BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine?

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Fri 12 Apr 2024 10:27
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - maz64

As mentioned by HJ here www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/new-cars/2024-02/2024-mi.../ the MINI Cooper's 1.5 engine is going up to 154ps - it's currently 136.

Anyone know whether the BMW 118i which currently shares the 1.5 will also be getting the power hike? Just for the purposes of my next car daydreams.

Edited by maz64 on 12/04/2024 at 10:28

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Fri 12 Apr 2024 17:45
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - Chips with everything

Or you could remap via Superchips and release 184 bhp plus the associated torque gains? :)

The only caveat is informing your insurance, but I'd be very tempted all the same.

Edited by Chips with everything on 12/04/2024 at 17:45

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Fri 12 Apr 2024 18:03
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - badbusdriver

Or you could remap via Superchips and release 184 bhp plus the associated torque gains? :)

The BMW 1 Series range isn't exactly short of engine/power options, so simply buying a more powerful one would surely make more sense than buying one with less power than you want and having it remapped.

The only caveat is informing your insurance, but I'd be very tempted all the same.

Pretty sure invalidating the warranty would also qualify as a caveat.

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Fri 12 Apr 2024 22:19
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - maz64

I should have said - I'm currently the happy owner of a 2016 MINI Cooper (auto - my first), with no real justification for changing it, but that doesn't stop me thinking about it :)

I do fancy a new one - mine has got climate but very little else, I even have to take my hands off the wheel to change the radio volume. But even the base spec new model has loads of kit, plus the advantage of a decent amount of rubber in the tyres to soften the ride.

However I do like the idea of a 1 series, and if it had the new engine then there wouldn't be a drop in performance compared to my current MINI - it would cancel out the additional weight (I think, obviously no actual figures to back that up).

The BMW 1 Series range isn't exactly short of engine/power options,

Well... after the 118i with 136ps it's a bit of a leap up to the 128ti with 265ps. There's no 2 litre 120i like there was with the previous version of the 1 series. Seems a bit odd.

Edited by maz64 on 12/04/2024 at 22:21

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Sat 13 Apr 2024 06:08
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - badbusdriver

Well... after the 118i with 136ps it's a bit of a leap up to the 128ti with 265ps. There's no 2 litre 120i like there was with the previous version of the 1 series. Seems a bit odd.

Having looked in more detail after my initial glance at the power options, it would seem most versions are diesel!. Which is indeed odd given the type and size car it is and with the (UK anyway) supposed swinging away from diesel.

But I'd suggest a new or updated 1 Series may be imminent. Looking at the range of X1's available, there are both mild hybrids and (presumably, dues to battery size) PHEV's. Neither of which appear to feature in the current 1 Series lineup.

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Sun 5 May 2024 13:02
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - Engineer Andy

I should have said - I'm currently the happy owner of a 2016 MINI Cooper (auto - my first), with no real justification for changing it, but that doesn't stop me thinking about it :)

I do fancy a new one - mine has got climate but very little else, I even have to take my hands off the wheel to change the radio volume. But even the base spec new model has loads of kit, plus the advantage of a decent amount of rubber in the tyres to soften the ride.

However I do like the idea of a 1 series, and if it had the new engine then there wouldn't be a drop in performance compared to my current MINI - it would cancel out the additional weight (I think, obviously no actual figures to back that up).

The BMW 1 Series range isn't exactly short of engine/power options,

Well... after the 118i with 136ps it's a bit of a leap up to the 128ti with 265ps. There's no 2 litre 120i like there was with the previous version of the 1 series. Seems a bit odd.

Maybe BMW think owners will either be retired types wanting a car that's 'nippy' with the BMW 'prestige' and handling (rather like a Lexus) or the 'boy [or girl) racers' at any age who want a very hot hatch and can afford the high cost of purchase and ownership.

Fewer and fewer makes are now doing 'warm' hatches, partly because they are no longer affordable (including running costs, e.g. insurance) to the same lot who used to buy cars like the mid 2000s Civic Type R, earlier gen Focus STs, etc. Many makes are also rationalising their lineups to reduce costs.

I suspect that apart from the German makes, the hot hatch era will be soon over, whether EVs take over fully in the next 5 years or so or not.

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Sun 5 May 2024 14:35
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - pd

I should have said - I'm currently the happy owner of a 2016 MINI Cooper (auto - my first), with no real justification for changing it, but that doesn't stop me thinking about it :)

I do fancy a new one - mine has got climate but very little else, I even have to take my hands off the wheel to change the radio volume. But even the base spec new model has loads of kit, plus the advantage of a decent amount of rubber in the tyres to soften the ride.

