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Hatchback
The best place to be in the BMW 1 Series is sat at the steering wheel. The dark cabin, with its ultra-clear instrumentation, feels as if it was designed around the driver, placing them at the very heart of the action.
Even the tallest drivers should have no problem making themselves comfortable, thanks to the multi-adjustable seat and a steering wheel that moves for rake and reach.
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Once the starter button is pressed and the car is on the move, the rear-wheel-drive chassis's handling certainly doesn't disappoint. The 1 Series turns into corners and flies through them with a keenness and sharpness that make rivals like the Audi A3 feel decidedly woolly. Performance from all but the 1.6-litre engine is strong, and a drive on a clear road will always leave you smiling. Passengers, particularly those in the cramped rear, may not be so happy. Standard run-flat tyres give a bouncy ride, while the boot is small and access to the rear seats poor.
Running Costs
Anything with a BMW badge is desirable and therefore expensive, and even this, the company's smallest car, is no exception. At three years old, it will still be worth almost 60% of its original value. On the other hand, it should work out a little cheaper to service than the equivalent Audi A3, and slightly less costly to repair if it suffers body damage. Independent BMW experts tend to be no more expensive than their upmarket rivals. Insurance is slightly pricier than for an Audi A3 - the A3 range starts with a Group 9 rating, whereas the BMW's is Group 10. The 3.0i is in a rather more frightening group 17 and does only 30.7mpg. The diesels fare much better, returning around 50mpg.