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BMW 116i Sport

We hit British roads to see if new hatch resolves previous flaws

BMW 116i Sport front three-quarters

Text: Luke Madden / Photos: Pete Gibson

September 2011

The previous-generation BMW 1 Series sold in huge numbers, because it delivered driving thrills, a luxurious cabin and a fantastic range of engines.

But it wasn’t perfect – complaints included a stiff ride and cramped rear seats. So can the all-new model score top points in every category? We took to the roads in a UK-specification car for the first time to find out.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the BMW 1 Series

 

The new 1 Series gets a much smoother and classier look than the car it replaces, with flowing lines and curvaceous headlights replacing the bold and rigid shapes of the old model. The rear wheelarches are emphasised by character lines, while there’s a cleaner set of tail-lights, too.

Climb aboard, and you settle into a cabin that BMW claims is more spacious than the previous car’s. With a 30mm longer wheelbase, the engineers had some length to play with, but adults will still find the back a bit cramped. On the plus side, the boot space has been significantly increased, going from 330 to 360 litres.

Interior quality is top-notch. The switchgear is chunky and solid, and materials such as the soft-touch dashboard feel very upmarket. There’s plenty of advanced technology, including adaptive cruise control, lane assist and Internet access. Our Sport model featured Bluetooth, a 6.5-inch colour display, air-con and a leather-trimmed sports steering wheel as standard.

Under the bonnet of our car was a new 134bhp 1.6-litre twin-turbocharged petrol engine. This direct-injection unit produces 132g/km of CO2 and returns 49.6mpg fuel economy. On the move, it’s very smooth and gives a wide spread of torque, making for easy overtaking and relaxed driving around town.

There’s also a more powerful 170bhp version of this engine, and two diesels: an efficient 1.6 and a 184bhp 2.0-litre. Next year sees the addition of an ultra-frugal EfficientDynamics model to the range, offering tax-free emissions of only 99g/km.

However, all 1 Series have the fuel-saving ECO PRO mode, which dulls the throttle response and limits your use of the air-conditioning and the heated seats. According to BMW, this can improve fuel economy by up to 20 per cent.

But does the 1 Series still lead the class when it comes to driving dynamics? Front and rear tracks are wider than before, while the 50:50 weight distribution and rear-wheel-drive set-up remain.

It all adds up to a sharp and agile car that’s just as involving as its predecessor – despite the new electric power-steering system. BMW’s Drive Performance Control is standard on all models including ECO PRO. It gives the driver four modes to choose from – Comfort, the standard setting; and Sport, which sharpens steering, throttle and suspension. Sport+ allows more rear wheel slip.

The best news, though, has to be that the razor-sharp handling no longer comes at the expense of a comfortable ride – especially when in Comfort mode. It’s still firm, but the new 1 Series is far better at soaking up potholes and road imperfections than its predecessor. In Sport mode, the ride remains extremely compliant but vibrations from the roughest roads are more noticeable inside.

This level of comfort, along with a cabin that’s well insulated from wind and road noise, makes the small BMW an appealing long-distance car, in a way the old model could never be.

BMW has addressed the two major complaints associated with the 1 Series by freeing up more space in the cabin and carefully tuning the ride for UK roads. But there’s still something that will make people look elsewhere – the price. The cheapest model currently costs £19,375, while the most expensive 120d Sport will set you back £24,720. 

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11 Comments

looks great.

after seeing in in flesh. it doesn't really look as ungainly as thought from the first impression. coupled with awesome driving dynamics. win.

By julianlee on 29 September, 2011, 7:07am

Boring.

BMW could put their blue and white propeller badge on a cardboard box and the British motoring press would still award it every plaudit. Other makes offer more interesting alternatives.

By prosperity on 29 September, 2011, 7:18am

not as ugly

as the original but why produce a hatchback that clearly isn't designed to be very practical? What is so appealing about an interior that looks like a funeral parlour? Is it really worth £20,000?

