BMW has one of the widest car ranges on the market. They offer sedans, coupes, wagons, convertibles, and even hatchbacks. One of their most outstanding compact hatchbacks is the BMW 116d. This is a compact, but high-performance, and reliable car.
It comes with an option of 5-door or 3-door. Unlike most BMW models, the BMW 116d is cheaper to maintain, fuel-efficient, and practical. Nonetheless, like most of its siblings, this car is somewhat costly to maintain and comes with a number of issues.
History of the BMW 116d
The BMW 116d is part of the BMW 1-Series. It is in the second-generation lineup and was manufactured from 2011 to 2019. This car has two body options; the BMW F20, which is a 5-door hatchback, and the F21, which is a 3-door hatchback.
Besides, the BMW 116d models use the rear-wheel-drive system, which comes as standard. However, BMW also offers an all-wheel-drive system that is optional. The front-wheel-drive system become standard in the BMW 1-Series third-generation.
Apart from the BMW 116d, the BMW F20 has other models, such as the 116i, 118i, 118d, and 120d. So, buyers have several options to choose from. What’s more, the BMW 116d has three engine options, which is a great thing. These include 2.0-liter N47, 1.6-liter N47, and 1.5-liter B37.
Features of the BMW 116d
Appearance
The sporty look of the BMW 116d leaves a powerful impression both outside and inside. Thanks to features like the large double kidney grille with LED headlamps on both sides. It also has clearly defined lines that blend perfectly with the flowing roofline. On top of that, it comes with alloy wheels and rain-sensing wipers.
Apart from having a lovely exterior, the interior is luxurious with high-end features. It boasts leather seats, front electronic adjustable seats, a leather steering wheel, and a height-adjustable driver seat. These and many other features make this car feel luxurious.
However, the materials used in the 116d are not of the same quality as those used in BMW high-end trims like the BMW 5-Series or 3-Series. So, if you want a more luxurious cabin with top-notch features, you may have to acquire a more advanced BMW model.
The BMW 116d has a wheelbase of 106-inches, a length of 170.4-inches, a width of 78-inches, and a height of 57-inches. Despite its compact design, this car is still spacious
Performance
As stated earlier, the BMW 116d comes with three different engine options; 2011 to 2015 2.0-liter N47 inline-4, 2012 to 2015 1.6 N47 inline-4, and a 2015 to 2019 1.5-liter B37 inline-3 engines. The 2.0-liter N47 engine delivers a maximum of 114 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque.
The second engine, which is the 1.6-liter N47 produces a maximum of 114 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. Last but not least, the 1.5-liter B37 engine produces a maximum of 114 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque. This is the most powerful engine in the 116d lineup.
Comfort and Cargo space
Whether you select the 3-door or 5-door hatchback, you will still have a spacious cabin and ample cargo space. Besides, both of these cars have rear folding seats that allow the user to add more cargo area. They have a total of 360 liters of trunk space, which is great for their size.
Fuel-efficiency
One of the reasons why many people prefer this compact hatchback is because of its exceptional fuel efficiency. This car has an excellent efficiency of 53.3 mpg to 61.4 mpg, depending on the variant that you have.
Price
A new BMW 116d cost about $45,000. However, this car was discontinued in 2019; thus, many of the available models are used. Most used BMW 116d models range between $20,000 and $40,000. Always do a thorough inspection when buying a used car.
FAQ
Is the BMW 116d worth buying?
It depends on what you’re searching for. If you desire a compact, luxurious, reliable, and practical hatchback, this is a nice car for you. But if you want a larger car that is also easier to maintain, then this is not the car for you. Besides, this car is not fast and powerful like its rivals, but it is sold at a higher cost.
What are the common problems of the BMW 116d?
If you’re planning to buy the BMW 116d, it is important to know some of the problems that you will face along the way. Some of them are engine stalling, malfunctioning VANOS system, EGR module leak, power steering failure, transmission problems, fuel pump failure, and door handle issues.
More about BMW 116d problems.
How long does the BMW 116d engine last?
If the BMW 116d is well-maintained, its engine will do over 200k miles. But if the car is not well-maintained, then it may not do over 150k miles. Besides, this car starts developing serious issues after 150,000 miles. Nonetheless, some 116d models have made over 250k miles.
How fast is the BMW 116d?
The best performing BMW 116d M Sport can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 10 seconds. It also has a top speed of 124 mph. This car produces a maximum of 114 bhp and 192 lb-ft of torque. However, this is considerably slower than its competitors like the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Which one is better – FWD or RWD?
It depends on where you live or the roads you use. If you live in areas with tricky road conditions, an RWD is the best choice. However, if you want to save on fuel and have more space in your car, an FWD is the best choice. That’s the main reason why BMW 1-Series changed from RWD to FWD.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a reliable, comfortable, efficient, and high-performance compact family car, the BMW 116d is an excellent option. This car can accommodate up to 5 people and it has ample cargo space. Nonetheless, it has a few issues that interested buyers should be ready to deal with.
Some of the problems that BMW 116d users should expect to deal with are engine stalling, door handle problems, and power steering failure. Overall, this is an exceptional car that won’t cost a lot to maintain like its BMW counterparts.