I'm just back from a proper testdrive with my Mum's baby bimmer.

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It was between a Mini, Golf and Bmw 116i or 118i.
- The Golf is too common and looks ordinary, so no Golf.
- She hated the interior in the Mini, so no Mini.
- She thinks the 1-series looks the best and more special so it was between 116i and 118i. It ended up with a 118i becuase it turned out that 116i is a slower car and also drinks more fuel than 118i and the price difference is acceptable so the choice was obvious for her.


I fixed my seat position and then I walked to the backseat, ops, if I want passengers in the back, I have to fix the seat position again (I'm 185 centimeters tall). I find the 2 doors in the back unnecessary, so if I was to buy a 1-series its the 3-doors version for me.

I was out for a one hour drive and came back home with no neckpain, no legpain, no buttpain and no backpain. The seats are comfortable and the suspension stiffness isnt bad, perfect compromise for me (and my Mum ).

I thought the 118i engine would be a boring engine since its only 130hp (facelift with 143 hp) but it's a happy engine and it likes to be reeved. Redline starts at 6500 rpm and the car accelerate up to the redline without hesitation, flat out in third gear and the car reach 150km/h and then you need to put in fourth gear. The engine felt faster and more responsive than I thought it should, positive surprise, the power is actually enough for most people, certainly for my Mum.

At 170km/h the windnoise is acceptable, at 200km/h then the windnoise gets annoying.

What I really love about this car is the chassi, steering feedback and the manual gearbox.
The gearbox is exact, sharp with a perfect resistance when changing gear. My handpalm fits well holding the gearbox. I would say the gearbox feels sporty and works sporty.
I just love the steering feedback, try slalom and you know what Im talking about. Immediately when you turn left, the car react fast and direct, turn right and its the same. No annoying bodyroll in the chassi, I also turned "off" the DTC and I think I felt a little bodyroll compared to when DTC was "on" but like I said, I thats what I think I felt, not sure it really is so.

You can drive really fast in the bends and you feel you are in control while doing so, you even feel that you can go faster if you want too and if you are willing to take the risk. The limit is not in the chassi, its in the tires.
In fact I see no reason to choose the M-package becuase the standard chassi is perfect already. Only reason to choose the M-package is if you think the car looks hotter with the M-kit, not because you want to improve the handling. (Also if you are a track guy then thats another reason to choose the M-package).

Regarding the tires, new bimmers today is using Run-flats which I could be without. These tires are more bumpy than normal tires (people who traded for "real" tires said normal tires are more noiseless as well). Ok, its not really a big problem but obviosly Run-flats can be improved (and Im certain tyremakers are working on it).
A month ago I change from wintertires to summertires on my Mum's car and I now know why BMW M-models isnt using Run-flats becuase the tires are damn heavy to lift.

Overall I'm happy with my Mum's car and she did a great choice.
The Saab 9-3 Aero needs to be really good if I'm going to buy a 9-3 Aero over a facelifted 120i.