OK, so the BMW 130i is admittedly not sold in the states.  Still, this story makes a good case for BMW’s engineering and the reliability of the 1 Series in particular.  From BMW: The 130i was recently named the big winner of the long-term test ranking by one of Germany’s leading car journals, Auto Bild.  Covering 100,000 kilometers (more than 62,000 miles) without the slightest problem, BMW’s sporting compact not only achieved the best result throughout the whole of 2009, but also took over overall leadership among all cars ever tested over this distance. In response, the professional car testers gave the BMW 130i their 1+ grade (equal to AAA) and acknowledged BMW’s sporting performer as the “Best Auto Bild Long-Term Test Car of All Time”.

Apart from highlighting the car’s supreme reliability, the testers also lauded the outstanding driving pleasure offered by their car, waxing lyrical time and again in particular about the powerful, fast-revving and very efficient straight-six power unit.

The Ultimate long distance runner

This immaculate result achieved by the BMW 130i is the most outstanding outcome of the numerous long-term tests conducted by Auto Bild in 2009. BMW’s five-door athlete completed its 100,000-km marathon within approximately 1 ½ years, covering both short trips and long journeys on the Autobahn. The car completed this demanding challenge without the slightest incident and with both oil con­sumption and brake pad wear remaining extremely low throughout the entire test period.

In their final report the testers also acknowledged the high level of quality they consistently enjoyed with the BMW 130i even after its ongoing stress test. Their bottom line was that this “zero-defect car” did not show even the slightest signs of wear and tear.

Another BMW also in production today already came right at the top of Auto Bild’s ranking in 2008, the BMW 320i Touring covering the entire distance of 100,000 kilometers without one single breakdown or any unscheduled visits to the workshop. Registering just three minor defects in the course of the entire test, the BMW 320i Touring likewise scored the top grade awarded by the editors, a “1”, thus currently ranking No 5 in Auto Bild’s eternal list of long-term test cars.

[Source: BMW]