BMW 1 Series hatchback (2012-2019) review - Carbuyer / Mat Watson

[@Danuk_e]

Can’t believe how far Matt has come! He’s been in the game for ages

[@kearabetswemngomezulu5547]

Bro

[@1mbA4ever]

Why are people thinking about rear-seat space so much in a small car? It's a car that is not made to transport 5 adults all the time. It can, but it's not meant to do so in the first place.

[@sugeyrobles5016]

v tu Iturbe q útero 7 utiliza qqi suele ir IEEE i fu y iitt IEEE oí pagó

[@sivvosivvo3063]

ITS ME Its because its RWD, wich means the engine is straight with the car and not on the side ike on Fwd, it takes alot more space.

[@jojokittikorncharoen6457]

My seat is very forward so theres plenty of space in the back behind me. not so much in the passengers side but I only carry myself and the odd adults maybe 5 times a year lmao

[@toms_garage]

I agree, I owned this Generation for 4 years and it is perfect for 1 or 2 people!

[@VD-vv6oh]

Exactly, why would you get this car if you're after lots of space?!

[@MrElssmann]

Air conditioning as standard!! I'm sold.

[@123macbookair]

It's standard on most cars...

[@harrybyton3639]

TheGreatSheikh He was being sarcastic

[@123macbookair]

Wow I must've been half awake when i commented that

[@YourLoyalDeserter]

What amazing storage. . . . Door bins, cupholders, a glove box, a compartment in the center console. . . wow. . . . OH MY GOD IT HAS A STORAGE COMPARTMENT NEAR THE WHEEL! This car is amazing!

[@JamieMonkk]

Just bought one... The drive is phenomenal!

[@JuanitoRottenFtw]

This Had an old e90 and im more than pleased with this car

[@miguelurdaci7884]

Hope it goes like a dream. But first check if it has the N47 engine. If so, keep a good eye on it and check out" timing chain N47 BMW". People are spending around 2 grand in preventative maintenance as they are worried about the notorious chain snapping. If it's not N47, congratulations. Enjoy!

[@MamooYT]

I've just got myself the 2017 model 118d and it's the best investment i've ever made on a car

[@tomgray7302]

Im considering it, however i specifically want a 2013 model as ive been left some money for a car by my family but itll be my first car. personally i think its a smart move as out of most cars surely it hs one of the best re sale values as it is a rwd and none others in the class are + people will buy it "for the badge" BUT its expensive and insurance may be quite high, although not unaffordable. But i get the impression its a bit of a silly choice as a first car and my parents will be sceptical, any advice?

[@HOFFERN342]

I got a 116iA (A for automatic) from November 2014... fantastic car in the Estoril Blue color with upgraded navigation and M-sport package. Fantastic as a first car.. or even as a car you want for a city use etc. as well as being able to take it on long trips on highways.

[@StrictlyStoicism]

Just purchased the 120d M Sport Auto in this shape, Stunning car and phenomenal drive!

[@legendgrandpa7974]

Dude Mat Watson is actually in this damn

[@renatotovar1168]

4:33 - being that said, is the only car this size i would buy

[@brysonb2756]

Just got one in the exact colour, 116D 2.0 2014 plate, 40.000 miles, absolute bargain cars immaculate 1 previous lady owner!! Happy days!.

[@clridekabi3969]

how much did you spend for it bro

[@Driesking]

I have had this car for about 4years now, absolutely love it! (bmw 116d)

[@oliversweden]

I love your style of reviewing!!! Both your personality and your practical review style!

[@taqinenen-8854]

Hey

[@Babel368]

It's still the only hatchback on the market today with rear wheel drive. I want one!

