The BMW E81/E82/E87/E88 is the first generation of the BMW 1 Series range of small hatchback, coupe and convertible cars, which were produced from 2004 to 2013. It replaced the 3 Series Compact as the smallest and least expensive vehicle in the BMW range. The body styles of the range are:
The 3-door and 5-door hatchbacks were replaced by the F20 and F21 models in 2011, while the E82 coupé and E88 convertible variants were replaced by the 2 Series F22 and F23 in 2013.
The engines available were four-cylinder diesel and four- and six-cylinder petrol, in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms. Unlike most hatchback competitors, the E81/E82/E87/E88 uses rear-wheel drive (instead of front-wheel drive).
The 1 Series accounted for nearly one-fifth of the total BMW sales in 2008.
Initially, BMW considered adopting the Rover R30 design program into the upcoming 1 Series, however it was eventually decided to develop the 1 Series alongside the E90 3 Series. The E81/E82/E87/E88 shares approximately 60% of components with the E90, including front and rear suspension, structure, chassis, powertrain, hardware and electronic elements.
Design work was done by Christopher Chapman in 2001 under design director Chris Bangle. In 2002, the CS1 Concept previewed the 1 Series design at the Geneva Motor Show.
The first 1 Series production models - in the E87 five-door hatchback body style - were launched at the Paris Motor Show in September 2004.
The chassis has a rear-wheel drive layout with a 50:50 weight balance, a longitudinally-mounted engine and aluminium multi-link suspension.
The 1 Series was launched globally in September 2004 as the E87 five-door hatchback.
The E87 was produced from 2004 until 2011, with the model range consisting of the 116i, 116d, 118i, 118d, 120i, 120d, 123d and 130i. Kerb Weight: 1340 kg.
The E81 three-door hatchback models were produced from July 2007 until 2012.
As per the five-door body style, the model range consisted of the 116i, 116d, 118i, 118d, 120i, 120d, 123d and 130i. The overall length is the same as the five-door models, and the kerb weight is 10 kg (22 lb) lighter.
The 1 Series Coupé (E82) was unveiled in 2007 at the Frankfurt Motor Show and went on sale on 24 November 2007.
The model range consisted of the 118d, 118i, 120i, 120d, 123d, 125i, 125se, 128i, 135i and the 1 Series M Coupé. In North America, the E82 went on sale in October 2007 with the 128i and the 135i models. The E82 was produced until August 2013.
The E88 convertible models were produced from 2007 until June 2013. The model range consisted of the 118d, 118i, 120i, 120d, 123d, 125i, 128i and 135i.
The E88 uses a fabric roof (unlike the E93 3 Series convertible, which uses a folding metal roof).
In early 2006, the 5-speed manual transmission was phased out in favour of the 6-speed gearbox.
The automatic transmission option was a 6-speed ZF 6HP transmission for the 135i and 6l45 GM 6L50 transmission for the 128i. For the 135i (2011 and up) model, a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission ("DCT") was also available.
The factory specifications are as follows:
* Only sold in Canada and the United States.
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