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2009 BMW 1-Series Full Review
Date Published: 7/01/08
Also in the 2009 BMW 1-Series Review:
5.
6.
BMW 1-Series Full Review
7.
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2009 BMW 1-Series
Sneak Peek
The 2009 BMW 1-Series line should see no major changes following its introduction for the 2008 model year. The lineup includes 128i and 135i models. The 1-Series slots below BMW's 3-Series line in size and price. The 1-Series is available as either a coupe or convertible. Engines are 3.0-liter 6-cylinders shared with the 3-Series. The 128i has 230 hp, while the 135i is turbocharged and has 300 hp. All models have a standard 6-speed manual transmission and offer an optional 6-speed automatic. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. A sunroof and split folding rear seat are standard on coupes. All models have run-flat tires, with standard 17s on the 128i and 18s on the 135i. The 135i adds uprated brakes and poplar wood interior trim. Coupes have optional Premium and Sport packages. Other options include a voice-activated navigation system, aluminum or burled walnut interior trim, leather upholstery, and heated front seats. This report is based on evaluations of the 2008 BMW 1-Series.
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2009 BMW 1-Series Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Acceleration | Rear-seat room |
| Steering/handling | Rear-seat entry/exit |
| Quietness | Interior storage space |
| Ride (128i) | Visibility (convertible, top up) |
| Visibility (coupes) | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
No opportunity to test with manual transmission. Even in heavier convertible form and with the automatic transmission, the 128i tested provided spirited acceleration worthy of the class. BMW quotes 6.1 seconds 0-60 mph for a manual-transmission coupe; figure the heavier convertible with an automatic to be in the mid-6-second range. The turbocharged 135i is noticeably stronger off the line and in passing maneuvers. BMW says manual-transmission 135i coupes do 5.1 seconds 0-60 mph, which is both quick and believable. The manual transmission has precise shift action and an easily modulated clutch. The automatic shifts smoothly, downshifts quickly for more power, and responds promptly to manual gear selections, whether done with the console-mounted lever or available steering-wheel-mounted paddles.
| 128i conv. w/navigation, automatic | 135i coupe, manual | Class Average |
| 7 | 8 | 8.5 |
No opportunity to test with manual transmission. Even in heavier convertible form and with the automatic transmission, the 128i tested provided spirited acceleration worthy of the class. BMW quotes 6.1 seconds 0-60 mph for a manual-transmission coupe; figure the heavier convertible with an automatic to be in the mid-6-second range. The turbocharged 135i is noticeably stronger off the line and in passing maneuvers. BMW says manual-transmission 135i coupes do 5.1 seconds 0-60 mph, which is both quick and believable. The manual transmission has precise shift action and an easily modulated clutch. The automatic shifts smoothly, downshifts quickly for more power, and responds promptly to manual gear selections, whether done with the console-mounted lever or available steering-wheel-mounted paddles.
Fuel Economy
No opportunity to measure fuel economy, but EPA estimates are close to those of the 3-Series. We have not yet had the opportunity to measure fuel economy on a 328i, but in Consumer Guide testing, 335i models averaged 16.3-22.0 mpg. BMW requires premium-grade gas for all 1-Series cars.
| 128i conv. w/navigation, automatic | 135i coupe, manual | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 4.3 |
No opportunity to measure fuel economy, but EPA estimates are close to those of the 3-Series. We have not yet had the opportunity to measure fuel economy on a 328i, but in Consumer Guide testing, 335i models averaged 16.3-22.0 mpg. BMW requires premium-grade gas for all 1-Series cars.
Ride Quality
On its standard 16-inch tires, the tested 128i convertible rode surprisingly well, easily soaking up smaller road blemishes and pavement heaves. At the other extreme, the 135i comes standard with a sport suspension and 18-inch tires, a combination that reacts much more sharply to bad pavement, yet never feels harsh.
| 128i conv. w/navigation, automatic | 135i coupe, manual | Class Average |
| 7 | 4 | 4 |
On its standard 16-inch tires, the tested 128i convertible rode surprisingly well, easily soaking up smaller road blemishes and pavement heaves. At the other extreme, the 135i comes standard with a sport suspension and 18-inch tires, a combination that reacts much more sharply to bad pavement, yet never feels harsh.
