BMW 1-Series Hatchback 118d SE 5d (2004/54) Owner Review
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Economy
Value
Good value - but maybe an Alfa 156 would be better.
Costs
It is expensive to start with - but I suspect that it will prove cheap to run because of high build quality & intelligent service computer.
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On the road
Driving
Badly designed, such as wing / driver mirrors having different magnification, 1st / reverse gears being REALLY easy to mis-select (dangerous), poor sounding stereo (its NOT h-hi by any standard), indicators that don't cancel.
Performance
Brilliant on motorways & the turbo kicks in smoothly for effortless overtaking. Less good on small roads because you cant accelerate through corners (the revs die so you have to start from scratch when you get out of a bend) - its not a nippy rally car.
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Living with it
Reliability
Only done 6000 miles, but absolutely zero problems.
Image
It grows on you - the plain colours are easily best to appreciate its unique form. Don't whatever you do get silver or grey - they look naff.
Comfort
On country lanes you get a really harsh, unpleasant ride (because of run flat tyres?) - in fact on any less than autobahn smooth surface it is jarring & bumpy. You get sick of it after a while.
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Security and Service
Security
Difficult to judge, because it hasn't been stolen yet!
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Problems and Ownership
Problems
Engine
Other
Ownership
Did you buy the car new?
New
Would you buy the same model again?
No
Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?
No