Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW 1 Series Hatchback review (2004-2012)

.

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
RRP
£32,060 £48,655
Find your BMW 1 Series
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The baby BMW was the firm’s first attempt at a family-sized hatchback in nearly 30 years. Controversial styling and a cramped cabin are offset by excellent driving dynamics and first class engine line-up.

Styling/Image

Like Marmite, you’ll either love or hate the angles, swoops and curves of the BMW 1-Series. However, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a bodystye – there’s a three or five-door hatch, together with rakish coupe and convertible models. It’s worth the extra to upgrade entry-level cars to ES spec, as it adds desirable alloy wheels. Dark colours show the shape off to best effect.

Interior/Practicality

Sadly the BMW is let down by a poorly packaged interior. Lack of space for rear passengers and limited oddment stowage makes the 1-Series less practical than a Ford Focus. Equipment levels are low on base models, but alloy wheels and air-con are added for ES, and climate control and parking sensors feature on the SE. However, fit and finish are both first rate.

Engine/Performance

The most powerful petrol engine is the excellent 3.0-litre twin-turbo in the 135i Coupe. Packing 306bhp it has genuine sportscar pace. Further down the range are the underpowered 122bhp 116i and the zesty 141bhp 118i. But it’s the diesel motors that really impress, with both 141bhp 118d and 175bhp 120d being punchy and refined. But it’s the road burning, dual turbo 123d that’s the pick of the bunch. It’ll accelerate to 60mph in 7.0 seconds and yet still return 54mpg at the pumps.

Driving experience

With its balanced rear-wheel drive chassis, the 1-Series will be the choice of driving fans. But the trade off for the sharp handling is a stiff ride, even on entry-level models. Choose the focused the M Sport suspension package and you can expect the ride to be even firmer. There is an optional automatic gearbox, but we’d recommend sticking with the slick-shifting manual transmission that’s fitted as standard.

Costs

Thanks to BMW’s Efficient Dynamics technology, the 1-Series serves up class leading fuel economy and CO2 emissions. For example, the 118d will return 60mpg over the combined cycle, and produces just 123g/km of CO2, placing it in VED tax Band B. Pick the 120d and you’ll find that the pence per mile costs are only marginally higher than a Ford Focus TDCI, which should offset the high list price. No matter what model you choose, residual values will be high.

Safety/Environment

BMW’s brilliant Efficient Dynamics kit takes some beating. Stop-start technology, a gear change indicator, Intelligent Alternator Control and low rolling resistance tyres all help reduce CO2 emissions and boost fuel efficiency. Better still, it all works unobtrusively, blending seamlessly with the typical slick BMW driving experience. And with six airbags, traction control and ESP fitted as standard on every model, the small German’s safety credentials are excellent too.

Our Choice: 120d ES five-door

Engines, performance and drive

MPG, CO2 and Running Costs

Interior, design and technology

Practicality, comfort and boot space

Reliability and Safety

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    120 Sport 5dr Step Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £32,060
Select car

Most Economical

  • Name
    120 Sport 5dr Step Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £32,060
Select car

Fastest

  • Name
    M135 xDrive 5dr Step Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £43,830
Select car

New & used car deals

BMW 1 Series

BMW 1 Series

RRP £36,650Used from £8,995
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,919 off RRP*Used from £14,850
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,527 off RRP*Used from £11,590
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £2,192 off RRP*Used from £20,921
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch is on the way to the UK
Toyota GR Corolla - front cornering

Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch is on the way to the UK

The success of the GR Yaris has persuaded Toyota that there’s room in its UK range for the high performance Corolla
News
19 Jun 2025
New Audi A3 e-tron proves the brand isn’t turning its back on smaller cars
Render of the Audi A3 e-tron - front static

New Audi A3 e-tron proves the brand isn’t turning its back on smaller cars

Audi has confirmed it’s bringing a posh all-electric take on the MEB platform to market, and in good time
News
18 Jun 2025
Groundbreaking Nissan solid-state EV batteries due on sale by 2028
Nissan Leaf - front cornering

Groundbreaking Nissan solid-state EV batteries due on sale by 2028

The industry is in a race to bring solid-state to the market, and Nissan isn’t too far behind the leaders
News
17 Jun 2025