BMW 1 Series

BMW 125i E82 Auto review – I bought a 125i auto brand-new back in the day. I have since had brand new 425i coupe and now own a brand new 330e. I would say my favourite car to drive to date has been the 125i (I had an auto version). Absolutely no complaints and no problems during my two years owning it. If you are driving it hard around old bits of twisty road, it will… Read more

be a bit twitchy on hitting bumps. I would advise being careful with right foot - especially in wet weather (same as any powerful rear wheel drive car).

So beautiful and fun to drive! We're keeping it indefinitely – Bought one second-hand after one issue was detected by the paid comprehensive pre-purchase inspection and fixed before sale. Future repairs came only years later, as expected. Great fun car. Sexy roar. We're keeping it as long as it runs. Show details

Could be designed by a child – I'll start with the good - it has a good engine like 1 series BMWs always have. Good grip too. Unfortunately it's all down hill when you live with this car. It's actually dangerous in my view as you have to take your eyes off the road so often. The climate control buttons are too small (so you have to look down at them) and the ICE has way too… Read more

many clicks to get where you want or to turn off annoying announcements etc. Car play doesn't work. I believe you have to use some bmw app but I don'dt car carplay should just work. No blind spot warning lights on mine which should be standard on new cars these days and there were no forward or reversing cameras! There are sensors but these don't see everything as I founmd out when I nudged a bar that was protecting a light pole. Sensor didn't see it and I was going really slowly and carefully then crunch. It beeped then but too late. Camera beats a sensor every day of the week. Usability just hasn't been tested it seems. As I say almost like a school project rather than the product of a company that should know better.

Very expensive and unreliable second hand buy – Owned for 10 months in that time spent over $6000 on repairs. Main issues were all the oil seals had deteriorated which required disassembly of the engine and cracked radiator. The radiator was made of plastic as were lots of other engine parts which all start to deteriorate at a certain age. Bought a brand new car to replace it since the payments… Read more

on that were less than what I was paying per month in repairs. I loved the interior and it drove great but will never buy another BMW, have owned 2 and they are just too unreliable mechanically and expensive to repair.

It has the WOW factor, that's for sure – This is my first Beamer and after driving 3 Golfs, I am more than impressed. The power of the turbo-charged 1.5l, especially in Sports Mode, in Sydney traffic and on country drives, is fabulous. The digital cockpit, voice control features including concierge function and automated emergency assist (BMW will call you if you have an accident and if… Read more

you don’t respond, they dispatch emergency services to your location, as the car is monitored via Satellite 24/7) , neat little touches, such as multi colour ambient lighting, standard M sport package, multi level boot floor and wireless Apple and Android with a big screen, ....it’s the complete package. The Audi A3 looks nice, but is a glorified Golf with the same transmission and motor as the VW, well virtually the same inside space, just much more superior materials, but you pay thousands extra for the privilege. Mercedes A-Class, well the base car is underpowered in my opinion and the 2 iPad screens are so complicated, you need to do a course, well, we test drove all 3 and the 118i became the obvious choice. I custom ordered mine from Munich. Took a few months but well worth it as BMW Sydney, which is a factory owned dealership, really knows how to look after you. Note that the standard car does not have rear air vents, which I wanted and a couple of other bits and pieces that tickled my fancy. Lol. Love it. If you’re looking for that little bit extra, test drive it. You’ll fall in love.

A Perfect Hatch That Is Deservant Of The Motto, The Ultimate Driving Machine – I currently own a 2008 BMW 130i E87 and have loved every minute of it! The 130i is the perfect balance of a perfect 50:50 weight distribution, rear wheel drive and a bulletproof 3.0 litre N52K inline-six. My particular example of 130i was nearly fully optioned, with iDrive, Adaptive Headlights (they turn as you turn), Style 208M rims, HiFi 10… Read more

speaker sound system, electric seats and much more. (You can write a book with how many options it has)

Since my ownership, I have travelled 166,000 km (I bought it at 129,000 km) and have had no major mechanical issues whatsoever. In my ownership of my 130i, I've had to replace valve cover gasket, new brake pads (I changed them to ceramics all round; I hate brake dust) and the usual services every 10,000 km.

