Bruce

What is it?

It’s a 1-series with three doors and, at the same time as it’s introduced to the UK (May 2007), a range of improvements will also be made to the five-door 1-series. So it’s a mid-life facelift, really.




What’s it like?

We’ve always appreciated the 1-series for the way it drives, if not its lack of roominess. So at a stroke, having only three doors seems to enhance and amplify the dynamic appeal of the 1-series, suggesting that driving, not practicality, is the high point on the agenda. Which, granted, is a slightly superficial way of looking at it, but it works for us.

Underneath though, the 1-series three-door is the same as the five-door. The facelift includes new headlight surrounds and a more pronounced spoiler, but when I tell you that BMW says ‘certainly not least’ of the changes are different-shaped front foglights, you’ll get an idea of how minor the exterior alterations are. There are new materials in the (still undersized) interior, too.

Mechanically this is a traditional BMW-type upgrade – improve a hundred things by one per cent, rather than one thing by 100 per cent. The biggest change is the adoption of latest-generation direct injection for the petrol engines – it makes a heck of a difference to economy and power.

Take the 2.0-litre petrol, which is the only new 1-series we’ve tried to date (late Feb ’07). It develops 20bhp more than before (now 168bhp) and 7lb.ft extra (155lb ft). So it’s nearly a full second quicker to 62mph from rest (now 7.7sec). No slouch, but the 120i has little chance of keeping up with more powerful hot hatchbacks at the same price.

It’s still enjoyable to drive though. Less agile than the best hot hatchbacks, but there’s a reassuring stability and balance to the way a 1-series goes down the road. Its ride, on the averagely-surfaced roads we’ve driven, is pretty reasonable (bigger-wheeled models are typically a 1-series’ undoing), body movements are ably controlled and its steering is accurate and responsive.

Economy is also improved. As well as the new injection system, four-pot 1-series get brake energy regeneration to charge the battery (the alternator doesn’t charge full-time), and a Stop/Start system in traffic. It isn’t an option - if you buy a facelifted 120i, you get the Stop/Start function. And it works. Combined fuel economy has risen from 37.7mpg (with 181g/km of CO2 emissions) to 44.1mpg (and just 152g/km). Which is pretty impressive.

And it wouldn’t be a BMW facelift without a further tweak to the (compulsorily-prefixed with ‘controversial’) iDrive system. The latest iteration is still controlled by one big dial, but now comes with eight programmable dashboard buttons, which can perform whatever iDrive function you set them to: maybe set the navigation system to ‘home’, turn on/off traffic news, or be used as radio presets. Just like, er, most other cars. A few more one-percenters and iDrive will be entirely understandable.


Should I buy one?

A similarly-priced hot hatch is faster and probably more roomy, but the 1-series is still worth a look. It’s faster and more frugal than before, is still quite good to drive and, with three doors, you can almost forget it’s pretending to be a proper hatchback.

How much?

• Price when new TBA
• Price as tested TBA

How fast?

• 0-62 mph 7.7 sec
• Max speed 139 mph

How big?

• Weight 1335 kg

How thirsty?

• Combined 44.1 mpg
• CO2 emissions 152 g/km

Engine

• Layout 4 , 1995 cc
• Max power 168 bhp
• Max torque 155 lb ft

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Just_me

this is the engine Im intrested in. Who knows it might be my next car

Deutsch

Weak sauce dawg!!!! Grow a pair and get the 130i..... LoL, totally kidding!!!! Make it happen JM, you should go for the M edt. if at all financially feasible. I have to say, the f/l 1er looks far more cohesive than the pre f/l car.

Just_me

130i is out of my pricerange and the insurance is killing me, Fl 120i is closer to my budget.
I only see one problem, my mother own a BMW 118i and isnt it kind of embarassing to drive a similar car as your mother?

Deutsch

It's what you like, so hey? Do it!!! I'm guessing you'd leave it bone stock, no mods?

Just_me

I prefer the way BMW created the car , I dont want to be called a ricer-wannabe if I mod the car

Deutsch

Good man, proud of you. I used to think tuned BMW's were cool, but tuned cars of any kind make me ill these days. Part of the reason I can't visit E90post anymore....

Matt

no. My mom has a 335i-i wish i had that car. Go for the 120i-140mph is very fast especially for such a small engine-44mpg isnt bad as well. It would be a really car to own i think JM.

Deutsch

Especially considering we can't even get 1er, yet alone a BMW diesel car (for now) here state side.

cawimmer430

Good review. My sister is looking for a car and my dad is thinking of getting her a BMW 1-Series among others (second hand of course).

Other choices are: Opel Astra Coupe, Mercedes A-Class and the VW Golf.

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