[@jonanderrodriguezmombiela1174]

Just amazing! I'll get one 116d in the end of this month and I expect I won't regret. I have tried it and the driving is very soft and the car is just beautiful and very comfortable, mine will be black, with 17" tyres and sport line

[@dutchray]

I just drove the 116D as hire car on vacation, I loved the handling and the engine was really good. The reverse gear was difficult to select at first, but once you get the hang of it, it was no problem. It was my first ever BMW ride, and now I now what it means, BMW macht fahren Spaß.

[@escritorcubamex]

As usual great job, you are a natural communicating with the cameras and talking about cars. I was going to mention your heavy breathing at the beginning of the video...but watching all the junk food you carry on the car gave me a straight answer.

[@urnan3390]

such a nice car and its quite fast not as slow as people think and very up to date even now in 2022 it looks like a well up to date car

[@JustFrags]

Looking into buying a 2014 1 series as my 2nd car, the one I’m looking at has 67k miles. Do you have any things I should look out for?

[@jade-vt2qz]

@@JustFrags just bought a bmw 1 series 118i m sport for my first car I'm scared to drive the thing hH

[@sakichugouken2474]

a friend of mine has it. Very good car even after 10 years

[@YDM966]

I got it ,BMW 118d 2.0 turbo charged rear wheel drive, it’s a thrill to drive this German beauty

[@YadaNa934]

My father bought this as my sister's first car. The performance is truly amazing. The exterior design is quite unique compared to the previous model. However I'm not really satisfied about the interior, it seems to be missing the luxurious look. My father's IS300 2009 could easily beat the interior to top it off. But overall, it's a great car if you're not looking for any higher priced model or as your first car.

[@skatethebored]

I really hope that the next generation 1 series will stay RWD. I drive a lot in this car and it honestly makes it a completely different class compared to other small cars (in my opinion). Also, the low driving position has something magical about it. I have heard about a survey where the majority of 1 series-drivers didn't know their car was RWD, so it wouldn't be a dealbreaker in future models. But this kind of logic is flawed in my opinion. I think in the long run, BMW will really suffer from shifting to FWD-cars.

[@raresmalinschi7090]

Unfortunaly no the next generation BMW 1 Series won't stay RWD it wil transfer BMW 1 Series to FWD like the MINI Cooper one so your unlucky

[@milopichu]

Rares Malinschi predictably it happened

[@Junglez1001]

Sorry mate it is FWD now :(

[@Top_Gear_Clips_Central]

@@Junglez1001 its still a good car but its not as fun as the rwd models

[@vgiannadakis]

Can't quite agree with the generalization, but oh, such a satisfying in-your-face response for the ever-provocative Alfisti out there!!

[@leonwilliams3221]

Got mine 3 weeks ago exact same spec (and colour) as the one in this video 62 plate one though I love it 😍

[@martinmartinmartinnmartin1380]

John Doe how is it?

[@leonwilliams3221]

martinnmartin genuinely a brilliant car. A lot faster than you think the 116i

[@mattsbeamer]

How are you finding it??? I wish mine was species like yours lol. Mine doesn’t even have idrive. At least they are easy to work on!

[@makhenojones6784]

What's your average fuel consumption? Im on 7.5l/100km and wondering sometimes if it's not too thirsty

[@leonwilliams3221]

@@makhenojones6784 I got rid a while ago now I moved to a golf gtd, from what I remember the fuel weren’t too bad as I had the 116i

[@footprintviews5107]

Got this in grey it is amazing

[@kittyhawk501]

I think this car should come to America, it looks great!

[@YankeemanLT]

i like his honest enthusiasm. Good review!

[@taqinenen-8854]

Hey

[@splnter]

hahaha That's it dude, I did the same as you did, hated it at first criticized it for the looks, but when I got to see it personally and did the test drive and everything, it all changed and I started to love it and have just bought a 118i Full... Nice to heard it wasn't just me how thought that way... cheers!

[@Ianmundo]

This 1 series (F20) is rear wheel drive. There is a new 1 series variant coming out next year that will be like a VW Golf plus, taller etc. and this will use the newly developed front wheel drive platform

[@234jari234]

BMW are the experts No questions asked, hands down

[@Thorens]

I said it before and I'll say it again. Give this guy his own cartv-show.

