castagna

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.

dr Dunkel

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

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:



That provoke situations like this:

bmer

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.

Just_me

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?

dr Dunkel

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.

dr Dunkel

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.

Just_me

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

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.