BMW 120i 2005 Review

After all, you wouldn't be the only one disappointed with your decision to get that early 316i and its oh-so-important blue-and-white badge.

Yes it was a BMW and came with the badge cachet; yes it was rear-wheel drive and yes, it was a huge disappointment.

Well get over it. BMW did – they revised the engine, they revised the concept and they are still selling the car.

The latest 1 Series may be another small car from BMW but that is just about where fair comparisons to the 316i end.

The 1 Series, introduced to Australia as the 120i, is an absolute little cracker.

The design is cute, with a hint of the old M Coupe "bread wagon" in its truncated rear, as tight as piano wire and a heck of a good drive.

Oh, yeah. It is also priced to put it on the shopping list of a much wider spectrum of buyers – at least until you start ticking boxes.

Our test 120i manual came out of the wrapping at $41,900 but by the time it had been dressed up with metallic paint ($1300), leather ($2600), bluetooth mobile phone preparation ($790), upgrade speaker system ($850), sports suspension ($500), electric glass roof ($2200), interior trim in Kodiak Silver ($400), electric lumbar support for driver and front passenger ($500) and a lights package – that's reading lights, illuminated vanity mirrors, indirect lighting front/rear, front footwell lights, puddle lights and door handles in body colour for $350 the little 120i had reached a substantial $51,390.

You could get quite a few thousand out of that by trimming some of the "unnecessary" items – but whatever you do, don't skimp on the sports suspension.

The fun of driving this car can not be overstated. It is the perfect size and power package for about town enjoyment.

The 120i's six-speed manual and 110kW engine are such a sweet match to the chassis that it will be a benchmark for the class for some time to come.

Tip it into a roundabout and the One settles onto the suspension, turns the nose towards the business ahead and simply gobbles it up without the fear of attracting unwanted attention with smoking tyres, screaming engine or body contortions.

The suspension is fully independent, there are anti-skid, four-wheel disc brakes, electronics for stability and traction control, six airbags, airconditioning, CD sound and more.

It is also refreshingly light on fuel, particularly for a car which encourages a bit of enthusiasm. Several hundred kilometres of mainly city driving with just the odd open road run returned a test average of 9.1l/100km. A more restrained driver could easily do better than that. Interior space is surprisingly good with front passengers well treated for head and shoulder room while two adults can fit in the rear seats without great discomfort. The sports seats are well designed for comfort and offer good support and bolstering.

The overall design of the interior is Germanic function rather than French flair but in this car it works.

BMW will add a 118i "price leader" to the mix shortly.

Some reports from Europe have been less than flattering about its performance and it would be a shame if the car were to detract in any way from its sibling.