2011 1 series 118i Sportline

Test drove the car today

1. nice interior ... BMW is catching up with VW / Audi interior very quickly
2. bigger than current model
3. engine sound has no soul
4. steering feel is japanese... very light

to SUM UP.... BMW is losing it's soul

they don't make Ultimate Driving Pleasure anymore... they make Ultimate Driving Miss Daisy

Noway I buy one

I'm not knowledgable when it comes to the 116i and 118i due to I don't believe they offer them in the U.S. Based on your short and broad review it sounds like you were expecting something with a little more... performance maybe?

You're looking at BMWs version of what appears to be their response to the VW GTI. Hatchback with a sporty look but nothing really under the hood. Something you can take to the beach but look stylish while doing so. It looks like they basically said "We have a bunch these semi-performance parts but they just aren't good enough to stick in the 128i or 135i...Let's stick them in these 116i and 118i.

What were you looking for when you went to buy? What were you expecting?

Quoted from a article:

"...2012 BMW 116i achieves 136 hp, and the new 2012 BMW 118i 170 hp. These represent increases of 16 hp and 27 hp on the previous versions, with fuel consumption reduced by up to 10 per cent."

You aren't going to get "Soul" from an engine with only 170hp (or what sounds like 143 hp with the one you test drove), you might get a false feeling of hope before opening the hood, but you really need something with more kick to get what you're looking for.

Originally Posted by BeemerMeUp

I'm not knowledgable when it comes to the 116i and 118i due to I don't believe they offer them in the U.S. Based on your short and broad review it sounds like you were expecting something with a little more... performance maybe?

You're looking at BMWs version of what appears to be their response to the VW GTI. Hatchback with a sporty look but nothing really under the hood. Something you can take to the beach but look stylish while doing so. It looks like they basically said "We have a bunch these semi-performance parts but they just aren't good enough to stick in the 128i or 135i...Let's stick them in these 116i and 118i.

What were you looking for when you went to buy? What were you expecting?

Quoted from a article:

"...2012 BMW 116i achieves 136 hp, and the new 2012 BMW 118i 170 hp. These represent increases of 16 hp and 27 hp on the previous versions, with fuel consumption reduced by up to 10 per cent."

You aren't going to get "Soul" from an engine with only 170hp (or what sounds like 143 hp with the one you test drove), you might get a false feeling of hope before opening the hood, but you really need something with more kick to get what you're looking for.

Huh? The E30 325i only made 168HP and it had plenty of soul, as does my 170HP Z3 2.3 I don't think you know what you're talking about here... oh and if your assessment were true, the legendary 2002 would be classified as a Corolla.

Originally Posted by amancuso

Huh? The E30 325i only made 168HP and it had plenty of soul, as does my 170HP Z3 2.3 I don't think you know what you're talking about here... oh and if your assessment were true, the legendary 2002 would be classified as a Corolla.

I guess I would need a definition of "Soul". Maybe he needs to look at the 2012s to put him into the 170hp range which might get into the "Soul" range?? I guess my standards are higher.

My OPINION was based on the little information I had from his prospective.

I'm still fairly new to BMW so I'm basing my opinion on cars I have had previously (Ricers).

My last e46 320i has plenty of soul
My current 120i sport has plenty of soul
New 118i sport line sound like a sewing machine

Originally Posted by SilverX3

My last e46 320i has plenty of soul
My current 120i sport has plenty of soul
New 118i sport line sound like a sewing machine

Throw on a Cat back performance exhaust, maybe an air intake, and later a turbo charger. Or just go with a 128i? I assume you're wanting the extra space and doors?

43 bhp of "soul":


268 bhp with no discernible soul:


Power has little to do with how much soul a car has.

Originally Posted by jsc

43 bhp of "soul":


268 bhp with no discernible soul:


Power has little to do with how much soul a car has.

Are you sure you don't mean:



Again a definition would probably be informative. I would say your comparison is a argument on "Style". His statement was the engine sound had no "Soul". He also mentioned the sport line sounded like a sewing machine, my only thinking to resolve it would be to add more performance and beef up the engine a little bit. It's Australia's second cheapest BMW focused on fuel efficiency and being a roomier "sportier" car, I don't believe you are going to get "Soul" from a fuel efficient/roomy car.

Originally Posted by SilverX3

My last e46 320i has plenty of soul
My current 120i sport has plenty of soul
New 118i sport line sound like a sewing machine

I'm not surprised at all.


As I mentioned in the other F20 thread, the new 5-door 116i and 118i are powered by the new 1.6L N13 engine.

The N13 is based on the BMW/PSA joint venture motor that powers most MINIs and a number of French cars. The N13 bottom end is the MINI Cooper S block modified for rear wheel drive. The top end has the twin-power turbo charger and the latest version of valvetronic.

They've tuned it to give the 'right' amount of power for a 116i and 118i. Guess they weren't be able to tune it to feel and sound like a BMW motor.

Or just go with a 128i? I assume you're wanting the extra space and doors?

The coupe is a different car. I'm not sure if BMW sells the 128i coupe in Australia. It isn't available in the UK. They do sell a 214hp 125i coupe here but only at the pricey M-Sport trim level.
The e81 3-door hatch, with the 'old' BMW engines, tops out at 118i and 123d. This is probably the last year for the e81.


The mix of old and new cars with old and new engines is confusing. Sharing between MINI and BMW doesn't help.

Quick summary:

N13 1.6L I4 twin-power turbo Presently used in F20 116i and 118i BMW/PSA JV block
N14 1.6L I4 NA and turbo Presently used in MINI Cooper and MCS. BMW/PSA JV block
N20 2.0L I4 twin-power turbo Presently Used in X1 xDrive28i and 2011 Z4 sDrive28i. Coming soon to additional BMWs


N43 2.0L I4 NA Presently used in 3-door e81 116i and 118i
N47 2.0L I4 Turbo Diesel. The single turbo version powers both the 118d and the MINI Cooper SD. Used in many other BMWs.

I'm somehow puzzled as to why some people naively believe that BMW will suddenly make very sporty passenger cars like those back in the 90s and early 2000s. Automakers have to cater to the mainstream market, not a niche, enthusiast market. Car enthusiasts who yearn for the "good ol' days" are few and far between. It is more profitable for a luxury automaker to engineer a car that's appealing to your average driver. See what happened to the 7er, 6er, 5er, X5, and X3. It's a good predictor what will happen to future models like the 3er, X1, and this 1er. The market wants a softer, more high-tech car that doesn't beat them up or require much effort to drive.

BMW does offer a harder-edged handful of models. They usually begin with the letter M.

Hardcore M = lots of money
VW R = almost as good as for 1/2 money
Go figure