BMW 1 Series (E87)

History

The 1 Series was developed alongside the E90 3 Series. Design work was done by Christopher Chapman in 2001 and was frozen for series production at the end of that year. The 2002 CS1 Concept previewed the 1-Series design elements at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show.

The 1 Series was launched globally in Autumn 2004 and shares many structural, chassis, powertrain, hardware and electronic elements with the larger E90 3-Series. The model was introduced to provide a lower point of entry into the BMW range as the 3 Series moved gradually up-market. Initially launched as a five-door hatchback, a three-door version was also launched in July 2007.

The 1 Series Coupé (E82) was unveiled in Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) 2007, which went on sale on 24 November 2007.

The 1 Series coupe (E82) and convertible (E88) went on sale in the United States and Canada for the 2008 model year as the 128i and the 135i in June 2007. Other countries received the 120i and 125i in both platforms. The convertible, unlike the 3 Series convertible, uses a soft-top instead of a folding hardtop.

The North American introduction of the coupe and cabriolet was during the second quarter of 2008, which was credited for helping BMW overtake Lexus as the top luxury brand.

The first-generation 1 series shares over 60% of components with the E90 3-Series., including front and rear suspension.

2007

In 2007 the 1 Series lineup expanded considerably with the introduction of a three-door hatchback, coupe and convertible body styles. There was also a mid-generational refresh as engines were upgraded and more fuel efficient, along with new bumpers and other exterior and interior updates.

2011

In 2011, the coupé and cabriolet bodies gained a facelift. Exterior changes to the model were minor headlight and taillight revisions, new front/rear bumpers and minor revisions to the interior. The only new engine was the N55 which replaced the N54 twin-turbo, with power and torque output remaining the same. Even though many engines are same, the facelifted 1 Series fuel consumption is slightly higher in some models such as the 123d, and slightly lower in some models such as the 120i.

Market

The 1 Series Coupé was marketed in the United States as a successor to the BMW 2002, a two door from the 1970s known for its light weight and relative high performance at the time and its long bonnet, slim cabin and short rear. In May 2005, in a commercial for the 1 Series Hatchback, Kermit the Frog was shown driving a BMW 1 Series around in a desert making figure eights, showcasing the car's agility.

In December 2004, Jeremy Clarkson, and other journalists, raised aesthetic complaints about the 1 Series, adding at the end of his review for The Sunday Times 'The 1 Series is crap.'

Critical response has changed in recent years with the introduction of the Coupé, and convertible model - which have been described as 'returning BMW to its roots', and the 135i has been described as the successor of the original E30 M3 of the 1990. Clarkson himself awarded the 2008 model five stars, and had the following to say: 'The 135 coupé is the best car BMW makes.'

The BMW 118d (not sold in North America) won the 'World Green Car Award' in 2008 as a performance-oriented car with CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption comparable to Toyota Prius.

Motorsports

In 2006, a BMW 120d modified with a BMW customer racing kit entered by "Schubert Motors" placed 5th at the Nurburgring 24 Hours in a field of 220 cars, including the more powerful Porsche 911 GT3, BMW M3 and Lamborghini Gallardo.

116i

Four-cylinder petrol, available in 3-door hatchback and 5-door hatchback body styles. In early 2006 the 5-speed manual transmission was phased out in favor of the 6-speed gearbox available across the rest of the range.

116d

Four-cylinder diesel, available in 3-door hatchback and 5-door hatchback body styles.

118i

Four-cylinder petrol, available in 3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback and convertible body styles. In early 2006 the 5-speed manual transmission was phased out in favor of the 6-speed gearbox available across the rest of the range.

118d

Four-cylinder diesel, available in 3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, coupe and convertible body

120i

Four-cylinder petrol, available in 3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, coupe and convertible body styles.

120d

Four-cylinder diesel, available in 3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, coupe and convertible body styles.

123d

Four-cylinder diesel, available in 3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, coupe and convertible body styles. Features a twin turbo design producing 204 bhp.

125i

3.0L, six-cylinder petrol engine (N52: 218 HP), available in coupe and convertible body styles.

128i

3.0L, six-cylinder petrol engine (N52: 230 HP), available in coupe and convertible body styles, limited to the North American market.

130i

3.0L, six-cylinder petrol engine (N52: 265 HP), available in 3-door hatchback and 5-door hatchback body styles.

135i

Six-cylinder turbocharged petrol, available in coupe and convertible body styles. According to the BMW website the 135i Coupé produces 302 hp (225 kW), and accelerates from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.3 seconds, however Car and Driver magazine recorded 4.7 seconds for 0-60 mph acceleration, and a quarter mile time of 13.3 seconds at 106 mph (171 km/h). Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155.3 mph). Fuel efficiency is increased to 30.7 mpg_‑US (7.7 L/100 km; 36.9 mpg_‑imp), an improvement of 18% compared to its predecessor.

