BMW 1 Series 128ti 2021 long term review

Why we ran it: To see if the first of a kind for BMW can tackle established rivals as a car not just to drive but also to live with

After a months-long 7500-mile real-world test, it leaves with its head held high despite its shortcomings as a hot hatch - 27 October 2021

My hopes for the 128ti were both high and low, if that is not too contradictory a statement. High because I’ve never driven a ti BMW I didn’t like and I fancied it might find a sweet spot between the standard 1 Series and the expensive, heavy M135i. Low because it was unfortunate enough to be replacing a Ford Focus ST outside my house.

And I’ll say now that as a thing to punt down a decent road, the Ford is better. Wet, dry, night and day, up hill and down dale better. It surprised me not at all that the ti came last at our Junior Handling Day – only that it was invited in the first place.

But the thing with long-term reports is that we’re not too concerned with all that stuff. I’m lucky enough to live in the Welsh borders, where I can be on a cracking road within three minutes of getting in the car, and even I don’t spend much time door-handling whatever I happen to be in. Because, like you, I spend most of my time behind the wheel on motorways, or in town, and who gives a stuff about yaw gain following lift-off oversteer there?

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Thank you.

[drewtyrrell]

Thanks for the video, all was good apart from the point about the tyres, the car does come with Michelin Pilot Sport performance tyres as a free option.