BMW 118i and 120i Review
25 Mar 2009|66,868 views
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The 118i is a premium five-door hatchback that takes its place at the bottom of the 1 Series range, and naturally at the bottom of the BMW family too. At the other end of the 1 Series spectrum is the 120i Convertible, the first premium cabriolet in the compact segment. Between the 120i and the 3 Series convertible, other than disparity in size, the only visual difference is that the 120i has an electronically-operated fabric roof instead of a retractable hardtop. Taking 22 seconds to fold or unfold when stationary or at speeds even up to 50 km/h, the roof can be opened with the remote but cannot be retracted the same way.
At a glance, it's easy to see that much of the 1 Series design and styling was inspired from its 3 and 5 Series relatives. But it is the rear-wheel drive composition of the car that has inevitably led to a design, especially for the 118i, which makes people cringe. The huge headlamps give an overly-aggressive front too big for its body, resulting in an awkward and disproportional look.
Looking good
Compared to the 118i, the 120i Convertible has much better styling in spite of these odd proportions. The design isn't as harsh, and with some touches of the Z4's styling cues, the high door line and thoughtfully sculpted flanks actually give this touch of prestige.
This rather unusual look of the 1 Series may not be love at first sight, probably because it's new and uncommon. Perhaps over time as more of these baby Beemers run around on the roads, people would get accustomed to its unique look.
Before you start to form your own criticisms, I suggest you hold onto your tongue first; at least until you get behind the wheel. Like any typical BMW, the best place to be in the 1 is in the driver's seat (but for this case, please overlook the manual adjusting of the seating position). If you're the sort who enjoys driving cars instead of using them as a functional means of transport, then you would take to this rear-wheel drive.
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German powerplants
Under the long bonnet, the 118i five-door hatch and 120i Convertible house the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. The only difference is that the 118i has been detuned to 136 bhp (from 156 bhp) and 180 Nm (from 200 Nm). Both are matched with six-speed automatics, and are capable of smooth power delivery, thanks to the variable camshaft and valve control.
However, due to the lower state of tune, the 118i suffers from power inadequacy which is felt most on expressways, especially when overtaking, caused by the delayed surge of power that's only available at higher revs. Once at speed though, the 118i holds a steady composure, even when diving hard into corners. Likewise, the 120i performs best when revved high, and obliges charmingly as the needle goes past 6,000 rpm and into its maximum power range at 6,400 rpm.
The 1 Series may not be the fastest hatchback in the market, taking 10.1 seconds for the 118i and 10.0 seconds for the 120i, to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h. But reassuringly, few can match up to the 1 Series in terms of rewarding driving dynamics. The rear-wheel drive layout gives a nifty and sometimes firm drive, occasionally experiencing bumps and humps on corrugated surfaces, but overall ride quality is not compromised.
In the case of the 1 Series, the front wheels are used only for turning as the rear wheels deliver the power to the ground. Most regular hatchbacks on the other hand, deliver both via the fronts. The former results in more accurate steering and better feedback from the ground.
![]() |
Great style with sufficient practicality
Inside, both cars resemble any modern day Beemer with similarly designed bits like the steering wheel, the gear lever, the air-con vents and the audio unit. Styling is kept ergonomic, with just the basic necessities, and few knobs or buttons to confuse. However, the plastics used contradict the usual BMW standards. Then again, bearing in mind the price considerations, especially for the 118i, that slight visual discomfort can be overlooked.
Space efficiency of the 1 Series is only average, with adequate boot space and additional space to be gained when the 60/40 split-fold rear seats are down. The cabin provides good comfort levels and long journeys are not an issue, but there is one grouse. Room in the rear is limited and those in front will feel some knees in the back when the car is filled to its capacity.
The cars also come with several driving aids which keep the cars in control even when pushed hard. There's the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). Within the DSC, there's the Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Automatic Stability Control (ASC), which further ensures that the cars are even safer when driven hard. There's also the Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) which is sort of a half-way road between turning the DSC off and with full electronic traction turned on.
The 1 Series may be the smallest range of the BMW family, but the 118i and the 120i have proven that it is as satisfying to drive and is, after all, still a proud BMW. Fans of other hot hatches, especially those who have driven front-wheel drive ones for years, may disagree but it is true that rear-wheel drive hatchbacks do it better.
With the 1 Series, non-BMW owners can now join the family by just expensing a minimum sum of S$116,800. That's the price of the 118i, and all that you have to pay to own a BMW. A piece of advice though - don't expect the standard luxuries you find in the upper range. The entry-level 118i comes with no automatic air-conditioning, no climate control, no LCD screen, no electronic seats, no paddle shifters and no cruise control. Well, the good thing is, the lack of these features do not change the fact that it is a BMW.
And for S$43,000 more, you can get the 120i (S$158,800) which comes with more bells and whistles like automatic air-conditioning. By the way, it is the only one in the local 1 Series range to have it. This price is several times the price of other hatchbacks; but it will retain its value better than its more affordable rivals eventually.
Indeed, the 1 Series has done well against its rivals, where the appeal of the brand alone has already spoken up against the usual list of suspects where performance and value are concerned. With its rear-wheel drive, short wheelbase, 50-50 weight distribution, extensive use of aluminium, good value and a great drive; how much more complete can 1 get?
