Valencia Orange 125i
Discussion
Sadly and reluctantly, last year I had to give up my old John Cooper Works Clubman after 10 months and over £10k of warranty work it was deemed to be not reliable enough to take anywhere too far from a MINI dealership and so the hunt was on for a replacement.
With everything said on here and everywhere else on the internet, my focus was aimed purely at an M135i or at a push, a 330d again.
So, thanks to a main dealer who had selective hearing, and other somewhat questionable sales tactics I ended up in a 125i. You may have noticed there was a distinct lack of ///M and the number 3 from the model number. This wasn’t a deliberate move by myself, however it’s a bit of a frustrating event to recall, so all I will do is advise avoiding a BMW dealership located in a town with a tower that looks like the one in Paris…
Anyway, back to the car. It is an F21 125i manual in Valencia Orange, with the N20B20 engine, detuned from the F30 328i 245bhp to a paltry 218bhp. Ignoring the fact that the engine is detuned, it’s best described as a bit white goods. Not really good at anything specifically, just able to do a multitude of different things in an ok manner. The exhaust is similar to most other twin pipe BMW, with one pipe being blocked by a valve which opens above a certain RPM in a certain gear. Economy, I average 36mpg which I get from ~40 miles of M6 @70mph (in the north, the M6 is hardly ever stopped) and 5 miles of A road from home to the M6 and from M6 to the office. Not quite diesel economy but also, not quite m3 economy either, so a bit of a middle road in regards to running costs. It has a bit of torque (310nm iirc) so overtaking isn’t as tedious as it could be, but with 1.4 tons, you do have to work the box to make any progress.
I have the M-Sport brake upgrade which includes the same 4pot/2pot setup as the M3/M4/M135i etc have fitted to them, I think its a bit of overkill personally but its nice to have and I think at the very least the colour of them compliments the colour of the car.
The car itself is a nice thing, plenty of space inside and it's not overly offensive to look at either. The interior feels well put together with everything in logical places. The steering is electronically assisted with “servotronic” assistance, making it heavier/lighter at various speeds. I don't notice it much when throwing the car round so it's a bit of a subtle system imo.
So, I will try and put in photographs where possible, sometimes it isn’t quite possible and so you will have to suffer my awful grammar and spelling.
The first day of pickup, exactly a week before going on a 2 week jaunt into europe I picked up the car with 1600 miles on it(ex-management) and a somewhat irritated o/h who was sick of me calling the dealership “tossers” and threatening to keep my MINI…
First impressions of everyone is of the colour, it is orange but with a golden flake when light shines onto it. I think its one of the best colours BMW have done in recent years, however Laguna Seca blue is still one of my favourites.
The original plan was to take my MINI to the ring, do some laps and then go over to Paris for some sightseeing, shopping and a chance to use my camera in a new city. We had to adjust the plans slightly, we just went to the ring and spectated others doing some bloody quick driving. It is one place I will definitely go back to, however I suspect it will be when either I can tow my metro or I get a quick car again as a daily.
Fuelling up at 2am to head down to Dover for our 9am ferry;
Sat at Dover waiting;
Made it to the Ring;
Obligatory picture;
Back home, 2000 miles later;
The whole trip, the car was faultless and other than refreshing my displeasure of black leather and direct sunlight, I found it was an easy way to travel without issue. I will certainly be looking at changing from runflats if I do a similar trip again just to try and counter the M-Sport suspension.
Back in England, the car was brought into regular use as my daily, nothing really exciting to note about it doing so, other than fitting my PH smiley, and driving to and from work. I found that the manual box is not really suited to slow moving traffic as the lack of low down torque made it tiresome to swop between cogs constantly but once it was moving it could be hustled along perfectly fine, using the mid-range torque and resisting the temptation to try and take it to the redline then getting frustrated at the lack of power after 5k.
Couple of photos from when I decided to have a play with my camera;
Other than that, it’s been back to the dealership 4 times, twice on a low loader after the clutch slipped and left me without any power crossing a junction. After the 4th time, the dealership finally admitted there was a problem with the clutch but wanted me to pay for a replacement as there “wasn’t enough burning wear marks to justify a replacement under warranty”, even though a different chap at the dealership had told me that any clutch with burn marks needed replacement due to it damaging the friction material. Bafflingly consistent troubleshooting, filling me with confidence in them being able to remove a wheel without cocking something up.
The other day I had to “nip” out to wales for work and got the chance to take my car for the drive and got some pics which made me want to do this write up.
