BMW 1 Series
BMW
Photo: Alexander-93 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
The compact hatch and coupe. The rare 1M Coupe and 135i are the enthusiast picks.
The BMW 1 Series is the brand compact car, offered as a hatchback in Europe and a coupe and convertible in other markets. The first generation (E81-E88) was rear-wheel drive, a rarity in the compact class, and the 135i with the twin-turbo N54 inline six became a tuner favorite. The standout is the 1 Series M Coupe (2011), a limited-run enthusiast special with the N54 twin-turbo six, widened track, and M-derived components, now a rising collectible. Later generations (F20, F40) moved to front-wheel-drive-based platforms. On WhipJury, 1 Series submissions favor the rear-drive 135i and the cult 1M Coupe.
