BMW has a charmed existence in the UK, selling record numbers of cars here - last year it passed the 100,000 sales target by a wide margin and saw growth in an otherwise falling market. Driving the sales is the 3 Series, often an entrant in the UK's top 10 sellers and outselling Ford's Mondeo. But the introductory model to BMW motoring is the 1 Series, and to research this piece BMW had agreed to loan me a 116i, the starter in the range and the most popular model. I was standing outside my house dealing with the handover of another test car when the 1 Series test car came up the hill. I heard it long before I saw it - there was a deep rumbling that told me something tasty was approaching. A glance at the magnificent alloys as it turned the corner made it only too obvious that this was no cooking 1 Series. Instead of the promised 116, BMW had sent me a 130 and any doubts I had about its suitability lingered no more than a fraction of a second. This, I decided, was going to be fun. The reason for my anticipation was that under the bonnet of the 130 beats a 3.0 litre in-line six cylinder engine. This, to me, is motoring heaven and can only be beaten by the thunder of a V8 with a big bore exhaust. Not that there was anything puny about the pipework on the 130, hence the delicious rumble as it approached. This was a car to be savoured, and that's exactly what I did. The thing that sets every 1 Series apart from its competitors, though, is that while they all have drive taken through the front wheels BMW perseveres with rear wheel drive. This is a quirk you'll either love or hate, for while front wheel drive cars are relatively faithful and predictable in their characteristics, rear drivers can hang the tail out in spectacular fashion. It may not be the case so much with the 116, but let rip with the 130 and lighting up the rear rubber could become an unbreakable addiction. This may not sound very sensible but then the 1 Series is not a sensible car. If you wanted a family hatch for pootling about you'd buy a VW Golf or Ford Focus, depending on your budget. The 1 Series makes a nonsense of considered family decisions. The reason is that it lacks rear space. Legroom in the back is limited, as is headroom, because there's a rear axle to stuff under the seat, just like the old days. This lifts the seat towards the roof, while the long bonnet, stunted rear, design of the 1 Series takes care of the legroom. This hasn't stopped the car selling in good numbers since its launch in May, 2004, and you can find quite a selection of 1 Series around, both at BMW dealers and outside the network. Its looks are a bit of an acquired taste and it's Chris Bangle at his most extreme, with flame surfacing, as he calls it, giving the car distinctively sculpted sides. The 1 Series has a good mix of petrol and diesel engines, with the 118d and 120d probably the best cars if you do high miles. Service intervals are variable but every car of pedigree should have a full history. If it's not there, ignore the car. Insurance starts at Group 10. The car is popular in the company market, so as its third anniversary and a facelift approach, and mileages creep up, disposals will start in earnest. Keep your eyes open and you could bag a bargain, with the 116 starting at £11,600 on a 54. Prices will weaken as supply rises, so don't pay too much. Buying a 118d would cost around £1,000 more at the same age while a 55 plate 130 is the thick end of £20,000. Maurice Hardy