How dull is a 120D

[McWigglebum3rd]

Inspired by this thread

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Where someone is considering various piles of diesely boredom as he can't get a 120D


I suggest a prius as its cheap

Now considering a Prius as 10 on the boredom scale and a caterham r500 as 1 on the boredom scale

Where would you rate the BMW 120D

[LHD]

4.

[tyranical]

A 120D is about as exciting as its name.

Whilst we're on that, car names in general these days are for the most part boring, numbers don't do it for me give me a sexy name! I know we have some good ones in the supercar world but BMW is boring, Mercedes is boring, Citroen is boring, Peugeot is boring. VW are ok but they don't really do new models just recycle old ones, Scirocco was a pretty nice name.

In general, I hate modern car names.

[CraigyMc]

I don't accept the premise of the question.

Rear wheel drive, 181bhp, 1420kg.

What's so boring about it?

• Do you mean common?
• Is it a reaction to the styling?

C

[Bonefish Blues]

A Prius is dull, but it's interesting, too, IYSWIM.

[User33678888]

The first gen 1 Series handles a lot better than any of its competition so 5ish.

[anonymous-user]

CraigyMc said:

I don't accept the premise of the question.

Rear wheel drive, 181bhp, 1420kg.

8

i had one for 2 months, new cars are very cushioned and cocooned from the environment, all the car feeling through electronics, which isn't bad just a sense of detachment.

the 320d is a great engine and in comparison to turbo petrol has a better power delivery, with a great surge.

A crap car it is not, but pretty much like most new cars, you tell the difference looking at the stats, they pretty much feel similar.

Edited by The Spruce goose on Sunday 3rd March 10:48

[SeeFive]

10. As dull as being in a long unlit tunnel whilst having a balaclava on backwards and sunglasses.

[Mr Gearchange]

CraigyMc said:

I don't accept the premise of the question.

Rear wheel drive, 181bhp, 1420kg.

What's so boring about it?

• Do you mean common?
• Is it a reaction to the styling?

C

I agree.

It's torquey and RWD with a fine chassis. I'd suggest that in the universe of motor vehicles most things are more dull than a 120D

[omgus]

I'm a big fan of the 120d, not boring in comparison to a lot of new car you can get now.

And i know that they can be hustled at a fairly decent pace when needed.

[Gizmoish]

It's not a TVR of course, and the narrow diesel powerband means that you may need to modify your driving style a bit. But they're comfortable, reliable, handle well and have perfectly acceptable amounts of "go"... Nothing to complain about I'd say.

[alock]

McWigglebum3rd said:

Now considering a Prius as 10 on the boredom scale and a caterham r500 as 1 on the boredom scale

Where would you rate the BMW 120D

Continuing that scale I would have the following. Remember this is about dullness, not about how good a car is.

1: R500, Atom
2: Slower Catherhams
3: Hypercars (e.g. Zonda)
4: Supercars (e.g. 911 GT3)
5: Sports cars (e.g. Boxter)
6: GTs, sports saloons (e.g. M6, M3, Evos)
7: Hot hatches, junior sports saloons (e.g. Focus RS, 330i)
8: Warm hatches, good normal cars (Golf GTI, 120d)
9: Mediocre normal cars (e.g. 116d)
10:Crap normal cars

So to answer your question, an 8.

[MajorProblem]

They are pretty competent up to 100 mph on most roads, it's the driver that makes it boring.

[themanwithnoname]

Had mine for a year today, and 23,968 miles.

Still enjoying it.

However if someone were to offer me a straight swap for a 130i instead, I'd be all over them like a Thai hooker on the Bangla road in peak season.

Great chassis, reasonable power delivery, comfortable enough cruiser. Its a decent jack of most trades (pain in the arse getting two sets of cold water diving gear in - requires seats folding)

I am fairly biased but I can comfortably say that for a diesel (the above mileage is the only reason) its not at all dull.
Even for a tepid hatch its pretty good.

[gmasterfunk]

alock said:

Continuing that scale I would have the following. Remember this is about dullness, not about how good a car is.

1: R500, Atom
2: Slower Catherhams
3: Hypercars (e.g. Zonda)
4: Supercars (e.g. 911 GT3)
5: Sports cars (e.g. Boxter)
6: GTs, sports saloons (e.g. M6, M3, Evos)
7: Hot hatches, junior sports saloons (e.g. Focus RS, 330i)
8: Warm hatches, good normal cars (Golf GTI, 120d)
9: Mediocre normal cars (e.g. 116d)
10:Crap normal cars

So to answer your question, an 8.

/END THREAD

[XplusYplusZ]

I think it depends what you're more used to.
If you're moving from a daily driving prius to a 120D, you'd probably think it's a riot and find it far from dull.
If you're a caterham test engineer, then you might find it a touch bland.

Context is also very important. I've got a 320d coupe as a company car and whilst i know there are faster and better cars on the road, i still enjoy wafting down some twisty roads through the hills, and snowy carparks are amazing (though slightly childish) fun.

[anonymous-user]

gmasterfunk said:

alock said:

Continuing that scale I would have the following. Remember this is about dullness, not about how good a car is.

1: R500, Atom
2: Slower Catherhams
3: Hypercars (e.g. Zonda)
4: Supercars (e.g. 911 GT3)
5: Sports cars (e.g. Boxter)
6: GTs, sports saloons (e.g. M6, M3, Evos)
7: Hot hatches, junior sports saloons (e.g. Focus RS, 330i)
8: Warm hatches, good normal cars (Golf GTI, 120d)
9: Mediocre normal cars (e.g. 116d)
10:Crap normal cars

So to answer your question, an 8.

/END THREAD

I do believe PH should embrace the ALOCK Scale as our std representation of car excitement?

(bit like the richter scale for earthquakes, but with less collapsed buildings ;-)

[hyperblue]

A 120D will be more fun to drive than the equivalent VAG. They're not bought for excitement, but for munching motorway miles as a company car it's a good choice in that price bracket.

[Gizmoish]

gmasterfunk said:

alock said:

Continuing that scale I would have the following. Remember this is about dullness, not about how good a car is.

1: R500, Atom
2: Slower Catherhams
3: Hypercars (e.g. Zonda)
4: Supercars (e.g. 911 GT3)
5: Sports cars (e.g. Boxter)
6: GTs, sports saloons (e.g. M6, M3, Evos)
7: Hot hatches, junior sports saloons (e.g. Focus RS, 330i)
8: Warm hatches, good normal cars (Golf GTI, 120d)
9: Mediocre normal cars (e.g. 116d)
10:Crap normal cars

So to answer your question, an 8.

/END THREAD

I agree, good summary.

[Pints]

Where does a standard MX-5 sit on that scale?