Nice review! I've owned one for a few days shy of a year and 14,000km now, and it's been a heap of fun when roads and traffic have allowed. Mine being an early 2021 car also means that it has all tech that later cars don't, so that's a bonus. It lacks the absolute last-degree involvement of a Ford hot hatch but it's streets ahead of the M135i, which while being faster is dull to drive by comparison... yes, it has character! I concur on the front-end styling. Let's just say there's a reason I chose black: painful as it is to keep looking decent, it hides the oversized grille. Overall it looks special, though. Being a long-time hot hatch fan, the red bits (both inside and out) were a big drawcard for me. A year later, I still love that it stands out from the rest of the range, while still retaining a level of class. So... it's a grown-up hot hatch.
Replaced my highly modified Late model GTI Mk7 with the 128ti in Sept 21. In Melbourne Red with black highlights it looks even better. Every option including 19 inch alloys , and a few months back wireless charging and heads up display were still fitted. As I’m 54 it does what I was after, a semi hot hatch with grown up looks 👍
Adam, sounds like we might be twins separated at birth. I had the mk7.5 GTI Performance, and I switched it for a Melbourne Red 128ti with the decal delete. Not many more options beyond that though, just privacy glass, storage pack and lumbar support. And, I turn 54 this year :-)
def a full hot hatch, its virtually just as fast as the m135i xdrive from 100-200kmph (14.5 sec) and with a simple chip tune that time drops to 12 seconds which is really good! A great car and for sure faster in the corners than the 135!
Love the way you described the ride! Exactly my thoughts when I back to back test drove the M235i Gran Coupe vs the Audi S3. The Audi felt like a run of the mill A3 unless you were gunning it, whereas the BMW always lets you know you're driving something special. It just gives you the slightest bit of feel all the time, even when you're taking it easy. And that's why I bought the M235i instead of the S3.
I’m keen on a car with no spare wheel, oil dipstick, high ownership costs, great dynamics, good looks and engineering designed to have it in a crusher within a decade.
Why does 'hot hatch' automatically mean the car has to have a tacky interior? At least it's not on the tackiness level of a Golf GTI with its plastics, carbon fiber patterning and LED lights.
It doesn't feel tacky when you are sitting in it. The ti logo on the armrest is maybe a bit tacky, but when driving you don't notice it. Other than that, the interior is solid, much higher quality than the VW's. It has LED lighting, but you can select the colour, I set mine to the standard BWM orange dashboard colour so it keys in really well with the rest of the cabin.
Just had a look online and this is a cool looking car however with options a nice 60k car can easily become over 70 which for most people is still a stretch
I am due for a replacement for my 2018 Audi TT ( by spring/summer 2023) and would love this offered in the USA as I am considering a Mk 8 VW GTI as well and a BMW 230i......but this would be even better . Any word if this is coming in the next year for the US?
A great review John but you are far too young to remember those early Ti cars. It looks good going through those twisties (unless you increased the video speed??). Seems to be reasonable value in Australia and obviously meant to be a direct competitor to the Golf GTI.
Wot how did that footage get past final chasing cars editing!!!! Then again I know these chasing car boys, where they grew up and on what roads... 2:27
Great review! The dashboard and interior of the 1 series are something else compared to its competitors. I'm hoping to test one of these cars shortly. I'm naturally a VW guy but their interiors are terrible these days...
Buying a fwd BMW is a bit like buying a 4 cylinder Mustang, no matter how good, it is still missing the ingredients that define the experience. If I was to pay the BMW badge surcharge then I would want RWD and preferably a 6 cylinder.
I agree about the tires. Mine came on the Pirelli's, and they are average at best. I was hoping for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4s, as I optioned the performance tyres. But, it's luck of the draw in terms of what you actually get.
Oh my comment, think 1 or 2 here bother to read Lol BMW have sold out! The ultimate driving machine FWD? After all their years of feeding us some of the very best RWD cars. Hell even this one, deserves, and looks like it should be RWD!!! Rather pricey i30N alternative. Good review John, as always mate, enjoyed it!!
As a BMW fan boy, this like the 2 Series Gran Coupe and the X1/X2 are just Mini Countryman's in drag. Aisin auto, FWD architecture It's just not a BMW However I do like the interior!
Good review. thanks. I came close to purchasing a BMW M135i XDrive in January 2020. I delayed because I saw what was coming in terms of Covid. It was a great car. the 118i seem to be a more competitive option but lacking in some areas. The Ti option in my opinion is good but the red external highlights really cheapen the look of the car.
Agreed. Fortunately you can delete the exterior highlights, and then it looks like a standard 1 series with the M sport package (apart from the red brake calipers which are pretty nice IMO).
I have the 128ti in Melbourne red metallic and I had the decals deleted as part of the order. This means my car looks pretty much like any red 1 series with the M Sport pack, apart from the twin rear exhaust and the 128ti badge on the back. The highlights are in black to contrast with the red paintwork.
