123d - Is it good?

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Hi Guys

I have just sold my 147 GTA and am seriously thinking about ordering a 123d M Sport 3 door in Le Mans Blue with 18 inch wheels, xenons, black leather and the professional cd as a company car.

I have a test drive organised for next weekend which I am eagerly anticipating.

However, in the meantime, can any of you whet my appetite by telling me if they drive well and are fast.

I have joined www.babybmw.net which is a mine of information.

Many thanks!

[Ment-Al]

Same as mine but mine is silver.

They do pull well, and the needle creeps around the speedo faster than it feels like the car is moving.

However, it is quite a dull drive, IMO, interior not up to the standard of others in the range. Cheaper feel.

Front windscreen wipers get on my nerves, auto wipers wait until you literally cant see before they wipe.

It does its job nicely. Does it very well. You arrive relaxed. It just kind of does it job, and does it quick enough to not be frustrating.

[scz4]

See my review from couple of weeks back here -
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Personally I wouldn't buy one if it's your only car as it doesn't excite like a sports car. However, as seond car, I really can't think of a better car. It is quick, quicker now I am getting used to the diesel way of driving. It pulls very quick top end, would put my M3 to shame it was restricted to say 6000rpm. Don't be afraid to rev it!

As per above, I disagree about the interior quality. I think it's very good, some very nice touches and feels very solid.

G

Edited by scz4 on Sunday 7th December 21:02

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Thanks guys - and that's a great review too.

I will report back after the test drive.

PS - Love the Dakar Yellow M3

Edited by Ecurie Ecosse on Sunday 7th December 21:15

[Ment-Al]

Agree with main v second car comment.

Main issue I have is lag and response.

For example, you are doing 40 and want an instant burst of speed, foot planted... it takes time to register, time to down shift, get on boost... not good. Im forever a petrol head unfortunately.

BUT, for what it is intended for, its great.

[scz4]

Ment-Al said:

Agree with main v second car comment.

Main issue I have is lag and response.

For example, you are doing 40 and want an instant burst of speed, foot planted... it takes time to register, time to down shift, get on boost... not good. Im forever a petrol head unfortunately.

BUT, for what it is intended for, its great.

That's exactly when a diesel comes into play. It's twin turbo (one small one big) = virtually no lag at all, yet loads of torque to thurst you along. Try putting your foot down at 40mph in 3rd or 4th gear in my M3...... no turbo lag, but no torque either, petrol needs revs!

I am too a petrol head, just sold my supercharged Z4. But I recognise powerful diesels have their place. Don't get me wrong, M3 is waaaaay more fun and if I had to give one up it would probably be the 123d.... probably Anyway, don't want to start "that" debate again

Edited by scz4 on Sunday 7th December 22:40

[Ment-Al]

The 123d is a weird one. You can never truly know what the damn thing is going to do.

One moment it can take ages before it takes off, the next you catch it on boost and it can almost take you by surprise.

You wouldnt buy the diesel as a fun car, something to go for a hoon in. Dont get me wrong, it has its place, but it just doesnt excite. I dont think its a car that a petrol head would choose as his only means of transport.

Its far better than its Golf equivalent, hence me having one over the GT TDI, but the fuel consumption alone means that it really doesnt have much over a 130i for example. I only get 4/5 mpg better out of the d than i do out of the z4... and i know which one id rather take out. Consider the cost differential over petrol and i doubt id give it a second thought under normal circumstances.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

The 123d does have her low emissions, though, so this makes it much cheaper than the 130 or 135 company car tax-wise.

[scz4]

Ment-Al said:

The 123d is a weird one. You can never truly know what the damn thing is going to do.

I've noticed this when the car is cold. I am not sure if the boost is restricted until up to temperature??? But once warm the power delivery is always on tap.

Oh, if it's your only car, get a 130i, or at least drive one

[scz4]

Just to add, I am averaging 44.5mpg just now, mix of town and motorway. Last weekend I did 200 miles A roads and averaged 54mpg. Seems to be a massive jump in consumption between say 65 to 80mph. Car has only done 4000 miles now so hoping it will improve.

Road tax is £120 compared to £210 for the 130i, don't let that be the deciding factor! Not even £2 a week in difference

[Ment-Al]

scz4 said:

Just to add, I am averaging 44.5mpg just now, mix of town and motorway. Last weekend I did 200 miles A roads and averaged 54mpg. Seems to be a massive jump in consumption between say 65 to 80mph. Car has only done 4000 miles now so hoping it will improve.

Road tax is £120 compared to £210 for the 130i, don't let that be the deciding factor! Not even £2 a week in difference

This weekend, im averaging 34.2mpg... mostly town driving.

[Ment-Al]

scz4 said:

Ment-Al said:

The 123d is a weird one. You can never truly know what the damn thing is going to do.

I've noticed this when the car is cold. I am not sure if the boost is restricted until up to temperature??? But once warm the power delivery is always on tap.

Oh, if it's your only car, get a 130i, or at least drive one

Yeh, I guess you're right. It also, quite often, starts very, very shakily when extremely cold. Noticed this at 6am over the last week or so.

Luckily its not my only car - if it were, id have opted out of the CC scheme!

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Thanks guys.

Do you know if there are any chips which don't affect the BMW warranty? I've heard you can get it up to 265bhp.

However, it will be a lease car - so it is pretty doubtful they will allow it.

I don't want to fall into the same trap as the guy who modified his leased Seat ; )

[scz4]

Ecurie Ecosse said:

Thanks guys.

Do you know if there are any chips which don't affect the BMW warranty? I've heard you can get it up to 265bhp.

