BMW 1 Series

 

BMW 118d SE £20,175

 

On the hottest day of the year so far, in this climate of ‘global warming and who’s to blame’, I thought I’d try BMW's new small eco-marvel the 118d SE. This is the most economical BMW in the range and thus, the most planet friendly of the bunch. It’s hard to imagine the words ‘BMW’ and ‘frugal’ in the same sentence but this car’s ability to cling to every last drop of fuel is really quite something, particularly around town.

New technology turns the engine off when stopped in traffic, but only when it knows you’re going to be hanging about. And these days we all know what it’s like to sit at one set of traffic lights after another.

Citroën uses something similar on its C2 supermini, but surely that car is so economical anyway, this kind of technology is lost on it. However, with a larger-engined commuter favourite, as is the BMW 1 Series diesel, this stop/start thing is going to ‘increase’ the ‘lessening’ of the muck being pumped out the back end with greater efficiency.

The diesel engine itself is very economical and by not pumping out CO2 while waiting around to get going, it puts the car in a lower tax band and lessens the burden on the tax-paying motorist.

My first impression of this car, following start-up, is how quiet it is. You can feel the power tucked away under that long bonnet. Acceleration is not breathtaking initially but once you’re on the move it picks up very quickly and soon becomes very enjoyable.

Driving around country roads is most enjoyable when you keep the car in the lower gears. It handles very well and performs like a BMW should. But, then it turns from green to red the harder you drive it because, inevitably, it starts to drink more and spew out more muck. However, a good balance is achievable with a bit of practise.

I took the BMW on a fairly long jaunt and was most impressed at the quality of the drive. I didn’t hang about and was delighted with the feedback from the ‘current MPG’ figures, which, keeping at a steady 80mph, twitched between 60 and 99 mpg on the gently undulating motorway. Despite the small turbocharged engine, there is plenty of pull through the six-speed gearbox and even in fifth gear the car accelerates very well at speed.

This engine/gearbox combination along with the quietness of the drive, will make this car a good long-distance cruiser. However, the hard seat was exactly that – my ample ‘behind’ was numb after about 45 minutes.
I was driving the three-door version, which is my favourite style-wise. The look is still very much the dish of the day thanks to its sculptured sides and minimal overhangs.

An automatic box is available for a bit more money if that is what you prefer.
There is still very little legroom in the back but it is not a big car. This premium medium-sized hatchback is a very upmarket alternative to the mainstream offerings..

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