After 8 months, I feel towards the car a bit warmer than I did on pickup. Yes, the dealership experience sucked beyond belief, and the engine is as exciting as watching beige paint dry in the rain but it does a job and in a few months/years when I can get rid I just know to stick to my guns and get the car I set out to get in future and avoid that dealership.
However, its a lovely built thing with Harmon Kardon, pro nav and an app on my phone which can do a multitude of tasks but the engine really ruins the car. I genuinely cannot understand why it is detuned from a 328i power, or why its so bad on fuel. I can appreciate there is people who own the 125i and think the power is more than enough, it sounds good, or that the economy is good for the engine size/power but personally I expect better from BMW.
I shall keep this updated when I can, it’s taken 8 months to write this up so it might take another 8 months before I get chance to update it!
With everything said on here and everywhere else on the internet, my focus was aimed purely at an M135i or at a push, a 330d again.
So, thanks to a main dealer who had selective hearing, and other somewhat questionable sales tactics I ended up in a 125i. You may have noticed there was a distinct lack of ///M and the number 3 from the model number. This wasn’t a deliberate move by myself, however it’s a bit of a frustrating event to recall, so all I will do is advise avoiding a BMW dealership located in a town with a tower that looks like the one in Paris…
Anyway, back to the car. It is an F21 125i manual in Valencia Orange, with the N20B20 engine, detuned from the F30 328i 245bhp to a paltry 218bhp. Ignoring the fact that the engine is detuned, it’s best described as a bit white goods. Not really good at anything specifically, just able to do a multitude of different things in an ok manner. The exhaust is similar to most other twin pipe BMW, with one pipe being blocked by a valve which opens above a certain RPM in a certain gear. Economy, I average 36mpg which I get from ~40 miles of M6 @70mph (in the north, the M6 is hardly ever stopped) and 5 miles of A road from home to the M6 and from M6 to the office. Not quite diesel economy but also, not quite m3 economy either, so a bit of a middle road in regards to running costs. It has a bit of torque (310nm iirc) so overtaking isn’t as tedious as it could be, but with 1.4 tons, you do have to work the box to make any progress.
I have the M-Sport brake upgrade which includes the same 4pot/2pot setup as the M3/M4/M135i etc have fitted to them, I think its a bit of overkill personally but its nice to have and I think at the very least the colour of them compliments the colour of the car.
The car itself is a nice thing, plenty of space inside and it's not overly offensive to look at either. The interior feels well put together with everything in logical places. The steering is electronically assisted with “servotronic” assistance, making it heavier/lighter at various speeds. I don't notice it much when throwing the car round so it's a bit of a subtle system imo.
So, I will try and put in photographs where possible, sometimes it isn’t quite possible and so you will have to suffer my awful grammar and spelling.
The first day of pickup, exactly a week before going on a 2 week jaunt into europe I picked up the car with 1600 miles on it(ex-management) and a somewhat irritated o/h who was sick of me calling the dealership “tossers” and threatening to keep my MINI…
First impressions of everyone is of the colour, it is orange but with a golden flake when light shines onto it. I think its one of the best colours BMW have done in recent years, however Laguna Seca blue is still one of my favourites.
The original plan was to take my MINI to the ring, do some laps and then go over to Paris for some sightseeing, shopping and a chance to use my camera in a new city. We had to adjust the plans slightly, we just went to the ring and spectated others doing some bloody quick driving. It is one place I will definitely go back to, however I suspect it will be when either I can tow my metro or I get a quick car again as a daily.
Fuelling up at 2am to head down to Dover for our 9am ferry;
Sat at Dover waiting;
Made it to the Ring;
Obligatory picture;
Back home, 2000 miles later;
The whole trip, the car was faultless and other than refreshing my displeasure of black leather and direct sunlight, I found it was an easy way to travel without issue. I will certainly be looking at changing from runflats if I do a similar trip again just to try and counter the M-Sport suspension.
Back in England, the car was brought into regular use as my daily, nothing really exciting to note about it doing so, other than fitting my PH smiley, and driving to and from work. I found that the manual box is not really suited to slow moving traffic as the lack of low down torque made it tiresome to swop between cogs constantly but once it was moving it could be hustled along perfectly fine, using the mid-range torque and resisting the temptation to try and take it to the redline then getting frustrated at the lack of power after 5k.