As well as the above, I'm only now needing to replace the tyres on it. (seven year old Toyo Proxes T1 Sport's) They're getting replaced with the coveted Michelin Pilot Sport 4 series of tyres.

The handling of these cars are amazing! Throw it into a corner at speed and you'll what it can do. It will blow you away.

In terms of fuel mileage, for a six cylinder, it's been fantastic! I normally average around 8.1 litres per 100 km.

If you're in the market for a 130i or any 1 Series within the E87 lineup, you won't regret it! They are an amazingly fun and reliable car. You can't fault them at all!

Accomplished entry level compact driver's car – 2012 125i coupe manual, with some Msport catalogue options. Bought 3rd hand at 55,000kms now done 70K. Routine servicing only, no mechanical problems to date. It is my wife's daily driver. She finds it refined, civilised, compact on the road, the engine effortless in its delivery. My impressions however are strictly those of someone who cares… Read more

a lot about driving, so I accept mine is not a mainstream perspective, but for the nerdy drivers out there considering a 1er in this spec, you may find this valuable. Positives - ENGINE- the N52 3.0 is a gem, does service in lots of BMW products. Silky smooth and cultured in its delivery and note. Linear throttle response, engine will dribble along at 1000rpm on light throttle with no labouring, or sing happily up to the redline. No torque holes, and note hardens nicely above 5000rpm. Standard exhaust does mute the engine note quite a bit I suspect. A wilful and flexible unit which feels completely unstressed. BMW inline sixes are superb.

RWD -BMW built a brand around compact rear drive cars powered by atmospheric 6 cylinder engines, even though the future looks different. The rear end is stable and grippy when you want but will also rotate easily with a prod of throttle into a few degrees of oversteer before the TC intervenes and cuts power. TC off and its not difficult to induce some pretty big slip angles at the rear. That's all a bit irrelevant most of the time, but through the seat of the pants its still clear that drive is coming from the rear, and this of course allows the front axle to deal with steering alone and not be corrupted by drive also - seems to make a lot of sense really!

GEARBOX - the 6spd manual is a significant contributor to the car's character. The autos are super smooth and match the engine beautifully, I acknowledge that, but the manual provides interaction the auto can never offer. It's a rubbery, springy shift, the throw is short and positive but does require a firm action. The gearbox action is not a lightweight, it has some heft to it. Coupled with that engine, it's hard not to heal and toe rev match even when cruising around town.

Criticisms- STEERING - BMW's old hydraulically assisted racks were dripping with feedback and beautifully weighted, far superior to the electrically assisted rack on this car. The weight is still there, but it feels laid on, synthetic. Additionally, the steering actually increases in weight as speeds rise when turning, which I find disconcerting and frustrating. There is not a lot of clarity of communication between the tyres and steering wheel. Looks great though, and compact and chunky to hold.

SUSPENSION - firm and well insulated from most surfaces, the car gives the impression of a sporting nature at normal speeds and up to a certain point when pressing on. The 18inch Sport catalogue wheels with runflats however are susceptible to crashing over larger lumps and compressions on the road, and this is sometimes transmitted into the body and cabin. The runflats will be replaced with conventional tyres when due, and this should improve ride quality. The cars works well up to 7/10ths, after which point strange things can start to happen. The body and suspension lose their synchronicity and the car can end up pogo-ing and lurching down the road. The suspension simply cannot cope with the demands of a challenging road driven at speed, with rapid vertical inputs throwing the car out of balance and steering, braking and composure all suffering as a result. So you back off and everything works nicely again, in fact it's really lovely at 7/10ths.

So for a mass market compact that is well engineered, civilised in nature, with a lovely powertrain, I'd recommend this car. Just don't expect the finesse of a Toyota 86 or Fiesta ST in the hills on a Sunday blast.

August 2019 Update Just had service at 80,000km. Some bigger ticket items renewed - Included new battery, some front bushes, brake fluid and 6 new coil packs and plugs in addition to normal service items - just over $2K. No issues to report.

