The 1-series' biggest pro is that it's a rear wheel drive car. It handles well, has good steering, and corners very well (it also comes with a dynamic stability control - but you can switch it off). It's a safe car too.
Cons: tiny rear seat (I think someone called it "a 5-door two-seater" once). The build quality is not as good as you'd expect from BMW. Equipment, as in all BMW's, is very expensive.
For a driving enthusiast the petrol 2.0 liter engine would be the best.
Other options - the 1-series is a pretty special car, so the options range from a Ford Focus to a Mazda Miata... I'd also consider a Mini Cooper, a Subaru Impreza WRX and that's about all the other options I can think of.
