Very Good
2025 BMW 118 review
The new BMW 1 Series is here, and even the cheapest version is a properly compelling buy for fans of premium European hatches.
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Max Davies
BMW 1 Series vs Volkswagen Golf Comparison
BMW 1 Series
Deal Available!
Volkswagen Golf
Deal Available!
2025 BMW
1 Series
vs
2025 Volkswagen
Golf
Select Variants...
How they stack...
CarExpert Rating
CarExpert Rating
Very Good
Read the 2025 BMW 118 reviewThis rating has been converted from our previous rating system. Read about our new review ratings.
CarExpert Rating
Excellent
Read the 2025 Volkswagen Golf R reviewThis rating has been converted from our previous rating system. Read about our new review ratings.
Based on the BMW 1 Series 18i M SPORT
Based on the Volkswagen Golf R 4MOTION
Best suitable for...
Driving the family
City driving
LuxuryFuel Efficiency
42L - 50L
248 to 390 km
50L - 55L
290 to 457 km
ANCAP Safety Rating
Warranty
5 year
warranty
warranty
5 year
warranty
warranty
MSRP
$49,068 - $83,600
$38,690 - $72,490
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CarExpert's Take
Max Davies
Marketplace Journalist
Max Davies drove this car and these were their findings:
Hits
- Great ride and handling
- Characterful turbo triple and quality tech
- Great value proposition alongside M135
Misses
- Dynamics ultimately limited by front-drive setup
- M branding isn't entirely necessary
- Obnoxious speed limit beeping
James Wong
Marketplace Editor
James Wong drove this car and these were their findings:
Hits
- Still the jack of all trades
- Meaningful tech updates
- Black Edition looks menacing in... Black
Misses
- Like tradesmen, it ain't cheap anymore
- No wagon for Australia... welp
- Capacitive steering wheel buttons
Colours Available
The BMW 1 Series is available in the following exterior paint colours:
- Alpine White
- Black Sapphire (+$1308)
- Melbourne Red (+$1308)
- M Misano Blue (+$1308)
- Skyscraper Grey (+$1308)
- Storm Bay metallic (+$2000)
- Frozen Pure Grey metallic (+$3846)
The 118i Sport is only available in solid black paint.
On the core range, metallic paint is a $600 option while premium metallic paint is a $900 option.
The following shades are available on the core range:
- Candy White
- Deep Black
- Dolphin Grey
- Reflex Silver (excludes R-Line)
- Moonstone Grey (R-Line only)
- Atlantic Blue
- Pomello Yellow
All shades are a no-cost option in the GTI, but for Kings Red which costs $300. The following shades are available:
- Pure White
- Dolphin Grey
- Deep Black
- Moonstone Grey
- Atlantic Blue
- Kings Red
The Golf R is available in three exterior paint colours:
- Pure White
- Lapiz Blue metallic
- Deep Black pearl
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Ready To Buy
Specs
| Type | ||
| TURBO, TURBO PETROL DIRECT INJECTION | TURBO | |
| Size (cc) | ||
| 1499 - 1998 | 1395 - 1984 | |
| Size (L) | ||
| 2.0L, 1.5L | 2.0L, 1.4L | |
| Cylinders | ||
| 4, 3 | 4 | |
| Camshaft | ||
| DUAL OVERHEAD CAM | DUAL OVERHEAD CAM | |
| Valves/Ports per Cylinder | ||
| 12 - 16 | 16 | |
| Power | ||
| 103kW - 233kW | 110kW - 245kW | |
| Power RPM | ||
| 4500 - 5750 | 5000 - 6500 | |
| Torque | ||
| 220Nm - 400Nm | 250Nm - 420Nm | |
| Torque RPM | ||
| 1250 - 2000 | 1500 - 2100 | |
| Bore Stroke | ||
| - | 80 - 92.8 | |
| Compression Ratio | ||
| - | - | |
