I am not sure if my blog readers are aware, but I have a MASSIVE soft spot for the BMW 1 Series. Ever since the E8X editions were released I quickly found myself at home in the Chassis - taking what I love from the BMW E36 Compact and making it look and feel just how a modified E36 should feel like.
Some may not agree, and a lot of people I speak to aren't interested in the BMW 1 Series but I love the way the Chassis covers ground, more so in the R4R BMW 125i (link below).
Some may not agree, and a lot of people I speak to aren't interested in the BMW 1 Series but I love the way the Chassis covers ground, more so in the R4R BMW 125i (link below).
What you get from BMW is a Four Cylinder Turbocharged Engine, pumping out 184 ponies and 270NM Torques. There is absolutely NO DIFFERENCE between this and the 125i Model (not to mention others in across the range), which is why it is very easy to extract an additional 150NM with just a Software Tune!
A lot of companies are Tuning these up to 260ps but I prefer to play safe, somewhere between 240-245ps so there is lots of headroom and an Engine that will last for at least 18-20 years (provided it is maintained correctly following BMW standards). Personally I wouldn't want to see more than 250ps if it was my Car and this is how I treat the Vehicles that visit for Software Tuning (Chip Tuning/Remapping). If you are interested in my Remapping Services please check the Tuning Tab then send an email for more info and booking availability - I have a network of Garages throughout the United Kingdom, and a few have popped up around Europe now that I am living at the Nürburgring in Germany.
A lot of companies are Tuning these up to 260ps but I prefer to play safe, somewhere between 240-245ps so there is lots of headroom and an Engine that will last for at least 18-20 years (provided it is maintained correctly following BMW standards). Personally I wouldn't want to see more than 250ps if it was my Car and this is how I treat the Vehicles that visit for Software Tuning (Chip Tuning/Remapping). If you are interested in my Remapping Services please check the Tuning Tab then send an email for more info and booking availability - I have a network of Garages throughout the United Kingdom, and a few have popped up around Europe now that I am living at the Nürburgring in Germany.
The interior is everything I need from a BMW. A comfortable Seat and Steering Wheel, and like most modern Cars it has Paddle Shifters so I can control the Gear and Power Output from the Throttle as required. This is one of those Cars that I never finish enjoying and could easily own one myself.
This is a daily Car like my own, and the owner also visits the Nürburgring to enjoy Laps in his spare time. The modifications are basically the same as the Golf 7 GTi that I currently drive here, and after some tweaking it was only right to visit Manthey Racing GmbH to let the professionals at Raeder Motorsport adjust the Wheel Alignment. Manthey Racing is predominantly a Porsche Motorsport Racing Team but they are apt and competent working on anything I send in for work. They are for me the most professional and welcoming Service Center at the Nürburgring - appointment is necessary - find them on Facebook, Instagram, or any internet Search Engine!
This is a daily Car like my own, and the owner also visits the Nürburgring to enjoy Laps in his spare time. The modifications are basically the same as the Golf 7 GTi that I currently drive here, and after some tweaking it was only right to visit Manthey Racing GmbH to let the professionals at Raeder Motorsport adjust the Wheel Alignment. Manthey Racing is predominantly a Porsche Motorsport Racing Team but they are apt and competent working on anything I send in for work. They are for me the most professional and welcoming Service Center at the Nürburgring - appointment is necessary - find them on Facebook, Instagram, or any internet Search Engine!
Raeder Motorsport is a division of Manthey Racing and they were the first Team before Porsche Motorsport caught wind of their prowess and unbeaten Racing Track Knowledge. They are in the same building and use the Raeder brand for anything that isn't directly Porsche related, which makes sense.
My first impression of driving this Car back in 2018 was a fun experience so I am really looking forward to getting behind the wheel and seeing how well it soaks up the Tarmac once modified!
My first impression of driving this Car back in 2018 was a fun experience so I am really looking forward to getting behind the wheel and seeing how well it soaks up the Tarmac once modified!
The Car still looks fairly standard and I prefer this as it keeps away unwanted attention from Boy Racers and the like on the Autobahn. Personally I can't stand people who drive inches away from my Rear Bumper and will probably remove the GTi Emblem from the Golf to avoid such ignorant behaviour. While we love driving it is also important to keep it safe - especially on Public Roads!
Before we go off at a tangent lets crack on with the Review ;-)
Before we go off at a tangent lets crack on with the Review ;-)
The Chassis
Driving one of these feels like my old modified BMW E36 Compact - a Love/Hate Car I know, but nevertheless a fun drive! I was impressed with these Cars from the E8X Series and now the F2X has taken several enthusiasts by surprise - especially those who drive the R4R BMW 125i Race Car for the first time.
This has now been tweaked by the guys at Raeder/Manthey and for the first half of my drive I took it really easy to get used to the Vehicle again. After 15-20 minutes I got up to the 100 km/h speed limit on some local Roads and got a great feel for what the Chassis has to offer. It is an ASTONISHING drive and I floated through corners with far less effort than previously. It drives quite similarly to the Golf 7 GTi but I have to say better.. due to the fact it is Front Engined and Rear Wheel Drive as opposed to Front Engined and Front Wheel Drive.
