120d Msport ?

[hot66]

Considering getting a 120d M-sport as a 2nd car. I have yet to drive one ( hoping to get time this week) but was wondering what the opinion was on the 'hashness of teh M-sport suspension.

I am also considering the new VW Scirroco & maybe a 118D M-sport.

Anyone have any opinions on the 120D ?

[adaptive]

I have run one as a company car for two years. Its due to go back in two months and I'd have another if forced, but would go for the 3 door over the 5.

The ride can be a bit harsh on poor roads but I'd imagine swapping the runflats for standard tyres would make a huge difference. Haven't done it myself as I dont buy the tyres

If you are looking at a Scirroco, might be worthwhile looking at a lightly used 123d instead - I'd like a 123d M Sport Coupe but can't have a coupe as a Co. Car

[gizlaroc]

The M-Sport uses a really nice Bilstein strut with an Eibach spring, where as the SE and Sport uses Sachs/Boge struts and springs.

The M-Sport is the more comfy over poor UK roads, the only thing that lets these down are the run flats, £300 will get you a set of Falken FK452's fitted all round and is a must.

I loved our 120d M-Sport, only car we have kept longer than a year and had it 19 months, best all round car I have ever owned and regretted swapping for a new Efficient Dynamics 320d sport touring straight away.

[MC99]

had a 120d M sport, it's firm for sure, depending on where you drive (if it's london with dodgy council illegal road-humps of amazingly strange proportions) then it can be less than comfy. However, it's good when pushing on a little more although can be unsettled if you hit ridges on b-roads or cross-camber ruts, so can be a touch unsettling once in a while. Overall a good compromise car, but as others have said, a 123d is probably an even better compromise.

[hot66]

test drove one today & I am impressed. Not as 'crashy' as an S-line A4. Nice power delivery too especially when compared to the way my 170 A4 delivers.

Also test drove the new Scirroco today & I prefer the drive of the 120.

Some good contract hire rates too so it looks like I might have a 120 M-sport sat on the drive soon . My Audi is up for renewal next year so I could see a 123d or even a 135 being the replacement for that

[northandy]

I have had my 06 120d Msport coming up 2 years, cracking car, done 40k nearly in it in that time, handles well, goes well, very sensitive to tyres (even runflats), my car came with Pirellis and they were shocking, swapping to bridgestones (runflats) when they were knackered made a massive improvement, and they have lasted way better (26k for front compared to 17k for Pirellis)

best of all no warranty work at all in that time...

We also have a 118d in the household and thats done 60k in 2 years, again hasnt missed a beat... tyres lasted even better on that, 5ok out of the fronts !!!

[gizlaroc]

hot66 said:

test drove one today & I am impressed. Not as 'crashy' as an S-line A4. Nice power delivery too especially when compared to the way my 170 A4 delivers.

Yeah I know we moan about the run flat ride, but at least it is not as bad as the Audi ride, how Audi manage to get the car to crash and wallow at the same time is an engineering feat in itself!!
At least with a BMW you can swap tyres to get some comfort back, you can't do that with an Audi.

[heyuk]

I have 120d m sport and its great fun but also works well as a day to day car. The sport mode firms up the suspension so can leave it 'softer' in normal mode if required.

Thing to remember is most car owners believe their car is the best no matter what it is, so worth speaking to people who have driven a few.

All in all a great car really.

[northandy]

heyuk said:

I have 120d m sport and its great fun but also works well as a day to day car. The sport mode firms up the suspension so can leave it 'softer' in normal mode if required.

Thing to remember is most car owners believe their car is the best no matter what it is, so worth speaking to people who have driven a few.

All in all a great car really.

You have adjustable suspension on it ?, I didnt even know you could get that

[gizlaroc]

heyuk said:

Thing to remember is most car owners believe their car is the best no matter what it is, so worth speaking to people who have driven a few.

My current cars are M3 and E320 estate.

Previous cars over the last 2 years...

320d m-sport touring (replaced the 120d M-Sport) and was replaced by the Merc.

And while we had the 120d I had..

335i sport touring
M3 CSL
S4 Avant
535d sport touring


And hand on heart the 120d was the best all round car, when the baby is out of the massive buggy etc. the plan was we will get another one and chop the Merc in, however the way things are in the car market I may just stick tight for a while.

[hot66]

Forgot to ask ... is the performance of the 118d that much less than a 120d? Overall costs for teh 118d are quite a bit less.

Do the 18" rims effect the ride ?

Been offered a silver car with big rims & a met black with 17". Silver car is slightly more money.