[@Ahil982]

I don't know about you guys, but if I'm owning this beauty, nobody is eating snacks inside!

[@MeganoOdles]

Interior: Love it Exterior: I'm just waiting for the M-sport Edition :D

[@Dasas73]

Super review! One of the best reviewer in all Internet space

[@DTCJimmy]

I'm so excited, I got the 116D automatic and it's got loads of features, I'm going from the Fiesta Titanium 1.0 ecoboost. The quality is on a whole new level, it has more features, it's faster, quicker and the fuel will be similar if anything better and it's costing me the same amount because Ford mugged me off and the other (Big Cars Essex) company didn't

[@caustic279]

Nice car! What colour

[@mariadoloreslermacarrasco6624]

vv

[@IntoleravelFTW]

yeah Big Cars Essex is a great and reliable seller

[@Africanqueen263]

DTC Jimmy do you still have the car? How is it fairing? Considering buying one not sure x

[@SaintMeran]

great review, i just bought one, 3 doors, 2014, 114d, it feels very sporty to drive and it´s very confortable too.

[@lucascarneiro2101]

SaintMeran and how is it?

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

Why did you get the 2 door? Using the back seats is a pain in 2 door cars. I don't understand why they even make 2 door hatchbacks? Like what's the point?

[@Retrobeemer]

Just bought a 116d sport as a daily. £200 map and it now makes 190bhp instead of 114! Could do with being a bit lower and firmer though, so suspension mods are next. Definitely a great used buy though and about the best of the bunch compared to other brands at this level.

[@johnloi4939]

What exactly did you do to increase the horsepower like that?? The 116d has 116 horsepower stock

[@Retrobeemer]

@@johnloi4939 I had the DPF removed and the ECU re mapped.

[@johnloi4939]

@@Retrobeemer you can do that at BMW or an auto tune shop?

[@Babel368]

whether you like it or not, it's the only hatchback with rear wheel drive, it has no competition on the market. Anything that comes a bit close is the VW golf 4motion, Audi A3 quattro or Subaru impreza hatch.

[@daaizen]

Anyone bought one in 2024? Or still have one? How’s the maintenance? Service costs and parts?

[@YDec]

Getting one soon.

[@matthewcoupe393]

+Eric George I detect jelousy 😉

[@williamaston11]

Fiat puntos are pretty good cars tbf

[@browniej94]

Its not ugly. In person its actually a stunning looking car. I doubt you have ever seen one on the road.

[@carmatazz]

yup! and the headlights of the f10. I think they are changing the bumpers too.

[@FrenchValleyAirport]

I wish we had this beautiful hatch in the US

[@sacitmanav]

how can you upload a 2013 model car in 2011 time travel ?

[@suhailsurajpal]

Mr. Feeler feelium Car manufacturers release the concept models to reviewers before they hit mainstream markets to help buyers decide which car to buy...hence the slogam

[@HassanAli-wv9vw]

One of the best hatchback

[@browniej94]

This car looks so much different in person! I thought it looked a bit bit odd at first when I saw on it online, but in the showroom it looks really nice! If your looking at a hatchback in person it looks a lot nicer than the A3.

[@LRS905]

What BMW has been doing with the fascias on series 3 and 1 has put me down, a BMW fan for many years. Still drives like the best, though. Would love to have a 1 series with the old exterior and the new interior, that would be perfect.

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

Fascias? What's that?

[@Robert-z8t4m]

hmm, we really need to discuss healthier food & drink options!

[@ExiledExia]

this is a good looking car. I like the headlights xD

[@Ioanides001]

how can someone thumb-down this review?? He's adorable!

[@ikaruga24]

@SealtielSicairos No, you got the 1.4TFSI engine with 125HP which will do 0-100 in about 9.6 secs. Now if you had the 1.8TFSI engine with the 160HP then yes you would do 0-100 in about 8 secs.

