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2008 BMW 1 Series Convertible
2008 BMW 1 Series Convertible
Lower-Cost Convertible
The BMW 1 Series Convertible costs $10,000 less than a comparable 3 Series droptop, but is no less entertaining to drive.
Well positioned to appeal to both up-and-coming Generation-Y buyers and older enthusiasts alike, the rear-wheel-drive BMW 1 Series Convertible rides on a wheelbase that’s about four inches shorter than the 3 Series, and is around eight inches shorter overall. It weighs around 300 pounds less than its larger sibling and is narrower and taller; interior room is equivalent between the 1 and 3 Series Convertibles, though the former has a smaller trunk. The BMW 1 Series Convertible comes with fewer standard features — for starters it swaps a power-operated cloth top for the 3 Series’ retractable hardtop — but it carries a base sticker price that’s considerably lower than the open-air 3 Series.
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Powertrains carry over from the 3 Series, which means the BMW 128i Convertible comes powered by a peppy 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, while the 135i packs a twin-turbocharged direct fuel injection 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that generates nearly a third more horsepower. The standard transmission is a six-speed manual; a six-speed Steptronic automatic that can be taken through the gears manually is optional. Zero-to-60 mph times range from 5 to almost 7 seconds depending on engine and transmission. Fuel economy hovers around 22 mpg for combined city and highway driving.
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The BMW 1 Series Convertible's standard suspension is both compliant and sporty. Standard on the 135i and optional on the 128i, a sport suspension and larger wheels and tires afford nominal handling improvements. Both enable crisp, neutral handling for fun, spirited driving and a forgiving ride, though the sport suspension rides rougher by virtue of stiffer settings and run-flat performance tires.
Active Steering technology is optional. It increases the rate at which the front wheels turn the more you turn the steering wheel. Though the system offers more immediate steering response, purists favor the standard setup for its simplicity and unfiltered feedback.
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Dynamic Stability and Traction Control are included to help maximize traction over a wide range of handling situations and road conditions. These systems are calibrated to intervene later and less obtrusively than in most vehicles to allow accomplished drivers a bit more wheel spin through the curves.
The BMW 1 Series Convertible’s interior is simple and tastefully styled, crafted from premium materials and with instruments that are well positioned within sightlines and switches that are within easy reach. The front seats are sufficiently roomy for two six-footers, with supportive bucket seats; heavily bolstered sport seats come with the optional Sport Package. The Convertible’s rear seat accommodates two passengers, though larger occupants will feel cramped. Front-side and side-curtain airbags that cover both rows of seats are standard.
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While the BMW 1 Series Convertible leaves a handful of features off the standard and optional equipment lists, it still comes well equipped with most essential amenities, including an input jack on the standard audio system for connecting iPods and other portable devices (a USB connection for both iPod connectivity and control is optional). Available features include various audio upgrades and a GPS navigation system, but be aware that ordering the latter convenience item can actually make the car less user-friendly, as it comes with BMW’s somewhat confounding iDrive system that controls various systems via a single knob on the center console. Separate switches and knobs are far easier and more intuitive to operate.
Buy the 1 Series Convertible if
You want a sporty, premium compact convertible that's fun to drive; you value the superior balance and driving dynamics of rear-wheel drive.
You want a larger, more powerful, and/or more luxurious convertible; you prefer your convertible with a folding hardtop.
The front is accommodating for a car this size; the seats and steering wheel offer ample adjustment for all sizes; most occupants will find rear legroom and headroom lacking.
The BMW 1 Series is not the automaker’s first attempt in the U.S. to sell a lower-cost car to attract budget-minded buyers. The BMW 318ti was a small and lightweight two-door hatchback that was offered between 1995 and 1999. Though its handling characteristics were up to the task, the 318ti came powered by a weak 1.6-liter engine that needed to be worked hard to generate any semblance of thrust. Buyers were unimpressed, and even a subsequent boost in power could generate little interest in the entry-level car. That it was a hatchback at a time when the market favored sedan models and younger buyers began migrating toward sport-utility vehicles helped seal its fate.
Much more popular in Europe than in North America, the vehicle continued overseas until 2004, and was subsequently replaced by the BMW 1 Series.
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