Couple of photos from when I decided to have a play with my camera;
Other than that, it’s been back to the dealership 4 times, twice on a low loader after the clutch slipped and left me without any power crossing a junction. After the 4th time, the dealership finally admitted there was a problem with the clutch but wanted me to pay for a replacement as there “wasn’t enough burning wear marks to justify a replacement under warranty”, even though a different chap at the dealership had told me that any clutch with burn marks needed replacement due to it damaging the friction material. Bafflingly consistent troubleshooting, filling me with confidence in them being able to remove a wheel without cocking something up.
The other day I had to “nip” out to wales for work and got the chance to take my car for the drive and got some pics which made me want to do this write up.
After 8 months, I feel towards the car a bit warmer than I did on pickup. Yes, the dealership experience sucked beyond belief, and the engine is as exciting as watching beige paint dry in the rain but it does a job and in a few months/years when I can get rid I just know to stick to my guns and get the car I set out to get in future and avoid that dealership.
However, its a lovely built thing with Harmon Kardon, pro nav and an app on my phone which can do a multitude of tasks but the engine really ruins the car. I genuinely cannot understand why it is detuned from a 328i power, or why its so bad on fuel. I can appreciate there is people who own the 125i and think the power is more than enough, it sounds good, or that the economy is good for the engine size/power but personally I expect better from BMW.
I shall keep this updated when I can, it’s taken 8 months to write this up so it might take another 8 months before I get chance to update it!
RS Grant said:
You wanted an M135i and they talked you into a 125i... so they're phenomenal salespeople?! If you're unhappy then I don't think you have anybody to blame but yourself here??
Nice write up and some fantastic pictures though.
Cheers,
Grant
You needed my salesman. I went in to register interest in a used M135i manual and walked out ordering a new M135i with the more expensive auto box. It's not due until March/April so time will tell if I will regret the auto. Nice write up and some fantastic pictures though.
Cheers,
Grant
Your car looks nice in orange. I got my PH sticker ready to go
Well it was sold to me as an M135i equivilent but with cheaper running costs, however due to how rare the 125i is, they convienently didn't have one in stock so sourced this one and after a lot of assurances that I would be happy with it they brought it in and when I voiced my displeasure with it after driving it for 2 minutes, I was kindly informed that I had already agreed to the car and had less leg to stand on than Paul McCartneys ex.
Its not been a bad few months, I could think of worse ways to travel but will be looking into a tuning box for a cheeky 290bhp/450nm improvement and then riding it out until I can either VT or trade it in.
@toon I wish I had gone to your dealer now, however hindsight is a wonderful thing and having perspective on the whole situation from a distance, I could/should have done it a lot differently.
Its not been a bad few months, I could think of worse ways to travel but will be looking into a tuning box for a cheeky 290bhp/450nm improvement and then riding it out until I can either VT or trade it in.
@toon I wish I had gone to your dealer now, however hindsight is a wonderful thing and having perspective on the whole situation from a distance, I could/should have done it a lot differently.
SlowStig said:
.........it was sold to me as an M135i equivalent but with cheaper running costs, however due to how rare the 125i is, they conveniently didn't have one in stock so sourced this one and after a lot of assurances that I would be happy with it...............
So, you bought a car without trying one out beforehand, and Blackpool BMW are the tossers because you don't like it......?
Sorry stig I think you only have yourself to blame, the salesman has done what he is paid to do. If you weren't happy with the car you didn't have to buy it.
On the plus side I would imagine with a re-map this would be quite good fun? Surely you would be looking around 240-250bhp and a good slug of torque?
On the plus side I would imagine with a re-map this would be quite good fun? Surely you would be looking around 240-250bhp and a good slug of torque?
Yeah I know, however I was quite naive in regards to buying it and there is further details in regards to the sale which I don't really want to divulge on a public forum or divert this thread off topic any further.
Back on topic;
A remap gives these 290bhp/450nm so with the lighter engine, high rev limit, it should make it a more interesting car to drive, I know one of the guys on the forum has a downpipe, remap and FMIC iirc and is pushing 320/330bhp on standard internals.
Back on topic;
A remap gives these 290bhp/450nm so with the lighter engine, high rev limit, it should make it a more interesting car to drive, I know one of the guys on the forum has a downpipe, remap and FMIC iirc and is pushing 320/330bhp on standard internals.
The MPG sounds a little disappointing considering my 130i will get that and downsizing is meant to improve it, can't really see a benefit there. The benefit though is obviously in the cars remap potential, at 290bhp it's a whole new proposition and would provide 99% of the M135i (with the big brakes fitted) for slightly cheaper running costs.
