BMW's New Convertible Is the 1

The new 1 Series convertible may be small, but it offers superb BMW performance and handling at an entry-level price

by Thane Peterson

Editor's Rating:

The Good: Great engines and handling of the 3 Series at a lower price

The Bad: Tight rear seat, optional equipment really jacks up the price

The Bottom Line: A new, entry-level BMW that doesn't skimp on features or performance

Reader Reviews

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Up Front

I had a lot of fun last week. My test drive of the new '08 128i convertible from BMW (BMWG) happened to coincide with the first sunny days of early spring, so I spent much of the week zipping around New York and Pennsylvania alfresco. And I'm happy to report that it is a great little car. Really great.

The idea behind BMW's 1 Series, which is being transplanted to the U.S. market from Europe, is to provide a somewhat more affordable entry-level model than the 3 Series without sacrificing features and performance. Basically, the 128i convertible is a diminutive version of the BMW 328i convertible that's 9 in. shorter and has a 4-in.-shorter wheelbase than its larger cousin. The 128i also has a ragtop, while the 328i has a retractable hardtop, so it weighs about 300 lb. less. That gives the 128i a lighter, more agile road feel than its larger cousin.

In addition to the 128i convertible, a 128i Coupe and a 135i Coupe (comparable to the 335i Coupe) are already on the U.S. market. A 135i convertible will arrive in dealerships in May.

The new 1 Series models promise to be lightning fast, because—even though they're smaller and lighter—they have the same engines as the equivalent 3 Series models. Like the 328i, the 128i is powered by a 3-liter, 230-hp, in-line six-cylinder engine that generates 200 lb. ft. of torque. In the 135i, as in the 335i, the 3-liter six-cylinder engine is double-turbocharged, raising its horsepower rating to 300. That engine generates 300 lb. ft. of torque starting as soon as 1,400 rpm.

The 1 Series is far from cheap, but the new models are much less expensive than their 3 Series equivalents. The 128i Coupe starts at $29,375 (as opposed to $33,175 for the 328i Coupe) and the 128i convertible at $33,875 (as opposed to just under $44,000 for the 328i convertible). The 135i Coupe and convertible start at about $6,000 more than their 128i equivalents.

The one real criticism I have of the 128i convertible is that (as with other BMWs) adding options really jacks up its price. For instance, a Premium Package that includes wood trim (light burl walnut or gray poplar), auto-dimming rear-view mirrors, eight-way power adjustable front seats, and a garage-door opener adds $3,600 to the base price. A navigation system costs $2,100, Boston leather instead of the standard leatherette upholstery $1,450, active steering $1,400, and a six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission $1,275.

Moreover, the fuel economy of the smaller 1 Series models is only modestly better than that of the 3 Series. For instance, the 128i convertible is rated to get 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, just 1 mpg better than the 328i. (In 295 miles of lead-footed mixed driving in the 128i convertible, I got a respectable 23.2 mpg.) Premium gasoline is recommended in both the 1 Series and 3 Series.

It's too early to tell how well the 1 Series will sell, but it should give BMW a needed boost in a tough market. The new models were on sale in the U.S. only for the final 10 days of March, yet the company sold 1,496 units. That's a tiny fraction of what the 3 Series sold—11,226 in March, down 0.3%. But a spokesman says BMW expects demand for the 1 Series to be very strong: "We expect sales to be production-constrained rather than demand-constrained."

Behind the Wheel

The key question about the BMW 128i convertible: How much interior space do you lose compared with the larger 328i? The answer: Head, leg, and shoulder space in the front seats is about the same. The main loss of space is in the rear seat, which is more cramped than in the 328i. There's plenty of room for small children to be comfortable, but most adults won't have enough legroom unless the front-seat passengers scrunch up and move their seats far forward. So, if you usually travel with one other adult, or if you're just starting a family, the 128i is spacious enough to be practical, especially as a second car.