BMW 1 SERIES RANGE
BMWs 1 Series May Look A Little Unconventional But Underneath Its Business As Usual With Traditional
BMW Excellence. June Neary Reports
When the first press pictures of BMWs 1-series were issued, I have to admit that I absolutely hated it. I couldnt see how on earth BMW could sell a car that looked as if its sills had collapsed. After a while, however, I started to become a bit more accustomed to its unconventional proportions and when I first clapped eyes on one in the metal, I must admit that I was starting to appreciate the baby BMW. Its manageably proportioned and nothing seems overly intimidating.
None of the engines currently available are so powerful theyll glue you to the back of your
seat but by the same token theyre all reasonably peppy units. Itll be interesting to see how the cars image develops as more are seen on the road. At the moment its positioned as a more sporting alternative to cars like the
Audi A3 Sportback.
If carrying capacity is a prime concern, the 1-series isnt the best pick. Despite having five doors and a hatchback, theres not a whole lot of legroom in the back and luggage space isnt stellar either. Theres plenty of room up front and it seems the car is geared towards the needs of couples or those with young families. The front doors open widely and reveal a clean, uncluttered fascia.
The rears are a little less generously cut and theres a chunky transmission tunnel that limits the cars use as a five seater. The interior features a start button to get things fired up and a clean, minimalist look to the fascia. The dashboard resembles that of the
BMW Z4 roadster and theres dotted around the cabin are twin front airbags and head airbags for all occupants. Factor in Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control, Dynamic Brake Control and the non-dynamic but still worthwhile Electronic Differential Lock and theres also a high level of active safety offered.
This is where the 1-series plays its trump cars rear wheel drive. Whereas most cars of this ilk drive their front wheels, BMW have long stressed the superiority of directing drive aft. Although this does mean that cabin space is compromised as a result, the driver will soon feel the benefits. Without being tasked with the burden of traction, the front tyres can instead devote themselves solely to steering the car and the result is a beautifully smooth, uncorrupted feel to the steering.
Accelerate hard in a front-wheel drive car and the front wheels will judder and squeal, the steering wheel bucking in your hands. Theres none of that with the 1-series, just smooth, unruffled progress. Even if you dont drive your car as if youre on the way to the delivery room, its easy to appreciate the work BMW have put into the ride and handling. It just feels a more premium product than most rivals.
There are two petrol engines and two diesel engines offered and the top diesel unit, the 120d, is the real standout performer. Youll get nearly 50 miles from a gallon of fuel and still have enough poke to leave most hot hatchbacks for dust.
Youve got used to the styling, you can live with the cars dimensions and you love the way it drives. Heres the big but. The 1-series isnt cheap. Yes, there is a base model that seems attractively priced from £15,690 but, like
MINI, this really is a basic price.
Most buyers will add air conditioning, alloy wheels, metallic paint and body-coloured door handles which will add another £2,000 onto that asking figure. Somewhat coincidentally, this is virtually the price of the better equipped SE and Sport-trim levels, leading us to believe that BMW is merely using the base model as an eye-catching price tag knowing that virtually all customers will be opting for the upspec trim levels. The 120d SE model opens at £20,800 but many will be rolling out of dealerships priced at around £22,500. Not singularly inexpensive for such a compact car but in this corner of the market if you want the best youll have to stump for it.
There are many bigger, cheaper and quicker cars than BMWs 1-series but few that feel quite so polished without entering into the realms of silly money. It feels like an Apple iPod, expensive but reassuringly solid and something worth looking after.
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