If the engine proves reliable this could be a future purchase of mine instead of an M135i as the 130i is proving to be nothing but fantastic for me.
If the engine proves reliable this could be a future purchase of mine instead of an M135i as the 130i is proving to be nothing but fantastic for me.
I will be looking into remap options soon, its got a whine in 6th which I am a bit concerned about so its going in on Monday to be looked at and its due a service next month or two then once the car gets and all clear I will start looking more seriously.
It depends on your driving, I have found that 65mph is massively more economical than 70mph, roughly 40+mpg@65, 37@70mph and 35@80mph.
It depends on your driving, I have found that 65mph is massively more economical than 70mph, roughly 40+mpg@65, 37@70mph and 35@80mph.
Update time, sadly nothing exciting or regarding a remap.
Car went in last Monday night with a couple of niggles, the whine in 6th, my connecteddrive app not working and a weird bug with the stereo. If I make a call in the car(or receive one), then the volume of whatever I was listening to prior to the phone call is at a lower volume than it was before the call. However if the audio source is changed, and changed back, the volume returns to it's previous level.
In order;
> The whine is "normal" and combined with the engine sounding like a skeleton w
king in a biscuit tin, there was no noises which gave them any cause for concern.
>Connected Drive app, not working was blamed on my phone running iOS 9.3 Beta, regardless of the concierge service in the car not working either...
>Couldn't replicate the issue with the phone calls
So, I was told to keep driving the car until something breaks and get it recovered back to them, not really encouraging but they are the BMW trained troubleshooters, I am just a numpty with a collection of tools.
I also need to put the car on a rolling road, took a friend out last week and we were both in agreement that the car was really not that quick, he didn't believe it was putting out much more than maybe 150bhp. When I told him it should have 220bhp he was shocked to say the least!
Car went in last Monday night with a couple of niggles, the whine in 6th, my connecteddrive app not working and a weird bug with the stereo. If I make a call in the car(or receive one), then the volume of whatever I was listening to prior to the phone call is at a lower volume than it was before the call. However if the audio source is changed, and changed back, the volume returns to it's previous level.
In order;
> The whine is "normal" and combined with the engine sounding like a skeleton w
king in a biscuit tin, there was no noises which gave them any cause for concern.>Connected Drive app, not working was blamed on my phone running iOS 9.3 Beta, regardless of the concierge service in the car not working either...
>Couldn't replicate the issue with the phone calls
So, I was told to keep driving the car until something breaks and get it recovered back to them, not really encouraging but they are the BMW trained troubleshooters, I am just a numpty with a collection of tools.
I also need to put the car on a rolling road, took a friend out last week and we were both in agreement that the car was really not that quick, he didn't believe it was putting out much more than maybe 150bhp. When I told him it should have 220bhp he was shocked to say the least!
SlowStig said:
Update time, sadly nothing exciting or regarding a remap.
Car went in last Monday night with a couple of niggles, the whine in 6th, my connecteddrive app not working and a weird bug with the stereo. If I make a call in the car(or receive one), then the volume of whatever I was listening to prior to the phone call is at a lower volume than it was before the call. However if the audio source is changed, and changed back, the volume returns to it's previous level.
In order;
> The whine is "normal" and combined with the engine sounding like a skeleton wking in a biscuit tin, there was no noises which gave them any cause for concern.
>Connected Drive app, not working was blamed on my phone running iOS 9.3 Beta, regardless of the concierge service in the car not working either...
>Couldn't replicate the issue with the phone calls
So, I was told to keep driving the car until something breaks and get it recovered back to them, not really encouraging but they are the BMW trained troubleshooters, I am just a numpty with a collection of tools.
I also need to put the car on a rolling road, took a friend out last week and we were both in agreement that the car was really not that quick, he didn't believe it was putting out much more than maybe 150bhp. When I told him it should have 220bhp he was shocked to say the least!
Chop it in and buy what you should have bought in the first place. No point being unhappy - you're a long time dead.Car went in last Monday night with a couple of niggles, the whine in 6th, my connecteddrive app not working and a weird bug with the stereo. If I make a call in the car(or receive one), then the volume of whatever I was listening to prior to the phone call is at a lower volume than it was before the call. However if the audio source is changed, and changed back, the volume returns to it's previous level.
In order;
> The whine is "normal" and combined with the engine sounding like a skeleton w
king in a biscuit tin, there was no noises which gave them any cause for concern.>Connected Drive app, not working was blamed on my phone running iOS 9.3 Beta, regardless of the concierge service in the car not working either...
