[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Photo Comparison: F20 versus E87 1-series Hatchback

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We've compiled a photo comparison of the F20 1-series 5-door hatchback versus its closest predecessor model - the E87 1-series 5-door hatchback model (non M-sport and facelifted).

For your reference, compared to the E87, the F20:

• Body is 85 mm (3.35 inches) longer
• Wheelbase is 30 mm (1.18 inches) longer
• Front track is 51 mm (2 inches) wider
• Rear track is 72 mm (2.83 inches) wider

[Zunkung]

Hhmmm,,,interesting,,because F20 does look really good here,,,IMO,,it looks nicer than E87 in every way,,,it is not that E87 looks bad,,but more like outdated.

[DDS2015]

I think F20 looks better actually. I still think it's ugly, but like other people have been saying, it has it's own identity.

I'd rather drive an ugly car than one that looks like everything else.

[lilcdkey]

Ew.

[OwnAge]

if u think bout it old on series is also ugly as hell. When it came out ppl were looking at the design negatively. It grew on ppl. This F20 will grow on ppl as well.

e36 was great, e46 came out ppl talked shit and didnt like it. e46 became hot e90/2 came out and ppl again talked shit on the forums bout new gen car. New 3series will come out and again e90/92.. drivers wont like it.

[discoboy1]

Looks more like a face-lift than a total re-design...

Too much plastic between the headlights and the grills...

[nmulax]

I think the F20 is at it's worst from directly behind or infront. I don't like the rear bumper, and the headlights are too large IMO. I do however, think it's an improvement from the E87 in every way!

[dmboone25]

The new one definitely looks...meaner...but I am reserving judgment until I can see it in person.

Maybe the interior ring on the new one is a bit small?

Totally makes the headlights on the E82 look "surprised"--it almost highlights that fact...

[mjh93sa]

Once there are enough on the road we'll get used to it, just like the 1st gen.

The front end is sort of ok, but could do with some sort of sculpting between the headlight and kidneys as there is a lot of plastic there. From the teaser shot of the M-Sport it looks like that it the plan. But, the back end still looks like a badly done VW polo knock-off.

[TheBingoBalls]

Comparing them side-by-side, it's the headlights that ruin it for me. The front bumper still a downer, but that can be replaced with a M-sport bumper.

[uhn2000]

Would love to have this a work car .. anyhow its a winner in my eyes. I like the fact that you have to look at it for a bit to appreciate it.

[Faust]

I don't think this monstrosity can ever get used to be seen around. It is butt ugly, plain and simple. The front is a horrifying mess, the dent under the kidney grill makes the car look it has crashed on something and so is the side profiling, the headlights are huge and wide apart, the outline of which is a horrible combination of straight lines and curves, the grill is small and there is too much space between it and the headlights. The asymmetric headlamps are ugly, the bumpers are a mess. The rear is unbelievably mediocre and uninteresting. I never thought E87 was a looker but now it looks like an Aston Martin in comparison. Total disaster in my opinion and it hurts to think this thing will be around for the next 6-7 years :-(

[jg7879]

i'm on the fence on this one
looks like a mazda for some reason

[Mu Mu]

You cant polish a turd!

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by Faust

I don't think this monstrosity can ever get used to be seen around. It is butt ugly, plain and simple. The front is a horrifying mess, the dent under the kidney grill makes the car look it has crashed on something and so is the side profiling, the headlights are huge and wide apart, the outline of which is a horrible combination of straight lines and curves, the grill is small and there is too much space between it and the headlights. The asymmetric headlamps are ugly, the bumpers are a mess. The rear is unbelievably mediocre and uninteresting. I never thought E87 was a looker but now it looks like an Aston Martin in comparison. Total disaster in my opinion and it hurts to think this thing will be around for the next 6-7 years :-(

This post describes very accurately how I feel about the F20. I get chills reading it.

[Yay-Z]

New one looks alot better

[onkloud9]

Much better with M Sport bumper:

[Jon.]

The M sport bumper kinda makes it look like a facelift of the e8x 1 series.

Everything is pretty much similar, except the headlights are really weird in a bad way in my opinion, especially as the halos seem to be non-circular.

It's more aggressive; just for the wrong reasons.

[palpatine_us]

When you've got near perfection with angel eyes of identical size lights, why mess up a good thing? I know progress... but the rest of the car needed to progress, not the lights.

Looks like a F'in Subaru.

[snowboarder]

Sorry, but the new one looks much much worse, no doubt in my mind.
Those headlights are terrible, not different than any kia/hyundai etc...

[Capt Slow]

Looks okay, however BMW rarely have the best looking car in comparison to their competitors.

Based purely on aesthetics,
159, A4 > E90 (fortunately the E92 exists)
XF > F10
Golf/A3 > E87
The 6 series more expensive rivals are better lookers, and I love the new 6, but unfortunately for BMW Jaguar, Maserati and Aston Martin make GT cars too.
The 7 series unfortunately suffers from a similar problem.
The only categories I can think of where BMW is clearly the best looking in it's segment is the Z4 and the X5.
I will say that the M3 is better looking than the C63 and RS5, and the 1M has no real competitors.
Point being, you don't buy a BMW purely for aesthetics, you buy it for the whole package. If appearance concerns you the most, in most cases you bought the wrong car.

But, at the end of the day it's a matter of opinion, the new 1 will grow on us all, just like the E60, E90, E8X and the old 7/Z4 did.

[Pentium]

I'm really liking this car....and I'm thinking of it as an option now