Compact Sports Car
The BMW 1 Series is one of the sporty representatives of the compact class and assumes a special role in its class thanks to its rear-wheel drive. This technology along with a sporty firm chassis makes the smallest BMW an agile car that is a lot of fun to drive. The further optimized second generation (as of 2011) also impresses in terms of reliability and secures victory in its class in the DEKRA Used Car Report 2017.

As well as the four-door car, those interested can also purchase the slightly more affordable two-door car. Since spring 2014, the coupé and cabriolet models based on the first 1 Series generation have been offered by BMW as a standalone 2 Series.

Although the well finished interior of the 1 Series is still sporty compact, a nine centimeters greater external length compared to the predecessor means more elbowroom for those sitting at the back in particular. The trunk also meets the class standard with 360 to 1,200 liters.

When it comes to performance, the second generation of the tightly coordinated powerhouse makes no compromises: Agile handling, precise steering, clean gear changes, and outstanding driving characteristics highlight the sporty nature of the smallest BMW. Sporty drivers are offered various sports packages containing, for example, 17 or 18-inch wheels with a tire mix, a firmer sports suspension, sports steering and, of course, the appropriate seats and look.

The lively engines also make the pulses of dynamic drivers beat fast. The refined engines cover a power spectrum of 95 HP/70 kW in the 114d to a 320 HP/235 kW strong six-cylinder petrol engine in the 135i. The quiet running four-cylinder diesel engines are extremely economical thanks to efficiency increasing measures such as automatic start-stop function. The 116d from the time prior to the facelift in 2015 gets by with 4.1 liters according to the norm. The top version M135i is also available with (xDrive) four-wheel drive, as is the 118d and 120d.

As standard, the modern safety package includes six airbags and ESP. Various assistant systems are optionally available, such as a high-beam assistant, a parking assistant, and a lane keeping assistant, as well as cruise control with a brake function.

Commentary 2017
The current generation continues the tradition of the rear-wheel drive, unique in this class. Again in the defect report 2017, the BMW 1 achieves good results in every respect. However, a look on the windscreen and the fog lights won't do any harm, in particular with higher mileages, as frequent stone chips were documented. The BMW 1 model range leaves an excellent impression with the DEKRA experts and there are no significant weaknesses.