BMW 1-series coupe - opinions?

[Raider]

First off i'm not looking to buy, i'm more than happy with my ST

But my sister is looking to get a new car if she gets her new job and for some reason she has her heart set on one. Personally I think they look a little silly, like a squashed down 3-series coupe. For reference:

Most of the models are diesels, but there is an 135i M Sport model that does 0-60 in 5.3s whilst managing 30.7mpg combined which isn't bad.

The 123d does 0-60 in 7s, but the fuel is 54mpg which is impressive.

Personally i'd spend £24k-£30k elsewhere, but what do people think of the looks / specs etc..?

 

[Jonny69]

I thought it had a stubby back like a small estate car, but meh.

I like the stubby looking one, don't know why everyone has so much against it. The only argument I ever hear anyone use is why didn't they get a Golf for less money. Well maybe they didn't want a Golf?

 

[Conscript]

That's the standard 1-Series your thinking of Johnny. I too kinda liked them, there was something about the long bonnet and high passenger area that looked kinda vintage. They seem to be disliked by most, and I guess for the money they cost, there's far better on the market.

 

[Clarkey]

this is terrible, just like the 3 series compact was.

 

[a1ex2001]

this is terrible, just like the 3 series compact was.

I think it's a nice looking car, certainly leagues ahead of the fugly compact which always struck me as a wannabies BMW. The coupe is loads nicer than the standard 1 series allthough I would like to see a two door with a similar/same shape as the four door.

I'd never buy one I'm sure I could find something better to spend the money on but as long as BMW have kept the build quality high and not cut corners like they did on the compact I see no reason why your sister shouldn't get one!

 

[GravyMonster]

It's not a bad looking thing, but it's got the same problem the hatch 1-Series does, it's an answer to a question no one asked.

 

[AthlonTom]

It's not a bad looking thing, but it's got the same problem the hatch 1-Series does, it's an answer to a question no one asked.

Its BMW's competitor to the A3, Leon, Golf etc.

Big market segment - they need a presence there.

 

[-Ad-]

This car PHAILS HARD !

The 123d does 0-60 in 7s, but the fuel is 54mpg which is impressive.

Personally i'd spend £24k-£30k elsewhere, but what do people think of the looks / specs etc..?

Agreed, MK5 Gti, R32

 

[alexthecheese]

Wouldnt have one, but looks much better than the other one

 

[InvaderGIR]

Looks better than the hatch version, but I don't really see much point in it. Just get an older larger BMW for less/similar price, and spend the rest on insurance etc. (if she must have a BMW).

InvG

 

[[TW]Fox]

This car PHAILS HARD !



Agreed, MK5 Gti, R32

So if you were in the market for a very economical diesel, you would instead spend £25,000 on a Volkswagen with a horribly inefficient V6 petrol engine?

 

[Stonedofmoo]

Well if she was in the market for a very economical diesel she could get that Volkswagen Polo Bluewater thing that does 74mpg and has emmissions so low it doesn't even get taxed according to 5th Gear the other night

Just an option

 

[[TW]Fox]

I dislike the 1 Series quite a lot but I have to say I really admire the engine in the 123d and reckon it could well be the future of motoring in our silly carbon obsessed world.

0-60 in 7 seconds, but 54mpg combined and 138g/km of C02 emissions? Even you BMW haters have to admit thats absolutely excellent.

And given that 0-60 is never a diesels strength its entirely possible it feels even quicker. Whereas a Polo Bluewater takes 4 years to get to 60.

 

[Stonedofmoo]

Ah Bluemotion sorry, my bad. According to parkers it takes 12.4 seconds which isn't awful

I guess you can't be a tree hugging environmentalist and get great performance

 

[alexthecheese]

Just get an older larger BMW for less/similar price, and spend the rest on insurance etc. (if she must have a BMW).

InvG

People dont always just want a bigger, older car.

 

[alexthecheese]

Whereas a Polo Bluewater takes 4 years to get to 60.

You don't know that.

The test hasn't even finished yet.

 

[Pyscho_Si]

People dont always just want a bigger, older car.

Hence the reason I bought a 1 series hatch.

 

[InvaderGIR]

People dont always just want a bigger, older car.

I know, but for the sake of a few grand a 1-2 year old car, bigger or not is worth it.

But as Fox has said, the 123d does have great mpg etc. which does make it a good car. I don't dislike the coupe, it does look better than the normal 1 series, but if she is going to be getting a petrol wouldn't she be better off with something that costs less?

I don't know, I like new cars, but I'm very much against the prices of them...mostly because I can't even spend £1k on a car.

InvG

 

[Scuzi]

This car whilst appearing completely pointless, is the perfect solution for an image obsessed market segment. Women. It's a womans car, it's the car you buy when the wife is pestering you for a BMW.

The figures for the 123d are very impressive, I must say.

 

[InvaderGIR]

This car whilst appearing completely pointless, is the perfect solution for an image obsessed market segment. Women. It's a womans car, it's the car you buy when the wife is pestering you for a BMW.

My girlfriend (if she ever wanted a BMW) would go for an M3 or something

InvG