Excellent car - very reliable – Excellent car. Very reliable and economical, It has plenty of torque and smooth ride for long trips. Rear leg room is a bit tight. My car has been driven over 180K and I had to clean the intake manifold and replace the DPF. Use after market as BMW charges $3 to 4K for a replacement. Ali Express and eBay has many vendors of people selling DPF's. I… Read more

have had the car regularly serviced and it has been very reliable. City economy is around 6.5 to 7.5 L/100.

Highway at 110 kmh is around 5.2 to 5.6 L/100 depending on road surface, winds and rain.

Love this car – Always been a fan of European vehicles, so glad I purchased this car. It is very reliable, and is super fuel efficient. I used to have a petrol Fiesta and I spent $70 a week on fuel, now I only spend $70 a fortnight!!! Very spacious in the back for a hatchback so it is fine with the kids. Has never given me any issues, and is really zippy and quick off the mark. Love it!!  Show details

Awesome driving experience – If you want a rear wheel small hatchback with plenty of refinement, comfort, safety then consider a BMW 1 series. I had a 2005 120i and it was economical, reliable and incredibly enjoyable to drive. The rear wheel drive enhanced the feel of stability on the road. Servicing cost were within normal limits for car the same age. A very fun,stylish and refined driving experience  Show details

Great handling, otherwise rubbish. Dont buy the hype about German Engineering...get a Toyota or Mazd – The Good Great audio. Seriously even the professional package has superb sound. Great seats. Front seats are very support, very comfortable and very adjustable. So you'll have no issues finding the right seating position. Nice touches like holding down the lock button on the remote closes the windows remotely. Or on a hot day holding down the… Read more

open button opens the windows and sunroof to get hot air out of the car before you get in.

If you like to really drive a car you'll appreciate the balance on the limit, directional stability and feedback through the very direct steering. This car feels rock solid on the road, with very little body roll through corners.

it could do with a bit more power though when overtaking. Runs out of steam at higher revs.

The Bad.

The back seats are really only suitable for pets, children, dwarves or double amputees. Boot space is tiny...seriously tiny.

The electrics are flaky...windscreen wipers just stopped in the middle of the screen...had to actually pull over, turn the car off, pull the key out of the dash and restart the car to get them working again. You'd think it was running Microsoft Windows! The rear window washer doesnt work....the insides have clogged up with silt...actually its rust from the tube through the window wiper mechanism.

The Ugly.

This car is rubbish mechanically, The differential bearings started howling like an old Falcon taxi at 85,000Km. The wheel bearings have only just made it beyond 85,000km.

Engine has O rings in the back that leak water and have to be replaced every 30,000 to 40,000km. Sump gasket leaks oil and there's another oil leak I haven't tracked down yet. Apparently this is entirely normal for the E87 4 Cylinders.. just Google it. Oh, theres also the excessive oil consumption, apparently the Valve Stem Seals are rubbish...and was a BMW specialist telling me that. Update 2018, car has now clocked up 140,000km. Blows smoke after sitting at traffic lights. BM specialist confirms Valve Stem seals...AT 140K!!!! Even a Lada could get better mileage out of valve stem seals. This car is complete junk!

Please bare in mind as I write this my car has only just clocked up 116,600Km! My Mazda 3 was still purring like a kitten and had no leaks, no bearing failures and no warranty issues at the same mileage.

To add insult to injury. The dumbest invention since the invention of the wheel...the Run Flat Tyre.

Reality is you cant actually drive this to a repair shop and have a puncture plugged, even if the tyre manufacturer allowed the tyre to be repaired. The tyre will be a write-off due to damage to the side walls. The advice I've had is as little as 50m driving on a deflated Run Flat will destroy the side walls. Pull over immediately and repair or replace the tyre. Which is made a little difficult, because the geniuses at BMW in their wisdom didn't put a jack or wheel brace in the tool kit. So you pull over to save the tyre, but you cant get the wheel off to take to a repairer...cant drive it to the repairer without destroying the tyre. And heres the great bit, the tyres are up to 50% more expensive than a normal tyre. If you can find someone with them in stock! If you in the city that's not an issue.

