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What is it?

It’s a new, compact, four-seat cabriolet from BMW – the first premium compact cabrio, BMW claims – and anyone who likes driving will find the it very easy to like. That’s because the 1-series Convertible is a much more enjoyable driver’s car than a VW Eos or a Volvo C70, and it’s likely to be a better steer than the new Audi A3 Cabrio too. And that’s about the size of the fledgling compact four-seater cabrio class, neatly enough.

What’s it like?

The ran...Read the full article

I suppose the argument is whether you have the BMW 125 Con or the A3 con.

napple:

My answer would be neither.... buy a second hand 6 series or 3 series convertible.

Nah - they are all a bit nasty.

Don't want to look like a footballers wife.

I like the new Volvo C70 though - nice piece of design and surely that's what one purchases such a car for is it not?

I love driving so would never buy a car that is compromised in this way, especially for the sake of style.  If I want to get open top motoring I'll go out on my motorbike which is also ludicrously fast - and luckily I'm young fit and healthy so don't look ridiculous in my leather romper suit unlike most bikers.

Don't get me wrong, I would buy an open top car - I'm thinking Caterham, Elise, Atom etc.  However these cars are status symbols and style icons bought by recruitment consultants and estate agents.  If you want open top driving thrills buy a car that was designed to be open top, or a bike.

Interesting how discussions about the merits of a car so often get side-tracked about its "so called" image and the type of people that might drive it (usually in a derogatory sense).

As for the 1-series convertible, its back end apart, it looks alright and going by Matt Saunders's report, is a pretty good steer for a convertible. But I've always thought going for convertibles in the UK is rather pointless, given the usual weather.

 Roll on Global Warming.

oaffie:

I love driving so would never buy a car that is compromised in this way, especially for the sake of style.  If I want to get open top motoring I'll go out on my motorbike which is also ludicrously fast - and luckily I'm young fit and healthy so don't look ridiculous in my leather romper suit unlike most bikers.

Don't get me wrong, I would buy an open top car - I'm thinking Caterham, Elise, Atom etc.  However these cars are status symbols and style icons bought by recruitment consultants and estate agents.  If you want open top driving thrills buy a car that was designed to be open top, or a bike.

While I don't necessarily disagree with previous posts, I think the Autocar advice that the 125i SE is one to avoid is misleading when in their review they go on to extol the creamy engine, etc.

They should have made it clearer that in their view the Cabriolet is the one to avoid, not specifically the 125ti SE - I am sure the 120d or 123d cabrios are similarly compromised.

 I think this just underlines the point generally that you either buy a cabrio for the  image (so save some money and get a 118d) or a coupe for the driving experience, in which case the 135i would be fine.

Never could understand the M3 or previous-gen Z4M convertibles - probably most were autos or SMG anyway, so an auto 3.0-litre version would probably have suited most owners better.

toptidy:

Never could understand the M3 or previous-gen Z4M convertibles - probably most were autos or SMG anyway, so an auto 3.0-litre version would probably have suited most owners better.

oaffie:

If I want to get open top motoring I'll go out on my motorbike which is also ludicrously fast - and luckily I'm young fit and healthy so don't look ridiculous in my leather romper suit unlike most bikers.

But you make yourself look ridiculous by your comments instead.

Overdrive:

I've always thought going for convertibles in the UK is rather pointless, given the usual weather.

toptidy:

Never could understand the M3 or previous-gen Z4M convertibles - probably most were autos or SMG anyway, so an auto 3.0-litre version would probably have suited most owners better.

 I currently have a Z4 3.0 and although i love it i am very tempted to buy an M version as i want that engine!! i accept that if were to go racing i would be better with a hardtop, but i just love having the top down, and want that power and engine noise, the same applys to things like the M3 convertable, yes its a bit softer than the Coupe, but the noise you get with top down is magnificent and really adds to the experience