BMW would like you to be a part of its prestigious family. The appropriately badged 1 series is an all new model aimed largely at buyers who until now, thought the brand outside their reach. Opinion seems divided on the newcomer’s style.
Sharing design cues with the sporty Z4 roadster, the long bonnet, low roofline and heavily sculpted body details are definite attention grabbers. Its rear-wheel-drive chassis stays loyal to BMW's design philosophy and also makes it the odd one out amongst sporting hatchbacks.
Value for money
Pricing
The 1 series range starts with the 95kW 118i five-speed manual at $37,900 while the six-speed auto is $40,100. Next rung up the ladder is the 120i which has more power - 110kW, and a six-speed manual, all for $41,900, with the auto priced at $44,100.
Standard features
Standard equipment for the 120i includes: power windows, dual climate control, cruise control, trip computer, sports seats, 17” alloy wheels, CD player, i-Pod compatibility, rain sensing wipers and auto on headlights. It's easy to personalise the car by ticking boxes on BMW's extensive options list, but the price is affected accordingly. Fitted with metallic paint, sunroof, leather upholstery, sports suspension plus some other niceties our 120i was quickly above $50,000.
Design & function
Space & practicality
The high-waisted design and low roofline combine to give the cabin an enclosed feeling. Despite this the available room up front is very good and the myriad of possible seat adjustments help make the most of it. Room in the rear is definitely snug; the car's long wheelbase is aimed more at good chassis dynamics and housing the drivetrain rather than people. Getting in and out of the car isn't necessarily straightforward. It's easy for the driver to keep bumping the broad B pillar, while the low window line and intrusive rear wheelarch can make life awkward for rear passengers.
Large front door pockets make up for limited console and glovebox storage and luggage space is reasonable in the boxy boot area. A 60/40 rear seat adds valuable space when needed.
Comfort
Sports seats which can adjust every which way are a bonus. Offering a multitude of manual adjustment - height, reach, rake and tilt, the optional power lumbar support is the icing on the cake. You can happily while away traffic jams adjusting the air pressure until it's just right. A sliding under thigh support reinforces how much importance BMW place on driver comfort. And it all works extremely well, the only niggle being the extra firm cushion sides on a long trip.
If you're riding in the rear things are a bit different. The seat is fairly firm and the padding tends to push you towards the centre of the car, and without a centre armrest there isn't much support. Leg room is a compromise but the available head room is acceptable.
Ergonomics
Unlike its exterior the interior has a sleek cohesive look. The dash layout is straight forward and easy to use, with the various switches having a quality feel. BMW's traditionally large gauges relay all you need to know, and the centre dash ventilation and audio switches are quickly learnt. Naturally there are additional audio controls located on the multi-function steering wheel, along with a recirculation switch for the airconditioning. One downside is the column mounted switches. Hidden by the thick rimmed wheel you need to learn your way around them.
While it can seem a gimmick, the push button start makes sense. Slot the remote control into the dash and press the button. Simple and easy, it makes a key look like hard work.
Vision can be an issue. The broad A pillars and large door mirrors can create blind spots and the view through the shallow rear screen when parking is very limited.
Safety
Scoring 5 stars in Euro-NCAP testing the 120i comes standard with a host of acronyms - ABS, DBC (Dynamic Brake Control), EBFD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), CBC (Cornering Brake Control) plus dual stage front airbags, side airbags and side curtain airbags.
Even the brake lights have come in for some clever engineering. Emergency braking increases the brake light’s intensity and if a brake globe should fail, power is diverted to a tail-light globe as an interim measure.
Build quality & finish
Fit and finish on the 1 series is excellent; and for first time BMW buyers - what better introduction to the manufacturer's way of doing things. Paintwork on the Titan Silver test car was smooth and blemish free. Inside it’s the same story, the leather sports seats and interior fittings nicely pieced together.
Security
Assessed by NRMA Insurance the 120i's score of 98/120 places it at the top end of the category for theft protection.
On the road
Performance
Although it may not offer "kick in the back" acceleration, the 120i doesn’t disgrace itself. Utilizing "Valvetronic" variable valve timing the flexible and smooth 2.0 litre gives a solid performance. For overtaking or running along your favourite piece of country road keeping the revs around 3000rpm gives the best acceleration.
The six-speed manual's tall gearing means most suburban journeys would rarely go above fourth or fifth gear. On the freeway in sixth there is still enough available torque to maintain pace up steeper hills.
Ride
Fitted with optional sports suspension the 120i's ride was supple enough to be comfortable over all but the worst road surfaces. Only bumpy undulations would cause the car to lose its composure and fidget across the tarmac.
Handling & steering
Open the bonnet and you'll notice the four cylinders mounted well back in the engine bay. Combined with alloy front suspension components, you have close to 50:50 weight distribution. Ideal for stable, agile handling.
Low profile Goodyear NCTs supply plenty of grip, their wide footprint planting the car onto the road. The chassis' mildly understeering nature is easily balanced with the throttle. The whole package feels solid and user-friendly. One question mark is the standard fitment of run flat tyres. Certainly the technology is proven, but a flat tyre in a remote area might become an issue, not a nuisance.
Steering feel and effort are good, the system's weight only increasing noticeably when committing to faster country bends.
Braking
Strong and progressive, the braking system provides valuable feedback to the driver. At no stage during our test did the brakes feel overworked. By the end of our testing there also seemed to be less brake dust covering the wheels than we've come to expect from European brands.
Smoothness & quietness
There is some tyre noise present over most surfaces, but the engine only intrudes under hard acceleration.
The notchy manual shifts swiftly through the gears and combined with a progressive clutch makes smooth progress easy in stop start city traffic.
Summary
As an introduction to the BMW way of doing things, the 1 series makes a convincing case. Capable, enjoyable to drive, solid build quality and engineering - all attributes consistent with the brand. It may be an entry level model, but BMW haven't cut corners.