[@heyfarhanirfan]

Look young mat watson😂

[@SarveshChandra]

improving the headlamps will definitely increase the sales..

[@42OKing69]

one of the best car reviews i have seen, too bad that the car is not good looking.

[@Sunthaz]

honestly it is a nice idea but hatches like this one or for example it's competitor have to be comfortable as well as sporty and practical. Both of those which I mention earlier are sporty and comfortable but the 1 series has not enough space to fit in five persons for a longer ride. It is because of the gear train which has to deliver the power back to the rear axle through the car which uses a lot of space. For me as a tall person (1,95m) the 1 series isn't an option. Hope I could explain it.

[@nrborod1]

The Euro hatch version looks much better than the sedan we get in the states.

[@24816HarryWilliams96]

At the end of November (2017) I will be buying the 2013 1 series using the money which I’ve been saving for momths. But I will be buying the Diesel M Sport 2 Ltr version in white with red leather interior and I can’t wait to drive it :)

[@g1981c]

i think this car will be popular, because its practical and its a BMW at the same time ...

[@ovidyus]

i like the way this guy reviews cars well done, good job

[@elastic24]

You are a funny guy Mat. You prove your point to the extreme. I like that.

[@MyRandomReviews]

There is nothing about this car that makes it look ugly to me. It has great proportions and many of the great BMW design cues you get on the most beautiful BMWs. I really appreciate Van Hooydonk's effort to include the shark-nose design on a little hatchback. It make it look different - yes - and that's what makes it a great looking car!

[@Narrowcros]

You can always order it from the dealer...even in America Only thing is it might take 3 to 5 months to arrive

[@hajdukaeternum]

i like new 1 serie, much more than old version.. hope i'll buy it

[@matzklim]

the car on the video is the sport version

[@cdnsv]

Thanks for filming in HD.

[@radar3699]

The new 6, 5, and 3 are all BEAUTIFUL. Notice that I didn't say 1 though.

[@laeebaby7598]

Hater

[@fr3ds4t]

You guys need to upload a "mirror" version of the video for whoever does not live in the UK i.e: the steering wheel on the left side

[@apunk015]

It looks almost exactly identical, its crazy

[@panasonic1974]

i love this hatch its really cool looking

[@turpioSE]

the new Yaris is short smaller but has more room in rear then BMW 1. Feels bigger inside too and twice cheaper.

[@Zondaa]

I’m a bit late but i’m looking for a new car and this is one of the options. I currently drive a 2013 corsa limited edition, and despite the great, sporty looks, it’s really slow only being a 1.2 and i fear the fact it’s so slow you have to completely use up each gear to get anywhere because there is no power, ironically using more fuel in the process. I know the 116i is a 1.6 and has more power, and slightly worse fuel economy, but am i right in guessing fuel would work out roughly the same as this is more efficient and has the eco pro mode?

[@DonKeyKonnn]

BMW should bring back Chris Bangle! This man had brains for innovative designs!

[@OOOHYEAAAHH]

i drive in this car every week and i must say it is really comfy

[@shenaruto]

@RedJoker Indeed, personally, i feel that it looks so much better in person than in pictures/videos.

[@SihleMtshalie]

the best hatch. better than a merc a class

[@moiggc]

Nice review... great car! I love that it's not just another pretty face, but rather one with character and style. I've driven one too, came away very impressed and wanting to buy one!

[@marshknute]

Sadly, it can't be registered as a normal vehicle. Here in the States, we have a 25 year ban on cars that aren't sold on our market. Now in 2013, we can finally import and legally register cars from 1988. We'd have to wait until 2036 before we can import a modern 2011 1-Series.

[@conniekai]

I think this car looks great, especially with the new look at the front and rear.