However I do like the idea of a 1 series, and if it had the new engine then there wouldn't be a drop in performance compared to my current MINI - it would cancel out the additional weight (I think, obviously no actual figures to back that up).

The BMW 1 Series range isn't exactly short of engine/power options,

Well... after the 118i with 136ps it's a bit of a leap up to the 128ti with 265ps. There's no 2 litre 120i like there was with the previous version of the 1 series. Seems a bit odd.

Maybe BMW think owners will either be retired types wanting a car that's 'nippy' with the BMW 'prestige' and handling (rather like a Lexus) or the 'boy [or girl) racers' at any age who want a very hot hatch and can afford the high cost of purchase and ownership.

Fewer and fewer makes are now doing 'warm' hatches, partly because they are no longer affordable (including running costs, e.g. insurance) to the same lot who used to buy cars like the mid 2000s Civic Type R, earlier gen Focus STs, etc. Many makes are also rationalising their lineups to reduce costs.

I suspect that apart from the German makes, the hot hatch era will be soon over, whether EVs take over fully in the next 5 years or so or not.

MG4 X-Power? Hyundai N range? Toyota Yaris GR? Volvo Ex30 Performance? Plenty of hot hatches out there and more coming soon like GTi versions of VW I cars, Cupras etc.

Looks quite healthy to me.

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Mon 6 May 2024 15:08
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - Engineer Andy

I should have said - I'm currently the happy owner of a 2016 MINI Cooper (auto - my first), with no real justification for changing it, but that doesn't stop me thinking about it :)

I do fancy a new one - mine has got climate but very little else, I even have to take my hands off the wheel to change the radio volume. But even the base spec new model has loads of kit, plus the advantage of a decent amount of rubber in the tyres to soften the ride.

However I do like the idea of a 1 series, and if it had the new engine then there wouldn't be a drop in performance compared to my current MINI - it would cancel out the additional weight (I think, obviously no actual figures to back that up).

The BMW 1 Series range isn't exactly short of engine/power options,

Well... after the 118i with 136ps it's a bit of a leap up to the 128ti with 265ps. There's no 2 litre 120i like there was with the previous version of the 1 series. Seems a bit odd.

Maybe BMW think owners will either be retired types wanting a car that's 'nippy' with the BMW 'prestige' and handling (rather like a Lexus) or the 'boy [or girl) racers' at any age who want a very hot hatch and can afford the high cost of purchase and ownership.

Fewer and fewer makes are now doing 'warm' hatches, partly because they are no longer affordable (including running costs, e.g. insurance) to the same lot who used to buy cars like the mid 2000s Civic Type R, earlier gen Focus STs, etc. Many makes are also rationalising their lineups to reduce costs.

I suspect that apart from the German makes, the hot hatch era will be soon over, whether EVs take over fully in the next 5 years or so or not.

MG4 X-Power? Hyundai N range? Toyota Yaris GR? Volvo Ex30 Performance? Plenty of hot hatches out there and more coming soon like GTi versions of VW I cars, Cupras etc.

Looks quite healthy to me.

Those are hardly 'affordable' as I previously stated, plus they are either EVs (not renowned for their ability to rev and make noise) or hard-as-nails suspension (so they can handle well) cars, not ones that can easily double up as a 'daily drive' over speed humps and our 'lovely' pothole ridden roads without having to do so at walking pace (ironic).

Many hot hatches of 'old' (even 10-15 years ago) still had a decent enough ride and where you didn't need to take out another car loan to afford your next set of tyres.

Many ICE hot hatches will soon be out because environmental laws will make them way too expensive to buy or run, if they are even allowed into many bigger towns and cities when the inevitable ramping up of ULEZs comes. Councils have already done it with diesels with making car parking for residents vastly more expensive (often affecting the least able to pay). Of course, if you are rich, then, well...

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Mon 6 May 2024 16:24
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - pd

Those are hardly 'affordable' as I previously stated, plus they are either EVs (not renowned for their ability to rev and make noise) or hard-as-nails suspension (so they can handle well) cars, not ones that can easily double up as a 'daily drive' over speed humps and our 'lovely' pothole ridden roads without having to do so at walking pace (ironic).

Many hot hatches of 'old' (even 10-15 years ago) still had a decent enough ride and where you didn't need to take out another car loan to afford your next set of tyres.

