120d coupe economy

[davej311]

Hi, I'm toying with buying a 120d coupe, the economy figures look great but I do a lot of motorway driving (200 miles most days) & am concerned with the range that I can get from a tank as they're quite small, what range or what MPG am I likely to get cruising at 80?

Ta

[dazerc]

In my wifes 2006 120D SE we get around 42 mpg so get around 430 miles to a tank on a motorway run.
So you can't get the advertised 50 odd mpg no mater how easy I have taken in when on a long motorway run.

When on more town driving it drops to around 39mpg

[cptsideways]

Must be technique & driving style as you can get 50+ from a 320d without really trying!

[M3Charlie]

I can get 42 mpg out of my 335d on the motorway at 80

[Frik]

dazerc said:

In my wifes 2006 120D SE we get around 42 mpg so get around 430 miles to a tank on a motorway run.
So you can't get the advertised 50 odd mpg no mater how easy I have taken in when on a long motorway run.

When on more town driving it drops to around 39mpg

Your 2006 car has the older generation engine which isn't as efficient. BMW quote over 60mpg for the newer 120d.

I've got a 118d company hatch and with a heavy right foot have got 48mpg overall since new. My colleague gets 52mpg having done more miles in his coupe. I understand the 120d is barely less economical, especially on motoroways.

I generally get around 530 miles from a full tank. I'm fairly sure the tank size is the same for coupe and hatch.

[IAN1967]

Ive got an 09 120d auto and regularly get high 40's on my 80 mile commute.

I travel M40/M25/A3 so not high speeds but the times I go make steady progress, put winter tyres on a couple of weeks ago and the mpg went to over 50.

[rj1986]

I just traded in a 05 120 hatch- and got about 420 mixed, and 460-480 motorways.

But stick shell fuelsave diesel in it, and that range goes up to 520-530 on motorways, going about 80ish.

[smashy]

Reset the obc did 10 miles on the M4 at 80 all the way 120d auto ED showed 47

[GarryA]

2008 Manual 120d Coupe M sport 49-55mpg driven in all conditions.

[Fox-]

If you are doing 200 miles a day a 1 Series is going to drive you bonkers - it isn't a competent long distance car, it's not refined enough and the wheelbase is too short to soak up the bumps nicely.

Go bigger.

[Frik]

Not sure I agree with that. Whilst a bigger car might be better I've had no problems doing long distances in mine. The wheelbase is quite a bit longer than a Golf for instance.

Edited by Frik on Saturday 24th December 17:20

[JNW1]

Fox- said:

If you are doing 200 miles a day a 1 Series is going to drive you bonkers - it isn't a competent long distance car, it's not refined enough and the wheelbase is too short to soak up the bumps nicely.

Go bigger.

Wise words (and I say this as an owner of a 1-series!).

[Fox-]

Frik said:

Not sure I agree with that. Whilst a bigger car might be better I've had no problems doing long distances in mine. The wheelbase is quite a bit longer than a Golf for instance.

Edited by Frik on Saturday 24th December 17:20

I've had quite a few 120d loaners - including one I took to Southampton and back and one I went up to Liverpool in. My findings were as I said really, the lack of refinement and joggly ride for long distance trips was very annoying. Great for shorter runs, though.

[Frik]

A joggly ride doesn't sound familiar. Were these standard or M-Sport cars?

[Fox-]

Frik said:

A joggly ride doesn't sound familiar. Were these standard or M-Sport cars?

They were standard, box fresh dealer loan cars so obviously unmodified. I must have driven about 10 or so different 1's and they are all the same. The ride doesnt lend itself to long journeys IMO.

[tim2100]

My Coupe is two months old.

I average 37mpg. But My foot is normally welded to the floor. (Camera van will testify to that) and is predominately round town.

[Frik]

Fox- said:

They were standard, box fresh dealer loan cars so obviously unmodified. I must have driven about 10 or so different 1's and they are all the same. The ride doesnt lend itself to long journeys IMO.

Maybe that's it then as I have an M-Sport.

[Fox-]

Frik said:

Maybe that's it then as I have an M-Sport.

The two I drove furthest in were M Sports.

[gizlaroc]

I do get what Fox is saying, but it depends where you are coming from.


I did 3000 miles in our 120d in 3 weeks and it was great. However, there are far better cars to do 200 miles a day in.

I wouldn't personally own any BMW to do 200 miles a day in, in fact I did 46k miles last year in an E Class after 15 years of BMWs and wouldn't consider anything but another Merc as my main car again.

Don't get me wrong I still love my BMWs and will always have one if possible, but not as a main car.



I also found my 320d touring 25% more economical than my 120d and 123d, just a better gearing set up for motorway work. If you like to sit at 80mph try a few, even the F11 520d auto touring we had for a couple of months was around 25% more economical too.

[gizlaroc]

I agree.

I always wanted the extra dynamics a BMW offered, however, I always got bored after a few months, wanted to upgrade to the next thing, 320d to 330d, to 530d to 530i, to 535d to M3 to CSL.
Then when on 9 points I decided to have a go with the E Class. Very nearly backed out of it the night before collecting, but didn't and nearly 2 years later I am still in it, still love it and still look forward to going for a drive in it, it is very different, but it is the fact that it is different that has kept me into it for so long.
It was actually having a new 5 series F11 that made me realise just how much I actually preferred the Mercedes.

But of course everyone is different. I am not saying go and buy a Merc, but if doing 200 miles a day it may be worth trying one, you may be surprised.

A 120d doing 200 miles a day in the UK would drive me barmy.