BMW 1 Series Convertible has arrived
May 16, 2008 by George Skentzos
The new 1 Series Convertible has arrived in Australia – marking the first premium compact drop-top from BMW in over three decades.
The new range flagship 135i is powered a current reigning International Engine of the Year winner – BMW’s 225kW twin turbo straight six.
The four-seater convertible features an electric folding roof which can be operated while driving at speeds of up to 40km/h – on par with the 3 Series Convertible.
“The 1 Series has been a huge success in Australia, drawing in many new and younger buyers to the BMW brand. The arrival of the 1 Series Coupé and now the Convertible with its stylish, eye-catching design will enhance the appeal of the BMW brand to younger buyers.” says Tom Noble, General Manager, Marketing, BMW Group Australia.
The Australian line-up will consist of three models: the 120i, 125i and flagship 135i.
Whilst the 120i will feature a 115kW 2.0-litre engine, the 125i and 135i feature BMW’s award winning 3.0-litre straight-six in both naturally-aspirated (160kW) and twin-turbo (225kW) guise respectively.
“The choice of a smooth four-cylinder engine or the high-performance twin turbo engined 135i means we will appeal to the widest variety of convertible buyers in the market. Australia is very much focussed on relaxed open-air living so the Convertible will fit right in.”
The range is priced from $52,900 for the 120i six-speed manual, $63,400 for the 125i six-speed manual and $78,400 for the 135i six-speed manual.
A six-speed automatic transmission complete with steering wheel mounted paddle shifts (on six-cylinder models) is available as an option at extra cost.
The New BMW 1 Series Convertible is on sale now with deliveries commencing from May 20.
Print it: 
I have never owned a convertible but this car might change my mind.
Cheers !
Audi A3 cabriolet still looks better
Why wouldn’t you just ride around on a bike with a big flag with the words ‘I am a complete Wally’? It’s a much less expensive way of advertising your mental deficiency.
I think its Ok – why the negatives, Jealousy you just can’t afford it.
what is is wiht the 1 sereis it is and ugly car and now even uglier without a roof at least the interior is slightly better with wood trim A3 looks way better but it looks really small
convertibles are great to bad this one doesnt look the best A3 or focus are better looking.
I agree… the 1 series is ugly. The A3 definitely wins on looks.
But the Bimmer wins everywhere else.
not really the A3 has a much better intereiro is cheaper,has mcuh better and complete design not just lets take the roof off this 1 cope the A3 has unique lights and taillights[way better than 1 sereis] and looks better and is probably more economical
Don’t care what anyone says, I think it looks great, and I can’t wait till my dad takes delivery of his in June!
Next gen Polo in a convertible will be a MUCH better vehicle than this thing. Think similarities to GTI > EOS.
No Name am I rubbing off on you??hehehe
Im not one for Convertibles either and I must say the current 3 series coupe is a little on the boring side in the poverty version seems the 1 series also,however that engine is awesome and for $78,000 in a convertible from BMW I would consider one….maybe not for long!
no problem with the engine missile its a beat, but 80k for a toy, no thanks.
No Name, if you like it thats great, you buy it, the rest of us will just call it as we see it, are you not the diesel advocate as well? Yer, diesel is really relavent to AU as well..
wow over 50 grand for a base model of this?? anyone who buys one of these puts way to much emphasis on image (and is stupid because for 50+ grand there a FAR better cars to boost ones image) wat a joke. overpriced euro compacts are THE biggest rip job
Yep I know Mitchell I did say consider…but not for long.
I think No Name was just commenting on the the way those above him were voicing their opinions on the car,not necessary to be so crude, wally,wanker and poofter is hardly a way to describe why you don’t like a car. N yep No Name is a diesel man………
are you people serious? It sounds like typical drivel from the same group of HOLDEN wankers who haunt the other blogs. What a great car this is ……its worth the price just for that great turbo inline six cylinder. It just got the award for the best engine in the world I think.
Those prices don’t look too bad, but knowing BMW they are not generous when it comes to pricing so they must have cut corners somewhere.
Haha well the coupe 135i goes 0-100 in 4.7 seconds so I don’t doubt this will be far off!
Awesome car :)
I knew it!!!!