However, it will be a lease car - so it is pretty doubtful they will allow it.

I don't want to fall into the same trap as the guy who modified his leased Seat ; )

No, but I've heard Superchips are releasing a Bluefin device in Jan i.e. you can upload and remove the map any time you want. They've used them on Fords for years. Personally I wouldn't do it even if it was a personal car until the warranty run out.

What the story with the Seat boy?

Edited by scz4 on Monday 8th December 15:22

[Ecurie Ecosse]

scz4 said:

Ecurie Ecosse said:

Thanks guys.

Do you know if there are any chips which don't affect the BMW warranty? I've heard you can get it up to 265bhp.

However, it will be a lease car - so it is pretty doubtful they will allow it.

I don't want to fall into the same trap as the guy who modified his leased Seat ; )

No, but I've heard Superchips are releasing a Bluefin device in Jan i.e. you can upload and remove the map any time you want. They've used them on Fords for years. Personally I wouldn't do it even if it was a personal car until the warranty run out.

What the story with the Seat boy?

Edited by scz4 on Monday 8th December 15:22

Cheers - I probably won't bother - too much hassle.

It didn't go too well for the Seat guy.....

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

[Sticks2]

My 120 was my third BMW and a huge disappointment. Echo comments on build quality and hesitation, also lack of rear space if your only car, ride quality. Push button start was irritating in an auto. Can do better mpg and smiler per mile combined imo.

[taznuv]

Was looking at one of these the other day, and echo the build quality comments. The interior is noticeably less well built than my E46 Compact, even the alloy trim is now plastic! Much better seats and driving position though...

[LocoBlade]

The 123d has twin sequential turbos and from what Ive read, is noticably less laggy than the 120d. Fom a test drive though, IMHO the 120d in itself isn't bad compared to a lot of VAG diesels.

The interior was also subject to a facelift in 2007 so the quality issue some mention is likely to be resolved too, as 123d's are all facelift model.

Edited by LocoBlade on Tuesday 9th December 14:50

[Sticks2]

LocoBlade said:

The interior was also subject to a facelift in 2007 so the quality issue some mention is likely to be resolved too, as 123d's are all facelift model.

Edited by LocoBlade on Tuesday 9th December 14:50

Sadly mine was a facelift but still needed new glovebox; storage bin; door thresholds; interior light; door rubber; seat control, and paint was flaking.

What made it worse was that it had to go in twice at least for each issue to be fixed, and I was given an estimate for repairing the paintwork. Cheers.

Poor for £28k.

[DRbeamer]

scz4 said:

Ment-Al said:

Agree with main v second car comment.

Main issue I have is lag and response.

For example, you are doing 40 and want an instant burst of speed, foot planted... it takes time to register, time to down shift, get on boost... not good. Im forever a petrol head unfortunately.

BUT, for what it is intended for, its great.

That's exactly when a diesel comes into play. It's twin turbo (one small one big) = virtually no lag at all, yet loads of torque to thurst you along. Try putting your foot down at 40mph in 3rd or 4th gear in my M3...... no turbo lag, but no torque either, petrol needs revs!

I am too a petrol head, just sold my supercharged Z4. But I recognise powerful diesels have their place. Don't get me wrong, M3 is waaaaay more fun and if I had to give one up it would probably be the 123d.... probably Anyway, don't want to start "that" debate again

Edited by scz4 on Sunday 7th December 22:40

I have had an E81 123d mspt manual and now have an e82 123d mspt auto. These are cracking cars and in my opinion the 123d is one of the best deisel's BMW make. With over 200 bhp and 400nm of torq its no slouch 0-60 around 7 seconds.

I had a e92 325i m sport which was 0-60 in 6.7 seconds but the 123d feels a lot faster and although I have not seen any official times Id put a months salary on it being quicker 30-50mph and 50-70mph.

I dont understand the comment about lag in the turbo ? ? Thats total crap... The whole point of the small turbo big turbo thing as scz4 said, is that it pritty much eliminates lag. And it works! ! ! Any lag that is there you can drive through. The third gear thing is another very valid point. These deisels dont rev the same as petrol cars. They dont have the same top end as pertrol car. They dont like it when you drop a gear as they just hit the limiter. THEY LIKE BOOST just bury your foot.... Swith the TC off and you can spin the wheels easily in third when it rains.

(Couldnt do that in the 325i)

Only issue i had was that the clutch was a bit heavy for the type of drive I do to work (stop start/traffic) and frist gear is non existant when your going for it. The seat is one of the most comfortable you will find offering great adjustment. Make sure you get the salesman to show you the thigh support, seat tilting and how the side bolsters fill up with air. They are a god send when my back is playing up.

The auto on the 123d is the one to have now because you get the padelshift change on the wheel. I know you get the shifter on the gear leaver but its not the same as having spots paddels. Its a totaly different change.. They are quick changes and you can engine brake. So when I have a st day at work I either go through the lanes on the padels or take a chance with the traffic with the auto. 2 cars in 1

I think that in its class the passenger room is ample. Boot space good with 60/40 seats on the hatch and the coupe standard.. Its a small car dont forget... Buy a 3 series if you need a bigger car. It anoys me when people harp on about some crap they have latched on to from reading some tt journalists report in a mag.

Just make sure you get a good demo in the car not just a 5 mint spin round the block. The BMW demos rarely have more than 4000 miles on them and they only free up when they get to about 2500 miles so just bare that in mind.

good luck mate

Edited by DRbeamer on Tuesday 9th December 21:16

Edited by DRbeamer on Tuesday 9th December 21:54