BMW 1 Series is the premium Convertible of choice

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Introduction

BMW is determined to fill every possible gap in the market and the 1 Series Convertible is another step in that direction. As its name suggests, it's smaller than the 3 Series and does without its big brother's folding metal roof, but the open-top One is still a four-seater. In line with the rest of the 1 Series range, BMW's EfficientDynamics help to make the 120d Convertible surprisingly frugal and clean for a car with a sporting bent, so this BMW promises the best of both worlds.

What are its rivals?

Until recently, this class of car didn't even exist, but now Audi has come in against BMW with its A3 Cabriolet. The A3 is perhaps not as visually well resolved as the BMW, but the Audi offers faultless build quality and a decent drive thanks to a broad spread of petrol and diesel engines. As with the 1 Series, the Audi uses a folding fabric roof instead of a CC-style scissoring metal top. Other competition comes from the likes of the Volkswagen Eos, which is a stylish convertible with glass sections in its roof, and the Volvo C70. The Swede also has a folding hardtop and provides ample performance from its petrol and diesel engines.

How does it drive?

First and foremost, the 120d Convertible is a BMW and that means anything less than an involving and exciting drive would be a disappointment. There is a small amount of flex noticeable in the body due to the roof being lopped off to create the convertible, but it's not a hindrance to this BMW's fine handling. In SE spec, the suspension is supple enough to soak up bumps without sending shudders through the structure, which can be a problem with the more stiffly sprung M Sport versions. Perfectly judged steering makes the 120d drop-top great fun on country roads, yet it's laid back around town and easy to zip into tight parking spaces. With the roof raised, rearward vision is acceptable, while with the roof stowed away the 120d Convertible is a superb place to spend any journey. With the side windows raised, there's just enough wind protection at higher speeds for front passengers, but those in the rear seats get a bit of a buffeting. Plenty of grip keeps the 120d on line through corners and the 2.0-litre turbodiesel has more than enough power for this car to keep its nose in front of other traffic when the driver is in the mood for some fun. Engine noise is well suppressed at all speeds and it's hard to tell this motor is powered by diesel thanks to its refinement.

What's impressive?

BMW's 2.0-litre turbodiesel is a brilliant engine. Refined, punchy and frugal, it genuinely mixes the best of petrol and diesel technology in one package. It's happy to rev like a petrol unit and is much more hushed than any other similar capacity diesel currently available. It turns in 55.4mpg combined economy, making it one of the most economical convertibles available too. It also has carbon dioxide emissions of 134g/km, which is low enough to keep the road tax bill down for private drivers and be attractive to company users. BMW's EfficientDynamics help here, combining a package of small fuel and energy saving measures to come up with big reductions in consumption and emissions. Most notable is the Start-Stop system, where the engine switches off when the car is at a standstill. The driver has to take the car out of gear and disengage the clutch before the engine turns off, but this soon become second nature and restarts the engine instantly when the clutch is re-engaged so that it seems wasteful not to make use of it.

What's not?

A fabric roof is good for packaging, allowing BMW to stow the roof into a smaller space than is possible with a folding metal affair. However, the downside is that refinement is not as accomplished as in several of the BMW's CC-equipped rivals. It's not a problem around town, but on the motorway you find yourself cranking up the stereo to compensate and speaking a little louder to make yourself heard. It's perhaps most noticeable when overtaking trucks and buses on the motorway where you can hear their engines grinding away.

Should I buy one?

With a starting price of £26,250 for the 120d SE Convertible, it's not the cheapest four-seat open-top by any means. However, if you want a drop-top that can carry the kids and still keep you happy when the road ahead is clear, the BMW is much better to drive than its rivals. Add in the flexible, economical engine and BMW's EfficientDynamics and the compact 1 Series Convertible makes a very solid case for being the premium convertible of choice in these credit crunch times.

Alisdair Suttie