2010 BMW 118i
Vehicle: 2010 BMW 118i with Steptronic, Xenon headlights, Boston leather seats and Park Distance Control
Price as tested: CDN$26000 (Estimated)
If you thought BMW’s previous attempt on producing a proper 4-cylinder wasn’t a good one, their latest effort with this 118i isn’t exactly anything to write home neither. This 118i shares the same engine block as the more expensive 120i. With the same 2.0 liter 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve with Valvetronic and Double VANOS. This 143 horses and 150 lb/ft of torque, it can barely move 118′s 1350 kg of hefty weight. If you are not impressed with the same engne in the previous 318i, you won’t be impressed with this 118i neither. The 5-speed Steptronic has worked decently with this engine. Even if it has decent gear ratios for low-end acceleration, it still won’t moved 118i with authority. The throttle response is acceptable.
The saving grace of the whole 118i is the composed handling and ride. Even without M Sports suspension, the standard suspended 118i handles remarkably well. The steering provides excellent feel and feedback, while there aren’t any huge amount of body rolls. 1-Series comes in as the only rear driver with 50/50 weight distribution is another huge factor that makes 118i stands out. That is probably the only area where 1-Series stands above the crowd.
The use of interior materials are nothing special as expect from BMW. While the front seats are comfortable and instrumentation gauges are analog, the rear seat legroom is nothing but cramped. The cargo space isn’t anything to write home neither, with tight hindquarter even with fold-down rear seats.
The only thing that is worth getting for the 118i is the rear-drive layout, the rest of the car is simply rubbish for what BMW is asking for.
Likes:
Perhaps a BMW roundal on the hood is enough for those BMW “badge” enthuisasts
Dislikes:
Rough and noisy engine
Underpowered
Cramped interior
Expensive when loaded
Its a RWD doesn’t mean it has any handling edge over any of its FWD rivals