2010 New BMW 1 Series Review
The BMW 1 Series, why do you want one? Go on admit it; it's the badge isn't it. Well you get a lot more than a badge. Based on a brand new platform with a choice of four engines, two petrol and two turbodiesels developing between 115 and 163 bhp and a choice of trim levels to suit your budget it has never been easier, or cheaper to own your very own BMW and with a five star Euro ncap safety rating you've never been safer.
There's absolutely no doubt whose market BMW want to take with the 1 Series, the VW golf has long been the king of the hatchbacks and BMW have certainly designed the 1 Series to try to knock the Golf off its sales pedestal. The main difference between the BMW and the VW is that in keeping with tradition BMW have gone with rear wheel drive.
First the petrol variants entry level on the 1 Series is the 116i, powered by a 1.6 litre four cylinder 16 valve petrol engine developing 115 bhp through a 5 speed manual transmission, standard features on this model include, BMW business CD with single CD player, airbags for driver and front passenger, side impact protection, side airbags for driver and front seat passenger, head airbags (front and rear), electronic immobiliser, remote control alarm - Thatcham category 1, run flat tyres with tyre puncture warning system (TPWS), anti-lock braking system (ABS), dynamic stability control (DSC) including automatic stability control (ASC), dynamic brake control (DBC) and dynamic traction control (DTC) and an on board computer.
Next up is the 118i, same specification as the 116i but with a 2.0 litre four cylinder 16 valve petrol engine with valvetronic engine management developing 129 bhp through a five speed manual transmission.
The 1 Series 120i uses the 2.0 litre four cylinder power unit from the 3 Series and develops 150 bhp through a six speed manual transmission, standard on this model in addition to the 118i are, electric rear windows, exterior parts in body colour including front and rear lower bumper valences, bumper rubbing strips, door handles and roof rail gutters and titanium matt decorative dashboard and door inlays.
The 130i SE powered by a 3.0 litre six cylinder 24 valve engine developing 265 bhp through a six speed manual transmission standard features on this model over and above the 120i specification include, 17" V spoke alloy wheels, automatic climate control, cup holders, front armrest, front fog lights, interior auto dimming mirror, high gloss shadow line, multi function steering wheel, rear park distance control, rain sensor with automatic headlight activation, three spoke leather sports steering wheel and three foldable rear headrests.
Now the diesels, firstly the 118d, same specification as the 118i but powered by a four cylinder 16 valve common rail diesel engine turbo charged with variable turbine geometry developing 122 bhp through a six speed manual transmission, then there is the 120d again this carries the same specification as the 120i but in this instance is powered by a four cylinder 16 valve common rail diesel engine turbo charged with variable turbine geometry developing 163 bhp through a six speed manual transmission.
In addition to the base models BMW offer four different levels of trim on the 1 Series, first the ES that has 16" Radial style alloy wheels and manual air conditioning over and above the standard specification. Secondly, the SE, this trim level has 17" seven spoke alloy wheels, automatic climate control, front armrest, front fog lights, interior auto dimming mirror, lights package, multi-function three spoke leather sports steering wheel and rear park distance control (PDC) all in addition to the base vehicle. Thirdly, the Sport, the standard features on this trim level above the base model are, 16" five spoke alloy wheels, automatic climate control, black Gomera interior trim, exterior parts in body colour, front fog lights, sports seats in "Moire" cloth, sports suspension and a three spoke leather sports steering wheel. Finally the 1 Series M Sport, the specification on these vehicles is over and above the SE trim, 17" double spoke alloy wheels style 207M (17" double spoke alloy wheels style 208M on the 130i M Sport only), Aluminium Glacier silver interior trim, exterior parts in body colour, high gloss shadow line, individual anthracite headlining, M aerodynamic package, M leather steering wheel, M sports suspension and sports seats in Flashpoint cloth.
Like the looks of the new BMW 1 Series, why not check out, the Alfa Romeo 147, the VW Golf, the Citroen C4, the Peugeot 307, the Renault Megane or the new Ford Focus.
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