Likewise, the rear wheels were pushed as far back as possible to maximize stability despite the car's compact size. Add a near-perfect vehicle weight distribution and a nicely-weighed steering and you get an extremely docile little beast that reacts instantly to the driver's inputs.
It's all backed by a firm suspension that favors performance over ride comfort, although the compromise dialled in by BMW results in some body roll in sharp corners. Nevertheless, this setup prevents anyone making a two-way trip from Montreal to Ottawa from getting out of the car with a backache.
Fun? Yes. Accommodating? Well...
Like every other 2+2 coupe, the BMW 1-Series offers limited room for rear passengers, especially adults. My pre-teen son had no complaints to make after sitting in the back for a few hours. My wife, on the other hand, absolutely insisted on riding shotgun. Granted, rear-seat access is complicated.
Up front, it's a whole different story. True, headroom may be at a premium for certain individuals, but sitting in the driver's seat is like wearing a pair of gloves with a snugly fit.
The interior is plain and not really original, while the dashboard is very basic. In fact, the 128i even comes with manually-adjustable seats. Whatever, as soon as you grip the steering wheel and find a proper driving position, all you see and think about are the miles and miles of road ahead.
To tell you the truth, life inside this car is fairly enjoyable. Except for the ill-positioned passenger-side cupholder, the audio input jack located below the center armrest and the fact that your right elbow often hits said armrest during spirited shifting, ergonomics are decent. The redundant controls on the steering wheel are particularly appreciated.
When it's all said and done, one should never forget that the 128i is a BMW first and foremost, that is to say a car made to be driven. From that standpoint, it's a complete success.
photo:Marc Bouchard
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| The coupe body style gives it an assertively sporty and pleasantly aerodynamic shape. |
It's all backed by a firm suspension that favors performance over ride comfort, although the compromise dialled in by BMW results in some body roll in sharp corners. Nevertheless, this setup prevents anyone making a two-way trip from Montreal to Ottawa from getting out of the car with a backache.
Fun? Yes. Accommodating? Well...
Like every other 2+2 coupe, the BMW 1-Series offers limited room for rear passengers, especially adults. My pre-teen son had no complaints to make after sitting in the back for a few hours. My wife, on the other hand, absolutely insisted on riding shotgun. Granted, rear-seat access is complicated.
Up front, it's a whole different story. True, headroom may be at a premium for certain individuals, but sitting in the driver's seat is like wearing a pair of gloves with a snugly fit.
The interior is plain and not really original, while the dashboard is very basic. In fact, the 128i even comes with manually-adjustable seats. Whatever, as soon as you grip the steering wheel and find a proper driving position, all you see and think about are the miles and miles of road ahead.
To tell you the truth, life inside this car is fairly enjoyable. Except for the ill-positioned passenger-side cupholder, the audio input jack located below the center armrest and the fact that your right elbow often hits said armrest during spirited shifting, ergonomics are decent. The redundant controls on the steering wheel are particularly appreciated.
When it's all said and done, one should never forget that the 128i is a BMW first and foremost, that is to say a car made to be driven. From that standpoint, it's a complete success.
 |
| The interior is plain and not really original, while the dashboard is very basic. |
photo:Marc Bouchard
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