[@goguhu]

@Mawerik024 That's not the reason, it's US Gallon vs Imperial Gallons ... So divide that number (50) by 1.2 (4.54L/3.79L) and you get 42mpg (which is 55mph highway).

[@jack8916]

Bimmer! been waiting for this video for so long!

[@weallhatehullfc]

It's a great little car you guys seriously have issues because it's a bmw and a bit pricey for a hatchback I had the old 1 series and now a 14 plate 116i sport and I love it nippy, steering is great gear change is a tad springy but nothing worth even commenting, sounds fantastic. I'd advise everyone with the cash to get a 1 series over audi or vw, never driven the A class so can't compare

[@haj619]

scott hardy I love the sport trim with the red lines and 5 spoke alloy wheels

[@EinkOLED]

I'll buy this in 10 years time.

[@007knick]

I agree I think looks really nice and it is RWD!! The 135i M sport is a true petrol head's car and unlike the old one it is ok for blokes to buy one

[@KPKaccountt]

i used to hate bmw,but things changed since theres the new Z4 and 5 Series,and now this !

[@CVasquez112]

i am starting to like the looks of this car

[@gercav155]

Mine doesn't have the 'secret' compartment below the steering column, which is annoying, as I love Kit Kat!

[@mista925]

Over half of the people complaining probably can't even afford this vehicle. Regardless, I can't give into peer pressure... lol this car looks clean to me, inside and out. Heck, the more people who don't like it the better, I like having unique things...I'd totally consider owning one.

[@lordvader602]

I don’t know why I’m watching this in 2018 for no reason 🤨

[@anitakalyan7238]

I'm watching in 2019. I just bought my first bmw. I love it but I need to get used to it. I kinda feel intimidated by it. But I'm sure I'll get used to it lol

[@FireAdmiral]

UK gallons and MPGs are different than the US counterparts.

[@callumpowell123]

This guy just has to be given a job on top gear!

[@JohnH-vh2yy]

Actually the rear of the car looks like the previous model, the E87. The VW Polo looks like the E87.

[@bebethebear6522]

Did you ever drive one? Recently I had to bring my A3 Sportback to the garage because someone scratch the door. Got a Ford Focus rental car for 2 days. Doesn't Ford has a commercial that says "Feel the difference".... wow I felt it, its a huge difference. Steering, engine response, quality feel, everything..... I would pay double the price of a Focus for the Audi!

[@rk5rk5rk5]

People always say its one ugly car but for me as a car enthusiast it looks great better than the old one....

[@dharmateja4698]

2021 merc e class headlight design is too similar to this

[@crux314]

What's the deal with the door bins and cubies in these reviews? When the quantity of cubies or the size of a glove box constitutes the measure of a good / bad car?

[@quickfix1]

Ps. I also ordered it wit the M-sport package, personaly i feel thats the only way to go with the new 1 series.

[@onoff314]

@AntDX316 Because its not hard. Maybe you are new to manual or not very good at it at all but its very easy to drive a manual.

[@frazzer316]

I am a big Mercedes fan boy yes i admit that. but today i got to test drive the 1 series 5 door. and boy was it good. will probably change my Mercedes 200 cdi 08 for a 1 series 120 d now :)

[@FainTSnipinq]

When I Am Really Hungry, and My Mom Says 5 More Minutes Till Lunch, I Watch Car Videos To Hold Off My Hunger, Specifically Carbuyer. I Watch This Video and I Starved Even More. It Just HAPPENED that This Episode had So MUCH SNACKS!

[@Babel368]

Yes it is, the only car as small as this BMW would be the mazda MX-5 or upcoming toyota GT86. But neither of those are practical hatchbacks.

[@Hidezepickle]

I'd double check the dynamic drive control part. I think the 1 series isnt available with adaptable dampers, think it just changes the throttle response and traction control and stuff :P

[@aliffimran5347]

same with me but in a different country , Malaysia. They only sell the coupe and the convertible .