BMW 1 Series 3-Door Range Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: BMW 1 Series three-door range
Prices: £16,415 - £25,265 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 10-17
Emissions: 118-153g/km
Performance: [120d] 0-60mph 7.7s / Max speed 137mph
Fuel Consumption: [120d] (combined) 49.6mpg
Safety: Twin front, side & head airbags / ABS
Dimensions: Length/Width/Heightmm 4227/1751/1430

Don't Judge a Car by Its Looks

Our Rating: No Rating Available

From the 7 series to the 5 series, 6 series, the Z4, the X3 and up to the 1 series, BMW has a style that I could just simply call weird. Particularly the BMW 1 series that is a little bit too hunched, and with five doors that makes it look tiring. Now with the new range, they introduced the three-door variant.

For this range eight engines are offered, seven of them with four cylinders and another with the 3.0-liter six-cylinder unit in the 130i. Though they are known as power plants but still they are old news. The entry level 116i powered by a 115bhp 1.6-liter engine. It goes fro zero to 60mph in 10.1 seconds and has a combined fuel consumption of 48.7mpg. This figure is better than more expensive and flashy sports car that sometimes runs in less than 20mpg. Next we have the 118i run by a 143bhp engine and have an acceleration of 0-60mph in 8.8 seconds. But if you want to achieve more from your petrol engine then choose the 120i which reaches up to 170bhp and can go to 60mph in 7.8 seconds. The rapid 130i goes from standstill to 60mph in six seconds flat. It can also run up to 155mph but fuel consumption is at 30mpg. Though not particularly fast in the realm of sports car but it certainly has better fuel economy.

The real deal in the 1 series is the 2.0-liter engine run by diesel. With 116bhp and 64mpg economy the 116d certainly has power and is eco-friendly. The 118d develops a 143bhp but it is still quicker than a 116i, which uses petrol, in getting to 60mph and still will average over 60mpg. That is certainly called conservation. However, the crown still belongs to the 120d with a power of 177bhp turbo diesel. In just 7.6 seconds it can get you to 60mph and still returns 57.6mpg. Another is the 123d with 204bhp; go from zero to 60 in seven flat with a fuel economy of 54mpg.

Comfort is not one of its priorities I think, you'll find less room in a 1 series three-door than in a supermini like Honda Jazz. Because of this, they also thought of offering a four-seat configuration at no extra cost, its at least more comfortable than the three abreast rear bench. The SE and Sport models have climate controls, 16-inch alloy wheels and front fog lamps. You may want to opt for the 17-inch upgrade but it is not advisable because it doesn't do a great deal for ride comfort. Next is the model with lower spoilers, and bigger alloy wheels which is the M line, it also has an M Sports suspension. To cut on fuel consumption, the BMW now uses the Automatic Stop-Start technology. It also features a Brake Energy Regeneration to reduce alternator drag on engines and a revised kidney grille to improve airflow to the engine.

The 120d or 130i are certainly not cheap but did you know that you could buy a 118d or 118i in less than the price of a decent Volkswagen Golf? Yes, it looks like something frumpy but its engine performs well and makes optimum use of its chassis. At £16,415 to £25,265, it certainly is a bargain.