It is a sensible choice. The BMW 1 Series is the most interesting proposal for those looking for a versatile and fun premium compact without the need to allocate an irrational budget by choosing the most expensive versions.
The BMW 1 Series is possibly the most balanced model within the compact segment. It is without having to choose the most powerful versions of the range or shell out a fortune to get all the extras. In this test, we will try to show what the car that most customers take when they leave the BMW dealer is like. That is, how is the unit that you are going to buy.
The unit that stars in this test is a true reflection of the choice of most people who buy a 1 Series. It is not fully equipped, far from it, but it is still a pretty car. In terms of design, the front grill stands out with the characteristic double kidney shape and a generous size to take center stage in that front part, accompanied by angled led headlights.
In the side view, the volume of the rear wheel arch stands out, and, in the C-pillar, another recurring BMW design element, the Hoffmeister curve. Personally, the rear of this 4.32 m long car is what I like the most. It shows off some beautiful elongated pilots and details that provide a sporty look such as the upper spoiler or the double exhaust outlet.
BMW offers various exterior equipment extras, but since we want to make a sensible car, I recommend choosing the M Sport package, which is what our unit has. On the base finish it costs about 2,600 euros more but it is well worth it because it adds very interesting equipment, both outside and inside, as well as improvements in the dynamic plane.
For starters, this pack includes the aerodynamics package that gives this premium compact a much sportier look. Also, at no extra cost, it includes some nice 17-inch alloy wheels that look great on it. If you choose the white Alpinweiss paint, you don't have to pay more either.
The M
Sport package is a must-have extra
From behind closed doors, it is obvious how well done the BMW 1 Series is. Surely it is the best compact in terms of quality of realization. All the settings are fantastic, the buttons work very well and all the materials have a very pleasant touch.
Since no one is perfect, the only drawback is that there is a bit of piano black on the center console but they haven't abused it either. I particularly like this textured, illuminated trim strip, part of the M Sport equipment. Also part of the package is a sports leather steering wheel and sports seats with attractive cloth upholstery. Do you see how investing in the M Sport package is worth it?
Of course, in the generous list of extras, we will find a lot of options such as the panoramic sunroof, the wireless charging base for smartphones, the heating for the front seats or a better quality sound system. All that will depend on tastes and budget. There's plenty to choose from as befits a luxury car that can be outfitted with top-notch equipment, including exclusive BMW Individual options.
The driving position of the 1 Series has two large screens of 10.25 inches each. One for fully digital instrumentation and one for a very modern multimedia system with connectivity to Android Auto and Apple Carplay, wireless updates, and remote services. It has extraordinary performance, and it is one of the best infotainment systems on the market.
As for the driving position, it is very low and sporty. It is no surprise because BMW always makes cars focused on sporty driving, enjoyment behind the wheel. It is a brand whose DNA is making driver-oriented cars, but does that mean that they forget about the rest of the passengers?
Taking
a look at the second row of seats, it is observed that they are not mutually
exclusive: you can make a car designed for the driver but also enjoyed by the
companions. I said it at the beginning, it is a very balanced car. It must be
recognized that the space available in the back is very striking. This
generation of the 1 Series has an exterior size very similar to that of the
previous generation and yet inside it is much more spacious.
How BMW has achieved that is thanks to the fact that this generation F40 changed the platform and instead of its rear-wheel drive architecture it is now front-wheel drive. This has implications on a dynamic level that I am going to tell you about later, but an obvious and very positive effect is this enormous gain in interior space.
Rivers of ink have flowed on this subject but I must say that choosing the UKL platform seems very wise to me. We are talking about the compact segment where cars that are very versatile are sought and to have that versatility it is important to enjoy good habitability.
So in the 1 Series, there's more than enough legroom for even tall passengers, which is pretty good for a car that's only 4.32m long. There's plenty of headroom, too, and passengers up to 6'2 fit well in the rear. As for width, better for two. As usual in the segment, the central square is intended for very occasional use. In this second row of seats, we have air vents, a couple of USB sockets, nets behind the backs of the front seats, and a folding armrest.
The German compact offers a cargo space with a capacity of 380 liters which is more or less in the segment average. It is usual for this space to be much less cared for, but this is not the case with the 1 Series, which offers a perfectly upholstered trunk with good adjustments in each of its parts. The premium facet has even reached here.
