120d M Sport Loaner
Discussion
Whilst I'm waiting for my 640d GC to arrive (next Friday, I'm told, 
), my BMW dealer kindly offered me a '13 plate 120d M Sport loaner as he had an immediate buyer for my previous car.
I was skeptical at first, as I'm no fan of the 1 series due to its very awkward looks, and the fact it has a 4 cylinder diesel engine. But, hey, it made the deal 'work', so needs must and all that.
First impressions rung true, it looked hideous - even with the big M-Sport wheels, an aggressive front end, and a fancy paint job. Inside wasn't much better, cramped would be understating things, the rear seats with a lanky git up-front are next to useless. Everything else looked, well, dull. So I wasn't a happy bunny when they delivered it, and I left it on the drive with no desire to get more intimate.
The next morning (a Saturday) I had to go somewhere, so found myself with no choice - that or child #1's Fiat 500 Street. First things first, I started it, and it sounded nasty, really, really, nasty. And then I realised it needed some diesel - no mean feat when you live in the sticks miles from the closest garage and the car is 'on fumes', but no worries, I drove to the distant garage, the gauge never moved, and I subsequently filled up.
And then.
I drove it without worry of being stranded. Once I'd discovered the Sport button, which tightened up the steering and made the throttle response much more acceptable, and covered a fair few miles of country twisties, it dawned on me that this was, actually, a bloody good car to drive.
The combination of superbly damped ride, massively predictable handling, reasonably communicative steering (did I really say that about a modern BMW??), and decently tractable 180hp engine with loads of mid-range torque, makes it actually very impressive indeed. You can hustle it along at a pace that shouldn't be possible for a 5dr 2l diesel hatchback, and with no fluster or drama at all.
And here we are 3 weeks later, average is 50+mpg. It really is an economical thing with impressive 'real world' performance. Just goes to show that first impressions don't always count.
A very impressive car - just not sure I would spend the £28K it's priced at, mind.
), my BMW dealer kindly offered me a '13 plate 120d M Sport loaner as he had an immediate buyer for my previous car.I was skeptical at first, as I'm no fan of the 1 series due to its very awkward looks, and the fact it has a 4 cylinder diesel engine. But, hey, it made the deal 'work', so needs must and all that.
First impressions rung true, it looked hideous - even with the big M-Sport wheels, an aggressive front end, and a fancy paint job. Inside wasn't much better, cramped would be understating things, the rear seats with a lanky git up-front are next to useless. Everything else looked, well, dull. So I wasn't a happy bunny when they delivered it, and I left it on the drive with no desire to get more intimate.
The next morning (a Saturday) I had to go somewhere, so found myself with no choice - that or child #1's Fiat 500 Street. First things first, I started it, and it sounded nasty, really, really, nasty. And then I realised it needed some diesel - no mean feat when you live in the sticks miles from the closest garage and the car is 'on fumes', but no worries, I drove to the distant garage, the gauge never moved, and I subsequently filled up.
And then.
I drove it without worry of being stranded. Once I'd discovered the Sport button, which tightened up the steering and made the throttle response much more acceptable, and covered a fair few miles of country twisties, it dawned on me that this was, actually, a bloody good car to drive.
The combination of superbly damped ride, massively predictable handling, reasonably communicative steering (did I really say that about a modern BMW??), and decently tractable 180hp engine with loads of mid-range torque, makes it actually very impressive indeed. You can hustle it along at a pace that shouldn't be possible for a 5dr 2l diesel hatchback, and with no fluster or drama at all.
And here we are 3 weeks later, average is 50+mpg. It really is an economical thing with impressive 'real world' performance. Just goes to show that first impressions don't always count.
A very impressive car - just not sure I would spend the £28K it's priced at, mind.
Urban Sports said:
M135i next 
I dismissed one of those a wee while back due to the looks. I can only think it would be utterly brilliant, and I can now understand the hype.But I'd never look back over my shoulder with pride.
Pretty sure the drive there would have had me smiling though.
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