Big price drop for BMW M140i heads pricing and spec release for upcoming BMW 1 Series LCI due later this year.
BMW HAS ANNOUNCED pricing and specification for its lightly updated 1 Series LCI (Life-Cycle Impulse) which is due to hit showrooms this September. Headlining the change is a highly competitive price point for the flagship performance variant the BMW M140i, now priced from $59,990+ORC, that sees it compete at a price point closer to popular hot hatches such as the Ford Focus RS ($50,990+ORC) and Volkswagen Golf R ($52,990+ORC).
As par for the course with most BMW LCI updates, the exterior styling has only received minor tweaks. A new premium colour, Sunset Orange metallic, has been introduced along with Seaside Blue metallic which can be optioned to non M Sport variants. Base model, the 120i Urban Line gets new 17-inch light-alloy wheels as standard and M Sport-equipped vehicles receive two additional 18-inch light-alloy wheel options. LED headlights are now standard across all models and adaptive LED headlights come standard on the M140i.
Inside sees changes too, including an upgraded black-panel instrument cluster, high-gloss black centre stack, tweaked styling, new upholstery stitching and distinctive chrome elements for the electric window controls. All models are available with a wider range of trim finishes and all models come with BMW’s latest iDrive 6 on an 8.8-inch infotainment screen as standard (with Bluetooth, DAB+ and optional wireless Apple CarPlay).
Pricing for the range starts from $39,990+ORC for the 118i and 118d ($43,990) Sportline, which come standard with 16-inch alloys, eight-speed automatic transmission, climate control, speed limit info, rear view camera, rain-sensing wipers and sports steering wheel and seats.
Further up the range, the BMW 120i Urbanline ($45,990+ORC adds 17-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, front and rear parking sensors, interior lights package and Dakota leather seats.
Top of the range M140i reduces its price by almost $5000 to $59,990+ORC and remains powered by a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 250kW at 5500rpm and 500Nm from 1520-4500rpm. Quickest of the lot, the M140i comes standard an eight-speed auto that sprints 0-100km/h in 4.6sec or 4.8sec with a no-cost option six-speed manual transmission. It can also be fitted with a raft of M Performance accessories such the LSD we tested earlier this year in the M140i Performance Edition.
The M140i LCI gets new black double-spoke 18-inch alloys and adds (over the 120i) adaptive M suspension, adaptive LED headlights, keyless entry, Dakota leather seats with electric seat adjustment and memory function, and a harman/kardon sound system.
Aggressive pricing from BMW Australia sees the M140i enter the same bracket as other hot hatches such as the Ford Focus RS, Volkswagen Golf R and upcoming Honda Civic Type R.
BMW Group Australia CEO, Marc Werner was positive the M140i’s combination of rear-wheel drive, powerful six-cylinder engine and new price point will help increase sales: “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.
“The BMW 1 Series remains a unique proposition in its segment, with rear-wheel drive dynamics in the best BMW tradition”.
BMW 1 Series LCI pricing (+ORCs): BMW 118i $39,990 BMW 118d $43,990 BMW 120i $45,990 BMW 125i $49,990 BMW M140i $59,990
Standard specification highlights
BMW 118i and 118d
- Sport Line
- 16-inch light-alloy wheels
- LED Headlights
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- Navigation System Business with iDrive6 functionality
- Automatic climate control
- DAB+ radio capability
- Rear view camera
- Speed Limit Info
- Sports steering wheel
- Sports seats for driver and front passenger, finished in cloth upholstery
- Rain-sensing wipers
- BMW ConnectedDrive suite with ConnectedDrive services, remote services, emergency e-call and Real-Time Traffic Information
- Driving Assistant
BMW 120i (in addition to 118i)
- Urban Line
- 17-inch light-alloy wheels
- LED fog lights
- Front and rear Park Distance Control
- Interior lights package
- Dakota leather upholstery
- Extended automatic climate control
- Interior mirror with anti-dazzle function
BMW 125i (in addition to 120i)
- M Sport Package with M Sport suspension
- 18-inch light-alloy wheels
- Exterior mirrors with anti-dazzle function
- 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 (in addition to 125i)
- 18-inch light-alloy wheels in Jet Black
- Adaptive M Suspension
- Adaptive LED headlights with BMW Selective Beam
- Comfort Access System
- Dakota leather upholstery
- Electric seat adjustment with memory function
- harman/kardon loudspeaker system
All well and good, but it’s the rip-off 2 series that needs big price cuts. Sales tell the figure, too much money for too little car. 2 series should at most have a $2-3K premium over the 1 series.
Great !!! Thanks BMW!!! Bought a M140i 4 months ago and now they have slaughtered resale value by dropping $5k on the new model. Aaaaarrrggggghhh!!!!
Hi Ben, ouch, we feel for you. Beyond that, though, how’s the car? – Isaac
Thanks Isaac. The car is terrific in every way and is more capable than I ever imagined. The talk of the LSD is overrated unless the car is used for track days. It takes very heavy use of the throttle in my manual transmission version to provoke the very effective Michelin super sport tires from their hold of the road. Besides, with the constabulary seemingly around the next bend, you’re always playing with fire exploring even half of the cars capabilities….