2008 BMW 1-Series

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By  Rex Roy, Editor

2008 BMW 1-Series 128i
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 2008 BMW 1-SERIES STYLING | [7 out of 10]

ForbesAutos: "Interior is simple and tastefully styled"
Road & Track: "Projects an odd, almost ungainly proportion from some angles"
Popular Mechanics: "Well thought-out cabin that looks nearly identical to the 3-Series"

The 2008 BMW 1-Series features BMW's trademark styling both inside and out, but some reviewers took the German automaker to task for the car’s somewhat stunted proportions.

At BMW, 2008 is the first year for the 1-Series in the United States. ConsumerGuide says that the "BMW 1-Series line is new to North America, and the lineup includes 128i and 135i models." Both the 128i and 135i are available as either a two-door coupe or a convertible. In reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, one thread that seemed to run throughout was that the new BMW 1-Series, whether it's the 1-Series convertible or coupe, is a car you have to see in person to appreciate. Autoblog captures this sentiment by saying that "the styling language of the new 1-Series coupe is more attractive in person than the press shots...would indicate."

BMW claims that the basis for the styling of the new BMW 2008 1-Series is the old BMW 2002 model. While some styling cues from that Bimmer of the past are readily discernible, Road & Track feels that the BMW 1-Series's "execution is more in tune with E36-based coupes, the two-generation forebear of the current 3 Series." While generally approving of the styling on the new 2008 BMW 1-Series, Road & Track also notes that the "long-hood, tall-roofline, short-rear-deck profile projects an odd, almost ungainly proportion from some angles." If nothing else, the exterior styling is divisive; for every person who loves the 1-Series's look, there is another who finds it a complete turnoff. Speaking for those in the latter camp is Cars.com, which says that the new 2008 BMW 1-Series is "awkward" and finds the "bulbous shape of the rear part of the passenger area" is very "out of tune with the rest of BMW's very sleek-looking lineup." They add that the "1 Series isn't overtly striking in the visual department," and it "seems hum-drum...even in sporty 135i duds."

Inside, the new BMW 2008 1-Series features traditional BMW styling, which is to say that the car is very clean and upscale. ForbesAutos raves about the 1-Series Coupe's interior, finding it to be "simple and tastefully styled, crafted from premium materials and with instruments that are well positioned within sightlines." Popular Mechanics feels the same way about the interior of BMWs 2008 135i, commenting that it's "nearly identical to the 3-Series," a car that reviewers and customers alike have stamped with their approval. The car's small dimensions also mean that few instruments are ever out of reach for the driver. ConsumerGuide feels that while the "audio and climate controls are mounted somewhat low," they are still "easy to reach and simple to decipher and adjust."

Conclusion: The exterior of the new 2008 BMW 1-Series is hit-and-miss, but few can argue that the interior sports a wonderfully functional and well-styled cockpit.

2008 BMW 1-SERIES PERFORMANCE | [9 out of 10]

Automobile: "Carves through corners like the world's most involving sports cars"
Road & Track: "Steering action is direct and the handling is precise"
Popular Mechanics: "BMW estimates 30 mpg on the highway"

The new 2008 BMW 1-Series easily lives up to BMW's sporty performance legacy, and the car moves very quickly, especially with the more powerful twin-turbo 3.0-liter engine found in the BMW 2008 135i variant.

Motivating the new BMW 1-Series is either a naturally aspirated 230-hp engine on the 128i models or a similarly sized, but twin-turbocharged, 306-hp 3.0-liter inline-six version on the 135i. With either trim, Edmunds finds that "a six-speed manual is the standard transmission, while a six-speed automatic with manual shift control is optional." While the engine on the 128i is decently powerful, it is asked to move a car that weighs upward of 3,500 pounds. However, despite its weight, Car and Driver finds the BMW 1-Series to be "pretty quick, taking an estimated 6.4 seconds for the 0-to-60-mph run equipped with the fluid six-speed manual." Also, it is worth noting that the Car and Driver reviewers were driving the BMW 2008 128i Convertible, which is significantly heavier than the 128i Coupe. For those looking for a serious performance machine, the 135i gets a twin-turbocharged engine that, according to some reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, moves the car to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds. Road & Track writes that the 135i "has amazing pulling power" and gives "new meaning to the term 'pocket rocket.'" Popular Mechanics notes that "the flip side of all that high performance is usually poor fuel economy. Not here: BMW estimates 30 mpg on the highway." The official EPA estimates for the 2008 BMW 1-Series are 18 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for the 128i, while the 135i returns 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

