BMW 1 series

Which BMW 1 Series Version Should You Buy?

The BMW 1 Series choice turns on drivetrain, performance and economy. Earlier generations in this catalogue use RWD extensively, with AWD offered on selected versions, while the third and fourth generations are predominantly FWD in the listed specifications.

The BMW 1 Series choice turns on drivetrain, performance and economy. Earlier generations in this catalogue use RWD extensively, with AWD offered on selected versions, while the third and fourth generations are predominantly FWD in the listed specifications. Buyers prioritizing low consumption should examine diesel versions such as the second-generation-restyling 116d 1.5 AT Steptronic, rated at 3.6 l/100 km combined. For maximum acceleration, the second-generation-restyling-2 M140i 3.0 AT xDrive Steptronic reaches 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. Among fourth-generation cars, the 1.5 120 Mild Hybrid Steptronic provides a middle ground with 170 hp, 280 Nm and 5.3 l/100 km urban consumption, while the 2.0 M135 xDrive Steptronic supplies 300 hp and reaches 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.

BMW 1 Series generations: what changed?

The first generation began as a Hatchback 5-door in September 2004 and continued in that form through February 2007, with 12 modifications in the generation. Its listed versions are RWD and include naturally aspirated Gasoline engines and turbo Diesel engines. The range stretches from the 116i 1.6 MT with 115 hp to the 130i 3.0 MT and 130i 3.0 AT, both with 265 hp. The 130i 3.0 MT has 88.5 hp per litre and 5.5 kg of kerb weight per horsepower, compared with 71.9 hp per litre and 11.1 kg per horsepower for the 116i 1.6 MT.

The first-generation restyling, dated March 2007 to August 2012, is represented by a Cabrio and 82 modifications. The displayed selection runs from the 143 hp 118i 2.0 MT to the 306 hp 135i 3.0 MT. A further first-generation restyling, dated April 2011 to October 2013, also uses the Cabrio body and contains 26 modifications. Its listed Gasoline, Diesel, Manual, Automatic and Robotic choices include the 143 hp 118i 2.0 MT, the 204 hp 123d 2.0 MT, and the 306 hp 135i 3.0 DSG.

The second generation, dated September 2011 to January 2016, is represented by a Hatchback 3-door and contains 48 modifications. The displayed engines are turbo Diesel units with 95–218 hp. RWD remains central, but AWD appears on listed versions such as an 118d 2.0 MT and a 120d 2.0 MT. The first second-generation restyling, dated January 2015 to December 2017, changes the represented body to Hatchback 5-door and contains 54 modifications. Its displayed range combines Gasoline and Diesel engines producing 109–326 hp, while its drivetrain choices include RWD and AWD.

The second-generation-restyling-2 period runs from January 2017 to April 2019. It is a Hatchback 5-door with 41 modifications and offers 109–340 hp among the displayed versions. It retains front-longitudinal engines, RWD on many versions and AWD on selected cars. That combination distinguishes it numerically from the third generation, in which the listed engines are front-transverse and most displayed versions are FWD.

The third generation runs from May 2019 to September 2024. It is a Hatchback 5-door with 13 modifications, of which 12 are shown. Output ranges from 109 hp in the 116i 1.5 MT to 306 hp in the M135i 2.0 AT xDrive. The fourth generation starts in October 2024 and is also a Hatchback 5-door, with 5 modifications. Every listed fourth-generation version has a 7-speed Automatic transmission; listed outputs span 122–300 hp.

BMW 1 Series engine options and specs

This comparison covers the displayed third- and fourth-generation versions, the most direct choices for buyers considering later cars.

Power density helps separate versions using similar engine sizes. The third-generation 116i 1.5 AT Steptronic produces 72.7 hp per litre, while the 118i 1.5 DCT produces 93.4 hp per litre. The 128ti 2.0 AT reaches 132.6 hp per litre, and the M135i 2.0 AT xDrive reaches 153.2 hp per litre. In the fourth generation, the 1.5 116 develops 81.4 hp per litre, the 1.5 120 Mild Hybrid Steptronic develops 113.4 hp per litre, and the 2.0 M135 xDrive Steptronic develops 150.2 hp per litre.

BMW 1 Series performance and fuel economy

For low running consumption among the later cars, the third-generation 116d 1.5 MT and 116d 1.5 DCT both record 4.2 l/100 km combined. The 118d 2.0 MT and 118d 2.0 AT Steptronic both record 4.4 l/100 km combined, while the AWD 120d 2.0 AT xDrive Steptronic uses 4.7 l/100 km combined. The AWD car therefore adds 40 hp and 50 Nm over either 118d, but consumes 0.3 l/100 km more combined.

The third-generation 120i 2.0 AT Steptronic reaches 100 km/h in 7.0 seconds, runs to 235 km/h and uses 5.5 l/100 km combined. The 128ti 2.0 AT cuts acceleration to 5.8 seconds and raises top speed to 250 km/h, with combined consumption increasing to 6.1 l/100 km. The M135i 2.0 AT xDrive reaches 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and 250 km/h, while consuming 6.7 l/100 km combined. Against the 120i 2.0 AT Steptronic, the M135i brings 128 hp more and reduces the acceleration time by 2.2 seconds, at a combined-consumption increase of 1.2 l/100 km.

