Which do you think looks better?

[2012_135i]

I'm kinda curious. Which do you think looks better, the 1er or the 2er? The 1er has taken a lot of hits for its styling, but to me it's a really sharp looking car, especially the 135i. I've seen the M235i in person and in a number of review videos. It looks great but to me is a little, well, bland in an immediately recognizable as a BMW but nothing really distinctive about it kind of way. The 1er, in my view, has distinction, a ready to rumble but classy edginess to it. It's immediately recognizable as a BMW but can't be mistaken for anything else BMW makes. The 2 looks too much like a downsized 3 to me. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to knock the 2. It's a gorgeous car like most BMW's, but there you have it again, "like most BMWs". The 1er stands out and, to me, in a good way, a stand up and salute way. Just my opinion and I'm betting I may be in the minority. What do you think?

[inFamousKicks]

From the front, the 2 takes it.

The 1 got that ass tho.

[Marc08EX]

Originally Posted by inFamousKicks

From the front, the 2 takes it.

The 1 got that ass tho.

I agree with this. Sides are similar for me.

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by inFamousKicks

The 1 got that ass tho.

[Esteban]

Don't get me started… again.

E82 = small size, squat proportions, aggressive, bulldog stance, unique, original.

F22 = too big, BMW corporate look, company car for BMW junior executives, generic BMW.

[kellyzerx]

I prefer the 1. I finally saw my first 2 series in the showroom at my dealer when I was in for service. It's lost the distinctive look of the 1. I walked right up to the 2 and had to look at the emblem on the back before I realized what it was. There was no instant recognition from across the room.

[Yeineken]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

Don't get me started… again.

E82 = small size, squat proportions, aggressive, bulldog stance, unique, original.

F22 = too big, BMW corporate look, company car for BMW junior executives, generic BMW.

+1

Just saw a AW 235i yesterday. We were in traffic and I was trying to check it out. Kept loosing it in the crowd. Just doesn't stand out like an E82

[pj.rodriguez]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

Don't get me started… again.

E82 = small size, squat proportions, aggressive, bulldog stance, unique, original.

F22 = too big, BMW corporate look, company car for BMW junior executives, generic BMW.

This exactly.

[ShocknAwe]

There are a few things I really like about the 2er. I do like the front air dams and some of the contouring on the front end. I really don't like how it has very weak fender flares and it looks almost like a slightly smaller clone of the 4er. The rear end always looks like the designers just gave up on it to me.

The 1er definitely stands out among the rest. I wouldn't call it attractive per say, handsome would be a better word, muscular would be even better.

Unfortunately I can't say I'm unbiased though. For whatever it's worth I did go to the dealership and checked out the M235i with intent to trade if I liked it, and it held zero spark for me, aesthetically anyways. It's fine to drive but "fine" isn't a word in my vocabulary for anything I spend money on.

[Esteban]

I test drove the M235i twice. I found it uninspiring. Boring, even. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the M235i is too big, too soft and too refined.

The 135i is raw and unrefined. It never learned it's manners. Perfect IMHO, and yes, I'm biased.

Someone on this forum once accused me of being "angry" at the M235i. Angry, no, but I do hate it. Yes, I'm a hater. I hate it because it's supposed to be the replacement for the 135i, and shouldn't the replacement be better in every way? Well, it's not and in that regard BMW failed. It should be a replacement for the 3 series coupe, instead. Now that would be a success, and a first, because it would be smaller and better than the generation it replaced. Car companies just don't do that. Bigger is not better. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

[boyerstyle]

Originally Posted by Yeineken

+1

Just saw a AW 235i yesterday. We were in traffic and I was trying to check it out. Kept loosing it in the crowd. Just doesn't stand out like an E82

Agree

Like Evenesteban said its just a generic BMW. Still a nice ride, but nothing stand out.

[lastMleft]

I still haven't driven one, Im gonna have to go see what all the hoopla is about

[IEDEI]

the 1er is a future classic. one of the best looking BMWs around IMO. I never get tired of it's aggressive, artful design.

[Chunner]

Again with this?

The 2er looks like HONDA. See link.

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1033687

Now lets move on.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

I hate it because it's supposed to be the replacement for the 135i, and shouldn't the replacement be better in every way? Well, it's not and in that regard BMW failed. It should be a replacement for the 3 series coupe, instead. Now that would be a success, and a first, because it would be smaller and better than the generation it replaced. Car companies just don't do that. Bigger is not better. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

I think you really have something here actually. They should have released a 2 and 4 door version of the 2er and badged those as the 4er and 3er respectively. THAT would have been a huge win! The actual 2er should have just been the 1er rereleased and refreshed.

