BMW 118i 2016 Question

[R.G]

Hello everyone,

New here, first post, but came across this site and thought it might be an ideal platform to ask this question.

Am literally about to pull the trigger on a 2016 118i which has one of these new 1.5 three cylinder engines and kicks out 136 bhp and 0-60 in about 8.5 secs.

To give you a background, I'm not a massive petrol-head, I just like a decent quality car and that's about it. As an example I bought my last car new over a decade ago, a VW Golf 1.6 FSI which is 115bhp but four cylinders and 0-60 in about 11.5 secs.

Have been reading up a lot recently about how manufaturers are producing modern cars with smaller engines (cc wise) but still rolling out respectable BHPs and torques.

Should I be concerned that three cylinder engines are no good, or not proper engines?

Presumably, the power, acceleration, will all far better than what I'm used to previously with my Golf?

I know you may think I'm answering my own questions, but I'd rather be on the safe side and ask, in case there is anything I'm missing.

There is also a 120i, which is a second faster at 0-60 but has a bigger bhp at about 174bhp I think.

Would there be much that's noteworthy between the two (118i and 120i)?

I spoke to a couple of dealers and they say out of all of the petrol engines, they sell far, far more 118is as they are more popular.

One other important thing I wanted to ask was that I have read many peoples input about how there is extra strain on small engines producing high levels of bhp, like 1.0 or 1.2 litre cars. Am I right to assume that a car that has a 1.5 litre is perfectly large enough with its turbo to get 136 bhp out of the engine? (given that some 1.2 cars give out the same bhp). Hope that makes sense.

All responses welcome and apologies in advance if this is a stupid set of questions to some of you.

Thanks in advance

Edited by R.G on Tuesday 14th February 23:23

Edited by R.G on Tuesday 14th February 23:32

Edited by R.G on Tuesday 14th February 23:33

[R.G]

sparks_E39 said:

It's a decent enough engine with enough poke for the car. Someone will be along shortly to tell you it must have 6 cylinders and 300 more bhp.. it doesn't. Good luck!

Thank you.

There are, albeit very few, 120i's on the market wich are 1.6 with an extra 1 cylinder (four in total) and an extra 40 Bhp. Don't know if there will be massses of difference there, or if the four-cylinder engine makes it better than three particularly?!

Sorry for my lack of understanding with the anatomy of engines and welcoming your responses.

Thanks again

Edited by R.G on Wednesday 15th February 04:33

Edited by R.G on Wednesday 15th February 05:54

[R.G]

Screechmr2 said:

It won't be stressed, it's only approx 90bhp per litre, many cars having been reliably producing more than that for decades so you should have no worries.

Hello, thanks for the post, so am I right in thinking that the larger engine, the 1.6 that outputs about 170bhp will technically be under more strain at around 106bhp per litre?! Or is that counteracted because it has an extra cylinder (4 in that model instead of 3)?

Thanks

[R.G]

Ok so I think I can see why you've posted that.

Clearly, based on your post count you must know something about engines...

Can you give me something constructive? Clearly I'm not a regular, so I'm out of the loop on the humour on this forum.

Thanks

Edited by R.G on Wednesday 15th February 05:51

[R.G]

benjijames28 said:

I would be going for the 2.0 engine personally.

Yet again for the money that car is going to cost, I wouldn't be buying a 1 series. But that's personal choice.

Of course, appreciate spending that money on a 1 series isn't everyone's cup of tea.

With ref to litres, the 120i is actually 1.6 these days - BMW have changed their model references. There is a 2 litre higher up the scale but that's not in my sights.

If you know all this already, apologies for my naivety.

[R.G]

CraigyMc said:

A little humour never hurt anyone.

With regard to your question about the engine, the B38 is a tough little thing. The same basic engine is in the BMW i8 - with 230bhp in that application. No major changes.

The one you're looking at is called the B38A15M0 by BMW.
It's mostly used in the MINI, in terms of sales numbers.

Neither of the engines you mention are anywhere near "stressed", in the sense that neither of them are relying on big boost pressures or anything fancy to make their numbers.
If anything, the inline-4 is probably less stressed even with more power per CC because as an inline-4 it's got a less unbalanced crankshaft/piston arrangement than the inline 3 which has to have rotating balance shafts just to make it not thrum itself to bits.

