The BMW 116i is part of the first-generation 1 Series, internally designated as the E87. BMW introduced this model series in 2004 as a compact mid-size car with rear-wheel drive, setting the brand apart from many of its direct competitors in the C-segment. The BMW 116i served as the entry-level version of the five-door hatchback and was intended as an accessible model within a relatively traditional technical configuration for this market segment.
Within the 1 Series, the BMW 116i held an important place because the model combined the typical BMW layout with compact exterior dimensions. The car was developed during a period when BMW sought to further expand the brand’s position in the lower segments without compromising its own technical signature. In that regard, the E87 stood out among its primarily front-wheel-drive competitors, featuring a rear-wheel-drive platform and a length-to-width ratio clearly tuned for driving dynamics. The BMW 116i was available in various trim levels and was part of a broader 1 Series family offered in multiple body styles and engine variants.
The 2009 model year falls within the later phase of the first-generation 1 Series, before the model was succeeded by the second generation. During that period, the BMW 116i remained a recognizable entry-level model in the BMW lineup, with a focus on compact dimensions and a conventional gasoline powertrain within the 1 Series framework. The model series had by then established a firm place in the European lineup, with the BMW 116i primarily viewed as a practical and compact model within a premium brand structure.
Technically, the BMW 116i is known as a model that combines the compact class with a rear-wheel-drive platform. This set the car apart in its segment, especially compared to many contemporaries with front-wheel drive and a more uniform technical design. For BMW, this was a way to maintain the brand’s identity even in the compact class, with the engine layout and drivetrain configuration serving as essential components of the concept.
A distinctive feature of the BMW 116i is that the model is part of a generation in which the entry-level engine was deliberately positioned within a broader technical framework. The car shared its platform with more powerful variants within the 1 Series, meaning the BMW 116i was not positioned as a completely separately developed model, but rather as part of a carefully differentiated model range. This was characteristic of BMW during this period, when multiple variants were offered on a shared platform while retaining the brand’s signature proportions and underlying architecture.
The 2009 BMW 116i is a model from the first-generation 1 Series and represents BMW’s compact rear-wheel-drive concept in the C-segment. The model occupies the entry-level position within the series and is part of a generation that stood out for its technical design and place within the BMW lineup. To get a good idea of the lot, we recommend that you attend the viewing day.
Please note: This car is being auctioned online by Classic Car Auctions. It is offered in the online auction “SUV, Youngtimers Specials Summer Auction.” The car is available for viewing during designated days. The listed amount represents the lower end of the estimated value. Bidding starts at €1,000.
Place your bid at www.classiccar-auctions.com/en/lot-details/34741
Auction details:
- Opening: Friday, July 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM
- Closing: Tuesday, August 18, 2026, starting at 8:00 PM
Location:
Anthony Fokkerweg 7
1422 AE Uithoorn
Netherlands
Viewing days:
- Friday, August 14, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, August 18, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
For more information about the auction, viewing days, and the full selection, visit www.classiccar-auctions.com
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Transportation arrangements can be made after the auction.
