What is the original audio system in the BMW 118i?
3 Answers
BMW 118i comes with Harman Kardon audio system as original equipment. Here are the relevant details about the BMW 118i: 1. The BMW 118i Sport Design Package features unique 16-inch Star-spoke light alloy wheels, high-gloss black tailpipe trims, and aluminum door sill finishers with "BMW Sport" lettering. 2. The kidney grille, central air intake slats, side air intake surrounds, and rear bumper trim elements all come in high-gloss black. 3. The BMW 118i interior is equipped with sport seats and exclusive upholstery, a sport leather steering wheel with red stitching, a car key with red accent details, an adjustable armrest, high-gloss black interior trim strips, and red accent strips. 4. The instrument cluster adopts dedicated sport-style numerals and scales. 5. The interior lighting can be switched between orange and white, with additional light sources in the center console and footwells.
The BMW 118i comes with the standard BMW Basic Audio System as factory equipment. It features six speakers in total: a pair in the front doors, another pair in the rear doors, plus a midrange speaker on the dashboard. The sound quality is decent, with clear and bright mid-to-high frequencies that make vocals and radio broadcasts quite pleasant, though the bass lacks punch, leaving rock or electronic music feeling slightly underwhelming. The system is developed in-house by BMW and integrated into the infotainment unit, offering straightforward operation via the rotary knob or touchscreen for volume adjustment. In my view, this setup is ideal for daily commutes, providing background music that's neither too loud nor too soft—just right for city driving. For audiophiles seeking premium sound, upgrading to optional factory accessories like the Harman Kardon package is worth considering. That system adds an amplifier and enhanced bass, significantly improving performance, though it costs around an extra ten thousand yuan and requires advance customization. Sound quality impacts driving mood; good audio can make long trips feel less monotonous. Overall, the factory system is practical but not top-tier in terms of audio enjoyment.
I drove my friend's 118i, and the audio system is just the standard factory setup. The sound quality is decent—clean and not harsh when listening to music, but it lacks some depth. There's an equalizer in the settings to adjust the bass, midrange, and treble. I tried maxing out the bass, but it still felt a bit weak. The speakers are evenly distributed in the cabin with no obvious dead zones, and connecting via Bluetooth or CarPlay for music playback is smooth without lag. For the driver, keeping the background music at a lower volume helps avoid distraction, especially in traffic jams. If you want an upgrade, check the factory configuration sheet—some batches come with a basic upgrade package, but it costs extra. For daily maintenance, avoid prolonged use at maximum volume to prevent speaker wear, though BMW factory parts are quite durable. When choosing a car, pay attention to audio details—they significantly impact driving comfort, especially in convertibles or at high speeds where wind noise can affect sound stability.
