Look at my diesel! Yes it had to be done, my 123d daily!
Discussion
I'll preface this with the disclaimer that I'm not sure if it should be in general gassing or readers cars - so it's here now! And yes yes I know, it's a diesel so it isn't very 'PH' as some might say, but wait a minute, is it actually any good though?
I'm lucky enough to also have other cars, but bought the little 123 for my daily commute of around 80 miles a day after much searching into all of the alternatives and selling my 911 last year. So after a fair bit of driving other cars I was set upon either a 335d or an A5 3tdi, but just couldn't justify the overall cost of something like that which was supposed to be an economical commuter car, then somebody on these very forums suggested that I try a 123, which I dismissed out of hand and then I went and had a look at one... A wise man whoever you are and showing me that I really should wait to try things before I start typing forum responses!
When I decided that the 123 ticked all the boxes: diesel - tick, reasonable power - tick, reasonable economy - tick, cheapish to run - tick etc etc I asked 5 BMW dealers to look for a car for me so long as it was a 123 with xenons and heated leather I didn't care about any thing else and they found this 2008 car with pretty much all the toys on it
It's in sedona red, which although I wasn't sure about initially it's really grown on me and I actually am quite keen on it now - it's also not the usual dull blue, grey, black or silver!
I wasn't so sure about the coupe initially, and from some angles agree that it can look slightly awkward - the 'turret' effect. But, like the colour (and the whole diesel thing) has grown on me and equally from other angle I think it's quite a good looking little car
So, what do I think of it to live with and drive? Pretty easy on all counts IMO, and if I'm really honest I'm very impressed with it - totally effortless to drive with good mid range punch and the twin turbo set up is seamless from a driving point of view with no sudden on/off boost as in so many other single turbo diesels I've driven. It handles really nicely too IMO and makes driving it quite a pleasant experience. Oh, and the sat nav isn't that bad for a factory unit - comapred to porsche's PCM 2.x it's bloody marvellous!
So what don't I like about it? Yes it can be a bit clattery at idle and under heavy acceleration - obviously! - but cruising it's quiet. The build quality of the cabin is a mixed bag, it initially feels really good, but there are intermittent annoying rattles, although I'm going through a period of none atm (long may it last). I also don't like the BMW method of servicing - i.e. they can't tell you what needs doing or how much it'll cost until you book it in and they scan the key - hmm, naughty! Plus the cost of runflats is a little silly as well IMO!
So am I convert? Overall, yes! In fact I can't think of a better car for a-b dieselly motoring that is a compromise between cheap/reliable/quick/comfortable and well equipped. Would I have one as my only car? Hmm, maybe not, as a fantastic single all rounder the wife's R32 takes some beating. IMO have something like this to take the strain of the everyday commute and have something a bit more special for the weekends and high days - like my TVR!!
Sorry for the long post btw!
I'm lucky enough to also have other cars, but bought the little 123 for my daily commute of around 80 miles a day after much searching into all of the alternatives and selling my 911 last year. So after a fair bit of driving other cars I was set upon either a 335d or an A5 3tdi, but just couldn't justify the overall cost of something like that which was supposed to be an economical commuter car, then somebody on these very forums suggested that I try a 123, which I dismissed out of hand and then I went and had a look at one... A wise man whoever you are and showing me that I really should wait to try things before I start typing forum responses!
When I decided that the 123 ticked all the boxes: diesel - tick, reasonable power - tick, reasonable economy - tick, cheapish to run - tick etc etc I asked 5 BMW dealers to look for a car for me so long as it was a 123 with xenons and heated leather I didn't care about any thing else and they found this 2008 car with pretty much all the toys on it
It's in sedona red, which although I wasn't sure about initially it's really grown on me and I actually am quite keen on it now - it's also not the usual dull blue, grey, black or silver!
