2011 BMW 1 Series User Reviews

Pros

Great ride/handling combo. Useable trunk with top down. Comfy seats

Cons

Run-flats. Noise.

Purchased As New

First thing to do with this car--get rid of the run-flats. Replace them with a decent sporty tire and you'll be amazed--it will be like you just got a totally different (better) car. In almost all other respects, the car is fantastic. The ride (non-sport suspension) is great. Handling is great. Handling is even better with the sport suspension, but it beats you up a bit---check out the regular suspension--it gives you a much better ride with little loss in handling.

Seats are very comfortable. Car is very peppy and never seems lacking for power

Gas mileage is so-so--about 17-18 City and 27ish Highway.

Best thing--the car is just plain FUN to drive.

I rarely put the top up---when I do, it reveals one of the faults in the car--it is a bit noisy with the top up.

The stock stereo is not very good--upgrade to the HK if you can....read morehide

Pros

great looking ,and very fun to drive

Cons

took my car back took the dealer 10 times for defects and recalls

Purchased As New

the car is fun to drive, but it was so undependable , the service is a cheet.it's not like they advertise you have to hold them to it .went back and forth as many as 10 times to iron the bugs out of it . the run flats are expensive and the car bites in the snow, the rain gravel etc. the rearend slides.and the trade in value is crummy.p.s. skip the leatherette it doesn't hold up....read morehide

Pros

Tour Ride

Cons

Tour Ride

Purchased As New

Tough Ride , I ma gonna have fun Tough Ride , I ma gonna have fun Tough Ride , I ma gonna have fun Tough Ride , I ma gonna have fun

Pros

Fast & solid little car

Cons

Trunk space, but hey, it's a convertible

Purchased As New

The style of this series may not be for everyone but if you have driven a BMW you can't beat the fast, tight drive. The car is solid and the interior has a clean design. I spoke to a lot of peole who have one before I bought it and they all said they loved it and I have to agree. Yes, when you get into the BMW and Mercedes territory they're not cheap. But that's why there are many other makes and models out there for people to choose from....read morehide

Pros

Comfort, style, ride, power

Cons

glitches

Purchased As New

After reading a lot of reviews here some of which I think are fake (nonspecific problems and nonowner opinions) I thought I would try to help if you are thinking of this car. I have a first year 2008 128 convertible with almost 24k miles. This car is fantastic. The 1-series has the same drivetrain as a 3-series. That's why only a small price break. It is as big as the old 3-series and the convertible has more trunk than a 3-series convertible because of the soft top. I shopped both and bought this one. I recommend the 128 over the 135 for value. You don't need 300hp for $6k more to enjoy. 230hp (in mine) is plenty of power and I get as high as 33-34mpg on the highway. The car rides like a big car, still sporty, quiet with the soft top (for a convertible) and the best seats with an ultraviolet coating so they don't get as hot. I got white with light gray interior. This is a road trip car for me so I have driven long distances comfortably. The only slight negative is recalls. However, everything on mine has been just programming or fixed before I had an actual problem. I have never had one mechanical problem. So, my personal firsthand experience is excellent! Ride, looks, roof down or up fun, power, mpg, comfort, all fantastic. I've driven mountains, dessert, prairie, coast, everywhere and it is terrific. The only ergonomic problem is the cupholder. Only one cup if the armrest is down. Small goofy problem. However, for me, firsthand owner of almost 4 years this car has been flawless and fun. I recommend it highly and I've had 8 other BMW products (including Mini Coopers). BTW, the 2008 has the same engine/drivetrain and build you will get in a new one, except yours will probably have some nice new tweeks and improvements. Test one for yourself and make your own review. Hope this helps you. I always read these before I buy....read morehide

Pros

handling, engineering, safety, braking, looks, affordable

Cons

occasional rough ride on Marin "roads"

Purchased As New

Love our convertible-excellent handling and road feedback-six-speed is excellent-used as daily driver-good mileage-just now getting used to the "who do you think you are" looks from other drivers-every Honda with a tuned exhaust sits on my bumper before roaring by at 40 mph...minor squeak/creak in dash, fixed by dealer (Sonnen service has been excellent)-compared our car to every other convertible prior to purchase-BMW felt best of all-(whoever commented on "too small" has never been in or tried to get into the Lexus convertible "4 seater," suitable for Alvin and the Chipmunks)....ok, the Cooper handles like a go-cart, but unfortunately it looks like one as well...Our 128 may not be the best car on the road, but it is for us...besides, life is too damned short to drive a Prius.......read morehide

Pros

Stylish

Cons

Overpriced

Purchased As Not Purchased

If you hearing "BMW" makes you think "good reliability" and "performance that is miles ahead of the competition" you're thinking of the old BMW lines. They're still decent cars but they're not what the same caliber car they were 10 or 15 years ago...even if their price tags suggest otherwise. I love BMWs but I'd never buy one build after the 1990s....read morehide

Pros

Performance, handling, ride, engine, brakes, suspension

Cons

Reliability, FUGLY

Purchased As New

To Start off, I have to preface that I'm the sort of person who care way more about substance rather than appearance. Otherwise I could have never bought such an Fugly car.

I researched several other cars Mspeed3, Volks GTI, Sub WRX STi, EVO, Inf G37 coupe, and BMW 335,

I was looking for something quick, light, and fun.
The BMW hands down blew everyone out of the water when it came to driving, its amazing.

The problems were the reliability.
I bought it new in december, by november of the next year I had taken it back 10 times for recalls and defects. 10 times in the first year!!.

BMW is nice enough, they give you a loaner, and try to make it as painless as possible, but I'm worried to see what will happen after the service plan/Warranty is done.

I'll prob sell it by then and get a more reliable Japanese car....read morehide

Pros

Everything!

Cons

None to me!

Purchased As New

I love this car. My first new BMW. Just to give you an idea of how much I like it, I drove 1100 miles in the first week!!! Love everything about it. Of all the models BMW offers, I recommend this one! A word to BMW, don't change a thing. My vote is for the 1 series!

Pros

Superb performance ! Great handling & acceleration

Cons

Run flat tires can be a headache (rough ride & expensive)

Purchased As New

I think BMW 135i is a great compact sports car. For the money spent, you get M3 class performance in a small package, just as old time BMW classics. The driving experience is the best and purest you can get from BMW