Owner reviews for the BMW 116
No edits, no filters—just real feedback from verified vehicle owners to help you make confident decisions.
Overall rating 4.5/5The BMW 1 Series showcased the brand in altogether more accessible light, providing drivers with a more cost-friendly entrance into this German manufacturer’s range than before. The 116 brings a typically premium feeling that you’d expect from BMW, coupled with an engine which has both performance and efficiency to offer.
BMW 1 SERIES 116i SPORT
London (3 miles)
BMW 1 Series 1.6 116i M Sport Auto Euro 5 (s/s) 3dr
London (4 miles)
BMW 1 Series 1.6 116i SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
London (7 miles)
AA finance available
BMW 1 Series 1.5 116d M Sport Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
London (7 miles)
BMW 1 SERIES 116i SPORT
London (7 miles)
BMW 116I M SPORT M SPORT
London (7 miles)
BMW 1 Series 116D M SPORT 5-Door
Ruislip (14 miles)
AA finance available
BMW 1 Series 1.5 116d M Sport (LCP) Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
Dunstable (31 miles)
AA finance available
BMW 116d 1.5 SE Business Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (116 ps
Bordon (40 miles)
BMW 1 Series 116I M SPORT 3-Door
Ruislip (14 miles)
BMW 1 Series 116D M SPORT 5-Door
Ruislip (14 miles)
AA finance available
BMW 1 Series 1.5 116d Sport (LCP) DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
Stevenage (30 miles)
No edits, no filters—just real feedback from verified vehicle owners to help you make confident decisions.
Overall rating 4.5/5The 116 name applies to both petrol and diesel-powered cars - using 116i and 116d monikers respectively - and both are a great match for the 1 Series package. Efficient yet with enough punch to get you up to speed in good enough time, they feel like a natural pairing for this second-generation 1 Series. The good news is that these engines have been proven to be quite robust, too, and there’s a good availability for both on AA Cars today.
Euro NCAP tested the BMW 116 back in 2012 and awarded the hatchback is maximum five-star rating. You’ll find a full suite of airbags on board all models, while an electronic stability control system can help when driving in poor conditions. There are ISOFIX child seat mounting points on the two outer chairs at the back of the 116, too.
The 116i is a petrol-powered model equipped with a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine linked to a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The latter was less common, but a great option if you spend your time mainly driving around town. The 116d, meanwhile, uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine, again available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox.
All BMW 116 models get air conditioning as standard, as well as a CD player and keyless ignition. Plus, there’s a ‘driving experience switch’ which toggles between driving modes to change the character of the car. Every car gets electric wing mirrors, height-adjustable front seats and electric front and rear windows. Sportier M Sport cars get bigger alloys and a dynamic bodykit, too.
You can expect to get around 41mpg from the petrol-powered 116i, and only slightly less in the automatic versions. Emissions of 132g/km CO2 are reasonable for this size of car, too. Opt for the diesel 116d and you could get up to 52mpg combined and there’s no penalty for choosing the automatic version either - its fuel efficiency is the same.
The 116 is a strongly-made car, but we’d still check interior parts for wear and damage - the seat bolsters on the front chairs can get torn or broken. Likewise, look over the alloy wheels for any kerb-related damage. If you’d like a professional to look at a used 116 for you, then an AA Vehicle Inspection is here to help. We’ll send out a trained engineer who can check out the vehicle you’re looking to buy and highlight their findings in a full report.
BMW 116 cars do have a good track-record for reliability, but there are some aspects to check over. There have been some recalls issued - including one where the engine may cut out - so make sure that these have been rectified if they apply to the car you’re looking at. A full service history is a must for cars like the 116, too. Again, an AA Vehicle Inspection can help in this area to take away some of the guesswork. Find out more today.