Many ICE hot hatches will soon be out because environmental laws will make them way too expensive to buy or run, if they are even allowed into many bigger towns and cities when the inevitable ramping up of ULEZs comes. Councils have already done it with diesels with making car parking for residents vastly more expensive (often affecting the least able to pay). Of course, if you are rich, then, well...

Frankly, most "cooking" models are faster than "warm" hatches from 15 years ago so if you want a well performing family car the choice is huge. There may well be less hatches but that is probably because manufacturers are making less hatches. The Fiesta is no more and soon the Focus will be the same way.

Sure the list prices are more but what isn't in life? It is called inflation.

I mentioned the MG4 X-Power. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea but you can get a nearly new one for £25k. In 2014 that would be the equivalent of £18500. If you can point me towards a hot hatch with 429bhp and 0-60 in 3.8 seconds which can also do the tip run you could have bought at a year old and 3000 miles in 2014 for £18500 then well done.

There are plenty of other examples and, yes, more of them will be EVs but doesn't mean they are not hot hatches.

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Sun 5 May 2024 11:39
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - maz64

Apparently BMW have already got a new engine for the 118i - same power output, but 4 cylinders (see 'key performance data'):

brochures.bmw.co.uk/1-series/performance :)

(actually '4.0' cylinders - obviously you need to be precise)

Edited by maz64 on 05/05/2024 at 11:41

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Mon 6 May 2024 15:30
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - skidpan

Apparently BMW have already got a new engine for the 118i - same power output, but 4 cylinders (see 'key performance data'):

brochures.bmw.co.uk/1-series/performance :)

(actually '4.0' cylinders - obviously you need to be precise)

Link clearly says 118i has 3.0 cylinders.

Others have 4 0.

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Mon 6 May 2024 22:39
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - maz64

Apparently BMW have already got a new engine for the 118i - same power output, but 4 cylinders (see 'key performance data'):

brochures.bmw.co.uk/1-series/performance :)

Link clearly says 118i has 3.0 cylinders.

If it did, I wouldn't have posted it :) So presumably you don't see this (link to screenshot in my google drive):

drive.google.com/file/d/1DLd0fwkqlThjRTV5FnyfcdSBF...k

Edited by maz64 on 06/05/2024 at 22:40

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Tue 7 May 2024 06:08
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - skidpan

Your link to the BMW site clearly said 3.0 cylinders and still does.

Screen shot proves nothing.

But why would they replace a well regarded 3 cylinder engine, would be totally pointless.

Edited by skidpan on 07/05/2024 at 06:10

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Tue 7 May 2024 06:44
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - maz64

You think I'm making this up? How odd. And no, I'm not suggesting BMW would replace their 3 cylinder engine at all.

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Tue 7 May 2024 06:51
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - maz64

Are you looking at the link on a phone/mobile device, or PC/laptop? My phone says 3.0, laptop says 4.0 (Chrome and Edge).

Edited by maz64 on 07/05/2024 at 06:51

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Thu 6 Jun 2024 14:26
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - maz64

Well it's been announced - the 1 series is getting a new engine, but it's a mild hybrid version of the 1.5, not the one that's in the new MINI. It's a bit more powerful at 170hp, courtesy of the 15hp 48v electric motor presumably, which gives it approx the same 0-62 time of 7.8s as the smaller car (about 1s faster than the current 118i).

www.bmw.co.uk/en/all-models/1-series/1-series-5doo...l

I want one :)

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Thu 6 Jun 2024 15:06
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - galileo

Well it's been announced - the 1 series is getting a new engine, but it's a mild hybrid version of the 1.5, not the one that's in the new MINI. It's a bit more powerful at 170hp, courtesy of the 15hp 48v electric motor presumably, which gives it approx the same 0-62 time of 7.8s as the smaller car (about 1s faster than the current 118i).

www.bmw.co.uk/en/all-models/1-series/1-series-5doo...l

I want one :)

You might find this strip down of a BMW 1.5 interesting.

www.youtube.com/results?search_query=idocars+bmw+1...5

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Thu 6 Jun 2024 19:51
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - maz64

You might find this strip down of a BMW 1.5 interesting.

www.youtube.com/results?search_query=idocars+bmw+1...5

Thought it was going to tell me how bad it was, so was somewhat relieved that he seemed to think it wasn't that bad (it's the engine in my Cooper).

