1 Series

[jeffsy]

Hi there

Some advice/observations if you culd please:

We are looking to get a new car and one that the missus fancies is the 1 series. I see that they claim great mpg figures but can anyone in PH-land corroborate these? I appreciate that they seldom reach those which are published but are the figures still good nonetheless?

Thanks in advance

Graham

[Spokey]

It all depends. I have a 130i and I'm pretty sure I don't get anything like the claimed MPG. The new cars have Efficient Dynamics, which do things like switch the engine off when you're stopped in traffic (and then start up again instantly), which does apparently help a lot.

The handling is the best part of the car, though. Even a lowly 118d is a stonking car on a B-road.

[dibbly_dobbler]

Hi Graham.

I've also a 130 which does mid 20s in town and mid 30s on a run which I think is pretty good (especially as it's a pre efficient dynamics model). Needless to say the diesels are very impressive - personally I'm not fussed for the 4 cylinder petrols.

For other 'real world' mpg tales have a butchers over on babybmw.net. Overall I would say nice motor if you : A - can live with the looks and B - dont need much space.

[Methane Bloke]

One of our cars is a 56 plate, manual 120d (non ED). Over the last 25,000 miles it has averaged 47MPG. The last two tankfulls have been 49.5 and 50.5MPG respectively. I keep an accurate record for Darlings benefit. The fuel consumption seems to be improving with age. Most of my driving is a mix of motorways and traffic commuting.

Regards

Chris

[northandy]

We have two pre ED 1 series.

My 120d M Sport has 41k on the clock and does generally 43-45mpg during my commute, 50 mile a day 50/50 mix of dual carriageway/B roads, no stop start.

Other halves 118d sport has 50k on the clock and does 48-51mpg during her 110 mile daily commute which is a 90/10 split of motorway/b roads.

both cars hugely reliable, in all those miles neither has been in for warranty work, which is massively impressive

[jeffsy]

Thanks all

These are some great observations - cheers

Its a close call between the 1 series and a VW Golf. Its a shame my mussus needs an automatic otherwise we would be looking at the Bluemotion engined Polo's/Golfs (but they dont do the Bluemotion with an auto box yet). By the looks of it the mpg is better in the BMW however we will have to get a 2.0litre engine for the automatic (I dont think they make one in a smaller engine variant...but I do stand to be corrected)which was larger than we anticipated.


Cheers

Graham

Edited by jeffsy on Sunday 3rd August 11:47

[uk68charger]

I have manual 123d - real life mpg is 37-43.

Funnily enough, Mrs G has an auto Golf - real life mpg is 37-40mpg

[rich_vw]

Hi there have a 118d M Sport Eff Dy. Has done 53.3 mpg over its first 1700 miles, hopefully will improve once loosened up a little.

120 mile a day commute on dual carriage way (north wales so not flat)plus running around on weekends.

[jeffsy]

These are some great mpg's.

The dilemma now is whether to shell out more for the 1 Series (knowing that I have to have an auto box so therefore a 2 litre engine) and get better mpg or spend less for the Golf with worse mpg!!

Hmmmmm

[900T-R]

Drive both and if that doesn't make up your mind, get the Golf 'cos it's cheaper (but please don't option one up to a price at which you could have had a 1-series...).

[wobert]

I have a 2005 120d, with 60k miles on the clock. I average 45 mpg with most journeys along fast A-roads / M'ways

[moffat]

I have got a 135i and love it!

It too can get great mpg for a 3.0 TT - I average 30mpg at 85mph on the motorway, and mid-20's commuting. It's a bit too tempting to drive like I stole it, and still get around 22mpg.

Done 4,000 miles and loving every minute. Just needs a real LSD, rear sway bar and another 50bhp

[dibbly_dobbler]

jeffsy said:

These are some great mpg's.

The dilemma now is whether to shell out more for the 1 Series (knowing that I have to have an auto box so therefore a 2 litre engine) and get better mpg or spend less for the Golf with worse mpg!!

Hmmmmm

Graham - if I read you right you may be under the misapprehension that there is no 118d auto ? Have a look on the BMW site under approved used there are loads of them so no need to have a 120d if you would prefer a 118d (although I believe they both actually have a 2 litre capacity in reality).

[northandy]

dibbly_dobbler said:

jeffsy said:

These are some great mpg's.

The dilemma now is whether to shell out more for the 1 Series (knowing that I have to have an auto box so therefore a 2 litre engine) and get better mpg or spend less for the Golf with worse mpg!!

Hmmmmm

Graham - if I read you right you may be under the misapprehension that there is no 118d auto ? Have a look on the BMW site under approved used there are loads of them so no need to have a 120d if you would prefer a 118d (although I believe they both actually have a 2 litre capacity in reality).

Your correct the 118 and 120 are both the same capacity 1995cc.

the differences are the turbo size, and ECU... I believe the 120d also has bigger brakes...

[insideout]

My other half has a 2005 116i with 23k it getting low 30's with a combination of slow/fast A roads (this low figure is probably due to me borrowing it!).

It handles brilliantly, would be more fun with a larger engine/more power though.

Z

[jeffsy]

northandy said:

dibbly_dobbler said:

jeffsy said:

These are some great mpg's.

The dilemma now is whether to shell out more for the 1 Series (knowing that I have to have an auto box so therefore a 2 litre engine) and get better mpg or spend less for the Golf with worse mpg!!

Hmmmmm

Graham - if I read you right you may be under the misapprehension that there is no 118d auto ? Have a look on the BMW site under approved used there are loads of them so no need to have a 120d if you would prefer a 118d (although I believe they both actually have a 2 litre capacity in reality).

Your correct the 118 and 120 are both the same capacity 1995cc.

the differences are the turbo size, and ECU... I believe the 120d also has bigger brakes...

Ahhhh!!!...that really helps chaps (excuse my ignorance)

We'll be having a sniff around tomorrow - Swindon maybe Cheltenham/Glos area - and make our mind up

[NickB12]

I get 42mpg out of my facelift 120D M Sport auto. Mixed driving, not much M way, got 47 over a tank once.

Tbh, if you're in two minds about a Golf or a One and aren't fussed about rwd, buy the Golf and save some money (and if you get a One with Pirelli rft's you might want to spend another £500 on non rft's before your teeth fall out ). And given the price difference of diesel above petrol, the a 40mpg diesel isn't far off a petrol in £ per mile, and the petrol car is cheaper to buy.

Was thinking of getting rid, possibly, just depends on what else is available, and the £s, as ever.

[Catherine197]

We had an ED 120D and in 8,000 miles it would never return more than 37 mpg

[PJR]

NickB12 said:

I get 42mpg out of my facelift 120D M Sport auto. Mixed driving, not much M way, got 47 over a tank once.

ver.

That ties in very well with what I have got from an early 120D SE Auto. Although if only driven around town, MPG's are mid 30's.

P,

[kejaho]

I've had a 54 plate 120D SE for about 10 weeks and my average has been 35mpg. 70% town, 30% motorway and I haven't been hammering it.