Discussion
I work for BMW and we have a really good car scheme, which means anyone who's got a car via this scheme can swap and change between each others cars (given a few rules and restrictions).
Point being, I had a 125d on the scheme and safe to say it's the best all round car I've ever driven and I wouldn't hesitate to have one again.
I drove a colleague's 125i auto and another's 125i manual, and they both left a lot to be desired! The gearbox (manual and auto) is smooth, and it's relatively quick; however, the torque in the 125d makes you feel like you're going 100x faster, overtaking is an absolute doddle! No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get bellow 40mpg and I rarely did any motorway driving. I also have to second the notion that there'e no emotion to the 125i, sounds awful unless you're in sport and have been sat on the motorway for hours, you might get a burble or two.
125d is the way to go!
I've since come off the scheme and owned a 987 Cayman 2.7 and currently driving an E82 125i - when it no longer becomes viable to run a 3L petrol, I will be getting another 125d.
Point being, I had a 125d on the scheme and safe to say it's the best all round car I've ever driven and I wouldn't hesitate to have one again.
I drove a colleague's 125i auto and another's 125i manual, and they both left a lot to be desired! The gearbox (manual and auto) is smooth, and it's relatively quick; however, the torque in the 125d makes you feel like you're going 100x faster, overtaking is an absolute doddle! No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get bellow 40mpg and I rarely did any motorway driving. I also have to second the notion that there'e no emotion to the 125i, sounds awful unless you're in sport and have been sat on the motorway for hours, you might get a burble or two.
125d is the way to go!
I've since come off the scheme and owned a 987 Cayman 2.7 and currently driving an E82 125i - when it no longer becomes viable to run a 3L petrol, I will be getting another 125d.
I have a 125d manual. Have previously owned a 130i.
The biggest loss is the noise; the 125d feel every bit as swift, if not swifter in give or take traffic. The fact it refuses to do worse than mid 40s even for pathetically short trips is a bonus.
I also considered the 125i - didn't drive one - but went 125d as I knew that ultimately both were 4-pot, both identical (as near as dammit) on power, with the 125d having more torque and better economy. No brainer when you compare them like for like, unless you hate diesel.
If you do go 125d, try and get the auto. It's a revvy engine for a diesel but 1st>2nd>3rd is so much better in an auto.
Personally though, if you want economy, but want something that doesn't sound (as much) like a tractor, then I'd be looking to chop the M3 for a 335d, or a 330d.
The biggest loss is the noise; the 125d feel every bit as swift, if not swifter in give or take traffic. The fact it refuses to do worse than mid 40s even for pathetically short trips is a bonus.
I also considered the 125i - didn't drive one - but went 125d as I knew that ultimately both were 4-pot, both identical (as near as dammit) on power, with the 125d having more torque and better economy. No brainer when you compare them like for like, unless you hate diesel.
If you do go 125d, try and get the auto. It's a revvy engine for a diesel but 1st>2nd>3rd is so much better in an auto.
Personally though, if you want economy, but want something that doesn't sound (as much) like a tractor, then I'd be looking to chop the M3 for a 335d, or a 330d.
Just to there small spanner in the works. I've owned a 07 120d, f30 320 Ed (detuned to 165hp) and now a f31 325d - same engine as 125d.
If I'm being perfectly honest, I don't think it's much better than the normal 2l diesel, it smoother and you don't get the power serge like most diesels but ultimately top rev (4500rpm) BHP is where diesels are at. The mpg is worse for sure, my friend 123d was significantly worse than my 120d, very similar spec regards wheels etc. they were manuals though, my 325d is auto and I do dual carriageway commute sitting around 51mpg.
On the 3 series, it's comes with bigger brakes, sevo steering and Front parking beepers which really attracted me, I've got the m sport brakes too, which are comparably larger again than the upgraded 320d ones. They are flipping massive! My winter 18's barely clear the callipers!
I assume the 125d spec will be different also, which may help your decision. If not, I'd probably stick to the 120d and be smug for the cheaper tax and fuel.
Diesel is diesel, loads of torque which is great but you run out of revs in a blink. However it pulls well for the fuel it uses, just don't think it's ballistic fast, power figures and 0-60 times don't tell you everything about the car real world use and performance.
I haven't driven the 125, but if you want performance, I can't see how it would let you down unless it gets breathless top end.
Just my 2p, which is usually complete horse sh*te!
If I'm being perfectly honest, I don't think it's much better than the normal 2l diesel, it smoother and you don't get the power serge like most diesels but ultimately top rev (4500rpm) BHP is where diesels are at. The mpg is worse for sure, my friend 123d was significantly worse than my 120d, very similar spec regards wheels etc. they were manuals though, my 325d is auto and I do dual carriageway commute sitting around 51mpg.
On the 3 series, it's comes with bigger brakes, sevo steering and Front parking beepers which really attracted me, I've got the m sport brakes too, which are comparably larger again than the upgraded 320d ones. They are flipping massive! My winter 18's barely clear the callipers!
I assume the 125d spec will be different also, which may help your decision. If not, I'd probably stick to the 120d and be smug for the cheaper tax and fuel.
Diesel is diesel, loads of torque which is great but you run out of revs in a blink. However it pulls well for the fuel it uses, just don't think it's ballistic fast, power figures and 0-60 times don't tell you everything about the car real world use and performance.
I haven't driven the 125, but if you want performance, I can't see how it would let you down unless it gets breathless top end.
Just my 2p, which is usually complete horse sh*te!
ratty6464 said:
I've got a spreadsheet with all the estimated figures in. As I put a large deposit on the m3 and it is zero % finance it's only costs me £350 month finance. Fuel will be circa £380 month (depending on mpg achieved) and I put away £140 month to cover insurance, tyres and tax etc.
It's got 6 months OEM wwrranty left but the issue is as I rack up the miles quickly it will probably reduce the small amount of equity in it. Then next year I'll need to fork out for a warranty too and then consumables like brakes etc eventually. Although I have got the service pack for the 5 years which is handy. The downside is that driving into Birmingham everyday it may get clonked / it's really not the habitat for a manual m3.
The flip side is that with a comp car I wouldn't need to worry about it at all, would probably save a bit of cash every month but would have to chop in the M3 which would be so sad as I specced it from new and it's one of the best examples of the last of a breed.
It's a real head vs heart decision.
I could have had a company car when I bought my 123d.It's got 6 months OEM wwrranty left but the issue is as I rack up the miles quickly it will probably reduce the small amount of equity in it. Then next year I'll need to fork out for a warranty too and then consumables like brakes etc eventually. Although I have got the service pack for the 5 years which is handy. The downside is that driving into Birmingham everyday it may get clonked / it's really not the habitat for a manual m3.
The flip side is that with a comp car I wouldn't need to worry about it at all, would probably save a bit of cash every month but would have to chop in the M3 which would be so sad as I specced it from new and it's one of the best examples of the last of a breed.
It's a real head vs heart decision.
However the allowance meant I would have struggled to get a 118d, so I took the car allowance, had the interest free loan (although it cost tax for BIK if loan was greater than £5,000, so I borrowed £4,800!) and got the 123d. Quick, but not fun. In hindsight I really should have driven a 130i before I decided.
Anyway it's just an idea but if you have the option of an allowance why not take that, keep the M3 and buy a cheap daily? An older 320d if economy is crucial, a 330d if important but not crucial or maybe a 325/330i if you want to at least enjoy using it a bit. I got a 325ti Sport last year as a daily for just under £2,000. Goes every bit as quick as the 123d, sounds so much better than a tractor and doesn't use the fuel of the devil!
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