By yellowbear on 29 September, 2011, 7:35am

Stop-start technology

One day all cars will have the dreaded stop-start system Where I live in Australia, it is bloody hot most of the year. Snow never seen around these parts. To be unable to use aircon in stop start traffic will be the end of me!! I know, years ago cars didn't have it but there were less cars and less stop start!!we

By SprightlyBob on 29 September, 2011, 8:24am

No worries, cobber.

Get a hybrid. Petrol engine stops. Aircon still goes. No worries.

By prosperity on 29 September, 2011, 9:12am

we have a 08 116i and its truely the WORST car we have ever owned ,with those stupid run flats the ride is appauling and with the electrical problems dont talk to me !!! .all you are paying for is the bloody BADGE .all this car is its an evolution not revelution plenty of better cars out there

By ruairi on 29 September, 2011, 11:22am

Another porker from BMW

Like many BMWs in the past few years..
Its an ugly runt!

By toycollector on 29 September, 2011, 12:06pm

A great drive...

I currently have the car above on demo but in 116d auto. It's the first time I have ever driven a 1 Series and I have to say the drive is superb. Very impressed with the dynamics and the economy.

It's better looking in the flesh but the front is shall we say unique in design, other than that the car looks pretty good.

And ruairi how would you know there is better cars out there if you are basing it on your 08 model ? Some cars develop faults, sell it and move on.

By The_Reaper on 29 September, 2011, 1:13pm

Right-On Reaper

That's what I like to see...positive feedback. Well said Reaper. So many comments are negative, take 'toycollectctor' as an example, never has a good word to say in any of his comments about any car. I seldom read all the comments now as so many are worthless rubbish. If you have got anthing good to say...

By LANMAN on 29 September, 2011, 5:24pm

Ugliest stretched out car on the road

Seriously for the same stretched out 19K just for the base model you could get a better Mondeo with a load of toppings... the Mondeo is a better car!
Had the pleasure of over taking a new one series the other week and it looks no better in the metal ...Even a blind man can see the one series is one ugly over priced rip off.. 7K just for the badge not for me

By liverpool on 29 September, 2011, 6:49pm

Good and Bad Comments as ever!

The 1 series has always been something of a conundrum, in that it's something like marmite; you either hate it or love it. When it first came out I thought it was pig ugly. I now own a 60 plate 123d M-Sport and have never enjoyed driving a car like this one. In amongst the ugliness is a great attractiveness and unless you drive one, or own one, you'll never appreciate the quality feel of a solid, well designed rwd car - very similar to a sports car to drive, yet frugal and rapid to boot. Okay, I'm not overly impressed with this latest venture and am waiting to see what the M-Sport heralds when it appears on the scene next year. Having not driven this new one I can't really comment, but must say that the negative posters on here obviously have either no taste or perhaps not even a clue about what a quality car these are. What do you guys drive? Smart cars? Lighten up, we all have different brands and this is far from the worst on the market.

By privatepaul5 on 30 September, 2011, 10:02pm

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Pictures

BMW 116i Sport front three-quarters
BMW 116i Sport rear three-quarters
BMW 116i Sport dash
BMW 116i Sport badge
BMW 116i Sport panning
BMW 116i Sport boot
BMW 116i Sport eco button
BMW 116i Sport sat-nav

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FIRST OPINION

    The new BMW 1 Series isn’t wildly different from the old car, but it’s a tried and tested formula that’s won a legion of fans. This new model will be hoping to match the 1.2 million sales racked up by the outgoing car, and with the most involving drive in its class, along with a much more comfortable ride and slightly more spacious cabin, it has everything it needs to match, or perhaps even better, the huge success of its predecessor.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £21,305
    Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl turbo, 134bhp
    Transmission: Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive 
    Top speed: 130mph
    0-60mph: 8.5 seconds
    Economy: 49.6mpg
    CO2: 132g/km
    Equipment: Bluetooth connectivity, climate control, rear parking sensors, alloys, 6.5-inch colour screen
    On sale: Now
     
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