BMW 130i M Sport

BMW’s marketing men make much of the fact that the 1-series is the only rear-drive car in its class and, as its most powerful member, it is the 130i that stands to gain most from that configuration. But the truth is that for almost all people in almost all conditions on almost all roads, the only real difference it makes is to reduce room in the rear cabin.The rest of the time, when BMW has wheeled out a new M car I have been struck by the depth and breadth of its engineering excellence and the passion with which it has so clearly been created.
Instead the 1-series merely took me from place to place in an efficient but rather charmless and none too relaxing way. I never felt involved in the driving experience and pushed it hard not because that was what it inspired me to do but simply out of professional curiosity.

If you can live with its looks and don’t need the room in the rear, the 130i — with or without its M Sport addendum — makes a case for itself, not least because there’s nothing else quite like it out there. And among those looking for a diminutive hot-rod with some swanky badging from a coveted brand, it will doubtless find favour. But for those who have come to expect BMW to deliver a complete package — a car as good to own as to drive, one capable of both thrilling and cosseting its driver — the 130i falls short of the mark.