Not being someone who does much more under the bonnet than top up the screen wash I was obviously impressed at what he can do. To say I found the whole 31 mins 'interesting' might be stretching it a bit, but thanks for the link - appreciate it.

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Thu 6 Jun 2024 20:07
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - maz64

(it's the engine in my Cooper).

Yes ok - it's the type of engine that's in my Cooper :)

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Fri 7 Jun 2024 10:56
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - skidpan

So it is still the 3 cylinder engine just as I expected.

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Fri 7 Jun 2024 16:20
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - maz64

So it is still the 3 cylinder engine just as I expected.

In the 1 series? Yes, me too, but now it's not the same as the 3 cyl in the MINI. Perhaps they just don't want the BMW (£31k) to be slower than the MINI (£23k), as was the case when they shared engines.

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Fri 7 Jun 2024 17:55
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - skidpan

So it is still the 3 cylinder engine just as I expected.

In the 1 series? Yes, me too, but now it's not the same as the 3 cyl in the MINI. Perhaps they just don't want the BMW (£31k) to be slower than the MINI (£23k), as was the case when they shared engines.

It will be the same engine in both cars except the BMW will have mild hybrid added and the Mini won't (possibly not room for it)..

Its only a small bolt on motor/generator that drives via a belt on other mild hybrid, its not like a full hybrid or a plug in hybrid.

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Fri 5 Jul 2024 14:56
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - maz64

Well it's been announced - the 1 series is getting a new engine, but it's a mild hybrid version of the 1.5, not the one that's in the new MINI. It's a bit more powerful at 170hp, courtesy of the 15hp 48v electric motor presumably, which gives it approx the same 0-62 time of 7.8s as the smaller car (about 1s faster than the current 118i).

www.bmw.co.uk/en/all-models/1-series/1-series-5doo...l

I want one :)

...but I'm thinking about settling for a used current 118i (M Sport). I really like my MINI Cooper, but even on the smallest wheels it's still undeniably a firm/bouncy ride. I don't mind that as the driver, but my passenger/wife does. Plus it's 8 years old, and has minimal toys - climate, that's it.

With the old 1.5 the 118 is no ball of fire (8.5 0-62), but reviews say it feels lively enough. And I'm hoping it's a step or 2 up from the MINI in terms of comfort and refinement, and practicality - the additional doors and bigger boot will occasionally be handy too.

I've had an A3 in the past (company car), and liked it. But the MINI, perhaps counter intuitively given its reputation, has converted me to automatics, which would mean a DSG if taking the VAG option - risky? There's also the more practical matter of dealership location - it's a PITA to get to my not-very-local Audi, whereas BMW/MINI are just down the road.

So I'm going for a drive in one of said BMW dealership's used 118s tomorrow, with my wife checking the ride comfort. They've got a few, starting at £20k for a 2020 with 37k miles (don't know how many owners); £21k for a 2022/39k. Prices don't seem that dissimilar to Cinch; it will be interesting to see how they differ in terms of what they offer me for the MINI (if I get that far). I'm not averse to the Cinch option - they are upfront with a car's 'imperfections', and I know from experience that it's fairly straightforward to reject one that has more than advertised.

It's not a done deal by any means. We don't need 2 'big' cars, but the 118 is longer than our Arona (my wife's, which she likes and doesn't want to change). If I could handle a drop in performance and snob value, and risk a DSG, for £21k I could get a brand new Ibiza 115ps Excellence Lux DSG (from drivethedeal). Or lease one for 3 yrs for £1.5k deposit then £200pm (£190pm for an FR), which is particularly tempting. (A 118i would be £2.3k/£330, a new model 120i would be £4.6k/£360 although I guess that will go down as they become more available. Either way it feels like more than I want to pay.)

Can't think of any other (ideally smaller) alternatives with a better mix of performance and comfort/refinement as the 1 series. No point going for similar due to convenient dealership location.

Enough rambling - any thoughts/suggestions?

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Fri 5 Jul 2024 15:25
BMW 1 Series - Getting new MINI engine? - maz64

Enough rambling - any thoughts/suggestions?

I guess I should be looking at Pumas eg.

www.cinch.co.uk/used-cars/ford/puma/details/44a075...4

even though they're generally manuals. Supposed to be great to drive, only slightly slower than the 118, and significantly cheaper. And shorter. And easier to get into (I'll be 60 later this year) :)

Question marks over the EcoBoost engine, I know, especially (presumably) a high output one.

Edited by maz64 on 05/07/2024 at 15:26

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