BMW 1 Series User Reviews

Exterior It's the BMW stying philoshphy that I can't fault. The car looks sporty, lean, and muscular.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) I like the space. I drove this car as a solo driver mostly but I think it's good for two as well. The boot is also quite spacious. Features-wise, the GPS is great. Navigating the menu while driving is easy and fun. Steering media controls are cool.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox My first car was the City VTEC 2002. I was hoping this car would perform at least as good as that car but the 116i is a major disappointment when it comes to performance. The car is fairly quick and much better in first and a little better in the second gear but it's simply not fun that point onwards when it acclerates lifelessly and is missing 'roar'.

Ride Quality & Handling I drove this car up to 130 km/hr and on long (20 km) 110+ kmph stretches. On all grounds, this car is appalling in stability. It doesn't stick to the ground firmly and when passing trucks I realised how flimsy the grip felt. This is one car that doesn't inspire confidence at higher speeds. Forget Honda City VTEC (old), a Swift Petrol does better. The steering is great. It's a joy. This car is a delight to manoeuvre.

Final Words Overall, if you drive this car before buying, you'll probaby never buy any BMW. If I have to spend so much of money, there are great options from other manufacturers. More importantly, if you are a BMW fan, never drive this car.

Areas of improvement BMW should get rid of the 116i.

Exterior

 The exterior, although criticised to be odd in every review I had read, is nothing but a 3 series without a sedan boot and hence, is attention drawing when you see the car from the front at first. Because it looks long for the segment it is in (a hatch), it justifies its premiumness. Although the absence of xenon headlamps and LED tail lights may concern some, but in a crowded city where 2 wheelers are likely to damage the car more often than not, these low cost lights can surely put a smile on the owner's face when they are to be replaced.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

 Fabric seats are a great plus point over the Sensatec as I've found Sensatec upholstery to be very hard and heat emitting. I am also an ardent ahinsa promoter, so fabric seats and urethane stearing wheel give me peaceful sleep at night. Although there is no screen or i-drive, this car does have a diagnostics system where it informs you of the status of vital stats of a car like the engine oil, brake pad wear, etc. The audio system is also decent. A great thing about this car is the sensors of auto headlight and auto rain sensing wipers are highly accurate.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

 The advantage of 116i over higher models is the higher profile tyres (as compared to low profile ones on 118d sport, etc.) it has giving the car smoother feel of suspension over potholes while driven in the comfort and eco pro modes. You hate that - put the car in sport mode and all your hates will turn into likes, trust me. The steering weighs up beautifully, engine response becomes free and exact. The tyres used by BMW are not of low rolling resistance type, hence fuel economy will be lower than otherwise. However, this feature is needed for a car of this acceleration (0-100 kmph is less than 9 seconds) for better control.

Ride Quality & Handling

 Great ride quality and handling in the sport mode. Great bump absorption in the comfort mode. You've got  both worlds and not the famously marketed 'best of both worlds'.

Final Words

 RWD, independent suspension, non-leather seats, 8 speed AT, auto headlights and wipers, big boot, runflat tyres, ABS, 6 airbags, DTCS, ease of driving in the city (length < 4300 mm) - so if you are buying a skoda superb at this price point, please think again.

Areas of improvement  

 Climate control aircon