Buying A BMW 1 Series - A Guide
.
Introduced more than a decade ago as BMW’s rival to the market-dominating Audi A3, the BMW 1 Series for sale is one of the most attractive compact cars on the market today. It replaced the 3 Series Compact as the German carmaker’s smallest and least expensive model providing a lower point of entry into the BMW range as the larger 3 Series gradually moved more up-market.
.
The 1 Series is the only vehicle in its class offering rear-wheel drive, advanced aluminium multilink suspension and a 50:50 weight balance. It also rates extremely well for handling, fuel efficiency, style, practicality and reliability - everything you would want in a fun family car.
.
Launched in 2004, the first generation 1 Series was only available in the 5-door hatchback (E87) variant with the 3-door hatchback (E81), 2-door coupé (E82) and 2-door convertible (E88) not added to the range until 2007. In 2011, the second generation of the model was released with a midlife tune-up in 2015 and further revisions in 2017.
.
.
BMW 1 Series First Generation (2004-2011)
As the successor to the 3 Series Compact, the newly created 1 Series shared most of its components with the 3 Series including axle configuration and suspension. Designed to challenge the Volkswagen Golf, Volvo C30 and Mercedes-Benz B-Class as well as the Audi A3, the 1 Series was based on an entirely new E87 automobile platform.
.
When it was first released, the design of the 1 Series was controversially received, especially the bonnet which was far longer than its contemporaries. However, there were no doubts about how well the car drove providing plenty of fun for everyday motoring.
.
First Generation Trim Levels
The first generation 1 Series models were initially available in three trim levels: ES, SE and Sport. The most basic ES trimmed models included 16" alloy wheels and manual air conditioning as standard. Upgrading to SE made for a more comfortable drive, adding automatic dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, front fog lights, heated wing mirrors and washer jets, plus a sport multi-function steering wheel. The top-of-the-range Sport trim offered sport seats as well as a lower, stiffened suspension for an enhanced driving experience.
.
In 2006, BMW replaced the Sport trim with the ever-desirable M Sport trim level, which cost over R54,000 above the entry-level ES trim from the new. M Sport models included 17" alloy wheels, interior and exterior trim additions, M aerodynamic body styling, M Sport multi-function leather steering wheel, stiffer M Sport suspension, as well as sports seats.
.
The Sport trim level was then reintroduced to the 1 Series in 2008 with models featuring 'standard' suspension with the addition of sports seats, a multi-function sports steering wheel and fog lights, above the basic ES trim level.
.
First Generation Engines
From the start, the BMW 1 Series model range was offered with a range of economical petrol and diesel engines: there were 1.6-litre 116i and 2.0-litre 118i and 120i petrol models, and 118d and 120d versions of a 2.0-litre diesel engine.
.
For those after a truly hot hatchback, the unassuming BMW 130i was offered a year later, in both 3-door and 5-door variants and came packed with a potent 3.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine, producing 197 kW behind its trademark BMW kidney grilles.
.
2007 Facelift
Three years after its launch, the 1 Series received several improvements. The 5-door hatchback underwent a facelift including revised headlights, redesigned front and rear bumpers and a restyled interior. The hydraulic power steering was also replaced by electric power steering.
.
Under the bonnet, new engines for petrol and diesel models brought improvements in fuel economy with EfficientDynamics technology. Most notably a twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre 123d variant was introduced, while cars with a manual gearbox received a stop-start system to reduce CO2 emissions.
.
New Models Launched
In May 2007, the 3-door hatchback 1 Series was launched which was then joined in November by the 1 Series coupé model, closely followed by the 1 Series convertible. Unlike the 3 Series convertible, this version used a soft-top instead of a folding hardtop making it lighter and preserving more space in the boot.
.
The new body styles saw the top-of-the-range 130i hatchback trumped in terms of performance (excluding the limited production 1M Coupe) by the new BMW 135i (available as a coupé or convertible) – producing 225 kW from a new twin-turbo 3.0-litre power unit.
.
.
.
