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Post by Blarno on Aug 13, 2020 15:10:37 GMT
Had a 69 plate 118i as a rental for a trip to Coventry yesterday, took it home from work on Tuesday. It's basically a washing machine on wheels - no real redeeming features and completely forgettable. I couldn't even tell you what engine it had, such was the lack of engine note. It had a gearbox of some kind - auto or dual clutch, I really couldn't tell - no flappy paddles and a supposed Sport mode. As it was the new model, I assume it's basically a Mini with a different body.
Good bits:
Comfy seats. Quiet. Decent cruise control. Phone connectivity. Economy? No idea what it did, it wasn't my fuel. Auto hold brakes.
Bad bits:
Dull to look at. Is it a Focus? Is it a Hyundai? What is it? Tiny boot. Intrusive lane assistance system - this took me a few minutes to find in the Idrive settings as it was actively counteracting my steering inputs, which is, frankly, fucking dangerous. If I'm approaching a tractor in an inside lane and I can see it from a fair distance away, and there's nobody behind or near me, I will pull out of my lane well in advance without indicating (If there's no one to indicate to, why bother?). Try that in the 118i and it will act against your steering input, meaning you steer even harder, and when you do eventually change lane, it stops acting against you and you veer wildly across the lane because you're now putting more steering effort in. Dimwitted stop/start system. I'm not a fan of stop/start as it is - sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. This one decides to stop the engine at inopportune moments, such as when you pull up outside your house to reverse into your drive and as you go to select reverse, it kills the engine, then lurches back into life and you lunge backwards like a learner driver. Or it feels like it's stalled. Digital dials. Mainly the ridiculous fake shadows on the needles, which bear no relevance to wherever the light is coming from. I realise this is a minor foible, but why add the shadows? The fuel gauge is gash as well - just a selection of blocks that seem to take ages to deplete and then 2 drop off at once (Similar to the digi dash in my Astra GTEs). They can clearly make analogue-esque needles, so why not the same for the fuel and engine temp? Seat adjustment. On the side of the seat is a 2 way rocker switch with arrows pointing forwards and backwards. Logic would tell you this is the fore and aft adjustment, right? Wrong. It actually adjusts the side bolsters inwards and outwards. Makes perfect sense....
Not my cup of tea at all.
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Post by Martin on Aug 13, 2020 15:23:24 GMT
You drove to Coventry and back and couldn't tell what gearbox it had or the number of cylinders.....you wouldn't get a job on the road test desk!  I'm pretty sure it has the 1.5 3 pot from the Mini, so 140hp and I'm slightly less sure on the gearbox, but think it's a DCT. I don't like lane assistance either, at least it can be switched off permanently in BMWs in the settings and it doesn't default to on every time like it does in some cars. As you've got a BMW, you should know how to adjust the seat forwards/backwards and it makes no sense that it would be a small rocker switch! |
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Aug 13, 2020 15:30:22 GMT
The 1.5 is a lovely little engine, very smooth. I had one in the old body shape for a few days. It impressed me.
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Post by Blarno on Aug 13, 2020 15:48:14 GMT
You drove to Coventry and back and couldn't tell what gearbox it had or the number of cylinders.....you wouldn't get a job on the road test desk! I'm pretty sure it has the 1.5 3 pot from the Mini, so 140hp and I'm slightly less sure on the gearbox, but think it's a DCT. I don't like lane assistance either, at least it can be switched off permanently in BMWs in the settings and it doesn't default to on every time like it does in some cars. As you've got a BMW, you should know how to adjust the seat forwards/backwards and it makes no sense that it would be a small rocker switch! I don't have electric seats though. I saw the switch and assumed it would be the fore and aft, as it had a fore and aft arrow on it, like my 405 and 406 both had for their electric seats (The switches and the arrows followed the motion that they represented - fore and aft were a horizontal rocker with horizontal arrows, up and down were a vertical rocker with vertical arrows) The fore and aft on mine is a lever on the front right hand side of the bolster, the lever on the 118i was the more traditional bar across the front.
As for the engine, it was so quiet and made no discernible noise when pushed that only reading the spec sheet would have told me what was powering it. I only knew it was petrol because the rev counter went to 7! For what it was worth, the gearbox was alright: Shifts were smooth and unnoticable. No idea how many gears it had though, never thought to count. Probably more than my old bike though.
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Post by Big Blue on Aug 13, 2020 15:49:21 GMT
We've got that engine and yes: it's peachy.
I agree with your foibles (although ours is a MINI they are the same foibles) on Stop/Start. I showed W2.1 how to disable it (she can barely find the pedals let lone look for switchgear) as she actively hates it. We also have those lights for the fuel gauge: not even as good as really shitty. All that forgiven in a MINI as they are super fun and characterful, even down to having a Mini-sounding exhaust.
