BMW 116i and 116d: basic petrol versus basic diesel

S eit BMW through the 1.6-liter basic gasoline engine has replaced an equally powerful two-liter engine, the question of the engine for the BMW 1 Series is new. The new engine drives noticeably more relaxed and makes you forget the torque weakness of the predecessor.

BMW 116i with exceptionally good running smoothness

The torque that has grown from 160 to 185 Nm has a large part in this Two-liter is already available at 3,000 instead of the previous 4,250 rpm. Although the BMW 116i cannot keep up with the seven hp more powerful diesel brother, it already has 260 Nm at 1,750 rpm, but the exceptionally good running smoothness of the naturally aspirated petrol is convincing. In everyday life, the desire for more performance does not arise immediately. The steady power development is pleasing, the pulling power is not generous, but sufficient. Not a matter of course, because the BMW 116i weighs at least 1,363 kg.

Nevertheless, the 115 hp are sometimes fully used on the autobahn and country road - with consequences: In the test operation, the BMW 116i consumed around two liters more than in the ECE standard cycle. But that also applies to diesel. Around six liters had to be refilled after 100 kilometers, also about two liters more than the manufacturer specifies under standard conditions.

BMW 116d costs 2,100 euros more than the gasoline engine

No matter, you will say now, two liters less fuel, the diesel has to pay for itself quickly. Not necessarily. After all, the BMW 116d costs 2,100 euros more. Only after an annual mileage of around 15,000 km is the diesel engine ahead in the comparison of operating costs. The reasons: His insurance is a little more expensive, and the state collects 190 euros in vehicle tax per year, 104 euros more than for the gasoline engine. In addition, the owner of the more expensive BMW 116d has to expect a slightly higher loss of value.

So, now all the facts are on the table. If you want to make rational decisions, you simply estimate your annual mileage. But we don't make it that easy for ourselves. After all, at BMW in particular, driving pleasure plays a decisive role when buying a car. And if you don't enjoy driving the BMW 1 Series, you will stay bored in your armchair when the national soccer team won the World Cup final. So away with the potato chips and took a seat in the BMW 1 Series.

BMW 116d animates with powerful torque to chase corners

Best in the well-contoured sports seats (surcharge: 580 euros), thelet you quickly become one with the BMW 1 Series. With the soulful and shock-free steering, the driver directs the tightly sprung compact through bends with no effort. The standard manual six-speed gearbox harmonizes perfectly with both engines. It is a bit tight, but pleases with high precision and short gearshifts.

Despite the same hardware, it is the diesel that pushes the BMW 1 Series driver to chase corners with its early and powerful torque. The two-liter gasoline engine is less brisk, gives the cultivated cruiser without conveying a feeling of underpowering. The noise level of both engines is approximately the same. At 80 km /h, the diesel is two dB (A) quieter, at 140 km /h the measuring device showed 70 dB (A) for both.