What is it?
The third-generation BMW 1-Series hatchback, which has now landed in the UK. And, while it may not be a widely held opinion of any new BMW right now, I’d say that it looks, more or less, like it ought to.
Because it looks nothing at all like a traditional three-box saloon of the 1980s, of course, some will call this car inauthentic – but I’d bet that few of the younger customers at whom BMW is aiming this car will be among them. For your average 2019 thirty-something car-buyer, after all, a typical modern BMW is an BMW X1, an BMW X3 or perhaps a 2-Series Active Tourer – those being the modern BMWs we now see the most of.
If that typical buyer is familiar with an ‘E34’ 5-Series saloon at all, meanwhile, he’ll probably know no part or facet of it more intimately than his memory can conjure of the patterned cloth on the front seatback. Times, they are a changing – and it’s the job of this car, perhaps more than any other, to change BMW’s customer base.
Were you to point out that the styling robs the 1-Series of some of the old models’ distinctiveness, of course, I wouldn’t argue. But wasn’t that inevitable? The ‘F40’-generation car looks a bit Lexusey from the rear, as the 3-Series does – while the adoption of plenty of wedgy, creasy attitude into the frontal aspect and profile doesn’t set it apart from hatchback rivals quite as clearly as intended. Nevertheless, it’s smart enough and doesn’t offend – not, at least, to my eyes.
The new 1-Series lineup includes diesel engines ranging from 114bhp 116d to 188bhp 120d xDrive, while the petrols take in the range-topping M135i xDrive (on which a group test is in the pipeline) and this 138bhp 118i. Prices start just below £25,000, and the trim level walk is a familiar progression from SE, through Sport, up to M Sport – with the usual bundled options packages to beef up your equipment level.
For suspension SE- and Sport-spec cars gets standard coil springs; M Sports get lowered, stiffened passive suspension; and adaptive dampers are optional – although can’t be combined with the very biggest 19in alloys of the range or with BMW’s M Sport Plus package (which gets you uprated brakes and a variable-ratio M Sport steering setup).
Our test car has the passive M Sport springs, optional 19in wheels, conventional non-runflat tyres, as well as the car’s standard six-speed manual gearbox. The automatic option is either a seven-speed twin-clutcher or an eight-speed torque converter depending on engine choice (the latter is standard-fit with 120d- and M135i xDrive models).
Join the debate
Add your comment
Sad
So it's a FWD petrol BMW with a turbo that doesn't seem to want to rev past 5,000 rpm! :banghead:
Just another piece of mediocraty IMO.
nice car
Coming from a X2, we want soemthing a bit smaller but premium still.
So far driven 118i, A200, A1 35 and A1 citycarver.
I liked the A class interior when it came out last year and loved the extra wide dispaly but BMW have surpassed it and is now on par with the Audi.
Driving there aren't much different. IMHO.
probaly go for the BMW if my wife agress :)
I seem to be the exception but I've just ordered one!
I know I will be lynched for this statement(!), but having had 2 rear drive cars in the past, I would never buy another. OK, they might perform marginally better at the limit, they might provide a bit more fun for the boy racers of this world, but on the average road, in average traffic, you can't really tell the difference. Not to mention the number of Beemer drivers I've waived to over the years as I've happily driven past them while they were stuck in snow.
So it was music to my ears when I realised that the new 1 Series was FWD. I'd never even considered a BMW before. We were seriously impressed when we test drove it for a few hours. It's a second car so we don't need masses of power but the 3 pot 1.5 petrol engine is suprisingly nippy yet still quiet and refined on the open road. The slightly stiffer M Sport suspension combines well with it. We took it out on some country B roads and it was a fun drive. In terms of comfort and sophistication we thought it was in a much higher league than the Focus or Golf and it definitely seemed quieter than the A3. And the interior is jsut a nice place to be - we just couldn't live with the bling of the Merc A class interior.
Is it perfect, no definitely not. I too have a few issues with the size and shape of the front grill, and the digital cockpit is not as good as the competition. A slightly bigger 4 cylinder petrol engine would have been good (no doubt it will be announced the day after we take delivery!) and why does Apple Car Play have to be an added cost subscription when other manufacturers include it?
But overall we were seriously impressed with the car and look forward to taking delivery next month.