My car for today - BMW 116i

[TT]

My car beeing serived, I got this little new 5000 km old 1 Series it's the basic model, the 116i only and you already know it is basically a dead horse performancewise

But it's not all the bad, far from that! it's a damn fine car! Sure, the rear isn't lively, or it is but in an FF way (liftoff).. but the chassis as we read already it's VERY well sorted. it points in the direction you choose and don't give up with some great grip and balance. Overassisted steering maybe, but it's today's trend and it could be worse actually. It still has some feedback and weight.
Engine note it's damn lame LOL! The gearchange isn't really perfect IMO, a bit heavy and not in a good way.
Also the A pillars are pretty huge from inside, not great in town.
But it's packed with nice gizmos! Controls on the steering wheel, parking sensors, the magic starter button, automatic lights, lights in the door handles too light the ground when you exit or enter the car, automated mirrors (for parking) and the list goes one.
Very roomy inside, but hard to access the backseats because of the pretty small doors.

All in all, I must admit I wouldn't split on a 120i! My 320i is a good car, still a great drive IMO, but this new little BMW is a VERY fine machine!!



I was really surprised, I don't want to take it back tomorrow!

[mindgam3]

I dont think noise is high on the agenda for a city car

Still, cant wait to see if they release an M1 anytime soon... should reign in all the other hot hatches, especially if it has the E46 M3 straight 6

[komotar]

hehe, nice little car. I'm glad you're enjoying the drive.

How does it feel quality-wise? Materials and stuff?

I'm getting the Toyota Prius on wednesday for a few days to write about it in the mag.
I bet that will be a blast....

[mv]

Originally Posted by mindgam3 Still, cant wait to see if they release an M1 anytime soon... should reign in all the other hot hatches, especially if it has the E46 M3 straight 6

You might be surprised but the M1 might not be that dominant when it arrives as there are a few other hot hatches of similar power in preparation.

- the Focus RS, a 300hp turbocharged 2.3l I4 ( or a 2.5l I5), AWD
- the 148 GTA, 350-380hp, the engine configuration unknown (a 3.2l V6 developed by Ferrari, a supercharged 3.2l V6, a biturbocharged 3.2l V6 or a 3.6l V6 equipped with the UniAir technology), AWD
- the Audi S3, reportedly a turbocharged 3.2l V6 developing 330hp, AWD

[TT]

Well the interior is not all flashy. it's simple despite the many functions, quality is good, not outstanding, hard plastics but not the hard-and-shitty ones

The seats also holds you pretty well in place, but I bet they are not really good for ppl bigger than me. I love the steering wheel. pretty small in diameter, with good grip and not to thin in your hand

As for the Prius, I just love it there is a taxi Prius in town and when I need a taxi I always try to use that one

[adamwich]

HEHE - Nice little car you have got there TT!

[DeMoN]

drop the acting and tell us, done donughts with it? lol.

Tried to burn some rubber or did you learn your lesson from the time you got ur license suspended?

[possessed_beaver]

what about the handbrake?
can that add some fun to the cnr's?

[sameerrao]

SO you're done with the SMART then. Must be a relief

[dingo]

Not a bad car IMO either, although a bit pricy for what it is
Did you get a choice of cars or was this just given too you?

[TT]

Originally Posted by DeMoN drop the acting and tell us, done donughts with it? lol. Tried to burn some rubber or did you learn your lesson from the time you got ur license suspended?

LOL donuts?!? You can't even make the wheels slip for a tenth of a second, let alone a donut

Anyway the 1-series is gone already and back is the E36, damn, now I realize how direct and precise the 1 steering rack is! In my car I need to turn the wheel much more to obtain the same steering angle. Yes there is more feeling now doubt, and better weight too, but it feels so vintage

Originally Posted by possessed_beaver what about the handbrake? can that add some fun to the cnr's?

Probably yes, but anyway even by creating a slide with some serious abuse, the engine is then unable to keep the wheels sliding, so basically it's still useless

Originally Posted by sameerrao SO you're done with the SMART then. Must be a relief

Yep I got my license back already on February the 10th

Originally Posted by dingo22 Not a bad car IMO either, although a bit pricy for what it is Did you get a choice of cars or was this just given too you?

Nope you can't choose. Although it is a car from their rental, when it's included in the servicing thing, you can just barely choose the category and then you cross your fingers the past two cars where a shitty new Cherokee 2.4 and a Mini One

[TT]

Yep, I can confirm, even for a 170 cm tall guy like me, it is not a simple task to sneak inside (rear seats), the door frame beeing strangely shaped and small. And once inside, the you can sit like in a slight racing seat on both sides, the shape beeing exagerated. So basically it is a very practical couple of seats but you are forced to sit in the "hole" they created there, and this mean not much space for a third person

Yeah, see that is one thing I like about BMWs is that you could always tell it is a BMW from driving one. Even though I really dislike the new ones, I admit the way they drive as cars. Especially with all the new engines coming out, I can't wait. I guess it is to make up for their ugliness .

[TT]

It definitely feel like a big car IMO. Beside the fact it is very roomy inside, more than my 3 series, also the global dimensions, at least the ones perceived are pretty imposing. The massive A pillar also doesn't help.

But it's very nimble and reactive like a small car should be