BMW slashes M140i pricing

Buyers of BMW’s M140i hot hatch will pay almost $5000 less as part of a second upgrade for the Bavarian car-maker’s small-car model range in little more than six months.

That’s right, the piping-hot M140i will cost just $59,990 plus on-road costs ($4910 less than before) when the upgraded 1 Series ‘LCI’ line-up arrives in Australian showrooms from September.

The bad news, however, is that prices for the rest of the 1 Series five-door range are up across the board, with the entry-level 118i now costing $39,990 plus ORCs – up $2000 and increasing the base price premium over its key rivals, including the Audi A3 (from $36,900) and Mercedes-Benz A-Class (from $38,400).

At $43,990, the 118d diesel is $2090 pricier than before, while the 120i is $3090 dearer at $45,990 and the 125i is $90 more expensive at $49,990.

On the flip-side, all 1 Series models gain more options and updated cosmetics outside and in, where a revised cabin includes BMW’s latest iDrive6 infotainment system as standard.

This brings a customisable, app-style interface via an 8.8-inch display and, if customers opt for BMW’s Navigation Professional system (standard on 125i and M140i), touch-screen capability.

An upgraded black-panel instrument cluster is also part of the upgrade, as is a smooth high-gloss black centre stack, cleaner design elements with smoother joins, new upholstery stitching and chrome power window control elements.

Exterior design changes are subtle, but all models score LED headlights (adaptive on M140i) and the 120i Urban Line gains new 17-inch alloy wheels.

New 18-inch Jet Black alloys come to the M140i, which like all 1 Series hatchbacks continues to be available with a six-speed manual transmission at no extra cost over the standard eight-speed auto.

Sport Line (for the base 118i), Urban Line and M Sport equipment grades continue, the latter adding two more 18-inch alloy wheel options, all models now available with new Sunset Orange metallic paint and non-M Sport models now offered in a new Seaside Blue hue.

A total of 12 exterior paints (two standard, 10 metallic) are now available, and there’s also a wider range of interior trim finishers, including a premium Pearl Chrome option, plus a Cognac finish for the Dakota leather (standard from 120i level).

Options packs are led by the $1800 Innovations package for the 118i, 118d and 120i, which includes Navigation System Professional, extended ConnectedDrive Concierge Service, enhanced smartphone connectivity and, for the 120i, HiFi audio.

The Driver’s Assistance Package for the 118i, 118d (both $1800), 120i ($1400) and 125i ($1000) ads High-Beam Assist, Active Cruise with Stop & Go function and Parking Assistant, plus three anti-dazzle mirrors and front/rear parking sensors.

Finally, the Comfort Package includes Comfort Access, electric front seat adjustment, driver’s memory and heated front seats with lumbar adjustment for $2100 across the range bar M140i. All option prices include GST but not LCT.

The latest ‘Life Cycle Impulse’ update for the 1 Series, which alongside the closely related 2 Series could be the BMW’s last rear-wheel drive small car second before its front/all-drive replacement arrives around 2020, follows the release of upgraded engines late last year.

At that stage the M135i increased in price by $2000 and became known as the M140i, bringing 10kW more power and 50Nm more torque. The 1 Series engine range continues unchanged and is as follows, including power/torque outputs, 0-100km.h acceleration, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

118i 1.5-litre 3-cyl turbo-petrol:
100kW/220Nm 8.7sec 4.8L/100km 112g/km
118d 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel:
110kW/320Nm 8.1sec 3.8L/100km 99g/km
120i 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrol:
135kW/270Nm 7.1sec 5.8L/100km 133g/km
125i 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrol:
165kW/310Nm 6.1sec 5.9L/100km 134g/km
M140i 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo-petrol:
250kW/500Nm 4.6sec 7.1L/100km 163g/km

“The BMW 1 Series remains a unique proposition in its segment, with rear-wheel drive dynamics in the best BMW tradition,” said BMW Group Australia CEO, Marc Werner.

“From the acclaimed BMW M140i to the engaging 118i, all new 1 Series come with key technology updates and a refreshed look, both inside and outside the vehicle.

“BMW Australia is especially proud of the sharpened price point for the turbocharged six-cylinder M140i, bringing its superb performance and dynamics under $60,000 for the first time,” he said.

BMW 118i and 118d standard features:
Sport Line, 16-inch alloy wheels, LED Headlights, eight-speed automatic transmission, Navigation System Business with iDrive6, automatic climate-control, DAB+ radio, reversing camera, Speed Limit Info, Sports steering wheel, front sports seats with cloth trim, rain-sensing wipers, BMW ConnectedDrive services, emergency e-call, Real-Time Traffic Information, Driving Assistant

BMW 120i standard features (in addition to 118i):
Urban Line, 17-inch alloys, LED fog lights, front/rear Park Distance Control, interior light package, Dakota leather, extended automatic climate-control, anti-dazzle interior mirror

BMW 125i standard features (in addition to 120i):
M Sport Package with M Sport suspension, 18-inch alloys, anti-dazzle exterior mirrors, M Sport brakes, BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line exterior finish, Navigation System Professional with 8.8-inch touch-screen, Cloth/Alcantara upholstery, M leather steering wheel, eight-speed sports automatic transmission, BMW Individual Anthracite roofliner

BMW M140i standard features (in addition to 125i):
18-inch Jet Black alloys, Adaptive M Suspension, Adaptive LED headlights with BMW Selective Beam, Comfort Access System, electric seat adjustment with memory function, harman/kardon sound system

2017 BMW 1 Series pricing (plus ORCs):
118i -- $39,990 (+$2000)
118d -- $43,990 (+$2090)
120i -- $45,990 (+$3090)
125i -- $49,990 (+$90)
M140i -- $59,990 (-$4910)