I wasn't so sure about the coupe initially, and from some angles agree that it can look slightly awkward - the 'turret' effect. But, like the colour (and the whole diesel thing) has grown on me and equally from other angle I think it's quite a good looking little car
So, what do I think of it to live with and drive? Pretty easy on all counts IMO, and if I'm really honest I'm very impressed with it - totally effortless to drive with good mid range punch and the twin turbo set up is seamless from a driving point of view with no sudden on/off boost as in so many other single turbo diesels I've driven. It handles really nicely too IMO and makes driving it quite a pleasant experience. Oh, and the sat nav isn't that bad for a factory unit - comapred to porsche's PCM 2.x it's bloody marvellous!
So what don't I like about it? Yes it can be a bit clattery at idle and under heavy acceleration - obviously! - but cruising it's quiet. The build quality of the cabin is a mixed bag, it initially feels really good, but there are intermittent annoying rattles, although I'm going through a period of none atm (long may it last). I also don't like the BMW method of servicing - i.e. they can't tell you what needs doing or how much it'll cost until you book it in and they scan the key - hmm, naughty! Plus the cost of runflats is a little silly as well IMO!
So am I convert? Overall, yes! In fact I can't think of a better car for a-b dieselly motoring that is a compromise between cheap/reliable/quick/comfortable and well equipped. Would I have one as my only car? Hmm, maybe not, as a fantastic single all rounder the wife's R32 takes some beating. IMO have something like this to take the strain of the everyday commute and have something a bit more special for the weekends and high days - like my TVR!!
Sorry for the long post btw!
Edited by Flying machine on Tuesday 21st August 20:34
Really like this, is it a manual or auto, and does it have the integrated nav or the earlier one with a pop up screen? I think it is the integrated one, if so I was very impressed with it. I had a 118d auto M Sport rental car in France last year and I thoroughly enjoyed it; yours being a 123d must be brilliant.
IIRC D3 and 123d are about the same power and same spec.
IIRC D3 and 123d are about the same power and same spec.
Lovely looking car. I have had a similar spec 120d as daily for the last few years and there is little that I can fault with it. I do agree about the tyres, servicing and occasional rattle though. For a coupe it is surprisingly practical too. I haven't tried the 123d but the engine has an excellent reputation.
I'd recommend a remap+dpf delete from Ecotune if your looking at modifying it at all. No change in fuel (supposed to improve) and ~275hp. Also because of the dpf replacement as you come on big turbo at 2800 you get a very very nice noise for a diesel (No change in noise below 2800)
You may find your arm rest rattles, cover the hinge in WD40 (common problem, very easily fixed)
I found the runflats very expensive too (£268 from blackcircles for a rear!) I've replaced mine with Falken 452s(with xl tirewalls to mimic the runflats charicteristics) there is no notable change in grip/tracion. A whole set should be around £450 fitted. Alternatively Goodyear Eagle F1s, they will cost a bit more (probably around £650 a set but I haven't looked into them in detail) and have bags of grip. A can a tyre weld in the boot is also a good idea
Glad to see your enjoying what should've been a boring commuter!
You may find your arm rest rattles, cover the hinge in WD40 (common problem, very easily fixed)
I found the runflats very expensive too (£268 from blackcircles for a rear!) I've replaced mine with Falken 452s(with xl tirewalls to mimic the runflats charicteristics) there is no notable change in grip/tracion. A whole set should be around £450 fitted. Alternatively Goodyear Eagle F1s, they will cost a bit more (probably around £650 a set but I haven't looked into them in detail) and have bags of grip. A can a tyre weld in the boot is also a good idea
Glad to see your enjoying what should've been a boring commuter!
Great colour, I loved mine.
I echo the comments about getting a remap. Do it, it remaps very, very well. Big difference.
Also check out www.babybmw.net if you haven't already.
I echo the comments about getting a remap. Do it, it remaps very, very well. Big difference.
Also check out www.babybmw.net if you haven't already.
Thanks for the comments people! Just back from using it for a very wet 800 miles this bank holiday weekend.
IanUAE said:
Nothing wrong with a 1 series diesel...... well we do race one so we might be slightly biased.
Loved that thread - all the best with the car, it's quite a long way from a standard 120 though isn't it! Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff