Is A BMW 1 Series A Good Car?

Prices for the 118i, equipped with a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine that generates 138 horsepower and 162 lb ft of torque (and is capable of 0-62 mph in 8.5 seconds) in SE trim, start beyond the PS26k level. The range-topping M135i xDrive, with its 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine producing 302 bhp and 258 lb ft, is then reached after moving up via Sport. Before you ask, it is good for 0-62 mph in 4.8 seconds. But with a starting price of PS38.5k, it’s difficult to compete with the front-wheel-drive-only, Golf GTI-rivaling 128ti.

From the ground up, the 1 Series is a great automobile. The base 118i or 118d would tempt us, but we’d rather spend the additional money on a better trim package and more comforts. For a complete analysis, visit the buying tab.

1 Series BMW

The same six-cylinder engines used in the 3 and 5 Series, including a powerful 300-hp twin-turbo, provide the power.

The 1 Series is a delight to drive because to its excellent steering and body control as well as its smooth clutch and shifter action.

The 135i we tried was really swift and nimble, and it even provided respectable fuel efficiency.

It was superseded in 2014 by the more upscale 2 Series, which comes in coupe and convertible body styles and features all-wheel drive with a selection of turbocharged four and six cylinder engines. The Gran Coupe 4-door models, 228i xDrive and M235i xDrive, which were built on a different, less performance-oriented architecture, received updates for 2020.

One of the best luxury hatchbacks now available, the BMW 1 Series combines performance, efficiency, and driving fun.

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Although the BMW 1 Series now has front (and four) wheel drive, this modification hasn’t lessened its attractiveness; the smallest BMW is still a blast to drive. The 1 Series offers a variety of powerful yet efficient engines, as well as more interior space.

The 1 Series’ interior is now on level with the most recent 3 Series in terms of lay-out, build, and – critically in this class – infotainment. Quality has also improved. Although the Volkswagen Golf is more affordable and useful, especially in terms of rear headroom, the BMW 1 Series is a very alluring combination that’s very difficult to criticize.

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Since all models have five doors—there is no two-door variant this time—access is much better now and there is more shoulder and legroom in the rear than previously. Not everything is good news, though; adults over six feet tall will still find the back to be a little claustrophobic. The 380 liter cargo capacity is respectable and same to that of the Volkswagen Golf.

Although the BMW’s switch to front-wheel drive may have disappointed some drivers, it remains one of the most enjoyable vehicles to drive in its class. You can select between an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual gearbox, and both offer outstanding handling and a compelling engine range.

BMW’s smallest model became a true competitor to vehicles like the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Mercedes-AMG A 35 with the arrival of the sporty 128ti and M135i variants. The 1 Series feels a lot like the BMW 3 Series from the driver’s seat and is a car that is as smooth and comfortable as it is composed on quicker winding roads.

competitors to the BMW 1-Series Hatchback

The contemporary BMW 1 Series is a completely traditional front-wheel drive hatchback, despite the company’s decades-long promotion of the benefits of rear-wheel drive. It’s obvious that the vast majority of people do not have a problem with them given that they are now a common sight on British roadways.

If you appreciate responsive handling, the BMW 1 Series should be at or near the top of your list. A variety of petrol and diesel engines are available to make the most of it.

Of course, there are a lot of competitors for the 1 Series to think about. There are more accessible competitors like the Volkswagen Golf, as well as more opulent ones like the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

While competitors have shifted to interiors with almost no buttons and a lot of touch-sensitive screens and controls, the 1 Series is rather more conventional. It more than makes up for what it lacks in visual impact with use, and quality is impressive.

SE is the entry-level model in the 1 Series lineup. Although it comes with the essentials like automatic headlights, wipers, climate control, cruise control, and automated emergency braking, we advise upgrading to the Sport model. It doesn’t cost much extra and adds more aggressive look, heated seats, and 17-inch wheels.

The top-of-the-line M135i is even faster, while the 128ti is a hot hatch with loads of go-faster components and distinctive interior and exterior appearance. However, neither really adds much in the way of new machinery. On all models, you might want to think about adding one or two option packs.

Find out exactly how good the 1 Series is and whether it can outperform competitors by reading our review. We’ll let you know if it’s safe to drive, how roomy it is, how much it will cost you, and how comfortable the interior is.

Is the BMW 1 Series a trustworthy vehicle?

BMW finished in joint tenth place (with Mazda) out of 30 manufacturers in the 2021 What Car? Reliability Survey, much ahead of Audi, Mercedes, and Volkswagen. The 1 Series itself was among the more dependable vehicles in the family car class when it was running on gasoline, placing third.

Better BMW 1 or 3 Series?