Fourth-generation performance runs from 9.8 seconds and 210 km/h in the 1.5 116 to 4.9 seconds and 250 km/h in the 2.0 M135 xDrive Steptronic. The 2.0 118d Steptronic records 8.3 seconds, 222 km/h and 4.6 l/100 km urban consumption. Its combined consumption is not measured. The 2.0 120d Mild Hybrid Steptronic records 7.9 seconds, 222 km/h and 4.3 l/100 km urban consumption; combined consumption is not measured. The 1.5 120 Mild Hybrid Steptronic records 7.8 seconds, 226 km/h and 5.3 l/100 km urban consumption; combined consumption is not measured. The 2.0 M135 xDrive Steptronic records 7.6 l/100 km urban consumption, while its combined consumption is not measured. Urban consumption for the 1.5 116 is not measured; its combined figure is 6.6 l/100 km.

One supplied third-generation figure requires caution: the 118i 1.5 DCT has a listed 0–100 km/h value of 1395, which does not provide a usable acceleration measurement. Its 0–100 km/h performance should therefore be treated as not measured rather than compared with the other versions.

BMW 1 Series dimensions, weight and wheels

Overall exterior dimensions are not measured in the supplied data. Weight, clearance, fuel-tank capacity and selected wheel sizes are available.

Among third-generation cars, the 118i 1.5 MT is the lightest displayed version at 1290 kg kerb weight. Its 140 hp gives 9.2 kg per horsepower. The M135i 2.0 AT xDrive weighs 1525 kg but, with 306 hp, improves that ratio to 5.0 kg per horsepower. Third-generation ground clearance is 153 mm across the displayed range. Fuel tanks hold 42 litres on most listed versions, while the 120i 2.0 AT Steptronic and 128ti 2.0 AT hold 50 litres. For the 118i 1.5 DCT, listed wheel sizes are 225/45 R17 and 205/55 R16; wheel sizes for the other displayed third-generation versions are not measured.

The fourth-generation versions all have 156 mm of ground clearance and 49-litre tanks. Kerb weight ranges from 1465 kg for the 2.0 118d Steptronic, 1.5 120 Mild Hybrid Steptronic and 1.5 116, to 1550 kg for the 2.0 M135 xDrive Steptronic. Gross weight ranges from 1960 kg in the 1.5 116 to 2100 kg in the 2.0 M135 xDrive Steptronic. Wheel sizes are not measured for all five fourth-generation versions.

Earlier cars provide alternatives for buyers seeking known wheel specifications. The second-generation-restyling-2 M140i 3.0 MT and M140i 3.0 AT xDrive Steptronic list 225/40 R18 and 245/35 R18 wheels. The first-generation-restyling 135i 3.0 MT lists 215/40 R18 and 245/35 R18, while the later Cabrio 135i 3.0 MT and 135i 3.0 DSG list 205/50 R17 and 225/45 R17.

Which BMW 1 Series version should you buy?

Choose the third-generation 116d 1.5 DCT if low measured consumption and two-pedal driving matter most. It matches the Manual 116d 1.5 MT at 116 hp, 270 Nm and 4.2 l/100 km combined, but its 7-speed Robotic transmission trims 0–100 km/h from 10.3 to 10.1 seconds. It weighs 10 kg more.

Choose the third-generation 118d 2.0 AT Steptronic for stronger Diesel performance without moving to AWD. Compared with the 116d 1.5 DCT, it adds 34 hp and 80 Nm, cuts 0–100 km/h time by 1.7 seconds and raises top speed by 16 km/h. Combined consumption increases by only 0.2 l/100 km, though kerb weight rises by 45 kg.

Choose the third-generation 120i 2.0 AT Steptronic for a Gasoline balance. It offers 178 hp, 280 Nm, 7.0-second acceleration and a 235 km/h maximum, while its 1390 kg kerb weight works out to 7.8 kg per horsepower. The 128ti 2.0 AT is the stronger FWD alternative: it adds 87 hp and 120 Nm, reaches 100 km/h 1.2 seconds sooner and carries 55 kg more.

Choose the third-generation M135i 2.0 AT xDrive when acceleration is the priority. It has 41 hp and 50 Nm more than the 128ti 2.0 AT, cuts the acceleration time by 1.0 second and adds AWD. It also weighs 80 kg more and consumes 0.6 l/100 km more combined.

Choose the fourth-generation 1.5 120 Mild Hybrid Steptronic for the clearest middle position in that range. It has 48 hp and 50 Nm more than the 1.5 116, reduces 0–100 km/h time by 2.0 seconds and raises top speed by 16 km/h, with identical 1465 kg kerb weights. Its combined consumption is not measured, so the available figures cannot establish whether it is more economical than the 1.5 116.

Finally, consider generation before engine output. Buyers wanting a listed RWD configuration should focus on first- or second-generation versions such as the 130i 3.0 MT, M135i 3.0 MT or M140i 3.0 MT. Buyers preferring later front-transverse packaging can compare third- and fourth-generation cars. Prices, sale listings, reliability findings and problem histories are not measured in the supplied data, so none can support a responsible recommendation here.