We review the BMW 1 Series from price to economy and all its features
IT'S not quite BMW's special 1, but it has definitely made a big difference.
The 1 Series is the model that made BMW more affordable to the masses, a fact underlined by more than 1.2 million sales since 2004.
Beemer for the masses … BMW 1 Series
In the UK, it accounts for 30 per cent of BMW sales and last month was in the UK's Top Ten best-sellers list.
Its size and hatchback practicality have been a big hit with female buyers, who account for 40 per cent of sales.
The 1 Series has also done a great job attracting customers from other brands — 70 per cent of buyers are new to BMW.
So it is no surprise BMW have not messed greatly with the distinctive styling of long bonnet and short, chopped-off rear.
They have given it a bit more edge with racier headlights and LED running lights and a more prominent version of the corporate BMW kidney-shaped grille.
And they have tidied up the rear to give it a more solid, squared-off shape, with more individual tail-lights.
Together the changes make it a more mature looking vehicle.
The subtle styling evolution makes sense because buyers clearly liked the way the 1 Series looked. I have to admit I wasn't a great fan but I do think the changes have improved things.
The 1 Series is now 83mm longer and 14mm wider, which slightly improves the rear seat leg room by 21mm — one of the weaknesses of the original car.
The boot space is also up by 30 litres to 360 litres, and with 40:20:40 split folding rear seats it rises to 1,200 litres.
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But the rear space remains tight sitting behind a tall driver, so the back is still best suited to children.
The cabin has been spiced up with splashes of white metallic paint and the centre console apes the 5 Series, while the trim and plastics remain top notch.
Among the big strengths of the 1 Series was how well it drove — like a big BMW — and it pioneered the firm's Efficient Dynamics, which basically boosted mpg and lowered CO2 emissions using stop/start technology.
Now it gets an additional driving mode, alongside Comfort and Sport, called ECOPRO, which, as the name suggests, is geared towards maximum economy driving at the touch of a button.
BMW were clearly ahead of the game on how important fuel economy and CO2 would become to buyers and the new version gets diesel and petrol engines that improve the figures even more.
The new diesel version in the 116d is the first BMW to go below 100g/km of CO2 emissions at 99g/km, but the figure that is most wallet-friendly sees economy pushed up to 62.8mpg.
There is also a new twin turbo-charged 1.6-litre petrol engine that gets more power, fuel economy of nearly 50mpg and CO2 down to 132g/km.
But the best options to go for are the 118d or 120d — they're quick, refined and responsive — and return more than 60mpg.
Combine the engines with BMW's proven dynamic handling capabilities and precise steering and you have a combination that is hard to beat in this level of car.
Like all BMW models, the 1 Series goes from an entry model to SE and Sport trims, together with a new Urban trim level that offers more personalisation.
You get 17in V-spoke alloy wheels, chrome kidney grille with white slat sides, white wing mirrors and other design details.
There is a vast array of options and technological gadgets that will push the cost way beyond the starting price of £19,375 for the petrol 116i to nearly £40,000 with all the bells and whistles.
But as the 1 Series has conclusively proved, UK buyers are happy to pay a hefty premium for the BMW badge, even when it is fitted to a small hatchback.
The big-selling five-door version of the 1 Series goes on sale in September and will be followed in 2012 by the three-door version.
But fans of the convertible and coupé will have to wait at least three years for the all-new version.
The changes to the 1 Series may be subtle but they are significant and enough to ensure that BMW's small star remains a big success story.
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN BUYING A USED BMW 1-SERIES (2004-)
Owners appear to be happy overall with their cars’ reliability - the 1-series has scored well in satisfaction surveys.
However the first-generation car was recalled three times for problems with the braking, airbags and seatbelt pretensioners, as well as a fire risk with diesel models.