2,000 miles in BMW's 1 Series Convertible

Introduction

BMW's representative's opening gambit was something along the lines of: "Over the next hour and half presentation..." Thankfully he couldn't hold a straight face for much longer and admitted that he was joking. You could sense the relief in the room, not least because the 1 Series Convertible - new as it is - is the fourth body style on the now familiar 1 Series platform and, neat folding soft-top aside, there's not a whole lot to tell us about that we shouldn't already know.

With a 2,000-mile jaunt through Europe ahead of us, we were keen to get on the road too. The line-up of engines available in the Convertible is more extensive than in the sportier Coupé and our steed was the 125i SE, packing the lightweight 3.0-litre straight-six engine in its mildest tune, though 215bhp and a tuneful exhaust note should be enough to keep anyone entertained.

What are its rivals?

The 1 Series Convertible's only true rival is the new Audi A4 Cabriolet. For a fraction less than the cost of the 125i SE Convertible, buyers could opt for the similar performing A3 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI Sport. However, there are major differences. The BMW is rear-wheel drive and uses a silky smooth, naturally aspirated straight-six engine, whereas the Audi is front-wheel drive and powered by a turbocharged unit. They offer comparable practicality and style, though we're not sure the same buyer will consider both, despite the on-paper similarities.

Larger four-seat convertibles are available, but they're either based on non-premium family cars or too expensive in comparison to the 1 Series.

If you're not 100% decided on a brand new car, then low-mileage, second-hand examples of larger cars such as the Saab 9-3 Convertible, Audi A4 Cabriolet and even BMW's own 3 Series Convertible should be within reach of the 125i SE's asking price, but none of these cars have the same new-car cachet.

How does it drive?

There's a reason that BMW's presentation didn't take too long, as, in reality, there is little difference in the way the Convertible steers in comparison to its hard-topped Coupé sibling. That's to say that it's one of the best models in the 1 Series line-up, with a well balanced ride/handling compromise. Most buyers of the new Convertible won't care that it can attack a twisting mountain pass as well as the Coupé, but they will notice how much fun the car is to drive when the mood takes them. Yet the ride is compliant enough to deal with bad surfaces and comfortable enough to travel long distances on the motorway.

When you tell your friends that your 125i has a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine, they may be impressed, but this engine is not about high performance. Instead, it offers adequate pace and good cruising ability, along with an engine note that you can only get from a straight-six. It's not slow, as the 0-62mph time of 6.8 seconds illustrates, but it never feels all that quick either unless you extend the engine to its red line. Do that with the roof stowed and you're treated to as exotic a tune from the exhaust as you can find in any car.

What's impressive?

Other than the aforementioned noise the 125i's engine makes, we loved the overall quality feel of this car. There are other four-seat convertibles on the market, based on family hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Renault Mégane, but none of them come close to the perceived quality of the 1 Series Convertible. It consequently feels like a bigger car and much more grown up than the 1 Series hatchback models. As mentioned, the ride is comfortable without being soft and the handling is fun too.

The soft-top roof is very slick, tucking itself underneath a hard tonneau cover behind your heads by the press of a single button. The fact that you can raise the hood at low speeds could be a real boon in British weather as well and though the flat rear deck is at the expense of some luggage space, we think it's worth it.

What's not?

In the transformation from Coupé to Convertible, the 1 Series has lost its incredibly useful fold-down rear seats - presumably to fit in extra chassis strengthening members. In their place, buyers may opt for a pass-through section in the seats, though it's quite narrow and really should be standard fitment.

Likewise, the wind deflector is invaluable and should be part of the standard kit, though admittedly, if you plan on carrying rear passengers frequently, it's useless to you.

Our only other complaints garnered over the long trip include average fuel consumption of just 26mpg and more wind noise over the soft roof than is ideal. Both these characteristics were partly due to the higher motorway speeds achieved in France and Spain, but it's worth bearing in mind.

Should I buy one?

If you are thinking about it, then now is the time to do so. The new 1 Series Convertible is tipped to be one of the hottest cars of the summer so resale value should be strong. Judging by the number of approving looks we received throughout our time with the car, the 1 Series is a winner already. The 125i model offers decent performance and an enjoyable driving experience, though there is a 120d model if fuel economy is more of an issue or you could opt for the scorching hot 135i version if you really want to get that wind rushing through your hair.

Shane O' Donoghue

Specs