BMW 1 Series Coupe (2008 – 2013) Review

BMW 1 Series Coupe (2008 – 2013) At A Glance

4/5

+Good looking sporty alternative to the standard 1 Series, super quick 135i, strong and efficient diesels.

-Tight in the back for taller passengers.

Insurance Groups are between 22–36
On average it achieves 79% of the official MPG figure

How does 306PS in a 4-seat coupe the size of a Golf grab you?

And not any old 306PS engine, but ‘engine of the year': BMW's sensational twin-turbo 3.0 litre straight six that's both benignly tractable and very, very fast.

Over the last year BMW has been turning its slow selling sow's ear of a 1-Series into something of a silk purse. First we saw the three-door hatchback version with it's Efficient Dynamics 118 diesel that has since been developed to limbo under the 120g/m CO2 limit that gets it into London for nothing from next February and cuts the annual tax bill to £35.

Road Test BMW 135i Coupe

Road Test BMW 1 Series M Coupe

 

Car seat chooser

Child seats that fit a BMW 1 Series Coupe (2008 – 2013)

Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.

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Real MPG average for a BMW 1 Series Coupe (2008 – 2013)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

79%

Real MPG

20–59 mpg

MPGs submitted

387

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

Satisfaction Index

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Ask Honest John

How much difference should a repaired Cat D vehicle value be?

"I'm looking at purchasing a second hand BMW 1 Series Coupe, but it has been disclosed as previously a Cat D status, which I understand to mean is repaired non structural damage or recovered from a theft. The value appears competitive, but want to insure I do pay over the top or will have later re sell value issues?"
A Category D does not mean non-structural, it could well have structural damage. A Cat D is a constructive total loss where the insurer decided not to repair, this means a repair cost of approximately 70 per cent of its market value when it was total lossed. On a 1 Series Coupe, that means repair costs in excess of £10,000. Its value now is approximately 20 percent less than a retailable vehicle without this history. Unless you have it inspected by an independent engineer who knows what he is looking at (find one at http://www.iaea-online.org/ ), walk away.
Answered by Tim Kelly

What is the valuation of my car?

"What is the valuation for my 2009 BMW 1?"
Go here and enter the registration and mileage: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/used-prices/ You'll then get an email with fairly accurate pricing.
Answered by Honest John

Can I fit non-run flats to my BMW?

"I own a BMW 1 Series and would like to change the tyres from run flats to non-run flats. Is there any problems changing my front tyres from 215/40/18 to non run flat 205/40/18? Can I also choose a tyre with less width? "
It might affect the rotation sensor of the TPMS. Not a good idea anyway. Stick to runflats or, if you don't like the ride, go down a wheels size or two and fit deeper profile runflats.
Answered by Honest John

What do you think of the Renault Laguna Coupe?

"I drive a 1999 Toyota Celica, which I love and have owned for eight years with no major problems at all. I feel however, that I would like something a little more up-to-date. I still want a coupe or a similar style car, and have been looking without too much success, as I still want a car with the versatility of split rear seats and a little space in the back for an occasional passenger. I have seen a Renault Laguna Coupe and consulted your review. Is this car (albeit a couple of years old) a suitable replacement, or have you any other suggestions? I feel a petrol engine would be better than a diesel as I tend to make short journeys and I would prefer a manual gearbox."
The short-lived (in the UK) Laguna Coupe is a nice car and the rear wheel steer system on some models works well. At least one reader has one and improved the ride comfort by fitting smaller wheels with deeper profile tyres. I guess you'll be going for the 2.0-litre turbo. Alternatives include one of the last Celicas (year 2000), a Volkswagen Scirocco, a Volvo C30, a Hyundai Veloster, a Renault Megane coupe, a BMW 1 Series or 3 Series coupe, or a KIA pro_cee'd.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a BMW 1 Series Coupe (2008 – 2013) cost?