Aside from the impressive engine performance, the 2008 BMW 1-Series also sports impressive handling, even in the 1-Series convertible. Popular Mechanics finds that, on the track, "the steering, typical of BMW, [is] sharp and quick to react." ConsumerGuide agrees, claiming that "BMW's legendary handling capability carries over to the 1-Series. Even BMW's 2008 128i convertible with the base suspension and 16-inch tires exhibits little body lean in fast turns." Edmunds continues the praise by saying that "body roll is minimal, and overall grip on models fitted with the sport package is superb." The brakes on all trim levels of the 2008 1-Series are also exceptional, and they hold up well under extreme conditions. Kelley Blue Book raves about the "huge front brakes that not only slow the small coupe with ease but also look great" on the 135i.

Ride quality on the BMW 2008 1-Series is a function of trim level and options, but there aren't really any surprises here. Customers should expect that the 135i in full sport mode will feature a rougher ride than the 128i with more comfortable settings. ConsumerGuide finds that "the tested 128i convertible [rides] surprisingly well, easily soaking up smaller road blemishes and pavement heaves." However, opting for the 135i brings a "sport suspension and 18-inch tires, a combination that reacts much more sharply to bad pavement, yet never feels harsh."

Conclusion: Small, nimble, and quick has been a formula for BMW success for generations, and the 2008 BMW 1-Series is simply the latest iteration of this tried-and-true system.

2008 BMW 1-SERIES COMFORT AND QUALITY | [8 out of 10]

Automobile: "Frameless windows let in no wind noise"
Popular Mechanics: "A person measuring 6'4" tall can sit in the back seat with two inches of clearance"
Motor Trend: "While the 1-Series Convertible's canvas roof is nicely finished, it generates wind noise"

Any car that features the BMW logo must live up to lofty expectations in terms of comfort and handling, and TheCarConnection.com finds that the new 2008 BMW 1-Series comes ready to impress in terms of comfort and build quality.

The BMW 1-Series, as either a coupe or convertible, is designed to seat four. While it may seem like a stretch on a car the size of the BMW 1-Series, ConsumerGuide finds that the front offers "ample room for adults on comfortable seats" and the rear sports "enough headroom and legroom for an average-size adult to sit behind another average-size adult." The small dimensions of the 2008 BMW 1-Series catch up to it eventually, however, as ConsumerGuide also notes that "any front-seater over six-feet tall will delete rear legroom behind them," and "elbow space is very tight in the coupe and even less in the convertible" for rear occupants. Reviewers at Kelley Blue Book characterize the seating in the back BMW 1-Series as "comfortable but cozy."

The BMW 2008 1-Series defies its small dimensions when it comes to interior space. Motor Trend approves of the storage space on the convertible, finding that "because it's a fabric roof rather than a rigid folder, it doesn't swallow too much trunk space." The coupe versions of the BMW 2008 1-Series have a trunk that "offers a reasonable 10 cubic feet of storage space," according to Kelley Blue Book, and if additional space is needed, "the rear seats can be folded to accommodate larger items." Aside from trunk space, there's not much storage room to be found on the 2008 BMW 1-Series, as ConsumerGuide finds that "interior storage is limited to a small glovebox and smaller console box, along with a tiny console bin and map pockets."

Materials quality has never been much of an issue on BMWs, so it's no surprise that the interior of the BMW 2008 1-Series is well constructed. ForbesAutos appreciates that the interior is "crafted from premium materials," and Kelley Blue Book finds the "interior treatment of the 1 Series is anything but cheap." Edmunds agrees, saying that "despite being the cheapest BMW sold, the vehicle's interior materials are consistent with its larger and more lavish siblings." One dissenting opinion comes from Cars.com, which finds that on BMWs 2008 1-Series "the leather is less luxurious" and the "plastic also seems to be a lower grade in a few places" compared to the 3- and 5-Series BMWs. Solid build quality contributes to the pleasant ride noise, which ConsumerGuide says is "well checked," and "top down, the convertible requires only slightly raised voices at highway speeds." Automobile notes that the "frameless windows let in no wind noise."

