BMW 1 Series

What do I need to know?

Since its introduction in early 2004, more than 2 million BMW 1 Series have been sold! It has been carefully redesigned, and I think that this is the best that the 1 Series has ever looked, and it’s up there with one of the best looking hatchbacks of all time. It still keeps its long bonnet and short overhangs too, so the sporty look remains. An updated dashboard inside means it continues to look sporty inside, rather than the bland look that older 1 Series adopted. BMW has also updated the new 1 Series in 3- and 5-door forms at the same time, so you don’t have to wait for the (better looking) 3-door guise whilst the 5-door sells for a few months before!

Engines

The new and updated engines are as follows. If you’ve read my previous article on the BMW naming system, you will know that the ‘i’ and ‘d’ after the numbers mean that they’re petrol or diesel engines. You will also know why the numbers are as they are. If you haven’t read it, click here. Please note though, at time of writing, the details for the 2015 model hadn’t been released.

• 118i
• 120i
• 125i
• M135i
• 116d
• 116d EfficientDynamics Plus
• 118d
• 120d
• 120d xDrive
• 125d

Surprisingly, the 125d has the same amount of torque as the M135i, which is 450Nm! The quickest to 62mph, unsurprisingly, the M135i at 5.1s. The most efficient is the 116d EfficientDynamics Plus, achieving a claimed whopping 83.1mpg! The same model emits just 89g/km of CO2 too.

Tech Specs and Trim Levels

Like most of its rivals, BMW has stuck to offering a bare minimum of trim levels. These include SE, Sport and M Sport. With generous standard kit on even SE trim, you know exactly where you are and don’t have to spend hours weighing up the pros and cons of each trim level. As usual, you get the remote central locking, keyless go and electric windows. You also get automatic air-con, rain sensing wipers and light-sensitive headlights, an infotainment system with CD, DAB, Bluetooth, aux-in and 6 speakers and BMW’s easy-to-use iDrive system.

With SE trim, you’ll get the above, plus:

• 16″ alloys
• Sliding front armrest
• Sront foglights

Go for Sport for £1,000 more and get additional features such as:

• 17″ alloys
• Ambient lighting
• Black high-gloss interior trim
• Sport bodykit
• Sport steering wheel
• Sport seats

Only £1,700 more will get you M Sport trim which includes:

• 18″ alloys
• M Sport alloys
• M Sport bodykit
• Sports seats
• Alcantara upholstery
• M Sport leather steering wheel
• Aluminium hexagonal interior trim

The M135i takes the M Sport package to the extreme, with even bigger front air intakes amongst another things. Oh, and don’t forget that annoyingly stiff suspension!

Practicality

Seeing as this is a hatchback, it should be suitable to everyday life. So the option for 40:20:40 split folding rear seats which separate the 360 litre boot from the main cabin is great. I’ve always love BMW’s 40:20:40 split folding rear seats – it offers excellent versatility and the option to carry an amount of passengers that you want to. Fold the 3 individual seats down to extend the space to 1,200 litres.

Options

The 2015 1 Series isn’t actually available to configure yet, but I can tell you that options will include a Harman Kardon Hi-Fi system with 12 speakers and a 360W digital amplifier, two-zone automatic air-con, a heated steering wheel and heated and electrically adjustable front seats. These options reinforce the fact the the 1 Series is an upmarket car competing with the likes of the A-Class and A3.

Competitors

I’m guessing now is a great time to compare the BMW 1 Series to its main rivals. As previously mentioned, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and the Audi A3 are its main rivals. Mercedes offers the following engines:

• A180 diesel (1.5 litre)
• A200 diesel (2.1 litre)
• A220 diesel (2.1 litre)
• A180 petrol (1.6 litre)
• A200 petrol (1.6 litre)
• A250 petrol (2.0 litre)
• A45 AMG petrol (2.0 litre)

Whereas the following are available on the A3:

• 1.2 petrol
• 1.4 petrol
• 1.8 petrol
• 2.0 petrol (S3)
• 1.6 diesel
• 2.0 diesel

They all offer very similar standard equipment – one may offer something that another doesn’t and vice versa.

What do I think?

Originally, I would’ve gone for the A-Class first, then 1 Series, and the A3 would’ve been my last choice. But now BMW has updated the 1 Series, I’m finding that it’s battling with the A-Class. Well, in my eyes at least. What do you think? Which would you pick out of the three?

My Car

I cannot do this for this car unfortunately as the online configurator hasn’t been developed for it due to the fact that it hasn’t even been launched yet! It should be on sale after its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, though.

EDIT

It’s now April the 3rd 2015, and I’ve just configured my BMW 1 Series in the way that I would do if I were to buy one with a fair budget. It came in at £32,065. See the full configuration in the attached PDF.

BMW 1 Series Configuration