Insurance Group: 30
MPG: 51.4
CO2: 145
0-62 Mph: 7.1 secs
BHP: 204 BHP
Range: 577 miles
PROS: The M Sport has a powerful twin-turbo engine, great handling and offers fantastic fuel economy, making it a cheap car to run.
CONS: The 123d M Sport Auto is very expensive - even for a BMW. The combination of overly firm suspension and cramped rear leg room also make the cabin uncomfortable for adult passengers sat in the back.
The 204bhp engine delivers 295lb-ft of torque at 2000-2250 rpm and is capable of getting the 123d M Sport Auto from 0-62 mph in 7.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 147mph. Very impressive.
The engine is also fairly refined, offering a smooth and quiet drive. Road and suspension noise are well insulated but wind noise becomes noticeable at motorway speeds.
The car feels at home on winding roads where the front engine and rear-wheel drive chassis offer fantastic body control, good grip and balance and the automatic gearbox is responsive and crisp. However, although the handling is good, it is not as sharp as in other cars in the range thanks to the big heavy diesel engine up front.
The 123d M Sport Auto comes with alloy wheels, climate control, rear parking sensors, MP3 connectivity and a stereo system all as standard fittings.
As is the tradition with Beemers, the optional extras list can get frightening. Those wanting leather seats will need to fork out £1,010. Bluetooth connectivity costs an extra £400 whilst satellite navigation can be added for £1,550.
The car also comes with the iDrive control system, which takes some getting used to, and BMW’s 'Efficient Dynamics' technology which maximises the efficiency of the drivetrain for improved fuel consumption.
The 1 Series’ interior fails to match the elegance of bigger BMWs and the materials and features are all functional rather than attractive.
The 1 Series has a great driving position which offers a lot of adjustment. However, the car suffers from restricted space within the cabin - despite BMW making improvements following criticism of previous models.
Rear legroom in particular is cramped and this makes long journeys uncomfortable for adult passengers in these seats. The boot also only offers 370 litres of storage capacity when the seats are in place, limiting practicality. However, this is still an improvement over previous models.
Despite the spatial restrictions, the 1 Series is well crafted and has a high quality feel to it. The car rated well in the 2011 JD Power survey and comes with a three year warranty with unlimited mileage - something which should give drivers confidence over their purchase.
Safety levels are also fairly high, with driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags all fitted as standard, and traction and dynamic stability control ensuring the car remains planted.
An alarm, immobiliser, remote central locking and deadlocks are all fitted to increase security and protect the car from theft.
The 1 Series 123d M Sport is an incredibly expensive coupe at £29,695 - a price which puts it very close to the vastly superior 3 Series.
That being said, fans of the 1 Series will be pleased to know that running costs are much lower than average due to the 'Efficient Dynamics' technology and the efficient diesel engine. Fuel economy is excellent, returning 51.4 mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 145g/km are amongst the best in the class, and keep road tax costs manageable.
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You might want to read reviews for other Sports cars that you can then compare to the BMW 1 Series. Here are some popular BMW 1 Series alternatives:
