RE: 2021 BMW 128ti | UK Review
Discussion
nickfrog said:
Mr Tidy said:
More boot space, more rear seat space, etc. just means bigger and lardier to me!
To you perhaps but cars are getting lighter for their size so probably not a reality.Mr Tidy said:
I'd rather have RWD with an open diff than FWD of any description, but maybe that's just me. 
Probably you as this makes no sense. An old DC2/5 or any Megane RS will be a better steer, better handler more neutral and less understeery than any open diff BMW. I should know, I had a E82 125i, a M135i and x2 Meganes in the space of 5 years. In fact, they would be in a different league to the BMWs.Mr Tidy said:
I doubt the 128ti will feel more potent than a 3 litre N52 but would need to drive one to find out - but I can't find any enthusiasm for that.
And that's the thing, your "opinions" are based on not driving cars that you criticise.Mr Tidy said:
For now I'll console myself with my much cheaper Z4M Coupe with way more power, manual gearbox only, hydraulic PAS, RWD, LSD and £580 a year road tax - but who cares?
What ? An old car is cheaper than a new car? You have a Z4M? So it is with the FWD versus RWD discussion.
Some prefer RWD, no matter how amazing others find certain FWD cars... they will never compare.
MonkeyMatt said:
Its a boring looking thing isn't it, could quite easily be a Kia Ceed or Hyundai i30 (actually they look better). As good as it may be, isn't the whole idea of one of these is 6 cylinders and rear wheel drive, I know its probably a sign of the times but now its just the same as all the others
This was my immediate thought on seeing the new 1 series lineup - Look at the side profile compared to the A class, Focus, etc and you'll see they're all the same car.Feels like a convergance (Driven by pedestrian safety, aero etc admittedly) similar to that of commercial aircraft - Except instead of different length of tube and wings, we get hatchback shape and different ride heights :P
The Ti's little brother
Interesting the M135i got slated for the looks, but attitudes seemed to have softened, or maybe as the plucky underdog and not the M140i direct replacement its given a bit more slack ..
Interesting the 0-60 starts with a 6. Id expect in the high 5s with the auto, maybe BMW being conservative or leaving daylight with the 'flagship'
Hot hatch segment is great, more the merrier
As a BMW fanboy I should hate every aspect of this, but strangely I like it. Maybe it's so wrong it's right?
I respect that they've made the effort to do something interesting and new with it, and not pretend it's not FWD (which the M135i kindof does).
Hopefully everyone will hate it, it will drop like a stone, and I can pick one up for cheaps.
I respect that they've made the effort to do something interesting and new with it, and not pretend it's not FWD (which the M135i kindof does).
Hopefully everyone will hate it, it will drop like a stone, and I can pick one up for cheaps.
BFleming said:
On pricing, the article and the BMW website have some anomalies.
Price: £32,780 (article), £33320 (BMW)
Price as tested: £35480 (article), £37020 (BMW) - PH missed off the £1000 sunroof option
Bit of a difference.
Good spot. Price: £32,780 (article), £33320 (BMW)
Price as tested: £35480 (article), £37020 (BMW) - PH missed off the £1000 sunroof option
Bit of a difference.
Having owned an E36 318ti, and an E46 325ti, this isn't for me I'm afraid. I can't get over the looks and 'golf-ness' of it. I think I'd rather a Golf GTi.
Kawasicki said:
I like beer. I don’t like whiskey. People tell me I haven’t tasted the right whiskey and proceed to give me a little sample of some celebrated single malt. It tastes like whiskey. I prefer beer.
So it is with the FWD versus RWD discussion.
Some prefer RWD, no matter how amazing others find certain FWD cars... they will never compare.
I don't doubt you would choose a Ssangyong Rodius over a 128ti or a Megane RS or a Honda DC5. So it is with the FWD versus RWD discussion.
Some prefer RWD, no matter how amazing others find certain FWD cars... they will never compare.
blasos said:
Marcodude said:
Well it sounds like a decent steer.
However, I just cant get over the Hyundai ish looks and the general BMW blandness.
Will reserve further judgement until a test drive, but it's a no from me at the moment.
You obviously haven't seen a Hyundai in the past 15 years then. They are streets ahead of this aesthetically.However, I just cant get over the Hyundai ish looks and the general BMW blandness.
Will reserve further judgement until a test drive, but it's a no from me at the moment.
This review sounds pretty positive. PH seem more enthusiastic about this than the M135i.
The review I really want is this being compared to the Golf GTI which is the car that this seems to be taking aim at.
I saw one out and about at the weekend, white with the red bits and quite liked it. It had a sense of fun missing from many of the current hot hatches. The exterior still isn’t my favourite design but the interior is decent.
The review I really want is this being compared to the Golf GTI which is the car that this seems to be taking aim at.
I saw one out and about at the weekend, white with the red bits and quite liked it. It had a sense of fun missing from many of the current hot hatches. The exterior still isn’t my favourite design but the interior is decent.
Water Fairy said:
What's with the red tat on the outside?
It will be a good steer no doubt but one look at it and it's a no from me.
