The BMW 1 Series is a line of medium sized family cars available in four different body styles. There is a 3-door and 5-door hatchback, a coupe and a convertible to choose from. In addition to this there are a number of trim levels depending on the extras, engine size etc. that is required.
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Latest BMW 1 Series Car Reviews:
This is the cheapest diesel Sport option in the BMW 1 Series range but the engine feels laboured and the 118d is a better car for only a little extra money. Overall, the 116d is a stable, driveable...
The 118d Sport offers fantastic fuel efficiency and should be very cheap to run. However, with it being a Sport model the suspension may be too firm for some and the Beemer is very expensive. The a...
The 116i SE is often described as an entry-level car and is a perfect option for first time buyers, offering smooth acceleration through all six gears and great handling around corners and B-roads....
The 5-door 118i SE is a good performer and does provide a comfortable ride. It will appeal to medium sized families and fits perfectly as a city-cum-motorway car. BMW reliability has been prove...
Although the 116d ES is expensive for a family hatchback, the very low-running costs might make it worthwhile in the long run and overall the 116d ES is a pleasant car to drive, handling well on th...
BMW 1 Series Overview
Now in its second generation the 1 Series offers a sportier family option than many other cars on the market at this size. The rear-wheel drive and excellent body control make the handling of this car superior to many of its competitors.
There is little road noise whilst driving the 1 Series and the engines are kept relatively quiet, although the diesels are obviously louder than the petrol options. In addition to this, the quality finish, as we have come to expect from BMW, makes the interior of the 1 Series a pleasant environment to be in.
Unfortunately the space in the rear is not up to the standard of other cars in its class, such as the VW Golf. The sloping roof restricts headspace, and there is little legroom for larger passengers. The boot space is modest; however the folding rear seats can extend the space available.
Background
The 1 Series was first introduced as a replacement to the 3 Series Compact in 2004, and offered the smallest, most affordable car in the BMW range. It shares many features with the BMW 3 Series, but provides a point of entry into the BMW range, as the 3 Series becomes an increasingly premium car.
Originally it was launched solely as a 5-door hatchback, but in 2007 a three-door hatchback also came onto the market. Following the 3-door model, the coupe and convertibles were released in the same year. The 1 Series Coupe is slightly longer than the hatchback, giving it additional boot space. The introduction of these new body styles gave the 1 Series a facelift, as well as introducing more efficient engines to the range.
There is now a second generation of the five-door hatchback, released in 2011. The 116i and 118i feature a brand new inline-four petrol engine, which produce 136bhp and 170bhp from the 1.6 litre engine respectively.
There has also been an M version of the 1 Series introduced, the 1 Series M Coupe. It has an M-tuned twin turbocharged 3.0 litre inline six-cylinder engine, producing 335bhp. It features a body kit, to distinguish it from the standard 1 Series Coupe, in addition to being a bigger car overall in an attempt to give it more track presence.
Summary
The 1 Series is a good sporty family car, which features all the characteristics and high quality we have come to expect from BMW. It has become popular since its introduction in 2004 and represents the most affordable of the BMW range. It is also one of the safest models on the market, receiving the 5 star Euro NCAP safety rating in 2011.
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