Used BMW 1 Series 2011-2019 review

The first generation of 2004-2011 BMW 1 Series was a hugely successful but rather curious car. It had a surprisingly cramped interior for a family car and, despite having the rear-wheel-drive disposition of many other BMWs and a whole host of sports cars, it wasn’t even all that special to drive.

This second-generation version, introduced in 2011 and not replaced until 2019 by an all-new 2019-onwards BMW 1 Series, corrected some, if not all, of those faults.

It’s slightly more spacious, for starters, and thanks to numerous tweaks to its chassis and running gear, as well as a wide range of efficient petrol and diesel engines, it’s noticeably nicer to drive.

Engines and performance: Part of the 1 Series’ appeal is that wide range of engines. These start with a compelling 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine borrowed from the BMW Mini, which gives the 118i smooth and sprightly performance and reasonable economy, peaking at 56.5mpg. The 120i and 125i both offer more in the way of power and, ultimately, speed, but not enough to match the hot-hatch pace of the peerless M140i, which can shoot from 0 to 62mph in just 4.6sec and is a real hoot to drive.

Of the diesels, the 116d is superlative in its economy, with the S trimmed-version hitting 78.5mpg. The 118d is not far behind, with 74.3mpg available in the SE version, and the 120d Sport giving an excellent 65.7mpg. Bought new, these were obviously the premium choice for company car drivers, thanks to their lower tax rates.

Trims and equipment: Trims on offer started at base-level SE, which gets the essentials but lacks niceties such as parking sensors and sat-nav. Sport enhances the appearance somewhat, with larger alloy wheels and sports seats, while M Sport offers larger alloys again, the option of a firmer and lowered suspension, climate control and an aerodynamic bodykit. The suspension on the M Sport is too firm, however, so it’s worth trying to seek out one on which this option has not been taken up.

Handling and ride: Until its replacement by an all-new, front-wheel-drive, third-generation 2019-onwards BMW 1 Series, the 1 Series was the only car in its class to offer a rear-wheel-drive set-up, and as a result, some versions could be great fun to punt down a winding road.

It was refined, too, especially on motorways, All in all, it was a great package, with an air of sophistication to the way it rides and handles and a vast choice of models, from the economical 116d versions right the way up to the blisteringly quick M135i and, later, M140i versions.

Interior and practicality: There’s a bit more space inside this generation of 1 Series than the first, and the interior ergonomics, for front seat occupants, are excellent.

Added to that, there’s BMW’s usual build quality, which does nothing to detract from the 1 Series’ quality feel, and there’s the excellent iDrive infotainment system. It feels like a premium car that will more than satisfy the demands of the high-mileage executive plodding the UK’s byways.

Rear passengers won’t find the 1 Series all that accommodating, however, and anyone approaching six-feet will find their knees pressed against the back of the seat in front of them. Three across the bench will be a bit of a squeeze, and the central tunnel limits room for your feet. The door opening of five-door models is rather narrow, making it harder to fit a child in their car seat when compared with direct rivals.

Most competitors also offer slightly bigger boots, too. At least the rear backrest folds flat to make the most of the available space.

Rivals include the Audi A3, which is a fine car and a great used buy; the smart Mercedes A-Class, which is not so good to drive and a little pricey; and the achingly sensible Volkswagen Golf, which does everything most could want in one slightly less exciting package.

If you're interested in finding a used 1 Series, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

Prices for this generation of the BMW 1 Series start at around £5000. This buys you a late 2011 or early 2012 car, but with an above-average mileage for its age. The 1 Series makes a fine motorway cruiser, and lots are bought as company cars with just that purpose in mind. Hence it’s always best to check mileage carefully and to try to seek out a car with a below-average mileage on the clock. Always check the history carefully.

It’s probably better to spend upwards of £6000 to secure a car with an average mileage and a full service history from an independent dealer. Stretch further to £10,000 and you should be able to find a clean example with an average mileage, maybe even a 2015 or 2016 car from a car supermarket. Upping your budget to between £12,000 and £15,000 should net you a clean 2017 or 2018 car. Look to spend £16,000 on a 2019 car, and a little more for the last models.

