BMW 1 Series E81/E82/E87/E88 (2004–2010) Price Guide

The E8x 1 Series, produced from 2004 to 2013, was the car that proved BMW could deliver the rear-wheel drive sports car experience in a compact hatchback body. It was cheaper to buy than a 3 Series, more practical than a coupe, and more rewarding to drive than anything else in its class.

The Range

The E87 five-door and E81 three-door hatchbacks were the core cars; the E82 coupe and E88 convertible added style. Engines ranged from 116i through 120i, 125i, and the 135i twin-turbo six producing 306bhp. The 120d diesel was the sales mainstay. The 130i with its 3.0-litre normally aspirated straight-six was the driver’s choice before the 135i arrived. A 2007 facelift updated the front styling. The 1M Coupe of 2011, built on the E82 platform with the S65-adjacent N54 straight-six, is the most desirable E8x by some margin.

What Goes Wrong

High-pressure fuel pump failure on N54 and N55 engines causes hesitation and misfires. Swirl flap failure on diesel engines can send debris into the engine. Rear subframe cracking has been reported on hard-driven examples. The VANOS variable valve timing system can rattle on cold starts. The SMG robotised manual on some M variants is best avoided.

Buying

The 135i is the performance pick. The 120d the sensible daily. The 1M Coupe is a genuine collector’s car and values have risen substantially. The BMW N54 engine in the 135i rewards careful oil changes and attentive maintenance.