2007-10 model year BMW 135i coupe/cabriolet models were equipped with the N54 biturbo inline-6 engine, mated to a six-speed manual or optional six-speed "Steptronic" automatic transmission. For the 2011 model year onwards, the powertrain was changed to the N55 single (twin-scroll) turbo inline-6 (making the same horsepower and torque output, but with lower fuel consumption and quicker turbo responsiveness), paired to a six-speed manual or optional 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The short-lived 1 Series M Coupe retained the N54 biturbo inline-6, albeit in a higher state of tune.

The differential fitted to the 135i is the first in the world to use double-helical ball bearings. These bearings operate at a lower operating temperature (which can be reached more quickly), due to the reduction of fluid required in the differential.

Special standard features of the 135i included adaptive xenon headlights, sport suspension settings, 18" wheels, high-performance brake system (6 piston front calipers with 338mm discs, and 2 piston rear calipers with 324mm discs), and a new DSC program that improves acceleration out of corners.

1 Series M Coupé

The BMW 1 Series M Coupe ("1M Coupe") is a high-performance version of the BMW 1 Series Coupe, developed by BMW's motorsport branch BMW M. While BMW naming convention would have called the car the "M1", the name "BMW 1 Series M" was used instead, to avoid confusion with the original BMW M1.

BMW officially announced the making of the M variant of the BMW 1-Series Coupé in December 2010.

Prior to the 1M Coupé, all BMW M models had a bespoke engine (with a code starting with "S", for example S14, S50, S65). However, the 1M Coupé breaks this pattern with the usage of a re-tuned version of the twin-turbocharged N54 engine, N54B30TO, which is used in various other models such as the 2011 BMW 335is coupé/covertible, 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is, and 2011 BMW 740i. In the 1M Coupe, the engine produces 340 hp (254 kW) at 5900 rpm and 332 lb·ft (450 N·m) torque from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm (with 369 lb·ft (500 N·m) during overboost). The only available drivetrain is a six-speed manual gearbox with an M limited slip differential.

The 1M Coupé has a significantly wider track and bigger body than the standard E82 coupé, as well as a different body kit. Despite the car's larger size, it is 77 lb (35 kg) lighter than the standard E82 coupé. The aluminum suspension pieces help give it a weight of 3,296 lb (1,495 kg).

BMW was originally going to release the 1M Coupé as a limited production model of 2,700 units. Due to overwhelming demand, the company lifted the cap. Nevertheless, production of the 1M Coupé stopped in June 2012, with 740 units sold in the US and a further 220 sold in Canada. There are a total of 6309 cars sold worldwide.

US units by color produced:

The 1M was featured on Top Gear on 26 June 2011 and recorded a time of 1:25.0 around the Top Gear test track under damp conditions. The 1M was met in the media with enthusiastic reviews. Jeremy Clarkson likened it, as a breakthrough model, to the original Volkswagen Golf GTI. It also received "Richard Hammond's Car of the Year 2011" award in Top Gear magazine.

135is Coupé and Cabriolet

The BMW 135is was a tuned version of 135i's N55 twin-scroll turbo straight six making 320 hp (239 kW; 324 PS) and 317 lb·ft (430 N·m) of torque, increases of 20 and 17 versus a standard 135i. The 135is also receives an upgraded cooling system with a more-powerful radiator fan and an auxiliary radiator, plus a M Sport Body. The performance of the 135is is close to that of the limited-production 2011 BMW 1 Series M.

The BMW 135is (E82) coupe/cabriolet was sold only in Canada and the United States, as the European market received the next-generation 1 Series, the 2013 BMW M135i (F20) 3-door and 5-door hatchback. Despite the differences in chassis, both the 135is and M135i share the same engine, however for their optional automated transmissions the 135is has a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox while the M135i has an 8-speed automatic.

Engines

Note: production years are based on model year, not calendar year.

Problems

Honest John reports on his website: "Coil and injector problems on later 4-cylinder petrol engines. Timing chain failures on N47 diesel engines becoming very common." The latter complaint was the subject of a BBC 'Watchdog' Consumer program in June 2013. The cost of repair was then a little over £4,000. BMW responded by saying that it would consider claims involving cars older than 3 years where a full BMW service history was available.

Production and sales

The 1 Series is built in Regensburg and Leipzig, Germany.

Sales statistics according to BMW's annual reports: