BMW 1-Series Coupe (2007 - 2013) 120d M Sport 2d (2011/61) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I like a smart and impressive car, which certainly appears sporty and refined.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

They love the looks and power, but it's not the average 19 year old's car.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Without a doubt, it feels very well built and refined and will probably last well.

What are you likely to buy next?

Probably a 2 series or 4 series - but that'll be in quite a few years time!

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£15,000

When did you buy the car?

August 2014

Did you get a good deal and why?

Yes! The car only had 21000 miles, which for a 30 month old car is hardly anything, and full BMW service history was supplied. The car had a lot of options, including the Coral Red Leather, Comfort Pack (Cruise Control), and Lighting Package. It was valued from Glass at £4k more than I paid for it - to this day still not sure why...

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Good mix of looks, power and economy. Plenty of options on fitted on this particular car.

What was the dealer like?

Very helpful, the car was at a dealer 150 miles away, and I initially enquired about the car by phone - the salesman was friendly and not pushy, offering to send a personalised video of the car. I then reserved it and arranged to collect it once my funds had transferred - which he didn't have a problem with, there was no pressure and no rush. On the day, he offered to collect me from the train station and drive to the dealer - which was very useful! We then looked at the car in the showroom and finalised the paperwork. When I got back home, I realised the car was missing it's owner handbook - a new one was promptly sent by the dealer. Great service from Carrs BMW!

What's it like to drive?

The car has plenty of power for the engine size, which makes accelerating down slip roads and overtaking effortless in any gear. On a motorway the car will sit at 70mph in 6th at 2k RPM very quietly and comfortably. Around town, the performance is still good, but the MPG is considerably lower, and the clutch can be quite heavy, especially in traffic, so first and second gear can occasionally be a bit juddery, but there are plenty of reports of this on other websites. The steering is nicely weighted, and the car's low centre of gravity gives you confidence in the corners. The brakes also have enough power to stop you well, but are progressive enough to be smooth around town.

What's it like to park?

Considering the size of the car (it's actually reasonably large), it's surprisingly easy to park - more so than my previous punto. The car has a tight turning circle, and front and rear parking sensors to guide you into place. You can even select the passenger wing mirror to automatically dip when reverse is engaged, to make sure you don't scuff those 17" alloys!

Have you had any problems with the car?

Nothing as of yet, which is 4000 miles in 6 weeks.

What's most practical about your car?

MPG - I drive between Kent and Manchester every week, using the power the engine delivers and can still easily achieve 55-60mpg. There is also plenty of legroom all round, and a great sized boot with simply folding rear seats.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The cruise control is one of my favourites, especially for use over long journeys. Not many used 1 series coupe's seem to have this fitted as an option, but it's certainly worth searching for. Having both front and rear parking sensors is very useful. The car looks great in M-Sport spec, with different bumpers and 17" alloys. Start stop technology is more useful that you'd imagine.