Furthermore, under the main compartment, there is another storage space. We can find this in other cars, yes, but it is generally a small, irregular, or low-rise space. This is not the case with the 1 Series, which offers a very noticeable hole under the floor and therefore allows the load to be distributed in a much more optimal way. It is a well-thought-out cargo space that can also expand its volume by folding down the back of the rear seats to achieve a capacity of up to 1,200 liters.
1
series diesel: go a lot and spend little
The BMW 1 Series has a range of three diesel and four gasoline engines with versions as extreme as the M135i xDrive with 306 hp and all-wheel drive. But today we're talking about balance and the sensible choice is the BMW 118d like the one I've been testing. It is a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine that develops 150 hp. He walks a lot, spends little, and is therefore a fabulous choice.
It is an engine with good power that allows the German compact to move freely in all kinds of situations, even when loaded. It is not only remarkable in its cavalry but for everything in the maximum torque that it is capable of offering since it reaches 350 Nm. The performance is very good as it shows that it is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.4 seconds and reaches a high top speed of 216 km/h.
This engine can be linked to a six-speed manual gearbox or an eight-speed automatic transmission. The manual gearbox is just fine but I highly recommend choosing the Steptronic automatic gearbox. It's a quick and smooth shift, it works really well. There is an option with cams and another without them, choose the one with the cams because the price difference is very small and in the end, you will use them.
The BMW compact stands out not only for its good performance but also because it achieves them by spending very little. In carefree driving, we are usually going to be between 5 and 5.5 l/100 km with this 118d version, which is very good. The best thing is that if we don't make a little effort to drive efficiently, it is possible to get below that 5-liter barrier without difficulty, even getting very close to 4 liters. Nothing to envy a hybrid.
The Steptronic transmission has a lot to do with these good results because it has a wonderful sail mode. With this function, the transmission decouples from the engine to the coast at times and it works really well in BMW, in fact, there is possibly no other manufacturer that has integrated it better. It works very naturally, it is hardly noticeable, it acts on many occasions and it gets a lot of use out of it. This diesel engine uses very little, but if we take advantage of those moments in which the inertia mode works, the average consumption drops quickly.
We were talking before that it is now front-wheel drive. It doesn't have the same behavior as a rear-wheel drive car, by definition, but that's only noticeable in very demanding driving. In normal or even happy driving, the vast majority of drivers will not notice any difference.
It's been a while since I mentioned the M Sport package and the great success of equipping it. I insist again that it is a great investment because it also brings improvements in the dynamic section. For example, add the M Sport steering that has variable assistance and that makes the car have a very direct response to steering wheel movements.
The M Sport package also includes the M Sport sports suspension. It is somewhat stiffer than the standard one, it also lowers the ride height by 10 mm and offers a good compromise between comfort and stability. It maintains comfort but as the springs are a bit stiffer it reduces roll in corners resulting in a fun and agile car.
Speaking of suspension, one of the keys to the agility of this BMW is that the 1 Series comes standard in all versions with a multi-link rear suspension. It is worth mentioning this detail because its direct rivals only offer this type of suspension with the most powerful engines, but the most common versions, the ones that most people buy, have a much simpler suspension for reasons of savings. of costs. That the BMW has this multi-link suspension makes a difference because it makes a car more agile and reads the road better.
It is
one of the keys so that all versions of the 1 Series, and not only the most
powerful, offer very satisfactory dynamic behavior and always with a sporty touch.
In the end, I insist again: with a configuration like this we have a car that
is fast, that costs little, that offers good versatility of use and that is
fun.
When I say that it is one of the most balanced cars, I am also referring to the price, always remembering that we are talking about a luxury model. When we talk about premium compacts, three models immediately come to mind: BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 Sportback, and Mercedes A-Class. The Bavarian model is the one with the lowest price.
The BMW compact is for sale from 31,700 euros so that starting version is cheaper than an A3 Sportback that exceeds 32,000 euros and much cheaper than a Class A that goes beyond 38,000 euros. I insist that I am talking about the access versions and then the prices will vary depending on the engine and the equipment chosen, but the 1 Series will win in the price/product ratio in most cases.
I take advantage of giving additional advice. From time to time BMW releases special or limited series of this model and for example, the 1 Series Color Vision Edition is currently offered. Do not lose sight of these editions because they are usually a good option by providing more equipment at an interesting price.
EXPERT
VIEWS
We
liked it more
- Dynamic behavior
- Quality of realization
- Versatility of use
We
liked it less
- Without electrified motorizations
- Some extras can be very expensive
- Console in glossy black plastic
0 Comments