BMW 1 Series 2004 Review

BMW is counting on you to recognise the importance of both of these reasons.

Sales of the luxury marque are going through the roof. BMW has admitted it can't get enough supply right across its range. Therefore, they are bringing in everything and anything they can to a BMW-hungry market.

And this entry-level vehicle also grabs the attention of aspiring buyers who always wanted a Bavarian in their driveway to impress the neighbours.

But the 1 Series is about more than just whacking a blue and white badge on the bonnet.

BMW also makes Mini, so it could have just as easily introduced a compact car with front-wheel drive. After all, surely that would be easier to sell to a compact car buyer familiar with their driving characteristics.

But BMW wanted something a little different and this certainly is.

The advantage of rear drive over front drive was evident in the period I had this two-litre compact – wet weather driving.

If you have ever ploughed straight ahead on a wet road or spun the wheels violently when taking off in a front driver, you will know their inherent problems.

This doesn't happen in a rear driver.

Also, there is a certain passion about driving something that will swing its back wheels wide when you stand on the loud pedal.

The little BMW 120i doesn't disappoint. It is nimble and behaves like a good rear-wheel drive should.

It goes around corners like it's on rails, even in the wet. But given extra amplitude, it will wag its tail in a controlled arc governed by the weight of your right foot.

There is plenty of urge from the two-litre 110kW engine, mainly thanks to the fact that it only has to push 1230kg of body weight.

Load up the premium-sized 330-litre flat-floor boot (there is no spare as it has run-flat tyres) and add a couple of adults in the rear or three small children and it then starts to complain, especially on hills and highway passing.

A quick-shifting close-ratio six-speed gearbox makes the motivation a little easier and very enjoyable. (A six-speed auto is also available.)

It's a slick little shifter that proved foolproof through the most more energetic drives.

Outside, the 1 Series looks very much like a Mazda3 with a Z4 nose.

The headlights are very attractive and feminine, almost like sleepy eyelids.

However, the rear is a bit divisive. Some like it, some don't. I think it's blunt and awkward.

Inside, the dashboard is less imposing than in the 3 Series and bigger models, even though it continues that ugly corporate black vinyl look. Maybe it's just that it's smaller. There also is good relief from the black with splashes of dimpled aluminium around the shifter and the glove box.

It shares a lot of the technology with its big brothers, including iDrive, satellite navigation systems (optional), front and rear park distance controllers, Bluetooth telephone connectivity and xenon headlamps.

As a driver, it feels just right. Rally-style pedals, a smallish wheel, steering-mounted audio controls, stubby stalks and a perfectly positioned shifter.

However, the leather seats feel a little stiff, stark and lacking lateral support. Vigorous drivers will be bracing their knees against the centre console and door to stop sliding sideways.

What I don't understand is the starter button and keycard. They are nothing more than gimmickry.

I could understand it if the key fob were remote and you didn't need to insert it to start the car, but you do.

One clever device is that the two key fobs can recognise different users and set mirrors, airconditioning, radio and electric seat settings accordingly.

A 1.8-litre model arrives in Australia from February, but don't expect such lively performance, especially if you want to carry loads or passengers.

The 118i will cost $37,900 for the 5-speed manual and $40,100 for the 5-speed auto.