BMW 1 Series (E87): the rear-wheel drive hatchback

The first generation of the BMW 1 Series replaced the 3 Series Compact as the entry point to the range. It was unusual for a small hatchback because it kept rear-wheel drive, a longitudinally mounted engine and an even 50:50 weight balance. The family grew from the five-door E87 into a three-door, a coupe and a convertible.

BMW 1 Series (E87) at a glance

The German Wikipedia articles on the E87 and E82 were not available; the page relies on the English and Italian articles.

History of the BMW 1 Series (E87)

Development

BMW at first considered taking over the Rover R30 programme for its new small car, but the decision went the other way and the E8x was developed alongside the E90 3 Series instead. The two cars share roughly 60% of their components, including the front and rear suspension, structure, chassis, engines, drivetrain and electronic hardware. Design work ran under design director Chris Bangle, and the CS1 Concept shown at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show previewed the shape. Christopher Chapman led the exterior design of the hatchback models.

Body styles

The range started in September 2004 at the Paris Motor Show with the E87 five-door hatchback, which remained in production until 2011. The three-door E81 was actually designed before the other body styles, hence its lower code, but its launch was delayed until July 2007, when it appeared at the Geneva show; it was 10 kg lighter than the five-door with the same overall length. The E82 coupé was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show and went on sale on 24 November 2007, built until August 2013. The E88 convertible followed the same year and stayed until June 2013, using a fabric roof rather than the folding metal roof of the E93 3 Series convertible related to it.

Updates and the M Coupé

In March 2007 the five-door was facelifted: the N43 four-cylinder replaced the N45 and N46 units, fuel economy measures were marketed as EfficientDynamics, electric power steering replaced the hydraulic system, and bumpers and interior were revised. The coupé and convertible received a facelift for the 2011 model year, with new lights, bumpers and interior trim; the 135i changed from the twin-turbo N54 to the single-turbo N55, offered with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The 1 Series M Coupé was the fastest version, with the N54 engine and a six-speed manual, built only as a coupé and regarded as the forerunner of the M2. In 2012 a number of cars in Britain were stolen after thieves programmed blank key fobs through the on-board diagnostics port; the flaw was later patched on existing and new cars.

Design and features

• Rear-wheel drive hatchback: the same layout as larger BMWs in a class where front-wheel drive was the norm.
• Balanced chassis: a longitudinal engine and aluminium multi-link suspension gave a 50:50 weight distribution.
• Wide engine range: from the 116i and 116d to the 130i, including four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel units.
• 1 Series M Coupé: the N54 turbocharged six with a six-speed manual, coupé body only.
• Later efficiency work: electric power steering and EfficientDynamics measures arrived with the 2007 facelift.

BMW 1 Series (E87) versions

• E87 five-door (2004–2011): the original hatchback, from 116i to 130i.
• E81 three-door (2007–2012): same length as the five-door, 10 kg lighter.
• E82 coupé (2007–2013): from 118d to 135is, plus the M Coupé.
• E88 convertible (2007–2013): fabric roof instead of a folding hardtop.
• 1 Series M Coupé (2011): N54 engine, six-speed manual, coupé only.
• 135i: N54 twin-turbo until 2010, then the N55 with an optional dual-clutch gearbox.

The 1 Series sat below the 3 Series (E90) in the range and shared much of its engineering with it; the M3 shows where the M division took the same idea further. More cars are in the BMW collection.

Sources

• BMW 1 Series (E87), English Wikipedia: development, body styles, engines, facelifts
• BMW Serie 1, Italian Wikipedia: place in the range, first series