Nice vehicle that ticks all the boxes, but up against the consistency of the Golf GTI over the years. The styling accents are featuristic, and I'd be ditching the ti graphic just aft of the rear doors.If BMW can stick with a consistent drive package ( RWD or FWD) then they may build brand loyalty in this segment. As a biased VW ( current)and Audi S3 ( in the past) owner I'm keen on this vehicle. Next model should round it off nicely.
I had the mk7.5 GTI Performance, and switched it for the 128ti last year. The BMW feels like a significantly higher quality product, and handles fantastically. The only minor drawback is a slightly harsher ride than the Golf. Other than that, I am pleased I made the change. The cheap-feeling, touch screen, haptic hell of the new mk 8 Golf was a real turn off for me.
This review was about what the car is NOT rather than what it is. I heard so many cars being thrown around / compared that I was like just buy other cars if you want those. Are you reviewing a BMW or what BMW is not!
In terms of what we ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t’ compare this car to: a reminder that we’re an Australian publication primarily serving Australian buyers, so we will make the relevant comparisons for this market: Golf GTI - $54,490 128ti - $57,900 Golf R - $66,990
Very bland and pathetic review. You obviously don’t like the 128ti but for us little mortals it’s an amazing car which is affordable in the mid range of the 1 series.
Nice review! I've owned one for a few days shy of a year and 14,000km now, and it's been a heap of fun when roads and traffic have allowed. Mine being an early 2021 car also means that it has all tech that later cars don't, so that's a bonus. It lacks the absolute last-degree involvement of a Ford hot hatch but it's streets ahead of the M135i, which while being faster is dull to drive by comparison... yes, it has character! I concur on the front-end styling. Let's just say there's a reason I chose black: painful as it is to keep looking decent, it hides the oversized grille. Overall it looks special, though. Being a long-time hot hatch fan, the red bits (both inside and out) were a big drawcard for me. A year later, I still love that it stands out from the rest of the range, while still retaining a level of class. So... it's a grown-up hot hatch.
Replaced my highly modified Late model GTI Mk7 with the 128ti in Sept 21. In Melbourne Red with black highlights it looks even better. Every option including 19 inch alloys , and a few months back wireless charging and heads up display were still fitted. As I’m 54 it does what I was after, a semi hot hatch with grown up looks 👍
Adam, sounds like we might be twins separated at birth. I had the mk7.5 GTI Performance, and I switched it for a Melbourne Red 128ti with the decal delete. Not many more options beyond that though, just privacy glass, storage pack and lumbar support. And, I turn 54 this year :-)
def a full hot hatch, its virtually just as fast as the m135i xdrive from 100-200kmph (14.5 sec) and with a simple chip tune that time drops to 12 seconds which is really good! A great car and for sure faster in the corners than the 135!
Nice to have someone behind the wheel who does not drive so boringly slow.
Love the way you described the ride! Exactly my thoughts when I back to back test drove the M235i Gran Coupe vs the Audi S3. The Audi felt like a run of the mill A3 unless you were gunning it, whereas the BMW always lets you know you're driving something special. It just gives you the slightest bit of feel all the time, even when you're taking it easy. And that's why I bought the M235i instead of the S3.
Aren't they like $80K?
@@toka.lifeworld868 yeah but I paid $64k for mine at the end of 2020 before car prices went crazy.
I’m keen on a car with no spare wheel, oil dipstick, high ownership costs, great dynamics, good looks and engineering designed to have it in a crusher within a decade.
Then we have the new kids on the block! Great comment GlowingTube!
Hotish hatches are always cool.
Pity about that front.
Bimmers fascination with brittle plastic engine parts may affect it's longevity...
Good review mate.
Why does 'hot hatch' automatically mean the car has to have a tacky interior? At least it's not on the tackiness level of a Golf GTI with its plastics, carbon fiber patterning and LED lights.
They didn't back in my day! ...they all certainly do now!!
It doesn't feel tacky when you are sitting in it. The ti logo on the armrest is maybe a bit tacky, but when driving you don't notice it. Other than that, the interior is solid, much higher quality than the VW's. It has LED lighting, but you can select the colour, I set mine to the standard BWM orange dashboard colour so it keys in really well with the rest of the cabin.
Looks like a fancy 2017 Kia Cerato
Underrated comment here.
Just had a look online and this is a cool looking car however with options a nice 60k car can easily become over 70 which for most people is still a stretch
I am due for a replacement for my 2018 Audi TT ( by spring/summer 2023) and would love this offered in the USA as I am considering a Mk 8 VW GTI as well and a BMW 230i......but this would be even better . Any word if this is coming in the next year for the US?
