ti dilutes the brand.
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04-03-2008, 05:47 PM	#7
wiltk Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW 428i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Yucaipa,CA iTrader: (0)	Being an avid Roundel reader, it seems that most of the club folks are really excited about the 1 series. I've owned both Bmw's and now a MINI and I have a blast in both.
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04-03-2008, 06:17 PM	#10
digivue Second Lieutenant 25 Rep 279 Posts Drives: '09 E90 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	BMW has to expand the market. Porsche had to do the same thing by going SUV, otherwise they are in trouble. Statistics indicate that the cheaper models generate most revenue!!! As for the 1 series, IMO it's the most agile and sportish daily driver (especially 135i) you can get for the money, which also has utility to some degree. Seems to be very good for the city tight parking too... Should also fair on a track pretty well.
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04-03-2008, 06:20 PM	#11
happywalmartcustomer Private First Class 5 Rep 109 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	I still grind my teeth when someone says Boxster...
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04-03-2008, 06:43 PM	#14
ichiban Colonel 94 Rep 2,012 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2)	eh, i think those haters are mainly own the 335i. I've seen soo much 1er bashing on forums like e90post that it's actually kinda funny. then again, if i had paid 10k more for a car, and a cheaper, faster, better equiped (steering wheel, shift knob, brakes, body kit) car comes around, i'd hate too.
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04-03-2008, 07:02 PM	#16
1er Trojan tEh uBeR BiMMeR 8 Rep 100 Posts Drives: Join Date: Aug 2007 iTrader: (0)	Just see all negatives against the 1-series as JEALOUSNESS! They are all jealous that the 135i is pretty much the "fastest" current BMW with bolt ons....for the lowest price....hmmm They all trippin!
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04-03-2008, 07:12 PM	#18
colonel1961 Rammer Jammer 14 Rep 411 Posts Drives: Join Date: Dec 2007 iTrader: (0)	Some of those posters have probably not driven (nor even seen) the 1er and it's also possible that they don't understand the idea behind it - the 1er is going back to BMW's roots. Quite frankly, I can drive any BMW (or car) I choose and the 128i Cv was a great choice for myriad reasons. And, it has not only been exciting for me personally, but it is (and will continue) matriculating a new demographic into the BMW family... As Rodney King pondered 'Can't we all just get along?' :roundel:
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-03-2008, 07:31 PM	#19
UR2SLOW1 First Lieutenant 33 Rep 361 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	In my opinion the two biggest things that dilute a brand are 1. Flooding the market (overproduction) and 2. Pricing that is significantly lower than other models in the lineup. I honest don't think the US allocation of 10K units is anywhere near overproduction and I'm sure the majority of 1 series cars will be sticker priced in the $40K range so that's sure not out of line with other BMW's. Verdict: The 1 series will NOT dilute the hallowed BMW brand.
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04-03-2008, 08:13 PM	#20
TrojanBMW First Lieutenant 18 Rep 308 Posts Drives: Black 135i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	The idea of diluting the brand is funny to me. Anyone who thinks the 1-series will dilute the brand has a very US-centric view of what BMW is. You could easily make the argument that the portly 7-series dilutes the idea of what a BMW is much more than the 1-series.
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04-03-2008, 08:29 PM	#21
atr_hugo No longer moderate 325 Rep 4,401 Posts Drives: '13 135i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: - iTrader: (0)	The 1er won't dilute the brand (in the US). The 4 cylinder hatches have not evidently diluted the brand in the rest of the world based on the BMW AG's board of director's view either. What would dilute the brand would be a range of less-than-sporting, IC, hybrid or fuel-cell, FWD cars. There are pressures for BMW to expand, however. BMW wants to become a 2 million vehicle per anum maker. There's some thought that that's the magic number that ensures independence (no takeover; as in, say, Toyota purchases BMW). Another pressure they have are mandated environmental restraints. It's hard to have a premium brand renowned for its inline sixes and V8s and meet some of the demands governments are imposing on vehicle emissions. BMW also has to deal with an internal pressure, that pressure is not to have non-premium brands. The Mini is a premium brand small car; when they had Land Rover, it was a premium brand; and of course there's the ne plus ultra of premium brands, Rolls-Royce. So resurrecting Triumph, which I thought they might do, really doesn't make sense. So who's left? You need a premium brand and one with an established brand image that can bring them close to the 2 million target and let them hit the environmental targets. The sale of Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata may be a clue as to what may happen. What if Ford were to put Mazda or Volvo up for sale? We can take Mazda out of that equation, even though it has a great sporting cachet in the US, it can't be considered premium. That leaves Volvo and to be honest it would be a real good fit for BMW; it has the scale, the image, and a differentiated platform from the existing BMW product line. A real good fit. Now, what was the OP asking again? ; -)
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