BMW 1 Series Convertible 120i SE

Costs

Sporting the familiar BMW badge, the 1 Series Convertible will always command a price premium - new or used. You might also have to spend a bit extra for a few choice options. As for running costs, insurance aside, fuel economy and CO2 ratings are very good, which should translate into costs more akin to that of a run of the mill family hatch.

Space and practicality

The 1 Series Convertible is not designed to meet the needs of a demanding family. It will, however, cope well as a second car or transport for singletons and couples. Roof up, boot space is good but won't win prizes for swallowing pushchairs. Roof down the space available is acceptable. Inside, it's much like any other 1 Series: good size glove box, door pockets and arm rest.

Controls and display

As with other BMWs, the 1 Series range boasts clear and intuitive controls and displays. Everything works with the precision you'd expect from a premium car maker. Under most conditions the various displays are still easy to read with the roof down.

Comfort

Cabin room isn't an issue despite the car's compact size, and the seats - standard or sport - prove supportive. Roof down refinement is impressive, even at motorway speeds. It's rare that you'll have to raise your voice. Roof up motoring is little different to driving a regular coupe.

Car security

You can have all the bells and whistles associated with alarms and immobilisers, but a thief will always find a way into a fabric roof convertible if armed with something sharp. Insurance and company car policies often reflect this, but occurrences are rare - assuming you don't leave personal belongings in plain sight.

Car safety

With sturdy rear head restraints in place, rollover protection appears suitable - often a worry with convertibles. Elsewhere you get all the usual kit associated with small BMWs: anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control. Airbags aren't in short supply either.

Driver appeal

The rear-wheel drive 1 Series Convertible - unusual in this sector - is a pleasing car to drive. Although not quite as sharp as its tin-top relatives - blame the absence of a roof and extra weight - it can be hustled along for fun at a decent pace. The six-cylinder cars sound nice, but even the more affordable four-pot engines do a good job. On the daily commute the car copes well with poorly surfaced roads.

Family car appeal

In a word, no - unless this was a second or third car in the family. It's too small and just not practical enough to be the sole means of transport in a household.

First car appeal

Purchase price aside, there's little that would put off a novice driver. Sticking to the less powerful four-cylinder cars would be a sensible decision. Parking and general driving duties should pose no problems.

Quality and image

BMW can do no wrong if fans of the marque can be believed. The aspirational qualities of the various models are well documented, and the small convertible market is a potentially lucrative one. The car itself is well built - all 1 Series variants received a slew of important upgrades soon after launch.

Accessibility

Roof up or down it's easy to get in and out of the 1 Series Convertible. Despite the car's compact dimensions the cabin never feels cramped for two adults, while the car's doors open wide - a mixed blessing in a tight car park. At the rear the boot opens to reveal surprisingly spacious load area. This is reduced with the roof down but access remains straightforward.

Stereo and ICE (In car entertainment)

Standard fit is a perfectly acceptable radio and CD unit. Sound quality with the roof up or down is very good, and the unit's controls are intuitive. Moving up the scale, optional choices include CD disc changers and sat-nav. The latter rises from the top of the fascia and boasts a colour screen. As you would expect, steering wheel audio controls and MP3 player compatibility also feature.

Colours and trim

As with any BMW large or small, the 1 Series Convertible looks best in sombre, mature colours such as the stereotypical silver. Metallic shades are essential, and not just to maintain solid residual values. Inside, the car's predominantly dark cabin benefits from strategically placed light coloured trim accents.

Parking

The 1 Series Convertible isn't a big car, and coupled with its light steering at low speeds it's an easy car to park in terms of the effort required by the driver. Visibility-wise reverse parking is hindered a little by the car's roof and thick rear pillars - a trait common to many convertibles. Matters are improved with the roof down, however.

Spare wheel

Run flat tyres fitted as standard.