BMW 1-Series Convertible (08 on) - Review

Review by Dan Harrison on
Last Updated: 23 February 2009
If you're after a stylish and small convertible, BMW's 1-Series Convertible fits the bill perfectly. You get all the build quality and sophistication you expect from the German make, but in a neat soft-top package. Unlike many convertibles, including the 3-Series, this model sticks with a fabric hood which takes up less boot space when it's folded down. It may not be as quiet or secure as a metal-folding roof, but this 1-Series is still a great all-rounder. Good to drive, refined and classy - an added bonus for owners is that it even ticks a few boxes when it comes to being green and cost effective to run.
4.5 out of 5

Other BMW reviews

4 out of 5

Running costs

Clever on-board technologies help cut CO2, raise mpg and bring down bills. These are lumped together by BMW under the name of Efficient Dynamics. This includes auto stop-start, a system that cuts out the engine when the car is stationary, capturing energy that would otherwise be lost through braking along with electric (rather than hydraulic) power steering. It means that the 1-Series Convertible can add lower running costs in the shape of cheaper road tax and increased mpg to the traditional high BMW residual values.

* based on most recent data

Estimated fuel cost for 10,000 miles per year

Unleaded

£1,427 - £2,046 *

Diesel

£1,105 - £1,364 *

The estimated fuel cost figure is a guide to how much this model will cost to fuel each year, so you can compare between cars. It's calculated by using the model's average mpg (calculated from both town centre and motorway driving) and the average fuel price. It's based on the following cost-per-litre: petrol 135p and diesel 141p. Prices are updated daily.

Summary Running Costs

Servicing period

According to on-board computer.

Warranty

Three years/unlimited mileage.

Road tax (12 months)

£100.00 - £270.00

Vehicle excise duty (VED) varies according to the CO2 emissions and the fuel type of the vehicle. For cars registered after March 1st 2001 VED or road tax is based on the car's CO2 emissions. For cars registered before March 1st 2001 it is based on engine size.

Full running costs data

4 out of 5

Green credentials

  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
    127
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
    225
  • L
  • M

CO2 emission figure (g/km)

Fuel economy rating

The arrows indicate the best and worst CO2 bands for this model.

Emissions summary

In the 18 months leading up to the launch of the 1-Series Convertible, BMW arguably did more to reduce CO2 across its range than any other manufacturer. This convertible benefits from many of those initiatives, including Efficient Dynamics – a system that includes a function to turn off the engine when it's not needed and save energy. The 118d diesel is the stand-out model in the range with CO2 emissions of just 129g/km and fuel economy of 58mpg. The best petrol is the 118i with emissions of 149g/km and 45mpg. Even the high performance 135i sneaks in under the top tax bracket at 224g/km – 1g/km more and it would be classed as one of the most polluting cars on the road and taxed accordingly.

Find the exact engine and CO2