BMW 118i: more car, less BMW?

Monday, 6 January 2020

**BMW 118i M SPORT

Base price:** $53,900

Powertrain and performance: 1.5-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder, 103kW/220Nm, 7-speed automatic, FWD, Combined economy 5.9 litres per 100km, 0-100kmh 8.5 seconds.

Vital statistics: 4319mm long, 1434mm high, 2670mm wheelbase, luggage capacity 380 litres, 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/40 tyres.

The 1 Series is now FWD and shares quite a few Mini bits.

We like: Sharp, aggressive looks, much more interior space, quality interior, great FWD dynamics.

We don't like: Occasionally fidgety ride, generic FWD hatch feel, no more great RWD dynamics.

The two previous generations of BMW 1 Series were undeniably good things despite their flaws - traditional RWD BMW dynamics in a compact package essentially made them the MX-5s of the small hatch segment. Who really cared if there was no room in the back?

Well, as it turns out - pretty much everyone who bought them. Not only that, they also didn't know or care which wheels actually did the driving anyway. So now we have an all-new FWD 1 Series. And that makes me a bit sad.

Yep, it's a BMW alright - that big grille makes that clear.

What do you mean 'didn't know or care which wheels did the driving'?

It's true - BMW's own research showed that close to 95 per cent of 1 Series buyers either had no idea whether or not the front or rear wheels were doing the driving, or they simply didn't care. Only the enthusiasts who bought things like the M140i or the fantastically engaging and involving M2 actually knew. And cared.

* BMW reveals new FWD 1 series

More rear legroom and 20 litres more boot space are the advantages of going FWD.

* Meet BMW's hot hatch: an SUV

* A Mini Clubman is a lot better than an SUV**

So when it came time to replace the 1 Series, it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that BMW could still satisfy 95 per cent of their existing customers, attract more customers who wanted a more practical hatch and save money by sharing Mini underpinnings and powertrains in the new one.

So that is what we now have - the BMW 118i you see here shares not only the same platform as the Mini hatch, but also its 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo engine (that, to be fair, had already featured in the last 118i as well, albeit mounted transversely and driving the rear wheels) and seven-speed dual clutch transmission, driving the front wheels.

The 118i's interior is beautifully put together, but a bit conservative.

Are you sad because its not very good?

Oh, no, certainly not - in fact the all-new FWD 1 Series is actually a very good thing. After all, as mentioned earlier, it does share quite a lot of its important bits with the Mini, which is a very excellent FWD car indeed.

However, previously you could feel a tangible difference between a 1 Series and its rivals, primarily - and obviously - because of its unique-in-the-segement drivetrain layout, but you also can feel a tangible difference between a Mini and those same rivals, largely due to the Mini's eager chassis and fast steering.

The 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo engine is brilliantly flexible little unit.

Sadly you can no longer say that about the 1 Series - close your eyes (which, of course, you shouldn't do when driving…) and you could be behind the wheel of a Mercedes A-class, Audi A3 or any number of up-spec FWD Euro hatches.

This is because BMW has tried very hard indeed to not merely carry over the Mini's character to its own-brand FWD hatch and, as a result, has actually left it devoid of pretty much all character.

Of course, the equivalent Mercedes and Audi hatches are far from bad cars, so comparing the 1 Series to them is hardly a damning indictment - in fact, to that 95 per cent, it is high praise indeed. And it is praise the 118i deserves.

Wait… so you DO like it then?

As a small, premium hatch? Very much so.

As a BMW? Not so much.

Try and follow my logic here - the 118i looks fantastic, has a high quality (if slightly conservative) interior, an eager engine, an athletically agile chassis and nicely sharp, accurate (if a tad remote and muted) steering. So far, so BMW.

But that relentless drive to make it not feel like a Mini has also left if not particularly feeling like a BMW either.

But that doesn't make it a bad car. It certainly ticks all the right boxes as far as a premium hatch is concerned, and that alone makes it one of the better offerings in its segment.

The fact that BMW has been practising for this moment for some time with both the Mini family and the 2 Series Active Tourer that quietly introduced FWD into the BMW-badged world in 2014 has paid off, with the 118i being an incredibly competent and complete first crack at a FWD hatch.

While arch-rival Mercedes-Benz had a few wobbles (literally - remember that moose test?) sorting out its first go at a FWD small hatch with the first A-class, even its current transition into a more traditional hatch hasn't been without its foibles - clunky transmissions and coarse entry level engines and all.

However, BMW has nailed the landing of its first FWD hatch with ease: the 118i does everything well - some things brilliantly so - and nothing badly.

Will BMW buyers be happy though?

Those 95 per cent of historic 1 Series buyers will be overjoyed, as will anyone who really wanted one, but couldn't get past the tiny amount of rear legroom and restricted boot space (compared to the previous model, the new one is the same length, but is wider, taller and has a longer wheelbase, with a larger 380 litre boot, which is comparable to the Volkswagen Golf).

Those of us who loved the 1 Series as a small RWD with shades of MX-5 dynamics will be far less convinced. However, in the grand scheme of things, we don't really matter.

Sure, there are hot AWD versions like the 225kW M135i xDrive, which will no doubt be most excellent, but the sheer joy of chucking a well-sorted and responsive compact RWD car is something that BMW just won't be giving us anymore.

What it does give us with the 118i, however, is a delightfully enjoyable FWD hatch with an adequately-powerful engine (103kW is at the lesser end of three-cylinder turbos these days guys) that is sweetly flexible and allied to a sharp, agile chassis.

It is an enjoyably engaging car that boasts excellent build quality, more interior space than ever and looks fantastic.

And that's what that 95 per cent want.

Any other cars I should consider?

Literally any premium FWD small hatch. And that is why the BMW 118i is an excellent car makes me feel a bit sad.