BMW 125i Coupe M Sport
Does rear-wheel drive give two-door 1-Series an advantage?
With three and five-door hatchbacks, a cabriolet and a coupé, there’s plenty of choice if you want to buy a 1-Series. While there’s no confusing the two-door variant for the hatch version, its shared front end styling lacks style when compared to the TT.
The 125i looks pretty conventional parked next to the Scirocco, too, but the high roofline is a legacy of BMW’s desire to retain as much of the five-door model’s practicality as possible. The back seats offer enough space for adults, and the 370-litre boot is the biggest of the quartet in this test.
A saloon-style bootlid isn’t as versatile as a hatchback, but the rear seats split and fold to increase practicality. So while the 1-Series hatch has always been criticised for its lack of rear space, in this test the Coupé scores well.
The driving position is excellent, too, with supportive, comfortable seats, a chunky three-spoke wheel and a logical layout. However, as with the Scirocco, there’s little to mark the Coupé out from any other 1-Series. On top of that, material quality isn’t as good as in the TT, and overall the 125i’s cabin is rather uninspiring.
So, is the BMW more memorable out on the road? Despite the firm’s claims that its cars are always the driver’s choice, this particular model doesn’t succeed in providing the ideal dynamic set-up. And that’s primarily the fault of the suspension. The combination of the M Sport-spec springs and run-flat tyres means the 125i’s ride is firm. It’s harsh on rough surfaces and takes the edge off the BMW’s cruising ability.
More importantly, it also upsets the handling. There’s no suppleness, so the 1-Series gets pitched about on any surface that’s less than perfect. As a result, the steering needs constant adjustment, which limits your confidence in the car. It never comes truly alive, and on British country roads it actually feels slightly numb. It simply can’t match the Scirocco’s composure or the TT’s agility.
All of which is a real shame, because the chassis has loads of grip and superb balance in corners, while strong brakes and sharp steering are also plus points.
BMW hasn’t forgotten how to make great engines, though, and the 125i’s 3.0-litre straight-six is sensational. It’s tuneful, smooth and flexible, and while it doesn’t quite match the in-gear punch of the 2.0-litre turbo units in the Audi or VW, the crisp six-speed manual means it’s a joy to use.
And even though the 1-Series is 182kg heavier than the Audi at 1,480kg, its rear-wheel-drive traction and significant power advantage mean a 6.6-second 0-60mph time is only just behind the TT’s.
However, without a particularly generous equipment list, the 125i has a lot to do to justify its price premium.
Details
Price: £25,280
Model tested: BMW 125i M Sport
Chart position: 3
WHY: Rear-drive dynamics should make the BMW a driver’s choice. Will it feel special enough here?
Economy
Four packages of fixed-priced servicing make for simple budgeting. You can opt for service only or service and maintenance over three or five years. Monthly contract hire cost is only just ahead of the TT’s, but with 51 per cent residuals, the 125i will depreciate more than the VW Group cars. A big engine and higher emissions make it an expensive company choice and it falls into the £210 road tax bracket. However, insurance costs are the same as the TT’s.
