BMW expects rising U.S. fuel prices to help sell 1-Series

How come?
Having the same engines and about the same weight as 3-series, what is the difference is fuel consumption?

I was wondering that myself. Why the heck would they purposely underrate the performance of this car, when we already know what the engine is capable of? BMW must really think people are idiots.

It won't be too much lighter than the 335.

I heard 90 pounds. That's not really lighter, maybe will help with 0.5mpg.

I came across that post on another thread just after I made that last post.

WOW!

If this is factual, and BMW believes the automotive buying public is stupid enough to fall for this nonsense... 'It's smaller, so it must get better gas mileage.'

Shame On Them!

Once you get below a certain threshold in size and it becomes a comfort issue, fuel economy no longer motivates people to buy.

I could forgive their assumption that at the prices BMW charges for their cars, people still care that much about gas prices (I'm sure it's still an annoyance). But unless they plan on at least offering a diesel in U.S.-bound 1-series, they can bite me.

As upset as I am about their assumption that we're all stupid, I'm still really tempted by the 135.

Wow is this a laugh gas savings on a mid 30's to mid 40's (conv) entry level car. I guess the college kid who has to drive 30 miles to work and school can't wait to pay those prices, insurance, and maintance to maybe get a couple more miles to gallon then a 3 series?
BMW, if you are or where serious about a mass produced econo machine that wears the BMW badge why didn'y you make a high milage low maintance cheap insurance car at 22k to 28k, then we can start talking about savings for the entry level middle income people, all this thing will appeal to is the upper and rich parents who will buy Johnny and Jane a BMW very few else will be able to afford this so called starter car???

The moment BMW decided that they'd place ONLY high-powered 6-cylinders in this vehicle, was the time they made it clear that all the 1-series will serve as is an excuse to charge even more exorbitant prices for the 3-series.

1-Series (High 20k to 40k)

3-Series (I cringe to even think about it!)

Note: Which is not to say that it won't be one of the finer handling/fastest BMW vehicles ever, it'll just be over-priced.

this car won't even scratch the $20k's.....it'll start in the low $30k's.

Yes, it was announced that the 128i convertible will start at $40K. Ridiculous! You could get a 335i coupe instead!

If BMW expects rising U.S. fuel prices to help sell 1-Series, they better check their scales, as the 1 series is not that much lighter than the 3 series, it's price is not low and has a smaller interior space than the 3 series. They can expect to sell the 1 series based on its handling ability and because is the spiritual successor to the 2002ti. I am not saying that the 3 series engine is not fuel efficient, is just that the 1 series will not be considerably more fuel efficient than the 3er.

Well, please don't say all Americans are smart here. We sometimes fall for the silliest of traps. *cough cough* Iraq War *cough cough*