BMW 1 Series Coupe 118d SE 2dr Car Review - February 2012

REVIEW
List Price: £23,915
Tax Band: C
Insurance Group: 23
MPG: 62.8
CO2: 118
0-62 Mph: 9.0 secs
BHP: 143 BHP
Range: 705 miles
CarSite Verdict:  3.5/5
The 1 Series Coupe 118d SE does not have the graceful lines of the Audi TT but it is still a decent drive. All cars come with BMW’s unique Efficient Dynamics system which is a fuel-saving scheme. Engine performance is strong.

PROS:  The 1 Series Coupe 118d is the cheapest in this series. It is fitted with a superb and punchy diesel engine that is frugal to use thereby ensuring a low running cost. The driving position is exactly right thus making for great (and fun) driving dynamics. It has more space than a hatchback.

CONS:  The looks of the 1 Series Coupe are not exactly beautiful. The lines and curves seem awkward at some angles. The rear seats are hard to access and the space allotted is too cramped even for small children.

Behind the Wheel

The 1 Series Coupe 118d SE is a rear-wheel drive boasting a 4-cylnder, 16-valve engine with a 6-speed manual transmission gearbox. Its top speed is 130 mph and is capable of reaching 62 mph from a standstill in 9s. It’s a fast car for countryside drives. With a combined mpg of 62.8, this coupe is a great car for cruising around the city. With its 1995 cc engine it delivers 143 bhp at 4000 rpm and transmits a torque of 221 lb-ft at 1750-2500 rpm.

The coupe handles better than the hatchback. The edgy ride in a hatchback is no longer felt with the coupe. The ride is smooth and comfortable, except on the bumpiest of roads, while body control is great and grip is tight around corners and bends. The car feels planted with the rear and front weight equally distributed. The engine is quiet and smooth, as is the suspension. Road noise and wind noise are present but are not too intrusive.

Looks & Equipment

The 1 Series Coupe 118d is a 2-door, 4-passenger coupe sports car. There’s ample leg-and headroom in the front seats but the rear seats are restrictive. Steering wheel and seating adjustments are ample but if you don’t opt for electrically adjustable seats the driver would need to simultaneously shift weight, move back and forth and pull levers to adjust the seat. The interior is not at plush as its rivals and generally falls short of BMW’s high standards. However, complaints are nil in this area. The dashboard is well-laid out with the knobs and switches intuitively positioned.

All versions have alloy wheels, air-conditioning, MP3 connectivity and automatic wipers and headlights. For SE editions, included as standards are climate control and rear parking sensors. For added cost the optional extras available include an electric sunroof, sat nav, satellite tracking and heated leather seats.

Practicality, Safety & Reliability

The 1 Series coupe edition offers more comfort to its passengers than the hatchback as the back of the front seats has been moulded for more knee-room. However, taller passengers will still be a bit cramped as there’s a transmission tunnel that cuts the length of the car. Boot space is 370 litres.

The 1 Series coupe is the smallest in the BMW brand but the safety features are on a par with other models. Side airbags and head airbags protect all passengers. The ABS system is supported by other stability systems pertaining to traction, cornering and braking. Run-flat tires are also included as standard, and deadlocks are in place to thwart thieves. Build quality and reliability are superb.
The 1 Series coupe 118d has a Euro NCAP rating for Adult Protection of 5/5, children protection rating of 3/5 and a pedestrian protection rating of 1/5. CO2 emission rating is 118g/km.

Value for Money

The current price for the 1 Series 118d SE is £23,275 which is s few thousand pounds more than its rivals the VW Golf and Audi TT. The BMW 1 Series may have some issues regarding the less than stellar plastics it used in parts of the 118d but so far, customers are happy with their cars. The price of the 1 Series coupe could be off-putting at first but this is a BMW and it is a fact that it can very well hold its value.

The insurance group of this version is 23 and the road tax band is C. Taking all of this into consideration, including its mpg of 62.8, the car has a low running cost. It is also relatively eco-friendly. This version is the most frugal between the 120d and 123d.

BMW 1 Series Coupe 118d SE 2dr Car Review - by 
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