Would quite like the black one but don't know if it will be a pain to keep clean

Edited by hot66 on Tuesday 4th November 15:17

[northandy]

hot66 said:

Forgot to ask ... is the performance of the 118d that much less than a 120d? Overall costs for teh 118d are quite a bit less.

Do the 18" rims effect the ride ?

Been offered a silver car with big rims & a met black with 17". Silver car is slightly more money.

Would quite like the black one but don't know if it will be a pain to keep clean

Edited by hot66 on Tuesday 4th November 15:17

Our two are both pre ED, so my 120d is 163BHP, and her 118d is the 120BHP, theres not really much in it tbh, although mine is slightly quicker...

The new ED (efficient Dynamics) versions are 177BHP (120d) and IIRC 143BHP (118d)... personally i'd be happy with the 118d version...

Plus the 118d has the added bonus of being in the £35 a year road tax bracket now...

TBH we have one in Sapphire black and its a mare to keep looking clean, and despite my best efforts to keep it swirl free is showing some signs of it now...

I dont have experience of the 18's both ours run 17's

[gizlaroc]

I had a black one and it was nice, and I really liked the 17" M-Sport wheels too.



Even when dirty it still looked alright...



But have to say that the M-Sport in silver is the best looking 1er hatch imho, looks fresh and really suits the shape well.


I had mine mapped to just over 200bhp and it was superb, then had the 320d (177bhp) done to around 210bhp and that never felt wanting either.
How long you got to live with this car for??

If it is a year maybe the 118d will do? If it is any longer get the 120d for definite.

[gizlaroc]

And also, don't buy them new, they loose thousands!!

Buy one at 6 months old to a year seems to be best, they loose hardly anything between years 1 and 3, so you get the full benifit of the latest car with full warranty and it costs very little to own. Win, win!!

[hot66]

I'm putting this one the company, so I'll be contract hiring for 2 years. Some good deals being offered at the moment .... eg 118d M-sport for £280 ish , 120d for £20 more ( although the ones being offered afre nearer £40 more with their added options)

If you include Company Car tax, etc , overall the 118d will work out £70 - £90 ish a month cheaper .... so I need to decide wether the 120d is worth the extra money

[sniff diesel]

hot66 said:

Anyone have any opinions on the 120D ?

Welshbeef does.

[LocoBlade]

northandy said:

heyuk said:

I have 120d m sport and its great fun but also works well as a day to day car. The sport mode firms up the suspension so can leave it 'softer' in normal mode if required.

You have adjustable suspension on it ?, I didnt even know you could get that

I'm 99% certain you're correct, in that you can't get adjustable suspension on any 1 series, certainly not direct from BMW. Not sure which button Heyuk is pressing but I dont think it affects suspension!

Edited by LocoBlade on Tuesday 4th November 22:20

[roofer]

LocoBlade said:

northandy said:

heyuk said:

I have 120d m sport and its great fun but also works well as a day to day car. The sport mode firms up the suspension so can leave it 'softer' in normal mode if required.

You have adjustable suspension on it ?, I didnt even know you could get that

I'm 99% certain you're correct, in that you can't get adjustable suspension on any 1 series, certainly not direct from BMW. Not sure which button Heyuk is pressing but I dont think it affects suspension!

Edited by LocoBlade on Tuesday 4th November 22:20

Correct afaik.

[heyuk]

LocoBlade said:

northandy said:

heyuk said:

I have 120d m sport and its great fun but also works well as a day to day car. The sport mode firms up the suspension so can leave it 'softer' in normal mode if required.

You have adjustable suspension on it ?, I didnt even know you could get that

I'm 99% certain you're correct, in that you can't get adjustable suspension on any 1 series, certainly not direct from BMW. Not sure which button Heyuk is pressing but I dont think it affects suspension!

Edited by LocoBlade on Tuesday 4th November 22:20

Aye - probably psychological but certainly seems 'tighter' in the road hold, and revs more responsive for sure. Guessing thats a different map for engine or the like, but could affect traction?

[CooperS]

heyuk said:

LocoBlade said:

northandy said:

heyuk said:

I have 120d m sport and its great fun but also works well as a day to day car. The sport mode firms up the suspension so can leave it 'softer' in normal mode if required.

You have adjustable suspension on it ?, I didnt even know you could get that

I'm 99% certain you're correct, in that you can't get adjustable suspension on any 1 series, certainly not direct from BMW. Not sure which button Heyuk is pressing but I dont think it affects suspension!

Edited by LocoBlade on Tuesday 4th November 22:20

Aye - probably psychological but certainly seems 'tighter' in the road hold, and revs more responsive for sure. Guessing thats a different map for engine or the like, but could affect traction?

Wouldnt that be the change in the steering assistance you get (makes it heavier in the z4) and a slightly more senstive loud pedal?