Performance Review: BMW 1 Series 123d 2d Coupe M-Sport - [2007]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 1 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 1 Series 123d 2d Coupe M-Sport is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2007. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8.This particular BMW 1 Series has a 1995cc Naturally Aspirated Diesel powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Diesel St4's includes the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d XDrive

The 1 Series shares its Diesel St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d XDrive and the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 1 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1485 kgs (3273 lbs) this makes the BMW 1 Series 123d 2d Coupe M-Sport in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 1 Series shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp)

In terms of power the 1995cc 16V St4 engine produces 201 bhp (149 kW) @ 0 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 295 lb-ft (399.9 Nm) @ 0 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 1 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (160.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 1 Series.

The BMW 1 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 135.3 bhp per ton and 198.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2007 1 Series competing with the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (160.3 bhp per ton) or the 1984 Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo (160.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 1 Series generating around 198.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (223.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2008 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed 6.0 W12 (223.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.1 secs, this made the BMW 1 Series 123d 2d Coupe M-Sport as fast as the 2015 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Coupe (6.90 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 V6 Supercharged (6.90 secs) the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.90 secs) the or the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (6.90 secs). This BMW 1 Series 123d 2d Coupe M-Sport is also faster than the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the and the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 1 Series and the 1980 Audi Quattro UR-Quattro

When talking about the performance of the BMW 1 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.92 secs @ 85.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1980 Audi Quattro UR-Quattro (15.85 secs), the 2005 Toyota Corolla TS Compressor 2.0L (15.85 secs), and the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Roadster (15.85 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2007 version of the BMW 1 Series 123d 2d Coupe M-Sport has a maximum speed of 148mph.

Top Speed of the 2007 1 Series equals the 2017 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5 Turbo (159 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2007 BMW 1 Series 123d 2d Coupe M-Sport then how about the 2017 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5 Turbo (159 mph), the 2016 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5 (159 mph), or the 2004 Porsche Boxster 2.7 987 (159 mph).

Related Links:

2007 1 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison