BMW first tried to conquer the hatchback market in 1994 with the 3-series compact, but this undervalued model could not match the sales figures of the Audi A3 and the Volkswagen Golf. Fortunately, BMW was not discouraged and in 2004 launched the 3-series compact. Chris Bangle designed 1-series. It had to compete with the Audi A3 and the surprisingly popular Alfa Romeo 147.  

Rear-wheel drive 

While other hatchbacks have front- or four-wheel drive, the BMW 1-Series sends its power to the rear. As a result, it is more balanced and steers razor-sharp. Also, cars with rear-wheel drive have more traction. A disadvantage of this construction is that it takes up a lot of space, at the expense of the interior space. Although the Alfa Romeo 147 steered well, the BMW was the boss on twisty roads. 

Firmly sprung

The BMW 1 series has a firm suspension, which can cause it to bump on bad road surfaces. The car I drove had 18 inch rims and fairly wide tyres. The 1-series probably suffers less from this bump with the standard 16 inch rims. The firm adjustment is of course BMW and is beneficial to a sporty driving style. On the motorway, in my opinion the adjustment can be lived with, only when the road surface is bad, it is uncomfortable.  

The seats and seating position of the 1-series

Of course, this BMW came with different seats, from sport to comfort. We now review the standard variants and they give sufficient support and the seating area is long enough. In addition, there are enough seat and steering wheel adjustments to allow most people to find a comfortable driving position. The more expensive versions have electric adjustment of the seats including 5 memory options, easy when more people are driving the car.  

Problems and issues BMW 1-Series 

Advice for buyers What should I look for in a used BMW 1 Series hatchback?

Check the paperwork to make sure the car you are interested in has been regularly serviced. Also, always check the rims, if there is a lot of kerb damage, more parts may have suffered. 

Door handle problems

Make sure that the door handles return to their correct position when you release them - if they stick out, both the handle and the lock will have to be replaced to solve the problem.

1 Series Petrol

If you buy a petrol 1-series, listen carefully to the engine, does it run rough (diesel-like) or does the engine temperature ping and is there a petrol smell in the car? These signals can indicate a defect in the ignition coil.

Gearboxes 

Unfortunately, BMW has never quite succeeded in producing faultless gearboxes. If it is difficult to select the right gear or the gear shifts vibrate extremely (they all vibrate a little) when idling or driving, you should look further. Replacing a gearbox is, of course, an expensive affair.

Other problems:

• ECUs of petrol engines failing, 
• windows that slam shut, 
• airbag faults 
• generation of a warning light on the dashboard
• problem with the electronic stability control, causing it to be disabled.

The 1 Series has been the subject of several recalls: for a problem with the rear axle, a problem with the power-assisted brakes, a possible fault with the side airbags and seatbelt pretensioners, and the risk of some diesels catching fire. In each case, however, the number of cars affected was small and the various repairs should have been completed by now.

Is a used BMW 1 Series reliable?

On average, the 1-Series has fewer electrical problems in its class and you will be unlucky if major engine, gearbox or suspension problems occur within the first 160,000 kilometres. After that it becomes a matter of good maintenance. Wear parts such as a clutch, shock absorbers and multiribbed belts are often worn out after 10 years.  

Which used BMW 1 Series should I buy?

The BMW 1 Series was originally only available as a five-door, but the three-door version arrived in 2007. This coincided with a mild facelift and the introduction of powerful yet economical engines.

The 113bhp 116i petrol model has just enough power, but was significantly improved in 2007 when the output was increased to 120bhp. However, the 118i with 127 PS (later 141 PS) is much spicier and the 120i is even better. The highlight of the range is the six-cylinder 130i, a little less economical of course and a little heavier in the nose. 

There are many more diesel-powered cars on the used market and the 118d with 120 hp (later 141 hp) is a great compromise between power and economy. It is even our favourite 1-Series.

From launch there was also the 161bhp (later 175bhp) 120d, which is powerful yet smooth. In mid-2007, the performance-oriented 201bhp 123d was introduced and in early 2009, the super-efficient 116d went on sale.

Conclusion

Although at first people had to get used to the design of the BMW 1-series, it has now become very popular with the general public. This is due to the aforementioned driving characteristics, the excellent engines and of course the image of this German brand. When buying an occasion, our preference is always for a car in its original state. This is especially true for the 1-Series; if it has rims that are too big or other upgrades that detract from the car, we usually don't buy it. Finally, it is nice to have access to bills of maintenance from the past.