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BMW 1-Series road test

The BMW 1 Series is now into its second generation and BMW says it has been busy addressing all of the faults of the previous model. This means more rear seat space, a bigger boot and a more compliant ride. As an added bonus, the engines are more powerful, cleaner and more frugal, but the looks of the One still split opinion.

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Performance

The 1 Series may compete in the small hatch class but it’s still a BMW and that means it has to go with some urgency. No problems here and even the least potent, the 116d with a 116bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel motor, covers 0-62mph in 10.3 seconds. Admittedly, that’s not stand-out fast, but most 1 Series customer ignore the 116d and head for the 188d, which offers up 0-62mph in a brisker 8.9 seconds. This is more like it, while those looking for the quickest of the new 1 Series bunch need look no further than the 120d that manages 0-62mph in a very businesslike 7.2 seconds. That’s quicker than the best of the petrol models, the turbocharged 118i that takes 7.4 seconds for 0-62mph. There’s also the 116i, which uses a version of the 118i’s turbo motor, that needs 8.5 seconds for the bench mark sprint. Just as importantly as base line acceleration is the way the engines build speed through the gears. A slick-shifting six-speed manual is standard across the 1 Series range and is a pleasure to use. It has well spaced ratios for town, motorway and back road driving, allowing the 1 Series driver to be as lazy or as involved as he or she likes. An eight-speed automatic is an option, which is a first in class for this sector, and it too is smooth and seamless in action.

Ride & Handling

What a difference. Gone is previous 1 Series’ harsh ride and so-so refinement to be replaced by suspension that has just the right blend of give and grip to make the 1 Series among the very best in the small hatch sector for comfort. That is quite a turnaround and shows BMW has learned its lessons, not least of which is covering many development miles in the UK due to our particularly challenging roads and surfaces. The 1 Series now flows over badly pockmarked tarmac with a polish and panache found in few others in this sector. Just as amazing is that BMW has retained all of the previous One’s superb body control, though the steering just misses that fine degree of feel that sets the 3 Series apart from its rivals so brilliantly. There’s a Sport option for the 1 Series that brings firmer suspension and it’s likely to be a popular choice, but we’d stick with the standard set-up of the SE for anyone who mixes town, country and motorway driving. Whatever the type of road you’re on, the 1 Series is now a quiet place to travel thanks to wind and road noise being sealed out of the cabin very effectively. A little engine noise from the diesel motors is audible above idle speed, but the petrols are hushed unless revved hard to get the best from their performance.

Build Quality & Reliability

This is another area where BMW has focused much of its attention for the new 1 Series. Where some of the plastics felt fragile in the previous car, the new model appears much more solidly put together from an altogether higher grade of material. Everywhere the driver’s and passengers’ hands come into contact with the car there’s a pleasing quality to the BMW. As for the engines, the diesel motors are all-new but we have little reason to suspect they will be anything other than sturdy, while the petrol units are developments of the previous generation’s. The most recent JD Power survey notes the last 1 Series was a tough performer but it was expensive to repair should anything go wrong.

Safety & Security

A four-star score is disappointing in this class, so BMW should perhaps look a little more closely at its specification levels. If it did, it would find most of the 1 Series’ key rivals come with at least six airbags as standard and not the twin front and side ’bags only of the One. BMW does at least serve up ESP traction and stability control as standard on all new 1 Series as part of its Dynamic Stability Control system. Anti-lock brakes are fitted to all, while an immobiliser, alarm and deadlocks will see thieves pass on to an easier target. There are also Isofix child seat mounts.

Space & Practicality

BMW has lengthened the 1 Series by 83mm overall, with 30mm in the wheelbase for extra rear knee room and 39mm at the rear of the car to make the boot larger. These small amounts have freed up significant added space and the rear seats are now able to cope with a couple of adults for most journeys. Access to the rear of the 1 Series is now also much better as the extra length in the wheelbase means the rear wheels are placed further back so the arch does not jut into the door aperture. This was a particular failing of the last 1 Series and made it tricky to get in and out or load a child seat. Now, the door opening is considerable larger and free of obstructions to make it as easy as another car in this class for rear access. The extra length at the back of the 1 Series now means the boot is extended to 360-litres, which is 10-litres better than a Volkswagen Golf’s boot, with the rear seats in place. A 60/40 split and tip rear bench folds to release a maximum of 1200-litres, which is a little behind the class best but still useful. Up front, the 1 Series’ dash is clear and typically easy to navigate round as we’d expect of a BMW. The seats are very supportive and the driver’s move for height, the steering moves in two directions for adjustment and the view out in most directions is excellent. Only the thick rear pillar of the five-door 1 Series can make some slow speed manoeuvres more of a strain.

Ownership & Value

Most UK buyers will opt for a 1 Series with a diesel engine of one size or another, with the 118d making up the bulk of orders. This means superb 62.8mpg average economy, or 64.2mpg if you opt for the eight-speed auto with the 120d. Take the second option and you’ll see carbon dioxide emissions of 116g/km, which are the lowest of any car in the range to begin with. A 116d EfficientDynamics model will arrive later with 99g/km emissions and average economy of 74.3mpg. The 118d offers 118g/km emissions and, like all new 1 Series models, comes with standard Auto Stop/Start and BMW’s EfficientDynamics package that recharges the battery as the car slows and reduces the strain on the engine by only using electrical power when needed. This is taken a stage further by the standard ECO PRO mode that is selected by a button on the centre console as part of the Drive Performance Control. ECO PRO reduces the amount of power used by the heated seats and air conditioning and also changes the throttle response for a softer, more economical way of driving. BMW has introduced SE, Sport and Urban trims for the 1 Series. SE comes with air conditioning, electric windows, CD stereo and alloy wheels, while the Sport adds larger alloy wheels, sport trim and some extra exterior details to highlight its more athletic approach. It also comes with Sport suspension, which is down to personal taste as it is noticeably firmer. The Urban trim takes a leaf from MINI’s book and offers greater personalisation of the car, including some ugly white-painted exterior parts such as the lower grille bar and door mirrors.

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