Driving in Style and Cleanliness: The Ultimate Guide to BMW Floor Mats

BMW has proven to be the best-selling luxury car brand in Asia, outdoing both the domestic German and EU markets, as well as the Americas by a fair margin. A large portion of those sales have been from the company's compact 1 Series cars. Compared to its bigger and more costly siblings, the 1 Series isn’t short of luxury or comfort, with the 135i right up there with the big boys in terms of driving dynamics and outright performance. With the lower price tag, owners can afford a few basics that are left out from showrooms. 

 Floor mats and seat covers might be an omission most of us forgive, but they do a few things we often take for granted. They keep your car protected during spills, deal with dirt, debris and unsightly stains, and help to keep the interior of your bimmer in pristine condition, just like when you got it new. Owners don't have to settle for anything cheap and cheery, and there are exceptionally durable and well-made BMW 1 series car mats that well match the car's luxurious interior. Besides this, all are made of materials that are soft to the touch and offer additional driving safety with non-slip surfaces. Nice additions for both drivers and passengers alike.

Choosing Floor Mats for the One Series

Source: autoid.co

When shopping for interior accessories like car mats, there are a few factors to keep in mind. You'll want mats from the right materials. those that are tailored to suit the exact dimensions of the floor and will last no matter how or where you drive. Here's what to look for: 

Materials 

Traditional choices are carpet, rubber, and vinyl. Carpet mats are made of a combination of soft-touch synthetics, and come in coarser loop pile or smoother cut pile variants. Both are available in dozens of colours, are well made, and can include contrast stitching to go with the details that suit the rest of the car, specifically the seat fabric. While good looking, they do have a few shortcomings. Carpet mats are less durable than other materials, are quicker to pick up scratches or tears and don't handle direct sunlight too well. Plus, they're subpar in containing spills or stains and can leave unpleasant odours. 

Rubber mats offer more durability, are waterproof so work better in humid and wet conditions, and have grooves to redirect water. They also better contain grime and dirt and are easier to clean. The only negative to think of is the limited number of colours, often based around black or grey. Move up to vinyl if you want a neater and cleaner interior as these do the best job in keeping away dust, debris and liquids of any type. They too are easy and quick to clean, just hose them down, and they're ready to go. 

Newer materials focus on recyclable plastic and vinyl blends. These are exceptionally lightweight, can be optioned in textured finishes for improved comfort and water and dust removal, and are precision cut with superior non-slip surfaces. Recyclable blends are also gentler on carpet underlays, so no likelihood of damage. If you're particular about your health, these additionally work well against allergens and bacteria. Moreover, they're waterproof and  won't leave any bad smells. Lastly, they're designed to be more durable than any of the traditional material choices, and being recyclable you'll be doing your part for the environment.

Custom vs Universal Mats

Choosing between these two is all about getting mats in the right size and ones that will fit the footwells. Custom BMW 1 series car mats are cut to the exact dimensions of the floor, being neither too big nor too small. This means no slipping, difficulty in keeping the mats flat against the floor, and no safety issues. Universal mats are generally a one-size fits all, so may not be the best option for your 1 Series. They'll struggle in keeping stains and dust from spoiling the floor and typically harder to get right, so can get uncomfortable over longer rides. The only benefit is that they're a bit cheaper, but not worth the compromises. 

What Else to Look For?

Source: bmw.com

Besides materials and sizing, mats come in varying designs and textures. Look for variants with higher side walls and lining if you want the best protection against liquids. This often seamlessly blends into the stitching in more quality, custom-fit variants, leaving a stylish look. Textures also help by preventing excessive movement, slipping, and accidents.  Mats with underside embossing work particularly well in this respect, even when fitted without the provided clips. Driver side mats additionally include textured non-slip surfaces with enough space for both feet, adding more comfort. 

When buying car mats, go for sets that include front driver and passenger side mats, and those that match the rear. Some makes may have mats covering the rear tunnels, and matching units in the same materials and high durability for the boot. Lastly, get the color combinations that catch your eye and best suit the car.