2008 BMW 1-Series Quality Review

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."