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I've been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new 1 series.  Finally a relatively affordable rear wheel drive car designed more for a pure driving experience than for indulging distractions from driving.  How disappointed I was to see all the technical gizmos implemented into this car.  Granted, the Feds require a myriad of such devices.  But why can't someone build a balanced rear drive car with air bags, bucket seats, manual transmission, and air conditioning?  Leave it at that.  And make it handle.  

I know of a good place to start.  The Miata.  But make a 4 door version and throw an inline 6 in it.  

Hmm, what distractions are you taking about? iDrive is optional, after all.

To be honest, your opinion might change once you've driven a 1-series. Most of the electronic safety systems (EBD, etc) work transparently.  

Thank God iDrive is optional. I really hope it doesn't trickle down as standard equipment in all BMWs.  

"Most of the electronic safety systems work transparently."

That may be true, but that's not the point.  All the technology and safety gizmos add complexity and weight to the car.  And as we all know, weight is the enemy of handling.  I wish that BMW would make traction control, stability control, and the six airbags as part of an optional safety package for those who desire it.  Otherwise, I say keep the car as simple and lightweight as possible.
Maybe BMW will make a CSL version of the 1 series, with a high strung turbo 4 cylinder and weight savings all over the car, but I doubt it would ever make it to America if they did build it.  

Mazdamaniac got part of my point.  I don't regard tranparency as simplicity.  Quite the contrary, in fact.  How transparent will these systems be after 65000 miles when all their "invisible" sensors and gizmos go bad?  what will be the resale value and cost of ownership to maintain these devices?  For example I have an Allroad with 80k miles.  and the fantastic systems are showing their wear.  I'd prefer non-air ride suspension, thank you very much.  And pay some attention to the Manheim auction prices for some of the cars with all these high tech items.  They are a blemish on the car's character.  Perhaps not for their functions.  But, certainly for their cost to maintain.

All i'm saying is that the auto industry (and the Feds) have developed such elaborate systems that the cars lose their character, and the 1 series should be one the purest forms of the driving experience.  Why develop systems that overrides human input (or lack thereof) and then layer on software and motion controls to provide artificial sensory experiences?

traction control? it's at the end of my right leg.  

stability control? it's at the end of my arms.  

abs?  even i'm not that good.  

It would be interesting to see a breakdown on what everything in a current 3 series weighs. I would guess that the bulk of the weight in DSC is in the actuators, not the black boxes or sensors. It's moot though, because the safety benefits of DSC are so pronounced and so widely known it's probably no longer feasible even to treat it as a delete option.

I think that to the extent complexity is held to the realm of digital electronics in the car, it is not a problem. And it's not like you can get rid of digital systems, because it's essential in engine management and transmission control anymore.

It's the electro-mechanical stuff that's the source of problems when it comes to reliabilty and weight. Electric motors weigh a lot, and modern cars have more of them than you can shake a stick at. Then there is the federally mandated crashworthiness. But the Europeans are not so different in that regard, and a European spec 130i M hatchback weighs in at 3100 odd pounds.

I think our 1 series here in the states could have been hundreds of pounds lighter, but BMWUSA decided that such a level of equipment would not sell well in this market.

The bottom line is that enthusiasts have become a niche market at BMW.