With regard to fuel types and transmissions, both models provide a wide variety of powertrains. The 3 Series also has a state-of-the-art hybrid. The 330e has several astounding statistics, like as a 292hp power rating with only 188.3–201.8 mpg in terms of consumption.

These two automobiles also come with performance options. The M135i xDrive, a brand-new hot hatch with 306 horsepower and four-wheel drive that can reach 62 mph in just 4.8 seconds, is an option for the 1 Series. The M340i with xDrive is back for the 3 Series. With a 3.0 liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 374 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque, the car accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in in 4.4 seconds.

Overall, these cars are quite evenly matched in terms of their engines. The 3 Series is the more potent of the two, but because it is larger than the 1 Series, its fuel efficiency isn’t quite as outstanding.

The BMW 1 Series is what kind of vehicle?

Since 2004, BMW has been producing a line of C-segment subcompact executive automobiles under the name BMW 1 Series. It is presently in its third generation and is the replacement for the BMW 3 Series Compact. The first generation, which served as the entry-level model in the BMW product line, was made in hatchback, coupe, and convertible body types.

Since 2014, the coupe and convertible versions have been sold independently under the 2 Series brand, therefore both body types are no longer part of the 1 Series lineup. 2017 saw the release of a four-door sedan for the Chinese market, which was built on the same front-wheel drive architecture as the third-generation 1 Series hatchback.

The first generation featured the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, a high-performance BMW M variant. The 1 Series M Coupe was replaced by the BMW M2 in 2016 as a result of the 1 Series coupe type being replaced by the 2 Series.

The 1 Series has been rear-wheel driven for its first two incarnations, although all-wheel drive has been an available feature since 2012. The 1 Series’ third generation, which debuted in 2019, switched to a front-wheel drive configuration while keeping the all-wheel drive option.

A little automobile is the BMW 1 Series.

The BMW 1 Series is a cutting-edge family hatchback with stylish exterior styling and a luxurious interior. For the first time ever, BMW’s smallest car has front-wheel drive as standard, much like the Mercedes A-Class and Audi A3.

A family vehicle, the BMW 1 Series?

“The second generation of BMW’s wildly popular premium family hatchback is now available. It’s a more upscale alternative to a Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf and is available in three-door and five-door body styles. It frequently competes with the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class for top 10 best-selling status in the UK. This version, which debuted in 2011, has proven to be the most well-liked thus far.”

For some, the BMW’s class-distinct USP—rear-wheel drive, the preferred configuration for all driving enthusiasts—is what makes it so popular. For others, there is something in the lineup for practically everyone thanks to the draw of the BMW badge, slick style, and a wide variety of engines and trims.

The top-of-the-line M135i and M140i models are especially coveted and are starting to seem like a modern classic among enthusiasts. There might never be another family hatchback just like this one since the 2019 BMW 1 Series will only be front-wheel drive.

The 2011 unveiling of the 1 Series caused some controversy. Although its style was largely a development of the original, it appeared to have acquired an excessively huge set of headlights along the way. Certain people were more polite than others when they described it as awkward, and some odd launch specification packages that included questionable white-painted wheels did not help.

But even the first-generation 1 Series is a blast to drive. The turbocharged gasoline engines and more potent diesels in particular delivered outstanding value for the money. Inside, a lot of the new 3 Series executive saloon’s technology was on display, including BMW’s incredible most recent generation of infotainment systems.

However, we must caution you that the 1 Series is only somewhat family-friendly. Compared to, instance, a Volkswagen Golf, rear-seat room is significantly more constrained, and while cargo space appears to be enough on paper, in actuality it is much more restricted. Put the rear-wheel-drive system to blame.

Later, BMW increased the number of engines available, introduced an all-wheel-drive xDrive model, and, in 2015, addressed the primary criticism of this generation of 1 Series: the uncomfortable front end. It was a much better-looking automobile with new, smaller headlights that carried clear LED running lights. At the back, bigger tail lamps gave the impression that the car was slightly more hunkered down on the road. Sales grew in line with this.

BMW had already introduced the outstanding M135i in its pre-facelift configuration. This performance range-topper became even more popular among fans when it was upgraded to M140i form. The straight-six turbocharged engine produces fantastic power and sound effects, and the handling isn’t too far off from a sports vehicle.

The diesel engines, on the other hand, kept improving in efficiency, with the fuel-efficient EfficientDynamics models reaching new highs for mpg and record lows for CO2. BMW has also consistently improved its leading infotainment systems throughout the years.

The 1 Series functions best as a sporty model for people who travel two up and seek the greatest possible entry into the BMW brand, even if it is available as a five-door and promotes itself as a family competitor.

Despite its limitations, it has a following because of the thrilling way it drives and makes people feel. It is simple to understand why the 1 Series has been so well-liked over the years given that it supports this with high reliability and reasonable operating costs, as well as two exceptional performance range-toppers.