BMW 1 Series 116i Sports Hatch Review

Overall Rating

Review actually for 120d SE Auto
Performance (most of the time)
Handling

Brakes
Fuel Consumption
Residual Value
Engine Noise
Dealers

Review actually for 120d SE Auto

Probably the most disappointing car I've ever owned. The expected excellent BMW driving characteristics compromised by untrustworthy brakes and gearbox, the traction was poor, especially when wet. The ABS actuated unnecessarily on occasions (5 in 500 miles), these were all during low effort braking manoeuvres in good conditions. The performance was excellent, most of the time; unfortunately some journeys the gearbox refused to change down gear when required, resulting in a potentially dangerous lack of acceleration. Once this problem occurred it would remain until the car was stopped. As I couldn't trust the vehicle in poor conditions, it was hardly used in December and January.

The fuel consumption was excessive for a modern hi-tech diesel, even when I was making a special effort it struggled to better 40 mpg, on journeys of reasonable length using dual carriageways. It didn't take much effort for it to drop to 35 mpg, although the fuel computer was accurate and agreed with my manual calculations. For comparison I used a Rover 75 tourer (also 2.0 diesel auto) and, despite its size, found it more efficient and it also displayed significantly better engine refinement.

The engine noise was too loud and of poor quality, rattling more that a 10 year old 4wd at idle (even warm) and droning noisily at moderate cruising speeds, as if the engine was labouring. The ride quality was dire, the vehicle was constantly fidgeting and never settled down, and on certain surfaces it even seemed to magnify the surface imperfections. This was an SE not Sport model.

The switchgear layout is poor, I'm sure the one touch indicators were designed to confuse and the fog lights were hidden out of sight. I compounded it deficiencies by specifying cruise control, it was near identical to the indicator in form and feel. As it was positioned right next to the (one-touch) indicators this lead to frequent confusion.

I visited the dealer several time to try and sort these problems (some potentially serious), however they were incapable of sorting them. All they were able to do was plug in the diagnostics. Courtesy cars were never available, although they did find an equivalent vehicle for comparison.

I was attracted by the apparently good deals, which now seem to be common. So possibly others have realised these cars don't justify their price tag. This was also confirmed by the poor residual value. I decided to get out of it after 5 months as I couldn't trust it and it had fallen so far short of my expectations. I found that BMW dealers around the country didn't want it as they had a glut of low mileage demonstrators, so it lost 28% of its value in 5 months (worst than Fords in a year).