Verdict
B
Family Hatch · Germany · 2004-Present
BMW 1 Series
BMW 1 Series — spec data and generation history.
Years
2004-Present
Generations
3
Segment
Family Hatch
BMW's premium hatchback. E87 (2004–2011) was rear-drive — the only RWD compact hatch ever sold in volume in the UK. F20 (2011–2019) kept rear-drive but added xDrive optional. F40 (2019–Present) switched to front-drive on the UKL2 platform shared with the X1 / Mini Countryman — controversial. M135 / M135i covered separately.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
F20 2011-2019 → F40 2019-Present
BHP +10 bhp
Torque +30 Nm
0–60 mph −0.3 s
Top speed +0 mph
MPG +5 mpg
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
2004-2011
E87
→
130i — 265 bhp, 0-62 in 6.0s.
Verdict
B
BHP
265
0–60
6.0 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
27 mpg
Used
$1,900-$8,300
- + Only RWD hatch in class
- + N52 inline-six soundtrack
- − Tight rear seats
- − Run-flat tyres
2011-2019
F20
→
M140i — 340 bhp, 0-62 in 4.6s.
Verdict
A
BHP
340
0–60
4.6 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
30 mpg
Used
$10,000-$28,000
- + Last RWD compact hatch
- + M140i a sleeper
- − Tight rear seats
- − Run-flat tyres
2019-Present
F40
→
M135i xDrive — 306 bhp, 0-62 in 4.8s.
Verdict
B
BHP
306
0–60
4.8 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
32 mpg
Used
$23,000-$53,000
- + Cabin step on from F20
- + xDrive on M135i
- − FWD-based platform — controversial
- − No 3-door
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
2004-2011 · E87
- N47 timing chain stretch
- HPFP failures (N54)
- Run-flat tyres
2011-2019 · F20
- N20 timing chain wear
- iDrive battery drain
- Run-flat tyres
2019-Present · F40
- B48 oil leaks
- 7DCT mechatronic
- iDrive 7 software updates
Rivals
Audi A3 · Mercedes A-Class · VW Golf · BMW M135