![]() |
The 118i is a premium five-door hatchback that takes its place at the bottom of the 1 Series range, and naturally at the bottom of the BMW family too. At the other end of the 1 Series spectrum is the 120i Convertible, the first premium cabriolet in the compact segment. Between the 120i and the 3 Series convertible, other than disparity in size, the only visual difference is that the 120i has an electronically-operated fabric roof instead of a retractable hardtop. Taking 22 seconds to fold or unfold when stationary or at speeds even up to 50 km/h, the roof can be opened with the remote but cannot be retracted the same way.
At a glance, it's easy to see that much of the 1 Series design and styling was inspired from its 3 and 5 Series relatives. But it is the rear-wheel drive composition of the car that has inevitably led to a design, especially for the 118i, which makes people cringe. The huge headlamps give an overly-aggressive front too big for its body, resulting in an awkward and disproportional look.
Looking good
Compared to the 118i, the 120i Convertible has much better styling in spite of these odd proportions. The design isn't as harsh, and with some touches of the Z4's styling cues, the high door line and thoughtfully sculpted flanks actually give this touch of prestige.
This rather unusual look of the 1 Series may not be love at first sight, probably because it's new and uncommon. Perhaps over time as more of these baby Beemers run around on the roads, people would get accustomed to its unique look.
Before you start to form your own criticisms, I suggest you hold onto your tongue first; at least until you get behind the wheel. Like any typical BMW, the best place to be in the 1 is in the driver's seat (but for this case, please overlook the manual adjusting of the seating position). If you're the sort who enjoys driving cars instead of using them as a functional means of transport, then you would take to this rear-wheel drive.
![]() |
German powerplants
Under the long bonnet, the 118i five-door hatch and 120i Convertible house the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. The only difference is that the 118i has been detuned to 136 bhp (from 156 bhp) and 180 Nm (from 200 Nm). Both are matched with six-speed automatics, and are capable of smooth power delivery, thanks to the variable camshaft and valve control.
However, due to the lower state of tune, the 118i suffers from power inadequacy which is felt most on expressways, especially when overtaking, caused by the delayed surge of power that's only available at higher revs. Once at speed though, the 118i holds a steady composure, even when diving hard into corners. Likewise, the 120i performs best when revved high, and obliges charmingly as the needle goes past 6,000 rpm and into its maximum power range at 6,400 rpm.
The 1 Series may not be the fastest hatchback in the market, taking 10.1 seconds for the 118i and 10.0 seconds for the 120i, to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h. But reassuringly, few can match up to the 1 Series in terms of rewarding driving dynamics. The rear-wheel drive layout gives a nifty and sometimes firm drive, occasionally experiencing bumps and humps on corrugated surfaces, but overall ride quality is not compromised.
In the case of the 1 Series, the front wheels are used only for turning as the rear wheels deliver the power to the ground. Most regular hatchbacks on the other hand, deliver both via the fronts. The former results in more accurate steering and better feedback from the ground.
![]() |
Great style with sufficient practicality
Inside, both cars resemble any modern day Beemer with similarly designed bits like the steering wheel, the gear lever, the air-con vents and the audio unit. Styling is kept ergonomic, with just the basic necessities, and few knobs or buttons to confuse. However, the plastics used contradict the usual BMW standards. Then again, bearing in mind the price considerations, especially for the 118i, that slight visual discomfort can be overlooked.
Space efficiency of the 1 Series is only average, with adequate boot space and additional space to be gained when the 60/40 split-fold rear seats are down. The cabin provides good comfort levels and long journeys are not an issue, but there is one grouse. Room in the rear is limited and those in front will feel some knees in the back when the car is filled to its capacity.
The cars also come with several driving aids which keep the cars in control even when pushed hard. There's the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). Within the DSC, there's the Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Automatic Stability Control (ASC), which further ensures that the cars are even safer when driven hard. There's also the Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) which is sort of a half-way road between turning the DSC off and with full electronic traction turned on.
The 1 Series may be the smallest range of the BMW family, but the 118i and the 120i have proven that it is as satisfying to drive and is, after all, still a proud BMW. Fans of other hot hatches, especially those who have driven front-wheel drive ones for years, may disagree but it is true that rear-wheel drive hatchbacks do it better.
With the 1 Series, non-BMW owners can now join the family by just expensing a minimum sum of S$116,800. That's the price of the 118i, and all that you have to pay to own a BMW. A piece of advice though - don't expect the standard luxuries you find in the upper range. The entry-level 118i comes with no automatic air-conditioning, no climate control, no LCD screen, no electronic seats, no paddle shifters and no cruise control. Well, the good thing is, the lack of these features do not change the fact that it is a BMW.
And for S$43,000 more, you can get the 120i (S$158,800) which comes with more bells and whistles like automatic air-conditioning. By the way, it is the only one in the local 1 Series range to have it. This price is several times the price of other hatchbacks; but it will retain its value better than its more affordable rivals eventually.
Indeed, the 1 Series has done well against its rivals, where the appeal of the brand alone has already spoken up against the usual list of suspects where performance and value are concerned. With its rear-wheel drive, short wheelbase, 50-50 weight distribution, extensive use of aluminium, good value and a great drive; how much more complete can 1 get?
Car Information
BMW 1 Series Hatchback 118i 5dr (A)
CAT B|Petrol|16.1km/L
Horsepower
107kW (143 bhp)
Torque
190 Nm
Acceleration
10.1sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used BMW 1 Series HatchbackBMW 1 Series Convertible 120i (A)
CAT B|Petrol|12.2km/L
Horsepower
127kW (170 bhp)
Torque
210 Nm
Acceleration
9sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used BMW 1 Series ConvertibleThank You For Your Subscription.