BMW 1 Series Review: 2015 118i, 120i, 125i And M135i – Brilliant, Still The Benchmark
What's hot: Rear-drive magic, beautiful engines, intense handling, sharp pricing, well-featured
What's not: No paddles for lower grade models, brittle M Sport suspension, run-flat tyres still not great
X-FACTOR: The last, and best, of the small rorty rear drivers - and now with good looks to match
Vehicle style: Small premium hatch
Price:
BMW 118i - $36,900
BMW 118d - $40,300 (not tested)
BMW 120i - $41,900
BMW 125i - $48,900
BMW M135i - $62,900
Engines/transmissions:
118i: 100kW/220Nm 1.6 turbo petrol four | 8spd Steptronic auto
120i: 130kW/250Nm 1.6 turbo petrol four | 8spd Steptronic auto
125i: 160kW/310Nm 2.0 turbo petrol four | 8spd Steptronic Sport auto
M135i: 240kW/450Nm 3.0 turbo six | 8spd Steptronic Sport auto
Fuel consumption:
118i claimed: 5.6 l/100km | tested: 8.5 l/100km
120i claimed: 5.8 l/100km | tested: 9.5 l/100km
125i claimed: 6.6 l/100km | tested: 9.3 l/100km
M135i claimed: 8.0 l/100km | (not recorded, track drive only)
OVERVIEW
No question about it, if you are in the market for a smart, stylish and roomy small hatch, BMW's refreshed 1 Series demands your attention.
And if you are also looking for the best balanced and most appealing drive this side of $50k, then put BMW's superbly engineered and compact road warrior at the top of your shortlist.
And do take the new 1 Series for a test drive.
Better, the fact is, if you don't want to pay more than $40,000 for the privilege, you will be more than happy with the $36,900 118i.
It might be the least powerful in the 1 Series range, but it drives with real sporting verve, looks the premium product inside and out, comes with a premium feature-list, and gets around a set of bends like a greased ferret.
This new 1 Series is a very good car from BMW. Perhaps, at its most basic - in terms of that nexus between handling balance, performance, quality feel and price - it is the most 'resolved' small car you can buy in this market.
It is also the last of the rear-wheel-drive small cars. And, with a front-driver on the horizon in BMW's future product portfolio, may also be the last compact rear-wheel-drive from BMW.
If it wasn't such a good drive, that latter fact may not be such an issue. But the 1 Series is simply a cracking drive.
INTERIOR | RATING: 4/5
BMW 118i, BMW 118d
- Push-button ignition, trip-computer
- Cruise control
- Rain-sensing wipers, dusk-sensing headlamps
- Bluetooth and iPod-ready audio system
- Rear-view camera
- Automatic climate control
- Satellite navigation
- ConnectedDrive real-time traffic information
BMW 120i adds:
- Interior mirror with anti-dazzle function
- Fog lights
- Dual-zone climate control
- Extended Smartphone connectivity
- Driving Assistant
- Sensatec upholstery
BMW 125i adds:
- M Sport package
- Variable sport steering
- Exterior mirrors with anti-dazzle function and fold
- LED headlights
- Front and Rear Park Distance Control
- Alcantara/cloth upholstery
BMW M135i adds:
- M Performance package
- Adaptive LED headlights
- Navigation Professional
- DAB+ Digital Radio and high-fidelity speaker system
- Leather upholstery
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