BMW 120d 2007 Review

We put in several thousands of kilometres behind the wheel of one of these beaut little cars last year. At the time, we described the 120d as easily the sportiest of the diesel runabouts on the market.

With refinements to the 2.0-litre common rail diesel, the 1 Series can more than ever lay claim to that crown. Even the upgraded Golf 2.0-litre TDI, with more torque, can’t match the Beemer’s figures for acceleration and fuel consumption.

BMW has just upgraded the entire 1 Series range, giving the car a bolder appearance and more refinement.

The previous model was good for 115kW at 4000rpm and 330Nm from 2000rpm, with 0-100km/h taking 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 215km/h. Refinements to the aluminium engine have seen power increase to 125kW and torque to 340Nm, the latter available slightly lower in the rev range from 1750rpm.

The result is a car that can sprint from 0-100km/h in a respectable 7.8 seconds, with a top speed of 226km/h. Fuel economy meanwhile has dropped from 6.6 to 6.1 litres/ 100km (we were getting 7.3 litres/ 100km).

The new 1 Series has a more dominant ‘‘kidney’’ grille, with clear-glass headlights that are integrated into the bumpers and a wider intake in the newly designed front air dam. Daytime running lights, ringing the headlights, are incorporated into a new bi-xenon headlight package.

Adaptive headlights, which provide optimum illumination on winding roads, are optional.

From the back the new 1 Series can be identified by changes to the lights and bumper.

Inside, the BMW 1 Series gains new, higher-quality materials and colour choices as well as additional storage spaces.

A USB port has been added to the sound system.

The 120d’s engine is hooked up to a six-speed sequential auto that allows the driver to change gears manually if desired.

The engine feels coarser than we remember, with a slight pause before the power kicks in. But when it does arrive it arrives in a big, hot strong rush.

The small doors and heavily bolstered front seats make getting in and out of the car difficult at times.

There’s room in the back for three but it is a little cramped back there.

The small rear window and high-waisted design restrict rear vision.

The BMW 120d is priced from $48,000.