Opinions please: 123d coupé or 320d coupé?

[ben10]

I am soon going to be looking for a new car and as it will be run through my parents company and my Dad has a lot of say in it it will more than likely have to be a diesel.

I have a fairly free reign over my choice of car other than the above. I would ideally like a RWD coupé next so I have kind of narrowed it down to a 123d coupé or a 320d coupé.

Can anyone please give me some pointers as to which may be better for me? (By the time I get the car I will be 20 and will have been driving for 3 years) - Also please bear in mind that I will have to keep this car for 3 years.

Insurance isn't much of a bother as it is a fleet policy.

Thanks for any help offered.

[Tea Pot One]

I wanted a 123d auto ... and bought a 320d M sport auto coupe.

Drove both ... 123d unsurprisingly quicker - 320d though is more than adequate.

320d looks IMO far better than a 1 series and has more space inside.

3 series coupe doesn't look like a 3 series saloon. It looks that bit more 'special'... or as much as any 3 series can !!

1 series coupe looks a bit 'odd' but I actually like them. I just preferred the looks of the 3 series and extra room over the performance as the 320d amazed me with how it went for a lowly 2.0 diesel. IMO the auto suits a diesel but each to their own. I like BMW autos

[christer]

Surely this is just a simple choice between size or performance? Only you know which is more important.

[ben10]

Thanks everyone so far for your input, I am finding myself leaning more towards the 123d coupé at the moment to be honest. Luckily my decision is not an immediate priority so I still have time to change my mind a million more times!

[Tea Pot One]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

As said earlier I've got a 320d and have driven loads of 530d's and the odd 325d ...

I don't find the 2.0L diesel noisy or rough - infact I got it as it was so smooth and quiet .... the 325d and 330d/530d are smooth and nice but is noisy in it's own right - just a different noise ... which IMO is not as nice as many make out - and that comes from having driven thousands of miles in them ....

Just my view FWIW

[Matthew_Eames]

Alpina D3 - Best of both worlds? (features the twin turbo engine used in the 123d)

[ben10]

Matthew_Eames said:

Alpina D3 - Best of both worlds? (features the twin turbo engine used in the 123d)

Interesting!! I would love one but don't think it will fall into budget. I can do nothing but try though!

[Fox-]

How about a 325d instead of a 320d? Similar power to a 123d but the correct cylinder count.

[ben10]

Fox- said:

How about a 325d instead of a 320d? Similar power to a 123d but the correct cylinder count.

Don't think I could quite get away with one - My Dad wont want me to have too much in terms of engine size/power/tax to pay.

I think I could just about stretch it to a 123d

[Fox-]

It's the same power as a 123d though?

[LocoBlade]

Significantly more expensive like for like spec wise though, plus higher emissions etc so probably a higher company car tax bracket.

Edited by LocoBlade on Monday 18th October 12:27

[willhollin]

Diesel is dead haven't you heard? Buy a petrol!

[berry100]

Of those choices....123d all the way..great fun, chuckable and more suited would say to a young un like yerself than a 320d would be.

Edited by berry100 on Monday 18th October 19:13

[ben10]

Fox- said:

It's the same power as a 123d though?

I realise that but I'm guessing he will see D3 BI-TURBO and look further into it that just me saying "The 123d is only a 2 ltr and its soooo smooth" - I don't want to alert him to the fact that there is 200BHP on tap as he will just say I don't need that much and I will end up with a 118d for economy.



Also the price is going to be much higher than a 123d coupé I would have thought.

[ben10]

berry100 said:

Of those choices....123d all the way..great fun, chuckable and more suited would say to a young un like yerself than a 320d would be.

Edited by berry100 on Monday 18th October 19:13

I am thinking much the same myself, also the 1 series coupé is rarer than the 3 series

[Tea Pot One]

Have to say at 20 I would have loved a 123d .... and not the 320d coupe. At 40 .... ish I went for the 320d with it's greater space and comfort ...

[baz1985]

320d....more refined imo.

[LocoBlade]

baz1985 said:

320d....more refined imo.

Refined in what way? If it's interior refinenment then maybe, there's a few touches on the 3 that perhaps elevate it slightly above the 1 Series that but the 1 Series cabin is still a very nice place to be, and personally I much prefer the layout / look of the 1 Series dash compared to the 3, which is very slab fronted and flat, although the electric window switches on the door handles of the 1 Series are awkwardly positioned and not very well thought out.

If we were talking engines and were comparing 123d against 325d then I'd give the nod to the x25 engine, but the x23d engine is a better engine than the x20d, not just because of the power output but because of the way it delivers it's power. The x20d is up there compared to other manufacturers dont get me wrong, but it still has some lag until the turbo kicks in and runs out of puff just over 4k much like most modern diesels. The 123d is more like a turbo petrol in its power delivery and rev range with boost/power available at virtually any revs, mine will pull in 5th gear from 1100rpm on a 1 in 10 hill and start accelerating quite happily, and it's still pulling hard at ~4700rpm when most diesels including the x20d would need to be half way through the next gear due to the more limited rev range.

[mrmac1980]

I would definately say the 320d, the 1 series just doesnt look as good as the three, as much as the 1 series would be that bit faster, your dads going to come after you with a stick when he see's what you're putting through on the fuel card.. 3 series coupe is one of the best looking cars on the road for me, no brainer..

[Funk]

I had the same decision to make, and went with the 123d. The extra pace was the decider for me as I don't need the space of the 3 series. If BMW put the x23d in the 3, it would be the best of both worlds. Alpina D3 wasn't an option open to me unfortunately.