>Couldn't replicate the issue with the phone calls
So, I was told to keep driving the car until something breaks and get it recovered back to them, not really encouraging but they are the BMW trained troubleshooters, I am just a numpty with a collection of tools.
I also need to put the car on a rolling road, took a friend out last week and we were both in agreement that the car was really not that quick, he didn't believe it was putting out much more than maybe 150bhp. When I told him it should have 220bhp he was shocked to say the least!
SlowStig said:
Update time, sadly nothing exciting or regarding a remap.
Car went in last Monday night with a couple of niggles, the whine in 6th, my connecteddrive app not working and a weird bug with the stereo. If I make a call in the car(or receive one), then the volume of whatever I was listening to prior to the phone call is at a lower volume than it was before the call. However if the audio source is changed, and changed back, the volume returns to it's previous level.
In order;
> The whine is "normal" and combined with the engine sounding like a skeleton wking in a biscuit tin, there was no noises which gave them any cause for concern.
>Connected Drive app, not working was blamed on my phone running iOS 9.3 Beta, regardless of the concierge service in the car not working either...
>Couldn't replicate the issue with the phone calls
So, I was told to keep driving the car until something breaks and get it recovered back to them, not really encouraging but they are the BMW trained troubleshooters, I am just a numpty with a collection of tools.
I also need to put the car on a rolling road, took a friend out last week and we were both in agreement that the car was really not that quick, he didn't believe it was putting out much more than maybe 150bhp. When I told him it should have 220bhp he was shocked to say the least!
You seem to be pretty unhappy with the car... This is the first readers car thread i have read where the owner has just whined about the car Car went in last Monday night with a couple of niggles, the whine in 6th, my connecteddrive app not working and a weird bug with the stereo. If I make a call in the car(or receive one), then the volume of whatever I was listening to prior to the phone call is at a lower volume than it was before the call. However if the audio source is changed, and changed back, the volume returns to it's previous level.
In order;
> The whine is "normal" and combined with the engine sounding like a skeleton w
king in a biscuit tin, there was no noises which gave them any cause for concern.>Connected Drive app, not working was blamed on my phone running iOS 9.3 Beta, regardless of the concierge service in the car not working either...
>Couldn't replicate the issue with the phone calls
So, I was told to keep driving the car until something breaks and get it recovered back to them, not really encouraging but they are the BMW trained troubleshooters, I am just a numpty with a collection of tools.
I also need to put the car on a rolling road, took a friend out last week and we were both in agreement that the car was really not that quick, he didn't believe it was putting out much more than maybe 150bhp. When I told him it should have 220bhp he was shocked to say the least!
.Just to rub a little salt into the wounds
I got 45mpg in my M135i on a 200 mile trip to Birmingham sitting at speed limits in eco mode (driving with mpg in mind)
So impressed with the m135i's all round package.
Bite the bullet and get one bought...
(Just got my cousin one for 26500 brand new )
I got 45mpg in my M135i on a 200 mile trip to Birmingham sitting at speed limits in eco mode (driving with mpg in mind)
So impressed with the m135i's all round package.
Bite the bullet and get one bought...
(Just got my cousin one for 26500 brand new )
likesachange said:
Just to rub a little salt into the wounds
I got 45mpg in my M135i on a 200 mile trip to Birmingham sitting at speed limits in eco mode (driving with mpg in mind)
So impressed with the m135i's all round package.
Bite the bullet and get one bought...
(Just got my cousin one for 26500 brand new )
Can you give any details on this deal? I may be interested.I got 45mpg in my M135i on a 200 mile trip to Birmingham sitting at speed limits in eco mode (driving with mpg in mind)
So impressed with the m135i's all round package.
Bite the bullet and get one bought...
(Just got my cousin one for 26500 brand new )
Hard luck OP - I was reading this thread out of curiosity to see what the 125i is like as it appears to be so rare and almost redundant in the BMW line up with the M135i running costs being so similar.
Judging by your underwhelming commentary of your car, I'd do as others have suggested and just chop it in for an M135i if that's what you want. Mine goes back next month (it's leased) and I couldn't recommend it highly enough - a superb all rounder and very affordable to run (insurance and mpg are extremely reasonable for the performance).
Judging by your underwhelming commentary of your car, I'd do as others have suggested and just chop it in for an M135i if that's what you want. Mine goes back next month (it's leased) and I couldn't recommend it highly enough - a superb all rounder and very affordable to run (insurance and mpg are extremely reasonable for the performance).
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