BMW 1 Series (2021). The preferred versions of the French

If this M Sport finish is the favorite of the French for the BMW 1 Series, most buyers opt for much more sober colors than this red … which nevertheless does honor to the code name of this third generation: F40.

Like its predecessors or its premium competitors, the third Series 1 of the name offers a great variety of engines, finishes and options. But in this wide range, which versions do you prefer? L’argus reveals it to you, with supporting statistics.

By swapping the propulsion for the traction, the Series 1 did not make that happy. Many have criticized it for having abandoned a long BMW tradition to become a compact “like the others”. Including on the aesthetic level, since it now lets the Peugeot 308 or Opel Astra play the extended hood card in its place! But the Bavarian has not thrown everything aside. It retains a more dynamic behavior than the average and, above all, a very wide range, ranging from the sage 116i with 109 hp to the swift M135i xDrive with 306 hp. In this diversity, what are the most popular engines, finishes, powertrains and body colors in France? You can find out in this article.

Engines: privileged modesty

BMW 1 Series Preferred Engines — The preferred engines on the BMW 1 Series. Click to enlarge.

BMW 116 Sales — The 116d is the most popular diesel engine, and the second for all fuel types.

bmw M135i sales — The sporty M135i xDrive with 306 hp is not in the top 5, nor is its little sister 128 Ti.

In France, the sports versions 128 Ti and M135i are not widely distributed. None of them make the top 5 for sales, just like the 190 hp 120d. The prize goes to the modest 118i, powered by a three-cylinder 1.5 turbo-gasoline 136 hp shared with the Mini Cooper. It was ahead of two diesel variants at the last minute, the placid 116d with 116 hp and the 118d with 150 hp. Next comes the 116i, which is entry-level with 109 hp, then the 120i with 178 hp.

Finish: the acclaimed M Sport

If 1 Series buyers don’t really look for sport under the hood anymore, they still appreciate it on the presentation side. By far the most popular finish is the M Sport, with its look and interior inspired by the M135i. It represents more than twice as many sales as its runner-up, Business Design for companies. In third position, we find the Sport “tout court”, with smaller rims and a less suggestive style than the M Sport. The entry-level Lounge falls, it, to only 5.7% of sales, while the M135i, considered as a finish in its own right, brings up the rear with its 3.1%.

Gearbox: the automatic crushes everything

bmw series 1 favorite gearboxes — The preferred gearboxes on the BMW 1 Series. Click to enlarge.

Depending on the engine, the 1 Series offers either a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission or an 8-speed converter automatic. The latter is even standard on the more muscular versions, namely the 128 Ti, M135i and 120d. But as we have seen, these variants are also the least requested. They are therefore not sufficient to explain the disenchantment encountered by the manual gearbox, which only represents 15.9% of registrations. More than ever, more and more buyers seem to appreciate leaving their left leg at rest. This is true of many other models such as the Peugeot 2008 and 3008.

TO READ. Comparison test: BMW 128 Ti challenges VW Golf GTI

Colors: wisdom also prevails

BMW 1 series favorite colors — The favorite colors on the BMW 1 Series. Click on enlarge.

Recently, BMW revealed a yellow 1 Series to praise the arrival of new Individual colors on its compact. To live up to its code name, “F40”, this Bavarian can also be ordered in red. But judging by the very conservative choices of buyers, you are unlikely to come across this type of setup on the street! It is in fact the metallic Mineralgrau, a fairly dark gray, which represents a quarter of sales. It ranks almost tied with Saphirschwarz, a metallic black, while Alpinweiss white, the cheapest optional color, finishes third. The free shade, plain black Schwarz, closes the top 5. However, there is an Individual color that manages to outstrip it, even if we are far from a yellow, a green or a flashy orange: it is This is Storm Bay, another kind of gray, discovered on the restyled X1 and offered for no less than € 1,340.