Is BMW's forgotten hot hatch better than a Golf GTI? BMW 128Ti review

Car enthusiasts might have moaned when BMW switched the 1 Series to front-wheel-drive, but it gave the Bavarian brand the opportunity to build a pretty serious VW Golf GTI rival: the 128Ti. Join Tim for a full review of this slightly left-field hot hatch, including a look at the practicality and interior, and of course a look at how it drives on some of our favourite country roads.

[DontPanicDear]

My favourite of the sensible warm hatches ❤

[grizzlystr]

Love mine & as you said not many about. I hated the slide touch controls in the Golf & never considered the Hyundai.
Fun when you want it & sensible when required, a great car.
Great mini review 👍

[pigeonpoo]

Thanks for the review. I've always really liked this car. I don't recall any reviewer saying it suffered from torque steer, so thank you.

[keithronson]

Get rid of the adolescent red bits and yes you have the perfect Q hot hatch... Like it!.👍💪👌

[lupislune]

If I were driving through a cold winter storm in Northern Europe, this would help keep the trousers warm.

[JonBurrows]

Wow a LoveFilm reference, what a blast from the past !

[TheDrednaught]

Excellent car I have it in white. Really fun drive

[jaysen]

I find it slightly unstable at high speeds in sport mode

[simonh]

It depends how you define best. Personally I would rather have a manual gearbox. I don't care if they are a bit slower, I just prefer the extra involvement.

[ImBarryScottCSS]

In the immortal words of Martin Mulholland:

Front wheel dri🤮

[simbobn]

Mmm, M27 J11 top rd over to Boarhunt..? Would be more fun in a Renault Megane RS I'm guessing.

[CaribbeanSlav]

I love my 128ti, the only ONLY thing I hate is the FWD

[ScottPC]

When I drove one I just found it so dull... Only good bit was how to goes round bends.

[paulwardzynski]

It's ok if a little dull. I don't really think BMW needed a Golf/Hyundai competitor but hey-ho.

[mrmrsread]

But realistically the Hyundai is the one you would go for right Tim?

This just seems drab in comparison