Had a look on the configurator and you can bin that, looks much better without IMO (might be an age thing). I quite liked the looks of the new 1er when it was released but the 'teeth' are bugging me now - maybe it's the comment sections getting to me! As with the 4 series they look better in black with dark body colours so the outline is less visible.It will be a good steer no doubt but one look at it and it's a no from me.
Oily76 said:
Water Fairy said:
What's with the red tat on the outside?
It will be a good steer no doubt but one look at it and it's a no from me.
Had a look on the configurator and you can bin that, looks much better without IMO (might be an age thing). I quite liked the looks of the new 1er when it was released but the 'teeth' are bugging me now - maybe it's the comment sections getting to me! As with the 4 series they look better in black with dark body colours so the outline is less visible.It will be a good steer no doubt but one look at it and it's a no from me.
I can't ever imagine staring at this sitting on the driveway and getting excited about driving it. I'm sure it is very accomplished, but to me it just looks the sort of car your wife might use for fast shopping trips or ferrying around the kids, maybe that is the target demographic.
I visited the BMW museum in Munich in 2019 and could only get excited about historic cars and engines rather than anything new in their mega-showroom, that is with the exception of their motorcycles - which I fear now also start to put on weight and get ugly, focusing more on tech than "BMW dynamics".
I've owned 6 BMW's over the years including E36 and E46 compacts that I really strived to own, but I just can't see me going back to the brand now unless they dramatically reinvent themselves. I liked my GTI mk7, so would probably just get another Golf over this, even if the new one isn't really a looker either.
I visited the BMW museum in Munich in 2019 and could only get excited about historic cars and engines rather than anything new in their mega-showroom, that is with the exception of their motorcycles - which I fear now also start to put on weight and get ugly, focusing more on tech than "BMW dynamics".
I've owned 6 BMW's over the years including E36 and E46 compacts that I really strived to own, but I just can't see me going back to the brand now unless they dramatically reinvent themselves. I liked my GTI mk7, so would probably just get another Golf over this, even if the new one isn't really a looker either.
Edited by 2smoke on Thursday 4th February 11:34
It just seems entirely run of the mill. It's not styled well (the i30N, Megane and Focus ST are much better looking) and the drivetrain and spec are basically just segment average. I'm sure it's good but it's just a box ticking exercise. I think they missed a trick here, there isn't a mainstream hybrid/plugin hybrid hot hatch (the GTE/VRS iV don't really count, they're too slow/fat) and they could have led the way making a serious hybrid competitor in the established hot hatch market. It wouldn't have even been very hard, there's already a Mini PHEV on the same platform.
Numeric said:
even as an avid BMW fan i'd describe the last 135i interior as - well basic at best - but I wonder if increased volume has given them that economy as interiors now seem good to me on the new 1 while those of recent VAG offerings have seemed to slip back - maybe as a result of diesel gate costs causing a desire for cost saving? Just a thought - but the touch screen interiors of VAG do look like a cost down profile.
Assuming you mean the last generation cars, the F20, I actually like the interior. It never got the whizzy digital dash that the later Golf’s did but I thought it was a nicer place to sit and I really rate the idrive. I thought the LCI2 dials lifted the interior a lot.VW are very much cutting costs with touchscreens and even stuff like not badging the engine covers etc.
ajap1979 said:
The Volkswizard S3 vs M135i video on YouTube was good, particularly given he's a diehard VAG fan.
It was interesting to se his thought on it. Probably the first time that BMW have really outdone Audi on interior quality.nickfrog said:
Mr Happy said:
The M135i sitting in my garage on Bridgestone RFTs from the factory begs to differ.
MPSS were a zero-cost option.
I thought it was the opposite where the MPSS was the default tyre and Runcrap a free option?MPSS were a zero-cost option.
Honeywell said:
Heavy, 4 cylinder, turbo, front wheel drive. Ugly. Expensive.
BMW have totally lost the plot.
I really can't agree - this seems a really great car - well positioned and according to the test a really nice steer. People at work are very happy with their 1 whatever D or I and it has a BMW badge and very nice interior - now with much better packaging and I assume lower manufacturing cost.BMW have totally lost the plot.
This is the sweet spot for volume (the overall model area) and they have gone for it and if I was still in company car world I would be chuffed to bits with this.
99.5% wanted more space not oversteer (statistic completely made up)
Would I remember it five years after it went back? Probably not much, but for BMW that doesn't matter and like with Porsche who people criticise for making 4x4 that allow them to keep making the sweet Cayman, we will hopefully get a new M2 to make us smile as it wriggles its bottom about and sings its 6 cylinders.
Edited by Numeric on Thursday 4th February 11:52
Edited by Numeric on Thursday 4th February 11:53
fantheman80 said:
The Ti's little brother
Interesting the M135i got slated for the looks, but attitudes seemed to have softened, or maybe as the plucky underdog and not the M140i direct replacement its given a bit more slack ..
Interesting the 0-60 starts with a 6. Id expect in the high 5s with the auto, maybe BMW being conservative or leaving daylight with the 'flagship'
Hot hatch segment is great, more the merrier
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