By Ron Amadon, MarketWatch
DAMASCUS, Md. (MarketWatch) — BMW fans have been debating the question for some time: Is the 1-series priced low enough to justify buying one over a 3-series sedan?
In every other phase of its being, BMW’s
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1-series is the 3’s equal — the solid build, the sports-car-like handling, the comfortable interior and styling for the most part.
Whether it was running errands around town, tackling some great back- country roads or the interstate for an afternoon trip, the 1-series gave me the same old feedback as the 3-series. That would be along the lines of, “Ah come on, give me something difficult.”
Of course, the 1-series coupe is smaller than a 3-series. The car is more than eight inches shorter while the wheelbase has been reduced by four inches. You will notice the difference while parking at the market or mall. The 1-series zips in and out easier than the 3-series.
The test car had the stronger, twin-turbo, 3-liter six that is good for 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque as low as 1,200 rpm. It was teamed with a fast-shifting, seven-speed, double-clutch automated transmission with paddle shifters.
If you’re thinking this puppy must get up and go, you‘d be correct. Zero to 60 mpg in a whisker over five seconds should please any non-racing driver. Top speed is 155 mph. The car was EPA rated at 18-25 mpg, and I got 22. Being a turbo, it favors premium fuel.
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Inside the 1, there is plenty of room for driver and passenger. Because the test car lacked a navigation system, BMW had to come up with heating and audio controls that a driver could understand. However, the tiny buttons used to change stations are a challenge to hit while driving, although there are redundant controls on the tilt and telescoping, leather-wrapped steering wheel. The rear seat is a great place for packages, not people.
Road noise is kept to a minimum except on more coarse surfaces and wind noise is at a minimum at all times. Driver will be given lots of feedback as in the 3-series; handling is sports-car like and the ride, while on the stiff side, won’t endanger anyone’s fillings.
Price is a slippery slope because the way cars are outfitted can greatly affect the sticker number. So that we’re comparing apples and apples, let’s use the base price, or as close as I could come, on each. With both models carrying the more powerful six-cylinder engine, and after checking several sources, the difference between a 1-series model and a 3-series worked out to roughly $350 to $400.
“For that difference, I want a 3-series,” was the feedback I got from several BMW owners.
Yet Thomas Plucinsky, BMW’s product communications manager, said there’s very little cross-shopping between the two series. He maintains people that come into dealers wanting a 1-series model “know what they want” on their new car.
Three-series customers on the other hand, might want different model options; say all-wheel drive for those who live in snow country. Those who live in the South will want a variety of very different options, some of which are not available on the 1-series.
This I am 1,000% sure of: Those who buy either models in either series will be getting a great-handling, high-performance car that is built like a rock.
If it were me, I would be shopping the 1-series just because there is unlikely to be one coming at me in the next block, and I like the size.
Vehicles tested in this column are on loan from the auto companies through local distributors.
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Ron Amadon writes about cars for MarketWatch from Washington.