Yes, we know these are not (comparatively) new cars, but we saw them while we were at Quill Automobiles PJ taking shots of the just-launched BMW 420i Coupe, and remembered that only the fully-imported (CBU) 125i was present at the launch event.
So here’s a gallery of the most-affordable and second-most affordable variants in the Malaysian F20 BMW 1 Series range – the 116i and 118i, with the latter in Urban trim. Both are locally assembled (CKD).
Available only in standard trim, the 116i’s direct-injected 1.6 litre N13 four-cylinder turbo engine makes 136 hp and 220 Nm of torque, enough to push the vehicle to 100 km/h from rest in 8.7 seconds and onwards to 210 km/h.
It gets 17-inch Y-spoke alloys with 205/50 tyres, satin silver interior trim and cloth upholstery, and is the only 1 Series variant without cruise control, auto air-con or a chrome-trimmed steering wheel.
The 118i has the same engine as the 116i, only here it’s tuned to give 170 hp and 250 Nm of torque. As a result, the 118i does the century sprint in 7.2 seconds before topping out at 222 km/h.
This Urban-spec car features Alpine White grille slats and exterior trim, a lightly-grilled fog lamp housing, white 17-inch V-spoke alloys with 225/45 tyres, a high-gloss black interior with silver accents, and silver cloth/black leather upholstery.
The F20 BMW 1 Series range in Malaysia is priced as follows (OTR without insurance):
- BMW 116i – RM170,800 (CKD)
- BMW 118i Sport – RM190,800 (CKD)
- BMW 118i Urban – RM190,800 (CKD)
- BMW 125i Sport – RM238,800 (CBU)
- BMW 125i M Sport – RM253,800 (CBU)
BMW 116i
BMW 118i Urban
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Sorry to say, still ugly in books. This is one Beemer I will never consider.
To use Paultan’s words from Driven: Ugly Duckling Express.
For people who die die must drive a BMW. So you chop off the rear of a old sedan and buy the front parts with a cheap (not necessarily bad though) engine inside.
I’m not looking down on people who drive them, I understand there’s a niche for every type of customer. This car fulfills brand image, driving dynamics, and tickles the owner’s ego (somewhat). Oh and it should be much easier to park this in our cramped KL spaces compared to a 5 or even 3.
But did BMW really have to make it look so ugly…for me the A class and A3 totally pawn this in looks. The A class even has the edge over it in raw power. Dissapointing, BMW. If you want to dump old stock in Malaysia, dump it even cheaper please.
BMW Malaysia and its mere 2 years warranty. BMW Malaysia is the only car company in the world (not just Malaysia) to offer a mere 2 years warranty.
All other car companies have increased to 5 years. Even Proton and Perodua themselves have done so. BMW’s arch rival Mercedes has even upped it to 4 years.
This clearly shows that BMW has no confidence in their own products. So many customers have their gearbox failing just right after the 2nd year warranty finishes. They have to cough out RM80,000 from their own pocket just to replace the gearbox. Besides gearbox, every BMW customer has to pay through their nose for warranty claim parts after the 2nd year.
yes.. it may not so pretty design, but you can’t found the same awesome handling, power and safety in the hatchback rear wheel drive segment. click to sport+ mode the car easily drift like no body!
You should test drive more cars, or at least read more.
In the hot hatch category only the M135i is somewhat leading the pack with a big price tag. There are many, many hatchbacks that even though is FWD, will trump this 118i anyday. (even the 125i for that matter)
only paid RM170K may sprint 0-100 in 8+ second . salute bmw
Of cause 116 and 118 is CKD not CBU Ha ha ha ha ha
Who buy 116/8 is stupid
I knew sometime people buy luxury car and need some Hatchback, so those people want “LUXURY” Not sport car and Not racing
But, Kindly Stupid to buy low spc ……. ha ha ha
proof from wat i always said…
PP. Other than salute BMW Malaysia . We can only admire the car. No doubt bimmer is a good car, but it’s intrinsic value of it is …… Speechless.
Proton Evo can do better than that , haha
0-100kmh in 8sec+ ..
theres many other cheaper new car can do better than that ,
I don’t know what Inokom did with the F20, but seriously, our Malaysian F20 is rubbish compared to the real German built F20. Just test drove a German made 118i F20 with M Sport (not in Malaysia) , and trust me, after trying our Malaysian 118i, they just feel so different in terms of quality. From the fit and finish to the noise, the German one is miles ahead… Such a pity.
It’s not just the F20 but it applies for all the other BMW CKD models as well. I just received a courtesy car after leaving my car in the SC for troubleshooting and I already notice the courtesy car I have now is in better shape than my own car and both are CKD! Thanks to that I managed to find more issues with my own car after comparing both haha. Talk about each car being unique even though they are of the same model and spec!
You are very lucky that your SC gave you a loaner. Getting a loaner from them (even after it was their fault in screwing up your car big time) is like asking them to give an M5 as a replacement. All I asked was for 4 wheels to take me about while they fixed the mess they made.
I only got it after a lot of drama.
Anyway, yea, our Kulim CKD is better than Hyundais coming out of it, but its not the real deal, its more like 80% quality. Too bad our tax structure…. Haih.
After sitting in the 4 series CBU, I feel the CKD is like a cut price car. Not something I expect of a luxury car.
Thank goodness the power train is built in UK (at the BMW Engine plant there- which supplies for everywhere), I’d not trust Inokom with assembling that high tech engine, when they can even tighten screws on the window blinds mount properly…
Still prefer the Merc A200/250 over this Beemer
this oso proof from wat i always said…
wrong place.huhu
The base model nt bad… Although spec lools bare…bt 1.6cc tuebo is more than enough….
Benz A200/A250 CBU, BMW 116/118 CKD, smart consumers will sure know which one to choose :-)
proof from wat i always said…
dugong…
Don’t see a dugong in everything, alright? The classic example of a dugong car is the previous gen Vios.
171k for the entry level variant? That’s almost the price of the 2.5L Mazda6! Besides the badge, I don’t see any other reasons why you’d even want this car. You don’t get a lot of car for your cash and if you want a car that serves up an enjoyable drive, the Mazda6 can deliver also, with heaps more road presence and stylishness to boot. Not to mention Mazda’s reliability (if you think German engineering is fool-proof, Volkswagen owners have something to say to you) and better warranty coverage.
In the UK I don’t think this is the entry level BMW – there’s a 114i with a detuned 1.6L engine. And when you compare the UK price for this spec & the UK spec, to the closest in similarity you can get – we’re only paying an extra RM 45K, I guess most of it in taxes.
Besides a BMW has a brand cachet that’s worth more than a Mazda. (Not that I’ll buy this, mind you)
Mazda6 2.5L ain’t that cheap, get your facts right.
Guess you missed the word “almost”. the 2.5L 6 is around 190k. When you’re shopping in the 170k price range, what is another 20k over a long loan period? If you can’t foot the bill, the 2.0L 6 makes a strong case for itself as well.
This car is more for rich college students.
for those criticizing 1 series, mainly because they haven’t drive this ugly babe! please go buy one or test drive a CBU unit, the driving experience is much more better than 320i CBU!
This 116i is also for people who can’t afford higher range Bimmer, do not mind the fugly looks but at least there’s a “BMW” logo on it.