The new 120d

[CatherineJ]

My car has now done over 3,000 miles and it is starting to really loosen up now. The last tank of diesel was returing 49.5 MPG up from around the usual 41. There were a few long motorway runs involved but I think the car is generally improving.

I don't have a problem at all with the ride and handling on the new car.

Catherine

[Olf]

I drove the 120 on a variety of roads from smooth dual to bumpy b roads. As I said in another thread my 330d sport can be quite hard riding but this was something different completely.

It was a kind of high frequency jitteryness. It felt like your inside were being bounced. Not very nice.

[G Man]

Olf said:

I drove the 120 on a variety of roads from smooth dual to bumpy b roads. As I said in another thread my 330d sport can be quite hard riding but this was something different completely.

It was a kind of high frequency jitteryness. It felt like your inside were being bounced. Not very nice.

Was that the new 120d with revised suspension, I would agree with you about the pre 2007 models

[Olf]

G Man said:

Olf said:

I drove the 120 on a variety of roads from smooth dual to bumpy b roads. As I said in another thread my 330d sport can be quite hard riding but this was something different completely.

It was a kind of high frequency jitteryness. It felt like your inside were being bounced. Not very nice.

Was that the new 120d with revised suspension, I would agree with you about the pre 2007 models

All I can tell you is that it was an 07 car with 3k on the clock.

[CatherineJ]

Difficult one to guess that one. The original car was still available on an 07 plate.

As everyone has said the old car was a dog in terms of ride and handling, but the new was is great.

[Olf]

CatherineJ said:

Difficult one to guess that one. The original car was still available on an 07 plate.

As everyone has said the old car was a dog in terms of ride and handling, but the new was is great.

How long has this 170bhp engine been out because it was defo that engine.

[CatherineJ]

Ok well in that case it was a facelift car.

Obviously the car wasn't for you or the only other explanation tyres were over inflated (possible as I've never had one BMW delivered with the correct tyre pressure.

[Olf]

CatherineJ said:

Ok well in that case it was a facelift car.

Obviously the car wasn't for you or the only other explanation tyres were over inflated (possible as I've never had one BMW delivered with the correct tyre pressure.

Thats probably not far from the truth. They do seem to think tyres need to be inflated to 300bar.

[Methane Bloke]

I took a facelifted 118d SE for a test drive and didn't really notice any difference in the ride to my 56 plate 120d. The pre facelift sport however was a real boneshaker and even the dealers advised against one even though our other threes have always been sports. Tyre pressures do make a hell of a difference though and as delivered are nearly always over inflated.

Regards

Chris

[Dino D]

Olf said:

Thats probably not far from the truth. They do seem to think tyres need to be inflated to 300bar.

I've had the same thing on a new Puegot. I suspect the tyres are overinflated from the factory to prevent 'flat spots' caused from standing for long periods of time.

Once at the delaer it should be corrected by the PDI check though...

[Donut]

There is a new engine as of September build in the 118d which means you'll pay £35 a year RFL

[CatherineJ]

Donut said:

There is a new engine as of September build in the 118d which means you'll pay £35 a year RFL

I thought the 118d engine with good emissions was out already?

[uktrailmonster]

Olf said:

I drove a new 120d on Saturday and was very impressed with the build quality and the engine, which is truly impressive.

The ride was fecking awful though.

Sport or SE? 17" or 18" wheels?

Please don't tell me it was an SE with 17" wheels, I was thinking of buying one of those

[Markbishop]

Dino D said:

What is it that makes the new 1 better to drive than the old?

IMHO it's one of the least visually apparent but most technically transformative mid-life facelifts of any car. Visually, the main changes are slightly less droopy headlights and a larger grille. Under the skin, the ride quality has been transformed, tyre noise has been slashed, the steering is lighter and more communicative, there's more power and torque (especially for the 120d) and it's more economical.

[Markbishop]

[quote=wrighty78][quote=Olf]Also, has anyone tried the 118d? Is there much difference in real world performance? quote]

I hired a 118d in France about six weeks ago. Although it's not as accelerative as the 120d and I suspect may be a little less refined, there's not a huge amount in it, and I'd wager the new 118d is quicker and quieter than the pre-facelift 120d, but with hugely better fuel consumption and the improved ride/handling/steering/tyre noise.

An interesting note I picked up from the 1-series coupe coverage: apparently they're about to tweak the 118d engine to get the CO2 below 120. This is likely to enable drivers to avoid the congestion charge.

[Markbishop]

Olf said:

I drove the 120 on a variety of roads from smooth dual to bumpy b roads. As I said in another thread my 330d sport can be quite hard riding but this was something different completely.

It was a kind of high frequency jitteryness. It felt like your inside were being bounced. Not very nice.

Are you sure this is a new (ie post-facelift) 120d, rather than the original? The first release of this car was one of BMW's early forays into using run-flat tyres and it had a very fidgety ride and lots of tyre noise.

My impression of the post-April 2007 car, based on a test drive, hiring a 118d in France for a long weekend and now driving my 120d for 300 miles is that its ride reminds me of old Peugeot hot hatches - firm, but supremely well damped.

Was the car you drive a Sport or SE and were the tyre pressures correct? Over-inflation of the tyres could also give the symptoms you describe.

[NickB12]

Facelift cars arrived at my local dealer as demo's from about 22/3/07 iirc, though pre-facelift cars will have been available to buy from stock after I would imagine.

Interestingly, no-one's mentioned (unless I missed it) the thing which makes the 1 different from all the other hatch's, and why it was an easy choice for me - RWD (and 50/50 weight dist). Sorted.

I have a 120 D M Sport with 17"s and I'd say the ride is sporty, with excellent handling and turn-in most of the time, but unpleasant on the worst roads. I'd recommend the sports seats though. I have a back injury and on balance prefer the firm ride with grippy seats to the softer ride of my old 330D Touring with more roll.

My dealer thought the 118D M Sport the best value for the performance.

[Methane Bloke]

I've driven a face lift 118d and would say there's still a gulf between it and my pre face lift 120d in terms of performance, I wouldn't mind it's CO2 fiqure though.

There again if I had the money for the 245BHP 450Nm Motorsport Kit for the 120d with suspension and brakes as well it wouldn't matter face lift or not.

I tend to run my tyres at 3-4 PSI lower than recommended, the ride quality is fine, traction improved and tyre wear seems even as well. Give it a try.

Regards

Chris