1 BMW 2020 Series Review: 118i and M135i xDrive
Test Drive

1 BMW 2020 Series Review: 118i and M135i xDrive

When the iPhone first came out a little over a decade ago, I remember thinking that a phone without buttons would be a huge headache. While I haven't used it yet, now the idea of ​​a phone with a keypad sounds akin to starting a car with a crank.

The new 1 Series is likely to offer most buyers a similar revelation, moving away from BMW's traditional rear-wheel drive layout to a more traditional front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive layout. This suggests you didn't give a damn at all, as I suspect only ardent BMW traditionalists care about a premium rear-wheel drive hatchback in 2020.

BMW 118i.

And it's not the ones who buy the 1 Series, as the Bavarian brand's cheapest model is aimed at younger buyers who care more about connectivity, practicality and personalization options than the excitement of losing grip in the back. This, of course, hasn't stopped many people from buying 1 Series rival A-Class and A3 cars from Mercedes-Benz and Audi over the years.

BMW M135i xDrive.

1 BMW 2020 Series: 118i M-Sport
Safety Rating
engine's type1.5 L turbo
fuel typeRegular unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency5.9l / 100km
Landing5 Places
Price from$35,600

Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10


Yes, this grille is quite large. If you want everyone to know that you drive a BMW, you'll love this. If not, get used to it. X7, the recent update of the 7 Series and the upcoming 4 Series suggest they will only grow. 

The radiator grille is quite large.

In addition to the nose, the 1 Series hatchback has always featured a distinctive elongated bonnet profile, which has usually been attributed to a rear-wheel drive layout. Despite the switch to a transverse engine, the new one is actually very close in proportion when compared side by side.

It's just 5mm shorter in length and 13mm taller, with the case's width being the most noticeable change, increasing by 34mm. 

The front and rear wheels are moved further into the body.

The key difference is that the front and rear wheels have been moved further inboard due to said change in engine layout and in order to free up rear seat space.

Surprisingly, for a model aimed at a younger audience, the new interior design of the 1 Series is not quite the same step forward as the recent G20 3 Series.

The new 1 Series interior design is not quite the same step forward as the recent G20 3 Series (118i variant shown).

That's head and shoulders above the X1 and X2 SUVs, with which the new 1 Series shares its fundamentals in terms of form used, but is still a classic understated BMW. 

However, its main innovation is the Live Cockpit driver display on both models, which gives you fully digital gauges and replaces traditional analog gauges once and for all.

Live Cockpit driver display shows fully digital gauges (M135i xDrive variant shown).

How practical is the interior space? 8/10


With my modest height of 172 cm, I never had problems with the old model, but the new 1st series is a little more spacious in all important respects.

The new 1 Series is slightly more spacious (118i variant shown).

The rear seat base and backrest are a little flat, which probably helps the backrest fold almost horizontally, but probably doesn't do much support during tight turns.

There's also no rear center armrest or cup holders, but there are bottle holders in the doors.

There is also no center armrest or cupholders at the rear (M135i xDrive shown).

You also get two ISOFIX child seat mounts and two USB-C charging points in the rear of the center console, but there are no directional vents unless you opt for the dual-zone climate control that comes standard on the M135i. 

The trunk has grown by 20 liters to a rather impressive 380 liters of VDA, which includes a very useful underfloor cavity in place of the spare tire. For these purposes, an inflation kit is provided. With the rear seat folded down, the boot volume increases to 1200 liters according to VDA. 

The trunk is quite impressive, 380 liters VDA.

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 6/10


For the F40 generation, the 1 Series range has been reduced to two options since launch: the 118i for mainstream sales and the M135i xDrive hot hatch for the new Mercedes A35 and Audi S3. 

Both versions were priced $4000 more than the equivalent models they've replaced since launch, but they've recently jumped another $3000 and $4000 respectively. That puts the $45,990i at $118 above the starting prices of equivalent Audis and Mercedes, and the $68,990 M135i xDrive now pushes the list price to $35.

Both 1 Series multimedia systems now come standard with wireless Apple CarPlay support.

Starting prices were largely offset by the extra equipment over the previous generation, but later surges have somewhat eclipsed that luster.

Thankfully, both 1 Series models now come standard with wireless Apple CarPlay. The previous "one year free, the rest you have to subscribe" plan has been canceled as we filmed the launch video below in favor of free CarPlay for life. Android Auto is still missing, but that should change in July. 

The 118i includes more standard equipment than before, including a stylish M Sport package, head-up display, cordless phone charger and adjustable ambient lighting.

The M135i adds bigger brakes, a rear spoiler and 19-inch wheels, as well as leather-trimmed sports seats and a Harman/Kardon audio system, among other things.

The M135i adds bigger brakes and 19-inch wheels.

You can get even more out of the M135i with the $1900 M Performance Package, which reduces 0-mph acceleration by a tenth to 100 seconds thanks to engine boost capability and lighter forged 4.7-inch alloy wheels, as evidenced by the high-gloss black grille. . edging, air intakes in the front bumper, mirror caps and exhaust tips.

Other options include the $2900 Enhancement Package, which includes metallic paint and a panoramic glass roof. On the 118i, it also offers 19-inch black alloy wheels. The M135i also features Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go. This package costs an additional $500 if the Storm Bay metallic is selected. 