BM,
you owe me 50 bucks!!!
i won, i told you he was Gay
Really TP – But what do you think about the car?
Really TP? – But what do you think about the car?
Sorry ; second comment occured as CA site told me original anti spam word was invalid so i tried again however it posted the comment anyway.
I see university’s out…
Seriously, TP, where’s your joie de vivre? Just once, can you make a comment that shows your appreciation for other things and happiness for other people who…ahem…might be able to afford something like this?
Give us something positive.
No Doubt TP’s view would be completely different if the car wore a Toyota Lexus or IS-F Badge
I think BMW might have a sales winner. The 120i is cheaper than an EOS with leather. And rear drive.
Warning: the following comment may include SARCASM; which may be missed by some “Dingoes”
Did I read that correctly?…
The new range flagship 135i is powered a current reigning International Engine of the Year winner – BMW’s 225kW twin turbo straight six.
BMW – Surely not; I thought the Engine Of The Year Award went to Toyota as did all the other major international automotive design awards
TP……..why even make a comment about any car except a Toyota? You know nothing about anything automotive. Just go and sit by yourself in Corolla and dream about a real car……you are a total tool.
OH ……i thought I might add that I own two fantastic cars……..a BF F6 and a BMW Msport 318ti…….so UNLIKE TP i appreciate and know what a good car is.
V8 Vantage Roadster or its jag brother
Dam Andrew M…..you won the bet. And here is me thinking your wrong as floored. LMAO
NM,
nothing floored about it mate. i won fair and square didnt I?
and whilst you are laughing your backside off, watch you dont fall off your chair and hit the Flaw
Andrew M;
Geepers, still on flaw chuckling; you picked it well. Ha Ha Ha!!!!!!!! Makes sense thou, when he passionately supports his beloved big “T”. Cruising the internet superhighway believing what he reads like some modern vir-gin Dr Who dressed in glitter (then defending his info he gathers – maybe we should label him Robin Hood as takes info from far and wide and throws it back onto the meek and mannered on here like some modern day Guru)….better go as getting sick!
and little does he know that we are on to the fact that his robin hood arrows (arguments) he fires are not real, but rather the suction cup on the end type.
he even runs around declaring victory for apparently having nailed us to the wall with his suction cup arrows
perhaps thats why he likes his preferrrrrrred white goods dealer, because his suction cup arrows do actually stick to the fridge
hahaha Andrew ,note to self owe Andrew $50 …………
Guys, I now own a Black 135i M Sport Coupe with Manual Gearbox.
Being an old drag racer from years back, the first ting I did was go to the regular street haunts and chellenge to see how this slick little beamer stacks up against others.
I pulled on a Golf GTI. The result was quite surprising. He got a 2 car length jump on me which I closed by the end of first gear. By the end of second gear he was visible out of my rear vision mirror (not side mirror). By the time I got half way through third he had given up the chase and was in the middle of a u-turn. The GTI is not a serious contender at all.
Several races later I was pulled on by a new Ford XR8. Much more serious contender through first, but from there I pulled steadily away from him until we cross the 1/4 with me about 4 car lengths in front (his estimate).
Towards the end of the night, I manged to get a 307kw HSV to try me on. The Holden was sluggish off the line to say the least. I grabbed 3 car lengths on him from the start (the 135i has zero turbo lagg which makes for a swift departure). I held that margin through all gears to 4th gear, but did not pull away from him. Through 5th (and with the 1/4 now well past), he was gaining steadily on me until he drew even at which point I relaised the Stability Control was still on when the speed limiter cut in @ 250kph. Thinking that it was a good contest I returned to the crowd to share the experience with the HSV driver only to find he was arrogantly claiming to the crowd that he had outrun me past 250kph. When I laughinly explain the the speed limiter was what had won the day he became pissed of and in true wanker form stormed to the Aussie tank to waste some rubber and left leave in disgust.
Now whats the moral of the story here? Well I don’t know. But I will tell you, that you get what you pay for. And this car’s quality, safety, finish and style far suprasses any of those cars that I mentioned above (and it is proven to be quicker to boot).
Having owned HSV’s, a WRX, and a 2002 M3, I will be satisfied to drive this little beamer for quite some time.
I just wish I had the funds for this, but well should get one in on our floor and I will be able to test drive the baby.