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BMW 118i
Aug 13, 2020 18:36:03 GMT
via mobile
Post by michael on Aug 13, 2020 18:36:03 GMT
Shows how good modern cars are when we have to complain about shadows on digital needles but the new 1 series is unforgivably crap looking. It’s not just that it’s ugly but also dull and cheap looking.
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BMW 118i
Aug 13, 2020 20:32:30 GMT
via mobile
Post by Blarno on Aug 13, 2020 20:32:30 GMT
If there wasn't a BMW badge on it, I would never have known what it was.
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Aug 14, 2020 5:32:36 GMT
Such is the case for most cars these days.
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Post by PetrolEd on Aug 14, 2020 8:25:51 GMT
I do think BMW have dropped the ball on the new 1. By trying to appeal to everyone with their generic design they are appealing to nobody. Judging by how few 1 series I see on the road seems punters are buying the A-Class instead. But of course the danger of slapping personality onto a BMW nowadays gives us the 4 series so maybe bland is better.
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db
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Post by db on Aug 15, 2020 7:09:48 GMT
I don't like lane assistance either, at least it can be switched off permanently in BMWs in the settings and it doesn't default to on every time like it does in some cars. As you've got a BMW, you should know how to adjust the seat forwards/backwards and it makes no sense that it would be a small rocker switch! Not any more.....I have just picked up a MY21 340i touring replacing a saloon, and the steering intervention with the lane assist now switches itself back on with every new journey - even proudly announces it on the screen when you switch it off. This is going to be very annoying! It might not be so bad but the intervention can be pretty aggressive. |
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BMW 118i
Aug 16, 2020 21:13:15 GMT
via mobile
Post by Alex on Aug 16, 2020 21:13:15 GMT
I don't like lane assistance either, at least it can be switched off permanently in BMWs in the settings and it doesn't default to on every time like it does in some cars. As you've got a BMW, you should know how to adjust the seat forwards/backwards and it makes no sense that it would be a small rocker switch! Not any more.....I have just picked up a MY21 340i touring replacing a saloon, and the steering intervention with the lane assist now switches itself back on with every new journey - even proudly announces it on the screen when you switch it off. This is going to be very annoying! It might not be so bad but the intervention can be pretty aggressive. I think Martin that your 7 was the previous generation of vehicles. When I tried the new shape 3 G20 last year it turned on automatically and when deactivated put a warning on the console to tell you it had a safety system disabled. It's one of the worst safety systems I've experienced but all new cars are required to have it and I believe that not having it automatically turn on with every start up is reflected in the Euro NCAP rating. |
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Post by Martin on Aug 16, 2020 21:18:14 GMT
Not any more.....I have just picked up a MY21 340i touring replacing a saloon, and the steering intervention with the lane assist now switches itself back on with every new journey - even proudly announces it on the screen when you switch it off. This is going to be very annoying! It might not be so bad but the intervention can be pretty aggressive. I think Martin that your 7 was the previous generation of vehicles. When I tried the new shape 3 G20 last year it turned on automatically and when deactivated put a warning on the console to tell you it had a safety system disabled. It's one of the worst safety systems I've experienced but all new cars are required to have it and I believe that not having it automatically turn on with every start up is reflected in the Euro NCAP rating. It was the last generation, yes and the button on the dash would glow red if I switched it off completely so (as that would also annoy me), I had it on a setting which only slightly vibrated through the steering wheel . I think that I was able to turn it down to vibrate only on both the X5 I had last year and the 330i I had earlier in the year as well, but not 100% sure. There is a simple way to stop it being annoying...stay in your lane and indicate when you move out of it.....! |
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BMW 118i
Aug 16, 2020 21:23:53 GMT
via mobile
Post by Andy C on Aug 16, 2020 21:23:53 GMT
I don't like lane assistance either, at least it can be switched off permanently in BMWs in the settings and it doesn't default to on every time like it does in some cars. As you've got a BMW, you should know how to adjust the seat forwards/backwards and it makes no sense that it would be a small rocker switch! Not any more.....I have just picked up a MY21 340i touring replacing a saloon, and the steering intervention with the lane assist now switches itself back on with every new journey - even proudly announces it on the screen when you switch it off. This is going to be very annoying! It might not be so bad but the intervention can be pretty aggressive. Nice car. Would be interested to hear your thoughts on it |
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Post by PG on Aug 17, 2020 7:17:01 GMT
There is a simple way to stop it being annoying...stay in your lane and indicate when you move out of it.....! So there is a simple works every time solution?  |
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Post by johnc on Aug 17, 2020 10:33:40 GMT
Like Martin, I have mine turned down to minimum intervention which is never really an issue, just a very slight shake through the wheel. However it can be annoying on narrower country roads where it is normal to pull out into the road a bit if there is no-one coming the other way and likewise to shave a bit off a well sighted corner. However I do have the ability to switch it off completely. With Eurocrats ensuring that every new car must soon have speed limiters and permanently active lane assist, the days of motoring enjoyment are nearing their end. I wonder if BMW will pension off their long term strap line of being the Ultimate Driving Machine.