The Comfort package is $2300 with the 118i and $923 with the M135i and includes heated front seats and lumbar support adjustment for both front seats. On the 118i, it also has proximity keys and power front seats. On the M135i it is also equipped with a heated steering wheel.

The Convenience Package is $1200 either way, and adds a power sunroof, modular storage and cargo netting, and a rear-seat ski port.

The 118i can be upgraded with a Driver Assistance Package adding adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams.

The 118i can also be ordered with a $1000 Driver Assistance Package that adds active cruise control (plus 0-60km/h AEB), adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams, and a tire pressure monitor.

In addition to the 118i's standard M Sport package, it can also be upgraded with a $2100 M Sport Plus package. This includes sport front seats, a rear spoiler, M color seat belts, a sport steering wheel and upgraded M sport brakes.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10


Both cars use versions of the three- and four-cylinder petrol engines, and the popularity of the automatic transmission has left the previous manual version in history. The 118-litre turbocharged 1.5i three-cylinder engine now delivers 103 kW/220 Nm and peak torque is available from 1480-4200 rpm. The 118i now uses the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission found on Mini models with the same engine. 

The 118-liter turbocharged 1.5i three-cylinder engine now delivers 103 kW/220 Nm.

The 135 liter M2.0i turbo engine has been modified to replace the six-cylinder M140i from the latest model and now delivers 225 kW/450 Nm with maximum torque available in the 1750-4500 rpm range. However, its automatic remains a torque converter, but now the transversely mounted unit is also shared with Mini models with the same engine and shares all four-wheel drive via the xDrive system for the first time. The drive split is constantly changing, but the rear axle offset is as high as 50 percent, and the only limited-slip differential is an electric unit on the front axle.

The 135-litre M2.0i turbo engine now delivers 225 kW/450 Nm.




How much fuel does it consume? 8/10


Official fuel consumption on the combined cycle is a respectable 5.9L/100km with the 118i, but the M135i bumps it up to 7.5L/100km) the 2.0-litre quad in the m135i. Both engines require premium unleaded gasoline. 

Fuel tank sizes also differ between the two models, with the 118i having a capacity of 42 liters and the M135i having a capacity of 50 liters, despite the need to place the rear-wheel drive components somewhere underneath. 

This results in a decent theoretical fuel range of 711 km for the 118i and 666 km for the M135i. 

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10


The new 1 Series comes with most of the important safety features, but like the X1 and X2 SUVs, and the 2 Series Active Tourer that the new 1 Series shares its platform with, you still won't be able to get a proper automatic emergency. braking if you do not select active cruise control.

Both versions offer partial automatic braking, which, oddly enough, was enough for the new 1 Series to earn the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating by 2019 standards, but we think it's not enough and worth considering before investing. money.

The new1 series has received the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating in accordance with 2019 standards.

Aside from the option packages mentioned above, active cruise control with AEB (up to 60 km/h) can be added to any version for $850, but if it's standard on a cheap model like the 2 Mazda since 2017, it's not great. OK. Look. 

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

3 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 6/10


BMW has yet to move to the five-year warranty offered by most major brands, and now Mercedes-Benz and Genesis, continuing the three-year/unlimited warranty similar to Audi. 

As always, BMW describes service intervals based on condition, and the car will alert the driver when service is required. This will happen at least once every 12 months, but the individual intervals will vary depending on how you drive. 

All of this can be bundled into five-year/80,000 km maintenance packages, with the base package priced at $1465 and the Plus package adding brake pad and disc replacements to regular fluids and supplies for $3790. With a 12-month interval, these prices are about average for premium products. 

What is it like to drive? 8/10


For a brand with a marketing slogan of pure driving pleasure, this is an important part, especially since the new 1 Series has lost its rear-wheel drive USP. 

Why do some of us love rear wheel drive? It tends to be more fun when you're riding at the limit, and the steering tends to be better because you're only using the front wheels to turn.

So how does the new 1 Series ride? It depends what version. 

118i is a really good package. It rides a little softer than what I remember in the A-Class and feels more like a premium product overall. It also feels a step ahead of the 2 Series Active Tourer it shares its base with, which is a good thing.

The 118i rides a little softer than what I remember in the A-class.

The three-cylinder engine runs smoothly enough for a fundamentally unbalanced triple, and it has enough power to get you out of trouble. 

Missing rear wheel drive? Not really, as you can only really notice the difference when you drive very fast, which, to put it bluntly, is not where 118i drivers are likely to drive very often. 

As you might expect, the M135i is a completely different beast. In addition to being very fast, it is much tighter everywhere, but still definitely more comfortable than what we expect from a future full house version of the M.

In addition to being very fast, the M135i is much tighter throughout.

The continuously variable xDrive all-wheel-drive system does a great job of cutting off power, but the maximum rear axle offset is 50 percent, which is probably perfect for chasing lap times but means you're missing out on tail tailing. generally old. 

So it's not as classically fun as the old M140i, but it's a lot faster and that's probably what will make the most difference to most buyers. 

Verdict

To answer the question of whether it matters that the new 1 Series is no longer RWD, my answer is no, it doesn't. It may not be as romantic at the absolute limit, but it's better in every measurable way, and still has a distinct BMW feel despite the move to the traditional layout of its rivals. 

Be sure to check out Mel's video review from the launch of the 1 Series last December:

Add a comment