2012 BMW 1 Series

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Rating8.9

Ranked #1 in 

Subcompact Coupe
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$31,200 - $44,100
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Comfortable and quiet cabin

Scores low on the practicality scale

Refreshed exterior and revised cabin controls

Athletic driving characteristics

Limited range due to small fuel tank

A range of optional features and packages for customization

Interior materials and finish don't scream BMW name

Specs & Features

$36,900

price

230 hp @ 6500 rpm

horsepower

200 lb.-ft. @ 2750 rpm

torque

6-Speed Manual

transmission

3.0L 6cyl RWD 6M

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2012 BMW 1 Series Coupe is a subcompact coupe offered in 2 trims, starting off at a base MSRP of $31,200. For that price, its indirect competitors are from the compact coupe segment which includes the Audi TT Coupe and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe. Between 2 trims, the 2013 BMW 1 Series Coupe offers 2 powertrains. The base engine is a 3.0L Inline-6 engine capable of making 230 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. If more power is required, there is also a 300-horsepower-making 3.0L Turbo Inline-6 engine. Both engines are mated to a 6-speed manual transmission by default. However, the former engine can also be connected to an optional 6-speed automatic transmission whereas the latter also offers a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. With standard setups, the 1 Series Coupe reaches 60 mph from zero in 6.1 seconds on its base engine, which gets pumped up to 5.1 seconds with the 3.0L Turbo Inline-6 engine. Depending on the powertrain and transmission, the 1 Series can manage a combined fuel economy between 20 and 23 mpg. While we're on the topic of choices, the 13 striking colors the BMW 1 Series Coupe comes in really pull you towards itself.

Buying Advice

We are favoring the upper 135i trim because it gets power juice from the Turbo Inline-6 engine. It is more fuel efficient than the base 128i trim’s naturally aspirated Inline-6 engine provided the manual gearbox is selected. Furthermore, the Premium Package 2 and the Cold Weather Package are also worth checking out.

Trims

    128i
    $31,200 onwards
    • 17-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Heated mirrors
    • Leatherette Seat trim
    • Rain sensing windsheild wiper
    • Remote keyless entry
    135i
    $39,300 onwards
    • 18-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
    • Front passenger Lumbar support
    • Heated mirrors
    • Leatherette Seat trim
    • Rain sensing windsheild wiper
    • Remote keyless entry
    • Sliding and tilting glass Sunroof

Compare to similar cars

Price

$31,200- $44,100

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.86

Horsepower

300 hp @ 5800 rpm

Torque

300 lb.-ft. @ 1400 rpm

Capacity

4

Read Review

$38,300- $41,300

Gasoline

7.73

211 hp @ 4300 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

4

Read Review

$37,100- $44,700

Gasoline

7.76

211 hp @ 4300 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

4

Read Review

$51,900- $67,500

Gasoline

8.49

265 hp @ 7200 rpm

221 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

2

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2012 BMW 1 Series vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    6.1 sec15.0 sec130 mph
    2012 Audi TT

    Ranked #1

    5.3 sec14.1 sec130 mph
    5.5 sec13.7 sec-
    2012 Audi A5

    Ranked #4

    6.4 sec15.1 sec130 mph

    2012 BMW 1 Series vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      18 mpg28 mpg22 mpg14 gal.252/392 mi.
      2012 Audi TT

      Ranked #1

      23 mpg31 mpg26 mpg14.5 gal.333.5/449.5 mi.
      2012 Audi A5

      Ranked #2

      21 mpg31 mpg25 mpg16.9 gal.354.9/523.9 mi.
      20 mpg27 mpg22 mpg16.9 gal.321.1/456.3 mi.

      2012 BMW 1 Series vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        172.2 in.68.8 in.56 in.6 in.104.7 in.
        2012 Audi A5

        Ranked #1

        182.1 in.73 in.54 in.5 in.108.3 in.
        172.3 in.70.9 in.51.3 in.5.1 in.95.1 in.
        2012 Audi TT

        Ranked #4

        164.5 in.72.5 in.53.2 in.5 in.97.2 in.

        2012 BMW 1 Series vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          10 cu.ft.86 cu.ft.49.4 cu.ft.
          2012 Audi TT

          Ranked #1

          13.1 cu.ft.73.9 cu.ft.24.7 cu.ft.
          2012 Audi A5

          Ranked #3

          12.4 cu.ft.84 cu.ft.27.1 cu.ft.
          5.3 cu.ft.88.2 cu.ft.5.3 cu.ft.

          2012 BMW 1 Series vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            49.4 cu.ft.10 cu.ft.49.4 cu.ft.-
            5.3 cu.ft.5.3 cu.ft.5.3 cu.ft.-
            2012 Audi A5

            Ranked #3

            27.1 cu.ft.12.4 cu.ft.27.1 cu.ft.60 ft.
            2012 Audi TT

            Ranked #4

            57.5 cu.ft.13.1 cu.ft.24.7 cu.ft.76 ft.

            2012 BMW 1 Series vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              794 lbs.3252 lbs.
              2012 Audi A5

              Ranked #1

              -3583 lbs.
              2012 Audi TT

              Ranked #1

              772 lbs.3153 lbs.
              672 lbs.2932 lbs.

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              #9

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