For The M Sport bodykit gives the 1 Series Coupe a suitably edgy look and firmer suspension gives it handling to match. Standard kit is lavish, yet running costs are low.
Against The ride is firm (unless you specify the regular suspension) and a couple of the cabin plastics are uncharacteristically hard and unappealing for a BMW. The price is high and those in the back seats will feel cramped.
The cosmetic additions to M Sport 1 Series Convertible models make it look the part and the tweaked suspension sharpens the handling. The ride is hard, but running costs remain impressively low.
The 1 Series has a range of engines to suit every budget and taste. For us, the 120d supplies the best balance between pace and running costs and it's refined too. The smaller petrol engines are rather short on grunt, while the higher powered petrol and diesel models push the price too high.
Entry-level ES trim supplies all the basics, but stepping up to SE adds the kind of luxuries that many premium badge buyers will expect. M Sport adds a fetching bodykit, but it also has firmer suspension settings that make the ride less forgiving.
Running costs for the diesel models are low, thanks partly to BMW’s clever Efficient Dynamics measures, which helps towards stunning fuel economy and CO2 emissions.
Petrol versions are cleaner and more frugal than many rivals, but by any standards the 135i seems unnecessarily pricey. BMW offers three- or five-year fixed price servicing packages that can be sold on to future owners.
Having owned a 3 series compact prior to this I…
Bought a 120i SE, having previously owned a 320d…
Test driven this car as an automatic with and for…
I have test drove this car for a day, having had…