BMW 1 Series Coupe car review
Model tested: BMW 123d Coupe M Sport
Price as tested: £26,345
Price range: £21,880 - £29,610
Insurance group as tested: 16
Insurance group range: 14 - 17
CO2 emissions as tested: 138g/km
CO2 emissions range: 128 – 220g/km
Company car tax %: 18% - 32%
EuroNCAP result: tbc
On sale: Now
Road tester: Andy Goodwin
Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 85%
BMW has re-defined the lines of its controversial entry-level hatchback with the new 1 Series Coupe. It has given customers a unique alternative to the sleek Audi TT and Alfa Romeo Brera.
In keeping with BMW tradition the Coupe is rear-wheel drive and it is the excellent engines which stand out on the spec list.
Two diesel motors offer low emissions and excellent fuel economy, while providing a surprising turn of speed, and there are two petrol engines which transform the small 1 Series into a proper sports car.
Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor
Let the debate begin. It’s fair to say the 1 Series Coupe splits opinion like few other cars on the road, but one thing is for sure: it looks expensive. Our test car was black and hugged the ground thanks to its low suspension and deep M-Sport bumpers and sills. It’s an aggressive car in this trim, and you can tell it’s driver-focussed thanks to its taut lines and power bulges which accentuate the car’s rear-wheel drive and perfect 50:50 weight distribution. Unfortunately there is just no getting away from the fact it looks a bit awkward from some angles.
8/10
BMW’s traditionally have well-built and restrained cabins, and the 1 Series Coupe is no exception. The dashboard is as black as a coal face, and there is none of the extravagant dial and switch illumination we’ve seen in many competitors. Everything is purely functional, as you would expect from BMW.
If you do want to lift the interior ambience the optional red leather interior certainly makes a visual impact, and gives the small BMW a much more exotic vibe.
8/10
It may come as a surprise to learn the sleek coupe has a bigger boot than the 1 Series hatch (up from 340 litres to 370 litres). It also features split rear seats which fold down to liberate an even more useful luggage space.
The biggest practicality issue with the 1 Series has always been a lack of room for rear passengers, and the Coupe is no better. If you drive with two or three adult passenger on a regular basis then look elsewhere - perhaps consider a 3 Series instead.
7/10
The first thing we noticed driving the 1 Series Coupe was its incredibly firm ride, due to the M-Sport suspension package fitted to our test car and run flat tyres. At first it was hard to gel with the stiffness of the chassis, but after a while it clicked and with a few changes of driving style the 1 Series started to make a whole lot of sense. Body roll is almost non-existent and the Coupe has a level of poise which is almost exclusive to BMW models.
The suspension fitted to our nearly-new test car seemed to grow more comfortable over the week we drove the car too. But, it you value comfort over outright handling or do lots of motorway miles, we’d recommend the SE spec Coupe above the M-Sport.
9/10
The Coupe might be small, but BMW has seen fit to kit it out with some serious engines. Heading the power race is the 135i with 306bhp, accelerating from 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds and making it a true sports car baiter.
The confusingly-named 125i petrol has a 3-litre engine with 218bhp and takes just over a second longer to reach 62mph.
In the UK most sales will be fought out between the two diesels, and how lucky we are. The 120d has 175bhp and hits the benchmark in 7.6 seconds.
But, the cream of the crop is the engine fitted in the 123d, a 2-litre engine fitted with two turbochargers. Its 201bhp is produced smoothly and quietly, it arrives at 62mph in seven seconds and has an astonishing 148mph top speed.
10/10
BMW is at the cutting edge of diesel engine technology, as proved by some impressive figures. BMW claims the 175bhp 120d emits just 128g/km of carbon dioxide while averaging 59mpg, and even more impressively they say the twin-turbo 201bhp 123d emits only 138g/km and averages 54mpg.
A 148mph sports coupe which should cost £120 or less in tax each year for the foreseeable future and has an 18% company car tax rate is unheard of.
BMW’s efficient dynamics package is a big help, incorporating automatic stop-start, direct fuel injection, brake energy regeneration, electric power steering and energy saving tyres.
There is a big gap between the diesel and petrol engines, which are altogether thirstier (35.8mpg for the 125i and 30.7mpg for the 135i) and emit 190g/km and 220g/km.
9/10
There should be no causes for concern here. The quality of engines and other components is top notch and the cabin feels extremely well built.
9/10
The 1 Series Coupe has not been through the EuroNCAP crash test programme, but we would expect it to perform just as well as the five-star hatchback it’s based on. It features six airbags, stability control and traction control.
8/10
ES models are fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels, while SE and M-Sport models get 17-inch rims. Only the range-topping 135i M-Sport is fitted with 18-inch wheels. SE trim models include climate control, rear parking sensors, multi-function steering wheel and fog lights.
M-Sport models are fitted with firmer suspension and sports seats and the 135i gets its own uprated brakes, rear spoiler and automatic wipers and lights.
8/10
We think small cars often prove themselves as the best to drive on Britain’s cramped roads, and the 1 Series Coupe reaffirms this: it feels nimble and light on its feet. With such impressive engines available too, it’s a convincing package. The 123d in particular works miracles with its high levels of performance and eco credentials rolled into one. The only downside is the price.
9/10
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