To be completely honest I don't like their new naming convention. They should have stuck with the odd numbered cars 1,3,5,7 etc and just indicated standard model, or coupe if it has two doors instead of the standard four. But then how do you explain the 6er and historical dinosaur the 8er? You cant. Quirky things make a company interesting IMO. Totally silly to break apart the 3 series into 3er and 4er to make it easier to market, because I don't think it does. Of course, people are eating it up with a double fisted spoon, but they do that with the 3 series anyways. Gimme Gimme Gimme I don't care!

[JS135]

Originally Posted by inFamousKicks

From the front, the 2 takes it.

The 1 got that ass tho.

Gets me every time

[Stock4Evr]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

Don't get me started… again.

E82 = small size, squat proportions, aggressive, bulldog stance, unique, original.

F22 = too big, BMW corporate look, company car for BMW junior executives, generic BMW.

Totally agree with your assessment. The F22 looks just like any other car.

[edisapimp]

Very interesting thread. I agree with a lot of what everyone has said. Just to add an additional opinion to this and to try to answer the original thread question, I think the 235 is definitely a 'safer' kind of look for BMW, but I can't really say I think it's "better". The 1er is certainly a more polarizing style - I for one, quite like it and agree with the "bulldog" and "muscular" comments. But I went to the dealership to contemplate an M235i, they had a black one with premium and I thought the front looked okay, but the rest was... not enough of a departure from every other BMW for me to seriously consider selling a car I like so much.. ever.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

I test drove the M235i twice. I found it uninspiring. Boring, even. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the M235i is too big, too soft and too refined.

The 135i is raw and unrefined. It never learned it's manners. Perfect IMHO, and yes, I'm biased.

Someone on this forum once accused me of being "angry" at the M235i. Angry, no, but I do hate it. Yes, I'm a hater. I hate it because it's supposed to be the replacement for the 135i, and shouldn't the replacement be better in every way? Well, it's not and in that regard BMW failed. It should be a replacement for the 3 series coupe, instead. Now that would be a success, and a first, because it would be smaller and better than the generation it replaced. Car companies just don't do that. Bigger is not better. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

Love my 1er, would not think of getting a 2er.

It is like that woman you see across the room that just has that look about her that says "I am going to do things to you that you will have to look up on Urban Dictionary afterwards to describe it to your friends"

A little mean, and ready for action.

[amsnow440]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

Don't get me started… again.

E82 = small size, squat proportions, aggressive, bulldog stance, unique, original.

F22 = too big, BMW corporate look, company car for BMW junior executives, generic BMW.

^THIS.

I do not like the 2 series at all, it's just too much of a baby 4-series for me. Part of the reason that I find the 1er so appealing (and opinions are so polarizing) is its departure from the rest of the BMWs in regards to styling. It's unique and different. Also the "let's smash a I6 twin turbo in our smallest, lightest model" approach mayyyy have something to do with it

[128Convertibleguy]

Originally Posted by 2012_135i

I'm kinda curious. Which do you think looks better, the 1er or the 2er? The 1er has taken a lot of hits for its styling, but to me it's a really sharp looking car, especially the 135i. I've seen the M235i in person and in a number of review videos. It looks great but to me is a little, well, bland in an immediately recognizable as a BMW but nothing really distinctive about it kind of way. The 1er, in my view, has distinction, a ready to rumble but classy edginess to it. It's immediately recognizable as a BMW but can't be mistaken for anything else BMW makes. The 2 looks too much like a downsized 3 to me. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to knock the 2. It's a gorgeous car like most BMW's, but there you have it again, "like most BMWs". The 1er stands out and, to me, in a good way, a stand up and salute way. Just my opinion and I'm betting I may be in the minority. What do you think?

The 1 is distinctive, and quirky. The 2 is conventionally prettier. Most owners of a 1 no doubt like the quirkiness, and prefer the 1. Most non-owners would like the more conventional 2 better.

BMW (like most successful corporations) ain't stupid. They no doubt ran this by focus groups, and think the more conventional styling will sell better. I think they're right. For BMW, this is not about artistic merit, it's about sales.

[Ed P]

My daughter asked me what cars I was test driving a few months ago. I showed her a picture of the 135i, and the 228i/235i.

She asked me why I was comparing BMWs with Hyundai.

That is all.