BMW 1 Series 2005 Review

Zooming around the back streets with a smug grin, I'd pull up at the lights feeling the heat of sideways glances and whispers ... "who is she? What's that gorgeous car?"

The fantasy flourished and as long as I was behind the wheel, I was a young, single, professional glamourpuss emboldened by the shiny blue and white marque signalling financial success.

Practicality be damned. Barely room for a stroller in the boot and leg room for the baby in the baby seat, I was in strong denial.

No my back did not twinge as I crouched down to get into the low-rider driver's seat.

Sure this Beamer was compact but rear-drive handling meant a smooth and sleek driving experience in a four-cylinder, four-door supersonic "valvetronic" two-litre engined machine.

My 188cm tall friend Andy may have struggled for head and knee space in the back seat, but I was amply comfortable in the front.

Even the tiny rear window with its wide blind spot in the left and right corners was not enough to dissuade my enthusiasm. I would use the distorted side mirrors to negotiate reversing.

Controversial BMW designer Chris Bangle has not only come up with a luscious shape for prestigious hatchback lovers but has also thoughtfully considered the issue of broken fingernails with a push-button ignition and run-flat tyres, meaning there's no spare in the boot and thus no need for messy roadside changes.

Get a puncture and a girl can glide for 150km at speeds up to 80km/h before needing to find a hunky garage attendant.

Airbags to the side and front are incredibly reassuring to accident-prone drivers.

But my sobriety arrived when viewing the price tag – $41,900 for this six-speed manual beauty. Driving this car is akin to wearing a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes for the desired effect of looking beautiful, desirable and nose-bleedingly wealthy.

If you're willing to shell out the shekels for a city runaround competing with the likes of the Audi A3, Volkswagen Golf, Mazda 3 and Holden Astra, then by all means do.

This car is a must-have accessory.

Hang the expense and buy the extra satellite navigation, bluetooth telephone system, bi-xenon headlights and park distance control.

Better still, have a wealthy lover with his own Beamer to buy you a matching mini version for the garage.

It's nice living in a fantasy world isn't it?

LOVE IT, LEAVE IT
BMW 1 Series 120i Six-speed manual
Price $41,900

LOVE IT
Sexy shape and styling
Zippy six-speed gearbox
Lumbar support
Parkability

LEAVE IT
Blind spots at rear
Lack of rear legroom
Over-sensitive indicators
Low roof