Smart decision is to ditch the RFTs for normal tyres and put a tin of slime in the boot, at least that will get you to a Tyre repairer without a jack, you'll save a bit of cash and have a nicer ride quality without sacrificing the handling.

Smarter decision... just dont buy a BMW. Dont buy the crap myth of German engineering, that Japanese are way ahead of this junk.

The perfect small, "family" sports car – The 135i is possibly the perfect small, "family" sports car. The straight 6 3 litre twin turbo engine pulls smoothly and extremely powerfully all the way through the rev range. I drove the 2008 V8 M3 recently, and 135 pocket rocket felt at least it's equal, particularly at lower revs. Handling is very precise, and as with the performance, very… Read more

impressive. The brakes, albeit with a bit of squeaking, and also very capable. With a manual gear box it a very quick, capable drivers car.

The interior is BMW bland, high quality and functional.

It has 4 seats; front sporty and supportive, back reasonable for 2 adults (probably-I didn't actually spend any time there!).

The boot is big for a small car, and although you might not be able to fit all your suit cases in for a family of four to the airport, it is more than adequate for most family needs.

Fuel economy is not on its extensive list of attributes, doing between 11-12 l/100km in normal, ok, spirited, town driving.

I have had mine for a few years now, and coming up to 100000km, remains highly dependable, with no issues in that time.

Especially in manual guise, this a truly exciting, fun, capable, practical sports, which I would thoroughly recommend.

Worst car ever!!! – We bought this car in 2007. It started leacking engine oil from the very begining but we were told the truth (by BMW) in 2010 just after its warrenty was expired. Then the gearbox sterted leaking a couple of years later. BMW charged us $2500 to fix both leakings. Few months later the engine started leacking again but this time from the bottom. I… Read more

was given a quote for $1100 to get the second leackage fixed. I waited for a while and went back to get the job done. The quote went up to $4000. when i asked why, they said the engine is leaking from everywhere now. What? Am I driving a BMW or a crappy low rating car? we bought it new and paid a bit mor than $50K for it. BMW blames the driver but I blame BMW and its poor quality. This car is 10 years old but it has only done about 100K. it is mostly driven by my wife (50+) who is a very good driver and never had any traffic offences. This is the worst car we have ever had! Based on this experience we will never ever buy a BMW again and I don't recommend it to anyone... even to my enemies!

Flawed – Great N55 3 litre six in a bad chassis that creaks and moans, very patchy build quality, very un-cohesive to drive, DCT twin clutch is horrid, it's a very heavy and complex system and it clunked on downshifts, BMW have lost their way on this one, current products aren't much better.  Show details

My perfect car – I had 9 cars in my life and I feel this car fits me perfectly . A great 3 litre 6 cylinder car for a single, good grunt and power. Very sturdy sporty look without the over show off looks of other try hard attention seekers Pick up is true to the point 6.8 seconds to 100 kmh,high torque sounds and feels great . Nifty ,not overbearing , yet… Read more

plenty of room at the back for 2 adults , and surprisingly large booth

Sticks well to the road and smooth handling ,

regardless of how wet the road is .Petrol consumption fantastic 10.3 km per 1 litre premium.

Paint work is excellent, still new after 4 years .

They don't make the same shape anymore , just the hatchback look which spoils the good name of the originals 125i coupe .how silly of BMW

annoyed – I have the 2007 120i e87 auto. issue i've had blown bulbs. its like every few months front bulbs would blow whether it was the parkers or the h7 bulbs but one at the time, That was annoying! oil would be burning - seems a common problem. later found out i have a leak. No puddles but that means you get to put in new oil every month :) Horn is… Read more

now NOT working??? no fuses blown, took the front bumper off all connected. Brought $10 ebay horn wired them in and it works. Took it to BMW quoted $500 to repair!!!

I now have a baby, so it very tight for us. Bugaboo Pram just fits and baby seat, the only luggage space i have is the front seats (wife sits with the bub at the back).

This car is really for couples, handles great and firm so you dont feel like your in a boat.

love the auto lock and remote open and close window features and the sunroof. Feels solid and it is a status car.

