It’s a quick car in anyone’s language, but one that feels quicker than it is because it is such fun to row along. And, though lacking the powerhouse Newton metres of its competing turbo-charged brethren, the 125i would give little away in rapid point-to-point driving.
For the record, the 125i Coupe is good for a 6.4 second 0-100kmh dash (7.0 seconds for the auto). Those are the factory claims (it was too cloudy to operate the TMR sundial). And, of course, it’s also laden with all that acronym stuff (do you really want me to go through it): you know, DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), ABS… you get the picture.
It’s hard, genuinely, to find anything much to criticise. Most reviewers have been caught on the same conundrum. What’s wrong with this car? Very, very little. A couple of UK reviews expressed doubts about the dynamic qualities of the little Coupe’s suspension – “a bit firm”, one said; another that “ride quality is choppy”. Don’t have a bar of it. They weren’t driving this car. The 125i Coupe has succeeded with the elusive double: firm, for a sharp sporting steer, but with enough initial compliance to deal with all but the worst broken bitumen and bridge joins. The compromises are so few it’s hard to find a comparable, and so deliciously balanced, sporting drive (the Audi S3 Sportback or Civic Type R maybe).
Inside, it’s black and a bit uninspiring – but show me a German car that isn’t. The mottled alloy interior trim highlights are a tad low rent, and there’s a curious crease in the door seals on each side, but, other than that, it’s all BMW quality with nice leather, appealing understated dash, and everything nicely at hand. (We had all that i-Drive stuff, you probably don’t need it but it’s fun to play with and not nearly as unfathomable as earlier BMW i-Drive systems.)
Remarkably, it can also seat four reasonably comfortably – provided you’re not driving between Brisbane and Sydney (perfect for four adults for a night on the town). It’s also quiet on the road and those much-maligned run-flat tyres fitted to ‘our’ 125i were far better propositions than the teeth-rattling rock-hard numbers we’ve experienced in the past.
The famed “whispering bomb” – the 2002 – has finally got its successor. A car with enough toy-quality, individuality and fun at the wheel to earn an ear-marking as a future classic. With this car, you just have to hope that BMW can maintain that price (luckily, in the short-term at least, the Euro has been heading into the same toilet as the Oz dollar).
So, welcome to this parallel arse-about universe. While you’re here, you might as well enjoy it. Buy a 125i Coupe, and why not, it’s a stunning car – brilliant – compact, fun to drive, fast, and even looks ok.
2010 HSV Clubsport R8 
2009 BMW 335i Sedan 
2010 BMW 120d Hatch manual (E87) 
2009 Holden Commodore SS Sportwagon 
2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage 
2009 Ford Mondeo MB (Titanium)
“…the 270kW twin turbo 135i”
I thought it was 225kw?
Yars, you’re right Joe: 225kW for the 135i. The 125i carries 270Nm of torque, and 160kW…
(Damned hard to get good hired help these days; flamin’ elves refuse to proof-read.)
The Insider
Would’ve been better value if BMW servicing fees and spare parts pricing are anything to go by.
Great bang for the bucks nonetheless.
After reading that I want one.
there is no 130i coupe in Oz, i have a 135i and it rocks.
Great review guys. Write ups on the 125i have been so few and far between since most have focussed on the 135i. For good reason! But it’s great to see that you rate the 125i as both a great drive and amazing value too.
Are you kidding me? It’s rubbish.
It looks like a piece of plastic that’s gotten too near the flames, the paddle shifts on the auto are all backwards (why not left and right, instead of two front and backs???)
The exhaust is too boomy, and the back seats are for the elves you speak of. No sane person will sit in the back for a long distance.
The interior is too plasticky, and the servicing and parts will kill you.
No thanks.
Hmmm… Ben, put over 2000 kilometres on the 125i - on city, freeway and secondary roads - and never once thought the exhaust was “boomy”… deliciously growly maybe: a nice growl while accelerating, settling to a distant ‘note’ at constant highway speeds.
Spent the better part of the last three months jumping in and out of DSG and TCSST equipped cars, and reckon the BMW system (”two front and backs”) is better - especially when you’re ‘crossed up’ in high speed cornering…
RE the interior, where precisely is all the plastic? Sure, would love an old Jag’s burr walnut dash and console…
You’re welcome though Ben in disagreeing with our assessment, that’s what makes the world go round (and you’re not alone in finding the Coupe’s lines a little challenging… I like ‘em (generally), but others weren’t so sure).
The Insider
As much as I like this car, there is nothing under $70K at dealers advertising online, and that is for second hand ones!!!
How realistic is that $54K pricetag in terms of the ones that actually are sold??? $15K worth of options added to each???
Good car though, I agree with the comments re keeping the car small and light. I don’t understand either why each new model has to be bigger than the last!!
Alec, had a chat to Stillwells BMW in Melbourne (not sure where you’re based)… you can order the 125i Coupe sans options - ie. at the base price, manual - but you’ll have to wait until April next year before delivery, around six months away.
Worth the wait I’d reckon (what happens in international currency movements against the Oz dollar between now and then might be a variable to consider though).
The Insider
Thanks for that.. I guess the long wait for delivery explains why the second hand ones are so pricey!!
Great review! It’s about time someone took the 125i for a decent drive and penned their findings. I love my 125i, just over 7,000 kms on the clock now and she’s really loosened up. Sure, it doesn’t pack the same punch as the twin turbo 135i, but where are you going to need that sort of power in a daily driver? I optioned mine to the max - xenons, sunroof, iDrive, M-Sports pack, 18″ rims. Came in at just under $70K on the road, but $20K less than a 135i with the same options. Thanks for giving the 125i the review it deserves.
Still Waiting !!!! ordered July 08 , it may arrive by March ordered a manual and still have not driven one, only the auto ?????.
So good to see a review on the 125i coupe instead of the convertible.
Have to agree with just about everything, and after 5500km my initial reservations about the ride have gone.
Just one drive on some decent roads in South Gippsland and Im totally besotted.
Fuel economy marginally better than previous Subaru Liberty 2.5 and the 6 speed auto is from another planet in comparison.(I think there’s a connection there somewhere …)Love the paddles which can be engaged in either auto mode and will resume normal Drive around town if left alone.
Only problem I have had is due to the proximity of cruise control wand to the lighting wand. Action to activate cruise same as flashing high beam ..you can guess the rest
Would like to know how different the engine is from the 130i and if its only a matter of reprogramming EMS to get same output. Engine seems physically identical.
Andys got a point about the spare parts and service costs. BMW’s are very good cars ( well I think so )…. but when you pay $3500 for a minor service on a 320i it makes you want to re-consider the great audi a4 and the merc c-class.
Maybe thats Why my wife sold the BMW and bought the audi a4 2 litre when i was overseas, glad she did to be frank.