1 Series -

robert_london · Post by **robert_london** » Wed 14 May, 2008 15:45

Slightly different topic but I've been roped into helping the mother in law buy a new car and after admiring our Z4 she wants a soft top.

Now we live in London and she only needs to pootle about a bit, so I'm thinking of the new 1 series convertible - seems to look good but have no experience of it or infact any 1 series...

Does anyone have a view - are they any good?

Bally · Post by **Bally** » Wed 14 May, 2008 16:15

Hi
No experience of the soft top but my partner had a 116se for the last two years & thankfully it came to the end of its lease in Feb & thus returned.
Probably the most disapointing BMW i have ever had, the SE spec is OK but gimicky push start, silly run flat tyrers give a lousy ride, rubbish seats, stupid door handles that constantly stick and the door wont close, climate that blows hot or very cold and nothing in between, soft touch wipers drive you mad, and to finish off it would not pull the skin off a rice pudding.

She swapped it for an A3, what a massive inprovement! there are loads of small cabs on the market to choose from but none match the true roadster!

The Colonel · Post by **The Colonel** » Wed 14 May, 2008 16:32

Robert, my mother has one on order now. Her nearest dealer had a 120d ES in and I took it for a spin and was impressed with it, particularly for a diesel. First car I have ever driven with run flats, and to be honest I didn't really get what all the fuss is about. I wasn't aware of anything particularly nasty about the ride due to the tyres.

I found the driving position (bottom on seat, feet on pedals) fine, but my mum, who is quite tall, found it awkward at first but soon adjusted, but for her height it was otherwise perfect for her, roof up or down.

Downside, compared to other cabs in the sector, is the rear seat space, an affliction for all 1-Series as I understand it, so no-one could possibly buy one without knowing about it.

She has plumped for the 120d SE, with auto, half leather, sat nav, folding mirrors, and auto wipers/lights in Cashmere Silver

PhoenixCoupe · Post by **PhoenixCoupe** » Wed 14 May, 2008 16:49

I had 2 118d's and 2 120d's (all SE models) and had no major issues with them. Run-flats are no worse than any others, and replacing them with normal tyres does see a big improvement.
Rear space and boot space was no worse than anything else in the class.
All of them went well and handled well. I never had any issues with any of the things that I've seen people complaining about (but, then you do normally only hear the complaints) and the 120d's were the first ones sold in Ireland, so, they were early production models.

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Wed 14 May, 2008 20:37

I had a 120i as a hire car whilst in Ireland and thoughly enjoyed it, in fact it was that car that made me look for a BMW and onto my 2.8 Zed

spokey · Post by **spokey** » Wed 14 May, 2008 21:17

I drive a 116i for a daily driver, and it's awesome.

Freezed · Post by **Freezed** » Wed 14 May, 2008 21:21

Same goes for the 120d M Sport.............................awesome!

Bloke · Post by **Bloke** » Wed 14 May, 2008 21:25

spokey wrote:I drive a 116i for a daily driver, and it's awesome.

Are you sure its a 116i

Bloke

spokey · Post by **spokey** » Wed 14 May, 2008 21:29

Bloke wrote:
spokey wrote:I drive a 116i for a daily driver, and it's awesome.
Are you sure its a 116i

That's what it says on the back ...

///M_aniac · Post by **///M_aniac** » Wed 14 May, 2008 21:36

1er is a good handling car. No experience of the convertible. Not a fan of its looks I have to say. It's just ok

Austin Powers · Post by **Austin Powers** » Wed 14 May, 2008 21:39

I drove the 120i and the 120d in 5 door version. I liked it a lot.
Wouldn't buy it tho...

As for the coupe/cabrio version - my god, what a sexy car for a girl/mother/mother in law...

BW
Austin

P.S.: could someone join both topics?

greg_ch · Post by **greg_ch** » Wed 14 May, 2008 21:56

Autocar recently recently did a short video review of the A3 and 1er cabs. They enjoyed both cars but ultimently went for the Audi. Worth a look and drive to see which one she prefers.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/VideosWallpape ... 32539&CT=V

One of my neighbors owns an Audi dealership. He's been driving one for a couple of weeks now in preference to his new RS6 Avant. He thinks it's one of Audi's best cars...but then again we always think kindly of convertibles in good weather!

Austin Powers · Post by **Austin Powers** » Wed 14 May, 2008 22:15

greg_ch wrote: One of my neighbors owns an Audi dealership. He's been driving one for a couple of weeks now in preference to his new RS6 Avant. He thinks it's one of Audi's best cars...but then again we always think kindly of convertibles in good weather!

Not to mention if you earn your living by selling them...

C'mon - RS6 avant vs. A3 cab?

BW
Austin

bighfishing · Post by **bighfishing** » Wed 14 May, 2008 23:13

ive had three 1-series on loan recently and non of them were anywhere near as good as my mk 4 golf i sold recently. i cant wait to take them back and get back in my Z3.

Bally · Post by **Bally** » Thu 15 May, 2008 06:07

Must be me then (high standards)!!

Still glad its gone, best part about it was the cheap monthly lease cost as BMW needed to shift some units quickly.

Watch those run flats we have a very large BMW fleet at my office & constant punctures (strangely more than normal...) & then having to replace the tyres are costing an absolute fortune.

Pay extra for standard tyres??

spokey · Post by **spokey** » Thu 15 May, 2008 06:47

I had one of my RFTs delaminate; first time that's EVER happened to me. I will happily agree that RFTs are the worst aspect of 1er ownership.

Bally · Post by **Bally** » Thu 15 May, 2008 07:13

One of the guys here in the office has had 3 punctures in less than 12 months, £250 a puncture.

He has found a BMW dealer in Grange Over Sands that will send them away to get fixed for about £40, they give you a bell when its back thus you have a spare to put on next time and send the puncture away again!

Post by **Robert T** » Thu 15 May, 2008 07:28

Bally wrote:He has found a BMW dealer in Grange Over Sands that will send them away to get fixed for about £40, they give you a bell when its back thus you have a spare to put on next time and send the puncture away again!

Tell him to give my regards to Andy (the service manager) then, and ask him if he likes this months calendar picture!

I bought my zed from there and still take it to them for servicing.

Cheers R.