Euro car reviews: mostly interior review
Japanese cars: straight to driving review
We very rarely go straight to driving
A great review John but you are far too young to remember those early Ti cars. It looks good going through those twisties (unless you increased the video speed??). Seems to be reasonable value in Australia and obviously meant to be a direct competitor to the Golf GTI.
11:35 you were really motoring then
Wot how did that footage get past final chasing cars editing!!!! Then again I know these chasing car boys, where they grew up and on what roads...
2:27
Just for curiosity why do you have an “underpowered” version?, in EU the power is 265hp and 400nm of torque
Great review! The dashboard and interior of the 1 series are something else compared to its competitors. I'm hoping to test one of these cars shortly. I'm naturally a VW guy but their interiors are terrible these days...
Buying a fwd BMW is a bit like buying a 4 cylinder Mustang, no matter how good, it is still missing the ingredients that define the experience. If I was to pay the BMW badge surcharge then I would want RWD and preferably a 6 cylinder.
The get a 3 series. This car isn’t for us.
Doesn't admit it's detuned for Australia?
I agree about the tires. Mine came on the Pirelli's, and they are average at best. I was hoping for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4s, as I optioned the performance tyres. But, it's luck of the draw in terms of what you actually get.
Oh my comment, think 1 or 2 here bother to read Lol
BMW have sold out! The ultimate driving machine FWD? After all their years of feeding us some of the very best RWD cars. Hell even this one, deserves, and looks like it should be RWD!!! Rather pricey i30N alternative.
Good review John, as always mate, enjoyed it!!
Might just consider one only without the flamboyant cosmetics
As a BMW fan boy, this like the 2 Series Gran Coupe and the X1/X2 are just Mini Countryman's in drag.
Aisin auto, FWD architecture
It's just not a BMW
However I do like the interior!
The 128ti finally corrects some of the things that have made UKL so average, though - but yes, the CLAR BMWs are still superior
Better get used to it though. Yes, the G20 Series 3 is a better drive. At least BMW are still making the 2 Series Coupe, which is a ‘proper’ BMW.
Good review. thanks. I came close to purchasing a BMW M135i XDrive in January 2020. I delayed because I saw what was coming in terms of Covid. It was a great car. the 118i seem to be a more competitive option but lacking in some areas. The Ti option in my opinion is good but the red external highlights really cheapen the look of the car.
Agreed. Fortunately you can delete the exterior highlights, and then it looks like a standard 1 series with the M sport package (apart from the red brake calipers which are pretty nice IMO).
I have the 128ti in Melbourne red metallic and I had the decals deleted as part of the order. This means my car looks pretty much like any red 1 series with the M Sport pack, apart from the twin rear exhaust and the 128ti badge on the back. The highlights are in black to contrast with the red paintwork.
I really like this little car.
Nice vehicle that ticks all the boxes, but up against the consistency of the Golf GTI over the years. The styling accents are featuristic, and I'd be ditching the ti graphic just aft of the rear doors.If BMW can stick with a consistent drive package ( RWD or FWD) then they may build brand loyalty in this segment. As a biased VW ( current)and Audi S3 ( in the past) owner I'm keen on this vehicle. Next model should round it off nicely.
I had the mk7.5 GTI Performance, and switched it for the 128ti last year. The BMW feels like a significantly higher quality product, and handles fantastically. The only minor drawback is a slightly harsher ride than the Golf. Other than that, I am pleased I made the change. The cheap-feeling, touch screen, haptic hell of the new mk 8 Golf was a real turn off for me.
Still pissed that they dropped the rwd set up, now it’s literally just a mini clubman
This review was about what the car is NOT rather than what it is. I heard so many cars being thrown around / compared that I was like just buy other cars if you want those. Are you reviewing a BMW or what BMW is not!
In most countries, the BMW 128 costs noticeably more than the Golf R! So you shouldn't compare it to the GTI.
Perhaps it’s because the 128ti is FWD like a GTI and an M135i is AWD like an R?
We aren’t in those countries though 🙄
In terms of what we ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t’ compare this car to: a reminder that we’re an Australian publication primarily serving Australian buyers, so we will make the relevant comparisons for this market:
Golf GTI - $54,490
128ti - $57,900
Golf R - $66,990
I like BMW's because of the rear wheel drive and 6 cylinder engines. I will not be buying one of these, although I don't mind the looks of it.
My 128ti has 265hp and 400 NM of torque... What's wrong with yours 😁🍻😁
For some market they Sell Wit only 245 hp, 380 nm, and no ti badge in arm center badge, and not spoiler.
I would rather have it in Mini JCW form.
I’ll take a i30N over that any day.
Very bland and pathetic review. You obviously don’t like the 128ti but for us little mortals it’s an amazing car which is affordable in the mid range of the 1 series.
So it's crap.
(Red) lipstick on a pig.
Wow! I need to up my game!