Conclusion: A surprisingly smooth ride with minimal road noise, even on the convertible, combines with a high-quality interior to make this 2008 BMW 1-Series a classic BMW.

2008 BMW 1-SERIES SAFETY | [8 out of 10]

Road & Track: "Equipped with BMW's Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC)"
Kelley Blue Book: "System that automatically dries the brakes in wet conditions"
Edmunds: "Front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are standard"

While the 2008 BMW 1-Series has not yet been crash tested by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), BMWs have a long tradition of scoring very well in a variety of safety and crash tests, and there's little reason to think that BMWs 2008 1-Series will prove an exception.

Even the base version of the BMW 1-Series comes loaded with safety features, some typical and some innovative. Kelley Blue Book points out that the BMW 1-Series offers "standard front, front-side and side-curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls." These are features that consumers have come to expect from automobiles today.

However, many reviews read by TheCarConnection.com referenced a nifty little addition to the safety features list on the BMW 2008 1-Series: a system that automatically dries the brakes during wet driving conditions. ConsumerGuide appreciates these touches, such as an "antiskid system, tire-pressure monitor, [and] daytime running lights," that add to the safety credentials of the new 2008 BMW 1-Series. ConsumerGuide also finds that on the BMW 2008 1-Series, "thin pillars in the coupe provide fine visibility to all directions, though wide front headrests can get in the way when backing." Visibility is expected to decrease on convertibles, and here ConsumerGuide writes that the top on the 2008 BMW 1-Series convertible will "sacrifice visibility to the rear corners and directly astern."

Conclusion: The 2008 BMW 1-Series comes loaded with a safety features, but crash tests aren’t in yet.

2008 BMW 1-SERIES FEATURES | [8 out of 10]

ForbesAutos: "Comes well equipped with most essential amenities"
Popular Mechanics: "The 135i isn't a stripped-down entry-level car"
Kelley Blue Book: "A 10-speaker audio system with auxiliary input for MP3 players"

While the 2008 BMW 1-Series comes with a long list of standard features, the options list is similarly impressive, though the price jumps quickly once those options boxes are checked.

The two available trims of the BMW 1-Series, the 128i and 135i, come with a similar standard feature loadout. ConsumerGuide writes that the BMW 2008 128i offers standard "air conditioning w/ automatic climate control," as well as "remote keyless entry" and a "power sunroof" on the coupe, while the convertible offers a "power convertible top." The only difference in standard features on the BMW 2008 135i are listed by ConsumerGuide as "wood interior trim" and "steering-linked adaptive xenon headlights w/ washers," along with its more powerful engine.

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com generally praised the features of the new 2008 BMW 1-Series, but also noted the significant impact that optional features had on the price of the car. ForbesAutos finds that the BMW 1-Series "comes well equipped with most essential amenities, including an input jack on the standard audio system for connecting iPods and other portable devices," but they also warn that "ordering [the GPS navigation system] can actually make the car less user-friendly, as it comes with BMW's somewhat confounding iDrive system." While the 2008 BMW 1-Series is marketed as a well-equipped entry-level BMW, Road & Track notes that if you "throw on a premium package...you're in the neighborhood of $39,000."

However, BMWs have never come cheap, and for the price you pay, you will get a BMW 2008 1-Series that, as Kelley Blue Book mentions, offers "rain-sensing windshield wipers, cruise control and a 10-speaker audio system." Also, the BMW 2008 1-Series convertible features a folding cloth top that operates at speeds of up to 30 mph, a welcome feature for those who are tired of pulling over every time the sun comes out.

Conclusion: The 2008 BMW 1-Series comes well appointed even in base models, but beware skyrocketing options prices and the GPS navigation with iDrive.