I'd not let that sway you at all though, both are perfectly decent engines. The B38 won international engine of the year for the capacity class last year in the BMW i8 Hybrid package, beating the non-hybrid version of itself into second place.

If you want to read a little you could try here http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/b38.html

Incidentally, the B38 is made in BMW plant Hams Hall in Birmingham (because it's mostly supplying the MINI plant in Oxford), if you're bothered about buying British.

Hi,

Sorry, I didn't understand your post at first but as soon as it clicked I rushed back to edit haha, you obviously still got my original response so apooogies for that.

Thanks for such a detailed explanation, that's amazing! Thank you.

I have a few really basic questions and I'm sure what you've had said essentially renders some of these concerns as pointless but I guess it will be easier for me to break down if I ask them anyway.

As mentioned, I've been used to my golf 1.6 fsi (115bhp) for the last ten years. I am right to assume that the 118i (136bhp) will beat it in terms of acceleration and also top end? Basically I want to ensure my next car isn't any less powerful.

Are 118i's totally fine for motorway driving I.e they are not meant for jut around town like mini compacts or something?

I keep my cars for a long time - essentially from new/almost new to up to a decade in some instances. Presumably there is nothing that makes this newe less technology of engine to last any shorter time-wise?

Based on a 1.6, 4 cylinder, 170ish bhp in a 120i and a 1.5, 3 cylinder, 136 bhp in the 118i, whilst I can see the facts on paper in terms of 0-60 etc, will this translate in to a real physical difference when actually driving the car? One that's worthwhile?!

Sorry for the questions, and I thank you for your advice.

[R.G]

stuckmojo said:

This, I tried the 2 series with that engine and it was anemic, so I ended up buying the 220, which is ok and can be remapped to over 250hp

The car I've had for over ten years has been a golf 1.6 so that's what I'm comparing it with. I know that loads of people will laugh at not only the power of my existing vehicle and also the one I'm getting, but I guess that in comparison to the 1.6fsi the 118i is a better performer.

Also was the 118 and 220 models you tried of the new versions where by all the engines and spec have changed?

I ask because these models from 18 months ago or later were different with different outputs etc.

Thanks

Edited by R.G on Wednesday 15th February 08:35

[R.G]

Ok so how about this question, lastly.

Option of having a

118i (1.5, 3 cylinder 136bhp)
or
120i (1.6, 4 cylinder 177bhp)

Same price, same age (2016) and same sort of mileage.

What should I go for?

[R.G]

Bonefish Blues said:

Whichever you enjoy driving most. Sounds a glib answer, but it's the case.

One will be slightly quicker, one makes a distinctive noise which you may or may not like. One will use slightly less fuel - allegedly.

Both will be fine for your intended purpose.

Hello, what's the noise you are referring to, and which one makes the noise?

[R.G]

So basically I think I'm going to stick with the 118i based on the overall feedback here.

The 118i is quite local (I'm in London) and the 120i is in Dundee!!

Just found out that the 120i does not have servotronic steering, cruise control, or even parking sensors! All of which the 118i does.

Add all that up for a car that's got jut 40bhp more and gets to 0-60 in 1 second quicker, and I'm not sure it's actually worth it.

[R.G]

OtherBusiness said:

I bought a 118i Sport in November and very pleased with it. Its got a few extra options to make it a more more pleasant, and its a great car. Handles well, and is good fun in Sport mode. Also quite happy cruising on the motorway at 75/85 at about 45mpg.

Presumably it goes quicker than 85mph though, right?!?

Or are you making reference to the fact that it's still economical within that speed range. Even my old 2005 1.6fsi Golf gets up to 110mph...

Thanks

[R.G]

Update!

So today I bought the BMW 118i from a BMW dealership. 6 months old with just a few thousand miles on the clock - pick it up on Saturday!

Whilst I would naturally expect a nicer refined drive than my 2005 Golf 1.6fsi, I just hope that it's faster!!

More bhp and torque on paper so I hope that works the same in reality!

Thanks to those of you who gave your input - learnt a lot in just a couple of days.

[R.G]

va1o said:

I drive an M135i as my daily but I also have occasional access to a new MINI Cooper with the same 1.5 triple in question here. It's a great little engine IMO - eager to rev, sounds nice and decent performance. You definitely won't go wrong, enjoy

Thank you very much!

