Short history
In 2008 BMW lopped the roof off the first-generation 1 Series and created the E88 Cabrio. Its fully electric soft-top folds beneath an aluminium deck in 22 s, while the classic rear-wheel drive and 50:50 balance stayed intact. A 2011 facelift added LED tail-lights and an updated iDrive. Production ended in 2013, the torch passing to the 2 Series Cabrio—but well-kept E88s still fit comfortably into today’s €10 000 budget. Remarkably for a convertible, roughly one quarter of the cars on the market are diesels.
Next instalment in our series
After the Mini Cooper Cabrio, Fiat 500C and Mercedes-Benz SLK R171 and more it’s time for a four-seat, rear-driven drop-top—something rare in this class and at this price.
How much is a BMW 1 Cabrio today?
• €3 000–5 000 – Yes, they exist, but you’ll likely spend another €2–3 k in the first year. Think 118i/118d with 200 000 km+, tired roofs and warning lights.
• €6 500–9 500 – The sweet spot: tidy 118i/118d/120i around 150 000 km, full history, functioning roof—an ideal base for making it excellent.
• €9 500–10 500 – Top of the budget: late-facelift 120i or the odd high-mileage 125i; occasional 118i with M Sport pack.
• ≥ €12 000 – Clean 125i/128i automatics. The twin-turbo 135i starts around €14 k, so we’ll cover it another time.
Which version makes sense at about €10 000?
- Daily commute & economy – 118d (143 hp): around 5 l/100 km, low road tax. Watch the N47 timing chain.
- Best all-rounder – 120i (170 hp): likes to rev, 0-100 km/h in 8.4 s. Keep an eye on N43 injectors and coils.
- Weekend fun – 125i (218 hp): legendary straight-six, 6.8 s to 100 km/h. Look for oily valve-cover leaks.
- Budget entry – 118i (143 hp): cheapest to buy and insure; sluggish with the auto but the most rational daily.
Why is it still worth a look?
• Rear-wheel drive and genuine Bavarian feel in a small cabrio.
• Four seats plus a 260 L boot with the roof up—no Tetris on weekend trips.
• Safety kit includes six airbags, DSC, optional xenons and active headrests.
• Real-world fuel use: 7–8 l/100 km in a 120i or under 5 l/100 km in a 118d—similar to many modern crossovers.
Summary
If you crave wind-in-the-hair motoring and classic BMW dynamics on a sensible budget, the E88 delivers. I’d hunt for a post-facelift 120i manual: quick enough to entertain, free of diesel timing-chain roulette and still gentle on your wallet. Check the boot is dry, cycle the roof a few times, listen for odd engine noises—then enjoy Bavarian top-down motoring for the price of a city hatchback.
Full engine comparison for the BMW 1 Series Cabrio (E88)
| Version | Years | Engine & displacement | Power (hp) | Torque (Nm) | 0-100 km/h | Top speed (km/h) | Combined fuel (l/100 km)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 118d | 2009-2011 | Inline-4, 1995 cc (diesel) | 143 | 300 | 9.5 s | 208 | 5.8 |
| 118i | 2008-2011 | Inline-4, 1995 cc | 143 | 190 | 9.3 s | 210 | 8.0 |
| 120i | 2008-2011 | Inline-4, 1995 cc | 170 | 210 | 8.4 s | 220 | 8.9 |
| 120d | 2008-2011 | Inline-4, 1995 cc (diesel) | 177 | 350 | 8.1 s | 222 | 6.3 |
| 123d | 2009-2011 | Inline-4 biturbo, 1995 cc (diesel) | 204 | 400 | 7.5 s | 230 | 6.3 |
| 125i | 2008-2011 | Inline-6, 2996 cc | 218 | 270 | 6.8 s | 238 | 9.9 |
| 128i | 2008-2011 | Inline-6, 2996 cc | 230 | 270 | 6.7 s | 210 | 10.7 |
| 135i | 2008-2011 | Inline-6 twin-turbo, 2979 cc | 306 | 400 | 5.7 s | 250 | 12.7 |
*Owner-reported mixed driving.