Steering/Handling/Braking
BMW's legendary handling capability carries over to the 1-Series. Even the 128i convertible with the base suspension and 16-inch tires exhibits little body lean in fast turns with fine steering and brake feel. 135i coupes up the ante with their standard sport suspension and 18-inch tires, resulting in crisp steering, flat cornering, and sports-car agility.
| 128i conv. w/navigation, automatic | 135i coupe, manual | Class Average |
| 7 | 9 | 9 |
BMW's legendary handling capability carries over to the 1-Series. Even the 128i convertible with the base suspension and 16-inch tires exhibits little body lean in fast turns with fine steering and brake feel. 135i coupes up the ante with their standard sport suspension and 18-inch tires, resulting in crisp steering, flat cornering, and sports-car agility.
Quietness
Both engines emit only a muffled snarl under acceleration and are seldom heard in normal cruising. Wind and road noise are well checked, with coarse-surface tire hum more noticeable with the 135i coupe's standard 18-inch performance tires. Top down, the convertible requires only slightly raised voices at highway speeds.
| 128i conv. w/navigation, automatic | 135i coupe, manual | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 3.1 |
Both engines emit only a muffled snarl under acceleration and are seldom heard in normal cruising. Wind and road noise are well checked, with coarse-surface tire hum more noticeable with the 135i coupe's standard 18-inch performance tires. Top down, the convertible requires only slightly raised voices at highway speeds.
Controls
Audio and climate controls are mounted somewhat low on the dash, yet are easy to reach and simple to decipher and adjust. Ordering the optional navigation system brings BMW's console-mounted iDrive controller and dashboard screen; the combination absorbs some audio functions, such as tuning in non-preset stations, complicating what is otherwise a simple procedure. BMW's odd turn-signal actuation takes getting used to, and if set in a low position, the steering wheel blocked the turn-signal lamps on the instrument panel. An MP3 jack is standard, an iPod jack optional; both are rather inconveniently located at the rear of the center console underneath the fold-up armrest. The convertible's soft top powered down in about 22 seconds at the touch of a single button.
| 128i conv. w/navigation, automatic | 135i coupe, manual | Class Average |
| 6 | 7 | 5.9 |
Audio and climate controls are mounted somewhat low on the dash, yet are easy to reach and simple to decipher and adjust. Ordering the optional navigation system brings BMW's console-mounted iDrive controller and dashboard screen; the combination absorbs some audio functions, such as tuning in non-preset stations, complicating what is otherwise a simple procedure. BMW's odd turn-signal actuation takes getting used to, and if set in a low position, the steering wheel blocked the turn-signal lamps on the instrument panel. An MP3 jack is standard, an iPod jack optional; both are rather inconveniently located at the rear of the center console underneath the fold-up armrest. The convertible's soft top powered down in about 22 seconds at the touch of a single button.
Details
Rich-looking plastics, lightly padded surfaces, and wood or textured aluminum trim line the interior, and seem in line with prices. The convertible felt impressively stiff for a 4-passenger car, with little cowl shake over bumps.
| 128i conv. w/navigation, automatic | 135i coupe, manual | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 6.3 |
Rich-looking plastics, lightly padded surfaces, and wood or textured aluminum trim line the interior, and seem in line with prices. The convertible felt impressively stiff for a 4-passenger car, with little cowl shake over bumps.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Ample room for adults on comfortable seats with standard height adjustment. Standard leatherette (vinyl) seating surfaces could easily be mistaken for leather but without the scent. Thin pillars in the coupe provide fine visibility to all directions, though wide front headrests can get in the way when backing. Convertibles, which have a well-insulated soft top, sacrifice visibility to the rear corners and directly astern due to thick rear "pillars" and a small back window.
| 128i conv. w/navigation, automatic | 135i coupe, manual | Class Average |
| 7 | 8 | 5.1 |
Ample room for adults on comfortable seats with standard height adjustment. Standard leatherette (vinyl) seating surfaces could easily be mistaken for leather but without the scent. Thin pillars in the coupe provide fine visibility to all directions, though wide front headrests can get in the way when backing. Convertibles, which have a well-insulated soft top, sacrifice visibility to the rear corners and directly astern due to thick rear "pillars" and a small back window.
Room/Comfort (rear)
There's enough headroom and legroom for an average-size adult to sit behind another average-size adult, but any front-seater over six-feet tall will delete rear legroom behind them. The cabin is quite narrow, so two adults sit shoulder-to-shoulder. Elbowroom is very tight in the coupe and even less in the convertible, as its sidewalls are angled in to make room for the top.
| 128i conv. w/navigation, automatic | 135i coupe, manual | Class Average |
| 1 | 2 | .7 |
There's enough headroom and legroom for an average-size adult to sit behind another average-size adult, but any front-seater over six-feet tall will delete rear legroom behind them. The cabin is quite narrow, so two adults sit shoulder-to-shoulder. Elbowroom is very tight in the coupe and even less in the convertible, as its sidewalls are angled in to make room for the top.
Cargo Room
Trunks are reasonably sized, but the opening is quite small, and it's narrow at the bottom. Convertibles lose about 1.5 cubic feet when the top is stowed, an area partitioned off at the top rear of the compartment by a fold-down cover. Coupes come with a split folding rear seat, convertibles with a pass-through. Interior storage is limited to a small glovebox and smaller console box, along with a tiny console bin and map pockets.
| 128i conv. w/navigation, automatic | 135i coupe, manual | Class Average |
| 2 | 3 | 2.4 |
Trunks are reasonably sized, but the opening is quite small, and it's narrow at the bottom. Convertibles lose about 1.5 cubic feet when the top is stowed, an area partitioned off at the top rear of the compartment by a fold-down cover. Coupes come with a split folding rear seat, convertibles with a pass-through. Interior storage is limited to a small glovebox and smaller console box, along with a tiny console bin and map pockets.
Value within Class
What the 1-Series coupe and convertible give up in size to their larger 3-Series counterparts seems well worth the $5000-$10,000 price differential--unless rear-seat passengers simply won't fit. Convertibles also adopt a less-expensive soft top in place of the 3-Series' folding hard top. Aside from that, BMW's new entry-level cars deliver the marque's revered panache and dynamic properties with few other sacrifices, making them noteworthy additions to the line--and your shopping list.
| 128i conv. w/navigation, automatic | 135i coupe, manual | Class Average |
| 8 | 8 | 6 |
What the 1-Series coupe and convertible give up in size to their larger 3-Series counterparts seems well worth the $5000-$10,000 price differential--unless rear-seat passengers simply won't fit. Convertibles also adopt a less-expensive soft top in place of the 3-Series' folding hard top. Aside from that, BMW's new entry-level cars deliver the marque's revered panache and dynamic properties with few other sacrifices, making them noteworthy additions to the line--and your shopping list.
Total Score
| 128i conv. w/navigation, automatic | 135i coupe, manual | Class Average |
| 63 | 67 | 55.3 |
Scores for all Premium Sporty/performance Cars
| Low Score | 40 | |
| Average Score | 55 | |
| High Score | 67 |
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2009 BMW 1-Series Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 04/29/2008
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Optional Equipment
No factory options.
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2009 BMW 1-Series Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | BMW 1-Series 2-door coupe |
| Wheelbase, in. | 104.7 |
| Overall Length, in. | 171.7 |
| Overall Width, in. | 68.8 |
| Overall Height, in. | 56.0 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3252 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | -- |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | -- |
| Seating Capacity | 4 |
| Front Head Room, in. | -- |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | -- |
| Rear Head Room, in. | -- |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | -- |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| dohc I6 | Turbocharged dohc I6 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 3.0 /182 | 3.0 /182 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 230 @ 6500 | 300 @ 5800 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 200 @ 2750 | 300 @ 1400 |
| Availability | Standard | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
||
| 6-speed manual | 18/28 | 17/25 |
| 6-speed automatic | 19/28 | 18/26 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
 Antilock Brakes Traction Control Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags Curtain Side Airbags Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | BMW 1-Series 2-door coupe |
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class | Years/Miles | Comments |
| Powertrain | --/-- | -- |
| Bumper-to-bumper | --/-- | -- |
| Corrosion | --/-- | -- |
| Free roadside assistance | --/-- | -- |
| Free scheduled maintenance | --/-- | -- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
Germany
Drivewheels:
rear-wheel drive
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Also in the 2009 BMW 1-Series Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
BMW 1-Series Full Review
7.
8.
9.
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