The Car is seriously nice and I didn't hear one squeal from the Tyres as I edged it into the turns! It was a good Car but now it is definitely 100% better. Great job guys!
The Body
It might not be to everybody's taste but I think they are quite nice looking Cars. Nothing over the top, it is the smallest 'class' of Vehicle offered by BMW and I appreciate the work that has gone into making them look better than the first Series. That said the BMW 1M does nothing but stop conversation and remind the bigger boys what the 1 Series is capable of on Track.
I am a fan of the 1 Series design, but again it isn't everybody's sought after BMW now that we have the new 2er, 3er and 4er on the Market.
The Throttle
Surprisingly good, considering the low 'quoted' output from the manufacturer. The original software gets a massive thumbs up from me, but BMW have always been good at setting up their Engines in standard form. If you are a 'normal' driver who isn't interested in Motor Tuning you won't be disappointed at the flat Torque delivery from the BMW 120i.
For me to have fun I would definitely have to Remap the Software but not go too crazy because it is also a daily Car. If it was only being used in the City I could go stronger - because it wouldn't ever have more than 20-40 seconds at Full Throttle at a time, including Autobahn use. People on the Nürburgring Nordschleife are at 100% Throttle for anywhere between eight to ten minutes, so it makes sense to increase AFR to really keep the Engine cooler and I generally run slightly more Ignition Timing to keep Exhaust Temperatures down.
The Exhaust
This is a completely standard Vehicle so there isn't much to report on the Exhaust Note. I am a fan of quieter Cars and can still hear the Engine/Exhaust when driving this Car, which is more than enough for me! It does however use an electronic flap when driving in Sports Mode for a deeper tone.
Driving one of these feels like my old modified BMW E36 Compact - a Love/Hate Car I know, but nevertheless a fun drive! I was impressed with these Cars from the E8X Series and now the F2X has taken several enthusiasts by surprise - especially those who drive the R4R BMW 125i Race Car for the first time.
This has now been tweaked by the guys at Raeder/Manthey and for the first half of my drive I took it really easy to get used to the Vehicle again. After 15-20 minutes I got up to the 100 km/h speed limit on some local Roads and got a great feel for what the Chassis has to offer. It is an ASTONISHING drive and I floated through corners with far less effort than previously. It drives quite similarly to the Golf 7 GTi but I have to say better.. due to the fact it is Front Engined and Rear Wheel Drive as opposed to Front Engined and Front Wheel Drive.
The Car is seriously nice and I didn't hear one squeal from the Tyres as I edged it into the turns! It was a good Car but now it is definitely 100% better. Great job guys!
The Body
It might not be to everybody's taste but I think they are quite nice looking Cars. Nothing over the top, it is the smallest 'class' of Vehicle offered by BMW and I appreciate the work that has gone into making them look better than the first Series. That said the BMW 1M does nothing but stop conversation and remind the bigger boys what the 1 Series is capable of on Track.
I am a fan of the 1 Series design, but again it isn't everybody's sought after BMW now that we have the new 2er, 3er and 4er on the Market.
The Throttle
Surprisingly good, considering the low 'quoted' output from the manufacturer. The original software gets a massive thumbs up from me, but BMW have always been good at setting up their Engines in standard form. If you are a 'normal' driver who isn't interested in Motor Tuning you won't be disappointed at the flat Torque delivery from the BMW 120i.
For me to have fun I would definitely have to Remap the Software but not go too crazy because it is also a daily Car. If it was only being used in the City I could go stronger - because it wouldn't ever have more than 20-40 seconds at Full Throttle at a time, including Autobahn use. People on the Nürburgring Nordschleife are at 100% Throttle for anywhere between eight to ten minutes, so it makes sense to increase AFR to really keep the Engine cooler and I generally run slightly more Ignition Timing to keep Exhaust Temperatures down.
The Exhaust
This is a completely standard Vehicle so there isn't much to report on the Exhaust Note. I am a fan of quieter Cars and can still hear the Engine/Exhaust when driving this Car, which is more than enough for me! It does however use an electronic flap when driving in Sports Mode for a deeper tone.
This is still one of my favourite Cars to drive and I really enjoyed the experience on the Eifel Roads with the 1er. It tackles the Tarmac effortlessly and I could have driven it until the Sun went down! Many thanks to Nico for driving over and letting me use the Car for the Website!
Next on our list are Front Brake Pads and we have already spoken to Special Brakes in Meuspath for the upgrade.. there will be more posts on this Car on my Social Media pages during the Season - click the above links to Instagram and Facebook channels.
Nicholas Lawrence
web - www.on-cars.com
email - nick@on-cars.com
Next on our list are Front Brake Pads and we have already spoken to Special Brakes in Meuspath for the upgrade.. there will be more posts on this Car on my Social Media pages during the Season - click the above links to Instagram and Facebook channels.
Nicholas Lawrence
web - www.on-cars.com
email - nick@on-cars.com
