For Enjoyable to drive, thanks to communicative steering. Diesel versions are impressively frugal and the larger engines have plenty of power. Residual values will be solid.
Against Not the prettiest of drop-tops and some of the petrol engines need to be worked surprisingly hard. M Sport models have a firm ride and some interior trim isn’t up to usual BMW standards.
What Car? says
The 1 Series Convertible can't match some rivals for value or rear seat space, but it's good to drive and running costs for all but the top-end models are low.
There are 19 BMW 1 Series versions available
Buyer's notes
Target Price team says:
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.
Reader test team says:
BMW 1 Series Convertible 118i ES 2dr
Having owned a 3 series compact prior to this I…
BMW 1 Series Convertible 120i SE 2dr
Bought a 120i SE, having previously owned a 320d…
BMW 1 Series Convertible 120i M Sport 2dr
Test driven this car as an automatic with and for…
BMW 1 Series Convertible 118i SE 2dr
I have test drove this car for a day, having had…
1 Series rivals
1 Series used rivals
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