Check out how much you should be paying for a BMW 1 Series with What Car? Valuations

Find a used BMW 1 Series for sale here

MPG: The engine range on the BMW 1 Series can be a bit bewildering because there are lots of different versions, plus the line-up was refreshed in 2015 and various engines were replaced with ones found in the Mini hatchback.

The most efficient diesel model is the 116d Efficient Dynamics with a combined NEDC figure of 74.3mpg and 99g/km of CO2. The least powerful 114d is next at 65.7mpg and 112g/km, while the normal 116d, 118d and 120d should do 62.8mpg and 117g/km, 118g/km and 119g/km CO2 emissions respectively. The rarest and most powerful 125d isn’t far behind the others in terms of economy, with 58.9mpg and 128g/km figures.

The petrol range is even more diverse with three, four and six-cylinder options. The 114i and 116i both have a combined figure of 49.6mpg and 132g/km. Early 118i models with 170bhp got 47.9mpg and 137g/km, while the refreshed model from 2015 onwards got the three-cylinder engine from Mini that reduced consumption to 53.3mpg and 123g/km. For those with a hunger for greater performance, there’s a more powerful 125i with running costs of 42.8mpg and emissions of 154g/km, or for those flush with cash, there are the M135i and M140i models with 35.3mpg and 188g/km, and 36.2mpg and 179g/km figures respectively.

Road tax: Any 1 Series registered after 1 April 2017 will be charged under the current flat-rate road tax system of £180. Beware those costing over £40,000 new as these could attract a supplementary luxury car surcharge of £390 a year.

Servicing: BMW offers their new car customers fixed-price servicing packages that stay with the car, so it’s worthwhile using the online checker to see if there is remaining cover with the car you’re looking at. If not, main dealer servicing isn’t the priciest around, but it will be significantly more than more mainstream manufacturers.

Reliability

The BMW 1 Series shines as a mostly dependable vehicle, with significant mileage not dampening its reliability, according to our annual What Car? Reliability Survey.

Minor grievances include clogged windscreen washer jets unless BMW's own screenwash is used and sometimes overly sensitive safety and convenience systems, which could lead to numerous warning messages.

Feedback on BMW’s dealer network is limited but generally positive, underscoring the car's reliability. Read more on the used BMW 1 Series’ common problems and general reliability in our dedicated page.

Engine: Part of the 1 Series’ appeal is its wide range of engines. These start with a compelling 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine borrowed from the BMW Mini, which gives the 118i smooth and sprightly performance and reasonable economy, peaking at 56.5mpg under the older NEDC tests. Of the diesels, the 116d is superlative in its economy, with the SE trimmed-version hitting 78.5mpg.

Trim: Trims on offer start at base-level SE, which gets the essentials but lacks niceties such as parking sensors and sat-nav. Sport enhances the appearance somewhat, with larger alloy wheels and sports seats, while M Sport offers larger alloys again, the option of a firmer and lowered suspension, climate control and an aerodynamic bodykit.

Our favourite BMW 1 Series: 118i SE 5dr

The 2013-2020 Audi A3 is in many ways the most obvious rival to the 1 Series. It’s a well-rounded premium family hatchback with a range of lively and efficient engines and a beautiful interior, and it easily scooped up our What Car? Car of the Year Award in 2013. It’s been a price-point winner ever since, still in many ways the car to beat in this class. Second-hand values are holding up well, not surprisingly, which makes it a pricey used car purchase. However, there will be many who see the extra as a small price to pay for such a classy product.

The Mercedes A-Class is a sharp-suited family car that suffers a little too much from its stylish shape. Like the 1 Series, it’s not the biggest car for rear-seat passengers, and it also suffers from a lumpy ride, unrefined engines and a small boot. However, there are those for whom the three-pointed star holds much allure, and the modern design, high residuals and generous safety kit will more than compensate for its dynamic shortcomings.

The Mk7 Volkswagen Golf is the go-to car in the family hatchback class. In terms of its breadth of abilities, no other car can match it. Its engines are, for the most part, smooth and efficient, its handling safe and secure and bordering on fun, its design a delight and its comfort and practicality top of the tree. Add in strong residuals and a decent reliability record and you can see why it makes a great used car buy.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here

If you're interested in finding a used 1 Series, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.