Car and Motorcycle

The new BMW 1 Series has a big job ahead of it. Currently, its main rivals are outselling it by more than two to one. Leading the sales tally for the class (at the end of May 2015) is the Audi A3 on 1945, followed closely by the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (1754) with the 1 Series a distant third (757).

So it's not surprising the new model has had, as the company says, one of the most comprehensive facelifts in the company's recent history. Doubling sales is no easy task, especially in a market that is only growing by 1.5 per cent PER YEAR?

Highlights of the new range include styling tweaks inside and out, a new model line-up, sharper pricing and more equipment. Gone are the days when buying a BMW meant ticking numerous expensive option boxes.

The range now starts with the 118i (replacing the 116i), while the BMW 118i is now the 120i. The specification of the 118d (due in a month) has been realigned in specification with its petrol equivalent.
Pricing starts at $36,900 (plus on road costs) for the 118i and peaks at $62,900 (plus ORC) for the M135i.
Exterior styling tweaks are minor – there's a larger kidney grille, new headlights, redesigned front apron, LED daytime running lights and new taillights.

It is equipment where the new model really shines, with each variant gaining more equipment compared with its predecessor (see list at the end of the story).

Inside, the 1 Series is typical BMW with a driver-focused cockpit and high quality materials. The update brings new seat upholstery and interior trim highlights, such as the chrome surrounds on the air vents and the keypads for the radio and air con now set against high-gloss black panelling.

Cabin space is good in the front and rear leg space is ample. Boot space is also acceptable for the class at 360 litres, extending to 1200 litres with the seats folded. BMW's run-flat tyre tradition continues – there is no spare wheel at all.

On launch, we drove the 118i, 120i and the 125i. The 118i is powered by the same 1.6-litre (100kW/220Nm) turbo petrol engine that was in the 116i. This is combined with a slick eight-speed automatic transmission. Combined fuel consumption therefore remains the same at 5.6L/100km, as does the 0-100kmh time of 8.7 seconds. While these are not high performance figures, the automatic does well to make the most of the power and the 118i feels sprightly enough. Put it on a twisty section of road and even the 118i will bring smile to your face. The rear-drive experience is something its rivals (both the Audi and the Merc are driven by the front wheels) simply cannot compete with. The only issue we experienced was brake fade on a long, twisty downhill section of road on the launch.

Sadly, this new 1 Series is the last of the rear-drive 1 Series models ever to be produced, with the next generation to be based on the front-drive MINI platform.

Ride quality in the 118i is good (especially considering it is shod in run-flat tyres, which are harder riding than regular tyres). It was the most compliant of the three, although that's probably not surprising as it was on the smallest (16-inch) rims.

Stepping into the 120i brings a considerable difference in performance. Under the bonnet is a an uprated version of the same 1.6-litre turbo in the 118i, producing 130kW/250Nm – and you can certainly feel it. It's 1.5 seconds quicker to 100km/h and livelier than the 118i. Its larger 17-inch wheels made the ride noticeably harsher.

The 125i is quicker again thanks to the 160kW/310Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine under the bonnet. On all 125is the M Sport package is standard which, includes M Sport brakes, suspension, variable sport steering and 18-inch wheels. The sport suspension and large wheels do impact ride quality – it is considerably harder and more crashy over large bumps. It also felt more nervous and skittish over broken bitumen and the larger wheels contributed to more road noise.

The 125i was the most fun of the three models, but for value for money, the 120i is hard to beat.

We didn't get behind the wheel of the flagship M135i fire breather on launch, but with 240kW of power (up 5 kW compared with the previous model) and 450Nm of torque, we look forward to getting one in the garage soon.

All 1 Series models come with BMW Service Inclusive (BSI), where service and selected maintenance costs can be covered by a single, one-off advance payment. BSI offers two packages: BMW Service Inclusive Basic and BMW Service Inclusive Plus.

The new 1 Series is considerably better value than the outgoing model and benefits from this significant upgrade. Time will tell if it's enough to get the 1 Series back to being the top seller in its class.

BMW 118i $36,900 and BMW 118d $40,300

Specification over previous 116i:

• Sport Line
• Eight-speed Steptronic transmission
• Rear View Camera
• Sport steering wheel
• Rain sensor
• Automatic climate control
• ConnectedDrive Lifestyle
• ConnectedDrive Real Time Traffic Information

BMW 120i $41,900

Net specification over previous 118I and 118d:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Interior mirror w/ anti-dazzle function
• Storage package
• Fog lights
• 2-zone climate control
• Interior lights package
• Extended Smartphone connectivity
• Driving Assistant
• Extended instrument cluster
• Sensatec upholstery

BMW 125i $48,900

Net specification over previous 120i:

• 18-inch M alloy wheels
• Eight-speed sport automatic transmission
• M Sport package
• M Sport brakes
• Variable sport steering
• Exterior mirrors w/ anti-dazzle function and fold
• LED headlights
• Front and Rear Park Distance Control
• Alcantara/Cloth upholstery

BMW M135i $62,900

Net specification over previous 125i:

• M Performance
• Adaptive M Suspension
• Adaptive LED headlights
• Navigation Professional
• DAB+ Digital Radio
• HiFi loudspeaker system
• Leather upholstery