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Post by Martin on Aug 17, 2020 10:55:42 GMT
There is a simple way to stop it being annoying...stay in your lane and indicate when you move out of it.....! So there is a simple works every time solution? Yes and based on the general poor use of indicators, it's not such a bad thing for a lot of people. |
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db
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Post by db on Aug 20, 2020 20:38:38 GMT
Nice car. Would be interested to hear your thoughts on it It fulfils the cliche of being the only car you really need in the real world.... The engine/gearbox combo make for a pretty elastic power delivery. If you have watched any of the Carwow drag races involving a 340i you'll know what it is capable of. Ride & comfort is perfectly OK in normal driving but the run-flats do clatter through potholes. It's roomy enough without being unwieldy on a b road. It is also much less spec sensitive than the F30, which had a number of essentials on the options list. It makes finding a used one in the right spec easier. It will easily roll upto 40mpg+ on a gentle motorway run. Low 20's more likely in town however. Some other thoughts: Gesture control - a unnecessary novelty. It frequently mutes the radio when you reach for the cup holder. The digital dash does not offend me, but seems like an opportunity missed as it is not really configurable. Built-in feature you have to pay to unlock is now a thing - mine has the high-beam assist button, but no high beam assist. When you press it it warmly informs you the feature is acquirable via the connected drive store. The satnav has also gone a little bit Google with the destination input - Address input is not possible anymore, just key words. We'll see how that goes.... Automatic activation of the steering intervention is a real PITA. The system just isn't clever enough to not be a frustration. To clarify, I have no issue with the vibration warning through the wheel, but the steering intervention tugs at a wheel when it detects you are going off line to bring you back. Things like avoiding potholes, giving pedestrians on a pavement a bit more room, allowing a bit of space when passing a driveway all result in the car dragging you back towards the nearside. Wouldn't be surprised if it gets coded out in a future software release - I can't be the only one who thinks it is garbage.    |
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BMW 118i
Aug 20, 2020 20:56:34 GMT
via mobile
Post by michael on Aug 20, 2020 20:56:34 GMT
That’s the first new 3 series I’ve seen that looks good!
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Post by johnc on Aug 21, 2020 8:53:49 GMT
What colour is the car? It looks very close to mine which is Marina Bay Blue (which also looks very close to San Marino Blue)
Due to the WLTP emission regs manufacturers have been forced to package up options or include them as standard, to reduce the number of variations of vehicle they put through the emission tests. Good news in some respects but as Martin pointed out recently you can't get an A35 with all the nice toys without also getting the slightly OTT rear wing and larger wheels etc as part of a package - that would make it a deal breaker for me but no doubt some marketing guru has worked out it is better for Mercedes.
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Post by Martin on Aug 21, 2020 8:56:19 GMT
That's a really nice spec, agree with Michael that it's the best looking new 3 series I've seen.
I assume it's Portimao Blue? The Cerium grey bits go well with the blue.
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Post by Martin on Aug 21, 2020 8:59:56 GMT
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Aug 21, 2020 9:07:30 GMT
The grille on the Touring looks much better than that on Martin's saloon.
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Post by johnc on Aug 21, 2020 9:58:32 GMT
The grille on the Touring looks much better than that on Martin's saloon. The touring grill is a 340i addition which I am pretty sure can't be specced on any lower model. The touring has always been the best looking 3 series (except when they had 3 series coupes) |
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Post by Big Blue on Aug 21, 2020 10:33:28 GMT
That touring looks fabulous - I'm biased towards tourings anyway. One issue: do you get in and out of the passenger door? I'd park mine like that but it's LHD  |
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Post by Boxer6 on Aug 21, 2020 14:44:10 GMT
That touring looks fabulous - I'm biased towards tourings anyway. One issue: do you get in and out of the passenger door? I'd park mine like that but it's LHD I suspect it's further away from the wall than it looks at first glance! |
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Post by PG on Aug 21, 2020 16:25:55 GMT
That touring looks fabulous - I'm biased towards tourings anyway. One issue: do you get in and out of the passenger door? I'd park mine like that but it's LHD I suspect it's further away from the wall than it looks at first glance! Maybe db is really, really thin? Very nice colour on that touring. And agree it looks better than the saloon. |
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Post by ChrisM on Aug 21, 2020 19:29:13 GMT
What worries me a little about this "connected drive store" thing is that if you trade the car in, the dealer could disable features then charge the new owner to re-enable them when the previous owner had already paid to have them... a sort of software licencing thing where you pay to use the features rather than own them (or have them permanently installed). Also in case of significant accident, similarly will a repair shop be able to find out what apps had been installed and ensure that they are all re-installed ?
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