2008 BMW 1 Series Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$28,600 to $39,100

Original MSRP

--

expert review

4.8

avg user rating

(30 reviews)
2008 BMW 1 Series Preview summaryImage

Setting a new standard for entry-level performance cars, the BMW 1-Series enters the U.S. market for 2008 with three available trims, including two sedans and a convertible. A small, rear-wheel-drive car that packs a lot of power under its hood, the 1-Series projects a sleek, muscular apparance while maintaining its distinctive BMW design. It also incorporates all the latest BMW technologies, from brakes to transmissions, suspension to safety features, and offers a sporty interior, with well-thought-out controls, carefully designed ergonomics, and all the latest gear and gadgets.

The BMW 1-Series starts with a stiff, energy-absorbing frame designed to be resistant to vibration, resulting in a stable, comfortable ride with minimal squeaks and rattles. BMW has strived to create an ideal 50/50 front-to-rear balance with the 1-Series, to ensure the "signature feel" of BMW driving. In addition, the rear-wheel-drive configuration, with the engine at the front and the driving wheels at the rear, provides optimal traction, stability, and handling, according to BMW.

Drivers have a choice of two engines. A 230-horsepower, 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, available in the 128i sedan and convertible trims, features Valvetronic valvetrain technology, which results in plenty of power with improved fuel efficiency. Stepping up a big notch, the BMW 135i sedan comes with a 300-horsepower, 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder, which achieves its extra power punch thanks to two turbochargers and direct Piezo gas injectors.

Transmissions include a six-speed manual, which comes standard on all trims, as well as an optional three-mode, six-speed Steptronic. The three shift modes include Manual, which enables drivers to shift without a clutch pedal (optional steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles are available); the Sport mode; and the Drive mode, which uses BMW's automatic adaptive transmission.

Other mechanical features include a dynamic braking control system, which adjusts the brakes depending on driving conditions, and dynamic traction control, which kicks in at a higher threshold, enabling drivers to push the limits a bit more while ensuring their safety. Antilock brakes, adaptive brake lights, a tire pressure monitoring system, and programmable daytime running lights are also included.

The interior of the 1-Series comes well equipped as well, with such standard features as eight-way adjustable front seats, gray poplar wood trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and phone controls, an engine start/stop button, a two-way power moonroof, automatic climate control, and a 10-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with an MP3 input jack. A wide range of options, including a navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity, and Sirius satellite radio, is available.

Reviewers who have test-driven a European version of the 1-Series gave it high marks, noting that the rear-wheel-drive configuration separates the 1-Series from the front-wheel-driven competition. Reviewers also noted that the backseat of the 1-Series can be cramped for adults, and that cargo space is limited, but for those in the driver's seat, the sport-oriented 1-Series excels.

CarGurus Editorial Team
Published Aug 8, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
While we highlight specific author bylines where possible, sometimes our content results from the combined efforts of several members of the CarGurus editorial team. As with all our editorial content, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.

User reviews for 2008 BMW 1 Series

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User rating:
by Printguy56 P
Jul 26, 2024
This automobile is amazing! It is solid as a rock and very peppy for a convertible.Jul 26, 2024
by Anonymous
Apr 08, 2020
Car was beautiful! Just needed several repairs and wasn’t a great value Apr 08, 2020
by Anonymous
May 17, 2014
BMWs have been the best looking convertible sedan for a generation. The engine is rock solid and the clutch durable. I love BMWs heated seats ... honestly, they are the best of any car I have ever driven. BMWs do not take risks in design which makes them timeless. A well kept 10-15 year old BMW will look as good as any new car on the market.May 17, 2014

2008 BMW 1 Series Pricing

Original MSRP
$28,600 to $39,100
Price range
$8,864 to $8,911
Average price on CG
$8,865
YoY price change
$8,910 to $8,865

Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · IPod auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Sirius Satellite Radio · 2 subwoofers · Total Number of Speakers: 10

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.8 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Interior accents: wood · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 8 · Power adjustments: 8

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 3.23

Exterior Features

Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED · Taillights: adaptive

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 8 · Power adjustments: 8

Rear Seats

Type: bucket

Roof

Moonroof: one-touch open/close

Safety

Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: rear

Seatbelts

Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport · Heated: mulitlevel · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leatherette

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Navigation system: DVD navigation system w/voice activation · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: BMW Assist

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: alloy

Windows

Front wipers: rain sensing

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Sirius Satellite Radio · 2 subwoofers · Total Number of Speakers: 10

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.8 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: front center · Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: wood · Door sill trim: chrome · Door trim: wood · Interior accents: wood · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 8 · Power adjustments: 8

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 3.23

Exterior Features

Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED · Taillights: adaptive

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 8 · Power adjustments: 8

Rear Seats

Type: bucket

Roof

Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power

Safety

Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: rear

Seatbelts

Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: mulitlevel · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Navigation system: DVD navigation system w/voice activation · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: BMW Assist

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: alloy

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · IPod auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 2 subwoofers · Total Number of Speakers: 10

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 13.3 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.8 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: front center · Center console trim: aluminium · Dash trim: wood · Door sill trim: aluminum · Door trim: wood · Interior accents: wood · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: Servotronic · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 8 · Power adjustments: 8

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 3.08

Exterior Features

Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Headlights: cornering · Tail and brake lights: LED · Taillights: adaptive

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 8 · Power adjustments: 8

Rear Seats

Type: bucket

Roof

Moonroof: remote operation

Safety

Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: rear

Seatbelts

Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leatherette

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Telematics

Navigation system: DVD navigation system w/voice activation · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: BMW Assist

Tires

Type: performance

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: alloy

Windows

Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: remote operation

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · IPod auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Sirius Satellite Radio · 2 subwoofers · Total Number of Speakers: 10

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 13.3 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.8 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: wood · Door sill trim: chrome · Door trim: wood · Interior accents: wood · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 8 · Power adjustments: 8

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 3.08

Exterior Features

Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: height adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED · Taillights: adaptive

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 8 · Power adjustments: 8

Rear Seats

Type: bucket

Roof

Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: soft top

Safety

Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: rear

Seatbelts

Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leatherette

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Navigation system: DVD navigation system w/voice activation · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: BMW Assist

Tires

Type: performance

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: alloy

Wheels

Width: 8.5

Wheels - Front Size if Different

Width: 7.5 inch

Windows

Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: remote operation

See all trims (4)