BMW is a German automobile marque that has the enviable reputation of building cars with fine engineering. The BMW 118i has a chunky yet delightfully sexy appeal to its design.

Slip into the very supportive seats, and the BMW 118i will caress you, and relax you, for the long journey ahead. Fire up the responsive 2.0 litre four cylinder engine, and you will be eager to get onto a winding back road to see how she does the business. The car feels peppy. And it should, as the modern engine delivers a punchy 100 kW of power at 5750 rpm and 180 Nm of torque at 3250 rpm. BMW states that the 118i has an average fuel economy figure of around 7.5 l/100km. This is the norm for an eager car of this type.

Each BMW should have that driving experience that will get you crying out “more please”. The little 118i has the goods to deliver a responsive and engaging drive. I love the way the car pulls well – even from low engine revs. And if you plant the right foot from a standing start, the BMW 118i rapidly gains acceleration. It has the goods to propel you from 0-100 km/h in 9.4 sec (BMW tested) and on to a top speed of 208 km/h. These figures are for the slick six-speed manual version. There is a six-speed steptronic auto which is only a smidgen slower in the 0-100 km/h dash. At speed, the BMW 118i remains extremely composed and stable – even when pushed hard in the corners. The 195/55 tyres, on the entry model, offer excellent levels of grip.

Comfort levels are good in the BMW118i, and the cabin is a pleasant place to be for eating away the miles on a long journey, however, the back seat room for an adult is a little on the tight side. The stereo system’s sound is clear, and it offers a sophisticated, concerto class to the cabin environment. There is adequate boot space, and there are luggage restraints and a 60:40 split-fold rear seat to hold larger luggage items. Any of the BMW 118i versions will have a climate control air-conditioning unit that is very effective in the Australian heat. Some of the goodies found in the base model are remote central locking, electric windows front and back, power steering, a trip computer, an anti-theft system, and even an electronic immobiliser for really making it tricky for any light fingers. The M spec 118i boasts a motor sport suspension and a fantastic looking body kit that accentuates the sensual lines of the 1 series hatchback. Particularly striking, are the double spoked alloys with 17 inch rims. Awesome! The top of the line model exists as the BMW 118i SE. Nice touches in this top spec model are the auxiliary points for extra entertainment systems to be run inside the cabin. Lovely designed leather fabric is also part of the well equipped SE package.

A five star safety result for the BMW 118i ensures that all the boxes are ticked. Just like a red wine, of classy vintage, completes a truly delectable dining experience, the BMW 118i offers a relatively well priced package, and pleasant driving experience for the discerning driver.

The current model series includes the:

• BMW 1-Series 118i
• BMW 1-Series 118i Steptronic

For any more information on the BMW 118i, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of BMW dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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