Photo: BMW
The new 1 Series has a wide range of engines at its disposal. Most of them are available with both manual and automatic gearboxes but how well do they pair up? Bimmerfile editor Michael bought a manual 6-speed 120d and, after 18,000 miles (28,800 km) decided to write a review about his new car.
The one he got had a couple of optional features but not too many. He had stuff like full navigation, adaptive xenons, park assist and some more, but no sunroof (for saving weight) no lane departing security feature etc.
The first problem he noticed was that around 2,700 RPM, when everything inside the cabin started to resonate with the engine, creating an incredible rattle, only to go away as sudden as it came on only 100 RPM later, something you wouldn't expect from a new car, even though it's a diesel.
Then there's the manual gearbox, that proved to be rather awful instead of awesome. Most BMW drivers consider that automatic gearboxes take some of the driving pleasure away and hide it somewhere away from us so that we can never be fully satisfied with our cars. Well, the manual gearbox with this engine on this car make for a bad combination.
The engine (which has 184 HP and a lot of torque) revs up fast and the torque, which comes up at 1,750 RPM, will force you to quickly change gear. That means that the gearshifts will be exhausting and quite repetitive unless you want to feel you liver pushed back into your spine all the time.
Other than that the car was as strong as an ox. Nothing broke, no major problems, the interior space is a lot better and offers more for everyone, including the backseats.
However, even though the car is impeccable and the premium feeling is there all along, Michael decided he will be selling it. Not because it's not sporty, good, reliable, or anything a BMW should be, just because of the unfortunate mix of engine and gearbox.
Via: Bimmerfile.com
The first problem he noticed was that around 2,700 RPM, when everything inside the cabin started to resonate with the engine, creating an incredible rattle, only to go away as sudden as it came on only 100 RPM later, something you wouldn't expect from a new car, even though it's a diesel.
Then there's the manual gearbox, that proved to be rather awful instead of awesome. Most BMW drivers consider that automatic gearboxes take some of the driving pleasure away and hide it somewhere away from us so that we can never be fully satisfied with our cars. Well, the manual gearbox with this engine on this car make for a bad combination.
The engine (which has 184 HP and a lot of torque) revs up fast and the torque, which comes up at 1,750 RPM, will force you to quickly change gear. That means that the gearshifts will be exhausting and quite repetitive unless you want to feel you liver pushed back into your spine all the time.
Other than that the car was as strong as an ox. Nothing broke, no major problems, the interior space is a lot better and offers more for everyone, including the backseats.
However, even though the car is impeccable and the premium feeling is there all along, Michael decided he will be selling it. Not because it's not sporty, good, reliable, or anything a BMW should be, just because of the unfortunate mix of engine and gearbox.
Via: Bimmerfile.com
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