The BMW 1 Series is an executive compact car built by the German automaker BMW introduced in 2004. The earlier 1 Series was available as a hatchback, and then later a convertible and coupe model followed. The 1 Series was introduced as the successor of the BMW 3 Series.
When the second generation of the 1 series was introduced in 2014, the convertible and coupe were no longer part of the lineup, only a 3-door and 5-door hatchback was available.
The 1st and 2nd generation 1 Series were all rear-wheel driven, with an all-wheel-drive model introduced in 2012.
In 2019 BMW released the 3rd generation 1 Series, and unlike the previous generation models, the 3rd generation models were available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive.
A used BMW 1 Series has a price that ranges between US$950 and US$47,620 at BE FORWARD
Engine
The 1 Series is currently in its 3rd generation, and throughout its lifetime, it has utilized several engines. Below we take a brief look at some of these engines.
BROWSE LOW COST BMW 1 SERIES MODELS
1st generation (E8x)
- The 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (N45B16) DOHC petrol engine has a power output of 116 hp and 111 lb.ft of torque with average fuel consumption of 16 km/l. This engine accelerates 0-100 km/h in 10.9 seconds with a top speed of 200 km/h.
- The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (N43B20) DOHC petrol engine has a power output of 122 hp and 136 lb.ft of torque with average fuel consumption of 16 km/l. This engine accelerates 0-100 km/h in 9.8 seconds with a top speed of 204 km/h.
- The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (M47D20) diesel engine has a power output of 150 hp and 243 lb.ft of torque with average fuel consumption of 18 km/l. This engine accelerates 0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds with a top speed of 216 km/h.
- The 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (N52B30) DOHC petrol engine has a power output of 231 hp and 199 lb.ft of torque with average fuel consumption of 11.5 km/l. This engine accelerates 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds with a top speed of 250 km/h.
- The twin-turbo 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (N54B30) DOHC petrol engine has a power output of 306 hp and 295 lb.ft of torque with average fuel consumption of 11 km/l. This engine accelerates 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds with a top speed of 250 km/h.
These engines transfer power to the rear wheels via a 5 or 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, and 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, with all-wheel-drive as an option.
2nd generation (F20/F21)
- The turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (N13B16) DOHC petrol engine has a power output of 170 hp and 184 lb.ft of torque with average fuel consumption of 18 km/l. This engine accelerates 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds with a top speed of 210 km/h.
- The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (N20B20) petrol engine has a power output of 184 hp and 199 lb.ft of torque with average fuel consumption of 15.6 km/l. This engine accelerates 0-100 km/h in 7.2 seconds with a top speed of 235 km/h.
- The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (N47D20) diesel engine has a power output of 163 hp and 250 lb.ft of torque with average fuel consumption of 17.5 km/l. This engine accelerates 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds with a top speed of 225 km/h.
- The turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (N55B30) petrol engine has a power output of 306 hp and 295 lb.ft of torque with average fuel consumption of 12 km/l. This engine accelerates 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds with a top speed of 209 km/h.
These engines transfer power to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission, with all-wheel-drive as an option.
3rd generation (F40)
- The turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder (B38A15) petrol engine has a power output of 134 hp and 162 lb.ft of torque with average fuel consumption of 20 km/l. This engine accelerates 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds with a top speed of 200 km/h.
- The turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder (B37C15U0) diesel engine has a power output of 116 hp and 200 lb.ft of torque with average fuel consumption of 22 km/l. This engine accelerates 0-100 km/h in 10.3 seconds with a top speed of 200 km/h.
- The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (B48A20) petrol engine has a power output of 261 hp and 295 lb.ft of torque with average fuel consumption of 16 km/l. This engine accelerates 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds with a top speed of 250 km/h.
- The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (B47D20) diesel engine has a power output of 190 hp and 295 lb.ft of torque with average fuel consumption of 23 km/l. This engine accelerates 0-100 km/h in 7.1 seconds with a top speed of 230 km/h.
These engines transfer power to the front wheels via a 6-speed manual, 7-speed dual-clutch, and 8-speed automatic transmission, with all-wheel-drive as an option
BROWSE LOW COST BMW 1 SERIES MODELS
Interior & Exterior
BROWSE LOW COST BMW 1 SERIES MODELS
Interior
The interior space of the 1 Series varies depending on which generation you plan to buy, as the 1st (E8x) and 2nd (F20/21) generations’ interior space was affected by the fact that they were rear-wheel driven. The 1 Series (F40) has ample room at the front enough to fit tall drivers and passengers comfortably, while the rear occupants get an extra 33mm of knee-room compared to the E8x and F20/21 models, thanks to the front-wheel-drive architecture on the F40 where the engine is transverse-mounted.
The 1 Series (F40) is not so roomy at the back, but its way better compared to the previous E8x/F20 models. The presence of the transmission tunnel is still noticeable, but it has been reduced compared to the previous models.
Despite the 1-series (F40) being 12mm taller than the previous models, the rear headroom is still not that good. The 1 series (F40) comes with a 380-liter (360-liter on the E8x/F20 models) boot with the rear seats in place, it expands to 1200 liters with the seats folded flat.
BROWSE LOW COST BMW 1 SERIES MODELS
The dashboard of the 1 Series is angled towards the driver, equipped with several smart materials and spotting an expensive, sporty look.
The standard SE trim comes with an 8.8-inch iDrive infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, while the high-end trims come with a 10.25-inch central touchscreen display and a digital instrument panel.
Exterior
BROWSE LOW COST BMW 1 SERIES MODELS
The F40 BMW 1 Series comes with a shorter bonnet unlike the previous models, which has enabled it to increase passenger space; it also features an enlarged kidney grille.
The 1 Series is available as a standard SE, Sport, and M Sport. Their main difference is that the M Sport features some much sportier styling, aggressive bumpers, 18-inch wheels, and a big rear spoiler, while the SE model has a grille with black strakes and wide black air intake with fog lights, fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels and the Sport features similar black grille like the SE model but the air intake is a bit small and at the rear, the bumper has a glossy black lower section, and it’s fitted with 17-inch alloy rims.
Features
The 1 Series is equipped with several technological and safety features such as head-up display, wireless phone charging, lane-keeping assistance, and lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, tire pressure monitoring, radar cruise control, auto emergency braking with the ability to spot vehicles and pedestrians, rear collision and cross-traffic warning.
Verdict
The 1 Series is the smallest and most affordable car BMW offers, but the latest 1 Series and the previous models all have plenty of appealing features. Visit BE FORWARD and choose from our wide list your next BMW 1 Series.
Written by: Samuel H. Mponezya
