For A twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine gives sensational performance. The M Sport makeover gives the car sharp looks and handling to match. Standard kit is lavish and the engine is smooth.

Against The sky-high price is the main issue, especially when the bigger, better 3 Series Convertible doesn't cost much more. The ride is firm (unless you specify the regular suspension) and a couple of the cabin plastics are a little disappointing.

BMW 1 Series Convertible

What Car? says

2 out of 5 stars

View this is an 'M1 Convertible' in all but name and the jaw-dropping price tag might seem acceptable. But it isn't – it's just a very expensive (albeit mightily entertaining) version of the 1 Series.

What Car? readers say

4.75
Calculate equipment options
Comfort
Electric steering adjust Not Available
Electric Sunroof Not Available
Manual sunroof Not Available
Air conditioning Not Available
Cruise control £220
Electric mirrors Standard
Heated mirrors Standard
Electric windows front Standard
Electric windows rear Standard
Seat height adjustment Standard
Climate Control Standard
Power Steering Standard
Steering adjustment reach Standard
Steering adjustment rake Standard
Power Seats £910
Heated Seats £265
Panoramic sunroof Not Available
Electric Panoramic Sunroof Not Available
Power Folding Mirror £175
Engine & Transmission
Auto £1,625
CVT Not Available
Tiptronic Not Available
Particulate filter Not Available
Entertainment
Radio/Cassette Not Available
RDS Radio/Cassette Not Available
CD Standard
Multi CD £300
MP3/iPod Connection Standard
DVD Player Not Available
MP3 CD Player Standard
RDS CD Standard
Hard Drive Not Available
Exterior
Metallic paint £515
Alloy wheels Standard
Front Foglights Not Available
Powered sliding doors Not Available
Interior
Hands Free Phone Kit £545
Satellite navigation £1,550
Leather Seats £1,010
Split/fold seats Not Available
Bluetooth £400
7 seat pack Not Available
Safety
Passenger airbag Standard
Side airbags Standard
ABS Standard
3 Point centre belt Not Available
Driver's airbag Standard
Belt pretensioners Standard
Isofix Standard
Side Impact Bars Standard
Traction control Standard
Curtain Airbag Not Available
Rear Parking Sensor Standard
Electronic stability programme Standard
On/Off Passenger Airbag Standard
Driver's knee airbag Not Available
Reversing Camera Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available
Lane Departure Warning Not Available
Front Parking Sensor £215
Passenger Knee Airbag Not Available
Security
Alarm Standard
Immobiliser Standard
Deadlocks Standard
Central locking Standard
Remote locking Standard
Unique fit stereo Standard
Marked Parts Standard
Etched Windows Not Available
Locking Wheel nuts Standard
Visible VIN Standard
Secure spare wheel Not Available
Satellite tracking £219
Laminated Glass Not Available
Options calculator Price
Cruise control £220
Power Seats £910
Heated Seats £265
Power Folding Mirror £175
Auto £1,625
Multi CD £300
Metallic paint £515
Hands Free Phone Kit £545
Satellite navigation £1,550
Leather Seats £1,010
Bluetooth £400
Front Parking Sensor £215
Satellite tracking £219
Total Price: £35,295
Running costs
Town mpg 23.2
Out of town mpg 43.5
Average mpg 32.8
Tank capacity (litres) 53
CO2 Rating (g/km) 200
Carbon offset cost £29
Green rating
Insurance group 38
Typical insurance £969.00
% Value retained (3yrs/36000 miles) 38%
Typical contract hire £536.00
Pence per mile 83
Servicing costs - 3 years £1,177.00
Service intervals Variable
Warranty period 3yr/UL + 3yr Paint + 12yr Perforation + 3yr Breakdown
Three-year cost£30,255
Company car tax
Percentage charge 31
Benefit in kind £10,781.00
Tax payable 20% £2,156.00
Tax payable 40% £4,312.00

Performance and measurements

Body type Open
Number of doors 2
Number of seats 4
Engine (cc/type) 2979/6
Number of Valves 24
Fuel type Unleaded
Max power (bhp/rpm) 302/5800
Pulling power (lb/ft) 295
Engine position F
Driven wheels Rear
Length (mm) 4360
Width (mm) 1748
Height (mm) 1411
Front headroom (mm) 930
Front legroom (mm) 1090
Rear headroom (mm) 880
Rear kneeroom (mm) 610
Boot space (min ltr) 260
Boot space (max ltr) 305
Turning circle (m) 10.7
Kerb weight (kg) 1675
Manufacturers figures
0-60 mph (secs) 5.6
Max speed (mph) 155
Euro NCAP Test Scores
Adult protection Unavailable
Child protection Unavailable
Pedestrian protection Unavailable

View the whole BMW 1 Series Convertible range