Car is now a write off upgrading to family friendly vehicle.

Luv it – Best handling ever for such amount of money. Very economy and cheap spare parts. You need a runway to enjoy it, only thing to have don't start race everyone as it will attract u to. Just need to have w speed tyres to be in safe God bless BMW ALWAYS  Show details

Best Car I have ever driven – The BMW series 1 M had a very short production run 2011 to 2012 and around 4,000 or so were produced with Australia being allocated around 200 cars only. I absolutely LOVE this vehicle, as they are not making any more I would definitely recommend you pick up a well looked after/ low mileage second hand one, The car looks amazing without being… Read more

over the top and the Performance is exceptional. A lot of car for the money, handling of the road is the best I have experienced for any car by far. The GPS navigation system takes a while to load when first turning the thing on.

Ok for city living – We have had this car for 3 years now and don't really like it, but it does the job. You feel all the bumps in the road with this car. It's a bit pokey (the Hyundai which looks like it is much more roomier). Every time some red warning light is flashing in the car that is another $1000-$2000 we got to pay to get it fixed!! Not cheap. We appreciate… Read more

the car much more when we can squeeze into a tight car spot! Small, strong car (in accidents), easy to park Hard suspension, expensive servicing

Lovely car! – I owned a BMW Series 118d Sports hatch when I lived in Europe and loved it. It's a really great car, which makes you enjoy driving to work. The start-stop system works great, and will automatically switch off the engine when you're in traffic. As soon as you touch the clutch the engine turns on automatically again. Really regret I didn't ship this… Read more

car over when we moved to Australia, as they are way too expensive here!! :-(

Some options I really enjoyed:

- sunroof

- cruise control

- cupholders :-) (yes, this is an option for BMW!)

Too expensive in Australia!!

Terrible – Shocking value, poorly put together. Service costs are high - $160 for windscreen wiper blades as an example. Dealers don't care as they are more interested in the top end of town. Buy an AUDI or the like. The concept of a BMW in a hatch. Bluetooth, etc. Overpriced with poor resale value. The reliability is shocking. For the first 6 months BMW had the car for longer than I did - windscreen leaks, window issues, road noise. Show details

Excellent – Don't get the "$2000 car wash" option (fill in random product name of supposed super-shine-polish here) from the dealer, it's a very high margin option that will look good for a month. After 3 months owning a 125i I wish I'd traded my 325 earlier - I had no idea I was missing out on something this much better! Absolutely everything. The best… Read more ·  1

car I've ever owned. I've never been particularly attached to the cars I've owned, but this one's special. Ride quality, responsiveness, the interior, the appearance. It's my second BMW, the last being a competent but uninspiring 325i. The 125i is different - it's a gem. Run flat tyres cost $750 to replace, and if you get a puncture, you NEED to replace them - they can't be patched. So get the tyre insurance for $10/month or so.

Excellent – Had 2005 model for over a year, no problems. The servicing I have had has not been near as expensive as I expected (though I didn't go to a BMW dealership). Not very powerful in automatic but is more than adequate for your every day driving. Nice and quiet on the highway. Nice, quiet and refined. Excellent handling. Ride is a little firm on some crappy roads but that is a trade off with the good handling. Show details

Good – Excellent. Have had mine for six months now, very reliable, great fuel consumption, looks great, has a great ride. Got it through broker for $5k less than caryards so shop around to get a good deal. BMW for entry-level price and low kms is difficult to find, the BMW 1 series offers this. Fun to drive! Full leather interior, electric sunroof, great… Read more

turning circle, acceleration, looks Windscreen breaks if you let the windscreen wiper drop onto the screen, 2nd cup holder covered by arm rest

Excellent – A fantastic small car with just the right amount of bells and whistles. Overall I've had no problems with it after 5000km and I could be happier with my investment. Pleasure to drive, good fuel economy, great turning circle Minor body creaks when panels are heating and cooling down Show details

Tires – The tire size of the back and front are different. They are run flat tires and no spare is required. Due to the soft compound used you require new tires every 20000 km. One set $1600. Not cheap. Reliable and safe. Good design. Cost of service and repair. Show details