andy_thomas
06-22-2004, 02:22 PM
The first UK road tests of the 1 are filtering through. I would imagine the German mags got there first, but they are hard to come by in most newsagents round here.
Autocar (UK) tested a 120i against n/a, direct-injection two-litre VAG products (Golf and Audi A3), and a turbocharged two-litre Vauxhall (GM) Astra. The BMW was the heaviest and least powerful, but turned in better acceleration times than the Golf and A3, and was only slightly behind the 170 bhp Astra. I think RWD contributes to most of this; all the cars had six-speed manual gearboxes.
The space in the back was described as poor, and equipment levels in the base models rather mean given the steep price. (As ever, the options list is a mile long.) The handling was a clear step above the rest (RWD again). Ride also, described as better than that of an E46, primarily on account of its better damping.
Autocar did a 120d solo test, and proclaimed it superior to the 120i in performance but not in handling (the iron diesel engine and its NVH-quelling paraphernalia) is quite a bit heavier). Refinement is still better in the petrol version, though.
With all the noise being made about the 1's looks, it's clearly the best in its class to drive. Personally, having spent a week on hols behind the wheel of the most inert car I have ever driven (VW Passat Variant diesel), I place driving pleasure, more than ever, above everything else - including bug-eyed headlamps :).
Autocar (UK) tested a 120i against n/a, direct-injection two-litre VAG products (Golf and Audi A3), and a turbocharged two-litre Vauxhall (GM) Astra. The BMW was the heaviest and least powerful, but turned in better acceleration times than the Golf and A3, and was only slightly behind the 170 bhp Astra. I think RWD contributes to most of this; all the cars had six-speed manual gearboxes.
The space in the back was described as poor, and equipment levels in the base models rather mean given the steep price. (As ever, the options list is a mile long.) The handling was a clear step above the rest (RWD again). Ride also, described as better than that of an E46, primarily on account of its better damping.
Autocar did a 120d solo test, and proclaimed it superior to the 120i in performance but not in handling (the iron diesel engine and its NVH-quelling paraphernalia) is quite a bit heavier). Refinement is still better in the petrol version, though.
With all the noise being made about the 1's looks, it's clearly the best in its class to drive. Personally, having spent a week on hols behind the wheel of the most inert car I have ever driven (VW Passat Variant diesel), I place driving pleasure, more than ever, above everything else - including bug-eyed headlamps :).