[R.G]

Challo said:

I have the 1.5 3 cylinder in a Mini Cooper and it's quick and perfect round town. Performs well on the motorway and you can cruise comfortably at motorway speeds or quicker if you wanted with no problem at all.

Not sure how it would perform in a slightly heavy body but it sounds like it would be perfect for you.

Well they put the engine in 1 series, 2 series, 3 series and even certain X1's.

One would assume it must be decent enough for those cars. I watched a review on YouTube earlier where they tesrdrove a 2 series tourer mpv and were commenting on how quick it was and how nice it sounded.

Anyway, my only concern was that it would be quicker than the old 1.6 golf fsi I have had for 10 years - evidently it will be.

Cheers

Edited by R.G on Friday 17th February 21:41

[R.G]

The 118i is amazing. I'm so happy with it and with reference to the power of it, I needn't have worried.

Very punchy and just so, so smooth on the road - just drives so well. Engine sounds fantastic and and gives that 'raspy' sound when putting your door down.

Whilst the car and the general drive is just so smooth, I had noticed that the gear stick (I've got a manual transmission) when driving 'jiggles' just a little. Everything else about the car is silky smooth.

Whilst reading reviews and various content on forums on the 118i I had noticed others mentioning this.

I'm guessing this is normal for RWD cars, or perhaps it's a BMW trait.

It's my first RWD car and I've seen a fair amount of content on the internet saying that a certain amount of vibration/movement in the gearstick is normal due to 'direct linkage' or something?!

Is this correct?!

Thanks

Edited by R.G on Sunday 19th February 23:10

[R.G]

OtherBusiness said:

Glad you are pleased with it. I really like mine too!

Can't say I have noticed that through the gear stick (mine is a manual too). Wouldn't worry about it and just keep both hands on the wheel instead!

Thanks. Yes the car, the steering wheel itself - everything so smooth. Just noticed the gearstick that's all. The car has only done 6k miles so sure it's fine.

[R.G]

MorganP104 said:

R.G., congratulations on the new car. There's been lots of talk on this thread about engine "note" or "noise", and how the 3-cylinder gives off a more pleasing sound than the equivalent 4-cylinder engine. As a (self-confessed) non petrolhead, you may be wondering why this is.

In simple terms, an odd number of cylinders will give an "off-beat" engine sound, rather than the more conventional noise an engine with an even number of cylinders emits.

Typically, 3 and 5 cylinder engines are noted for their "characterful" noise, which most car enthusiasts prefer to the more anodyne sound of a common-or-garden 4 cylinder engine.

On the other side of the coin, the more cylinders an engine has (in multiples of 2), the smoother it tends to be (that, and they will often generate more power than smaller engines). This is why luxury cars tend to sport 6 and 8 cylinder engines.

Hi there,

Thank you, really enjoying it. All of you have said makes complete sense. Incidentally, yesterday I took my car to a friend who is rewally in to engines and cars (he's got a new 3 series tourer) and whilst he was aware it was three cylinders, in terms of sound he couldn't really tell the difference upon normal driving (as opposed) to high revs etc.

The car is so smooth, absolute solid. As mentioned, though, I have noticed a that my gear stick 'wiggles' from side to side, just a little, when driving. Is this a result of the three cylinders?

I've noticed people posting this previously so on that basis I feel a little more comfortable, but would be great if you or anyone else cups shed some light on that?! It's the first BMW I've owned and certainly the first RWD, which some people have made reference to as the reason - direct linkage to something or other.

I've left a message at the dealership for the sales guy to call me back so he can let me know his thoughts.

Cheers

[R.G]

MorganP104 said:

Regarding "wiggly gearsticks", it's a well-known thing on both diesel 4-cylinder and petrol 3-cylinder BMWs.

Rest assured, OP, your car is completely normal.

Thank you guys for your responses.

That's reassuring to know. The Volkswagens I've owned in the past had very little or no vibrations/movement with the gear stick so this new to me with the BMW 1 series.

If it wasn't for the fact that the steering, the engine, the car, was all so smooth, I think I would have worried a little bit more.

[R.G]

Hello, OP here.

I sold the 1 series back in 2017 after only having it for 4 months. Ended up buying a bigger house so decided that the cash was important towards renovations.

It was only 6 months old when I purchased it so I lost a st load when I sold it on.

I did however buy a 12 month old 320i MSport in 2018 after we done the works on the house.

Haven’t looked back since. Both cars, great.