What diesel do I want?
Discussion
So due to a change in circumstances at work I'm doing a lot more miles
I've worked out I'm doing 10k just commuting
Add in an average of 300 miles per month to see clients that's another 3.6k
I'd say another 3-5k for social use.
So say conservatively 16k from about 8k the last couple of years
I've been looking at getting a new car for appx 10k early next year and am now looking at diesels
So far on the list are
123D
330/335D
530/535D
A5 3.0 TDI
That's about as far as I have got
I like BMW's and loved my E30. I also have a fondness for AWD although I've never really gelled with my Mazda 6 MPS
I'd be looking for 40 wish MPG
Any thoughts? Experiences?
Majority of commute is 40-60 on country A roads and visiting clients is mainly motorway
I've worked out I'm doing 10k just commuting
Add in an average of 300 miles per month to see clients that's another 3.6k
I'd say another 3-5k for social use.
So say conservatively 16k from about 8k the last couple of years
I've been looking at getting a new car for appx 10k early next year and am now looking at diesels
So far on the list are
123D
330/335D
530/535D
A5 3.0 TDI
That's about as far as I have got
I like BMW's and loved my E30. I also have a fondness for AWD although I've never really gelled with my Mazda 6 MPS
I'd be looking for 40 wish MPG
Any thoughts? Experiences?
Majority of commute is 40-60 on country A roads and visiting clients is mainly motorway
Other than mind numbing 60mph motorway cruising, I find the 123d is actually at it's most efficient on country A roads. I usually get 43-45mpg over a tank on such roads even with a bit of spirited driving when traffic allows, in 3 years of ownership I've only had two tankfuls giving sub 40mpg, and one of those was when Evo borrowed it for a road test last year. It's perfectly comfortable on the motorway but economy doesn't really go up even at sensible cruising speeds because it's fairly low geared compared to most diesels.
LocoBlade said:
Other than mind numbing 60mph motorway cruising, I find the 123d is actually at it's most efficient on country A roads. I usually get 43-45mpg over a tank on such roads even with a bit of spirited driving when traffic allows, in 3 years of ownership I've only had two tankfuls giving sub 40mpg, and one of those was when Evo borrowed it for a road test last year.
The 123d does seem to get rave reviews. I like the coupes looks and was interested in the comparisons handling wise with the E30It also seems like people are seeing good things with a DPF delete and a remap
The only thing that concerns me is many people complaining about Mways and short gearing? Is it not comfortable to sit at 80?
Its fine sitting at 80 or even 90+ if you want to, it doesn't lack refinement on the motorway its just that the economy starts to suffer at higher cruising speeds because at around 80 the second turbo is starting to come on song (at ~2500rpm). It will still do 40+mpg at anything below about 85 though so not exactly guzzling fuel.
Here's the Evo Review mine was in last year, as it happens it was comparing it to the E30 so might be of some relevance, albeit in M3 guise.
Here's the Evo Review mine was in last year, as it happens it was comparing it to the E30 so might be of some relevance, albeit in M3 guise.
I've had my 2008 MY 525d E61 for 4 months now. Averaging 42mpg - 50:50 mix of 5 mile commute and 20 mile trips. Plenty fast enough for real world driving, as it's the LCI model with 190-something bhp.
In comparison, my previous daily driver (Fiat Qubo 1.3d) managed 49mpg.
The BMW is stupidly economical (for it's size) once it's warmed up. 50mpg is easily achievable on A-road driving. The killer is the first few miles from cold.
In comparison, my previous daily driver (Fiat Qubo 1.3d) managed 49mpg.
The BMW is stupidly economical (for it's size) once it's warmed up. 50mpg is easily achievable on A-road driving. The killer is the first few miles from cold.
Another vote for a 123d here, I looked at 330, 335 and A5 3.0 before I bought the 123 and even though the 3L cars were tempting IMO the 123d is the best choice for running costs, which if you're honest is why you're looking at a diesel in the first place.
I got a 123d coupe with lots of toys and I really like it, for a commuter car its superb! MPG is just under 48 in the last 20k and other than a little warranty work due to dsc failure it's been perfect.
I got a 123d coupe with lots of toys and I really like it, for a commuter car its superb! MPG is just under 48 in the last 20k and other than a little warranty work due to dsc failure it's been perfect.
LocoBlade said:
Its fine sitting at 80 or even 90+ if you want to, it doesn't lack refinement on the motorway its just that the economy starts to suffer at higher cruising speeds because at around 80 the second turbo is starting to come on song (at ~2500rpm). It will still do 40+mpg at anything below about 85 though so not exactly guzzling fuel.
Here's the Evo Review mine was in last year, as it happens it was comparing it to the E30 so might be of some relevance, albeit in M3 guise.
Here's the Evo Review mine was in last year, as it happens it was comparing it to the E30 so might be of some relevance, albeit in M3 guise.
It was that review which set me on the 123 path in the first place as I loved the handling of my (non M3) E30
Flying machine said:
Another vote for a 123d here, I looked at 330, 335 and A5 3.0 before I bought the 123 and even though the 3L cars were tempting IMO the 123d is the best choice for running costs, which if you're honest is why you're looking at a diesel in the first place.
I got a 123d coupe with lots of toys and I really like it, for a commuter car its superb! MPG is just under 48 in the last 20k and other than a little warranty work due to dsc failure it's been perfect.
Yeah it is economy as the main focus, although getting circa 25 MPG in the MPS anything will be an improvement, I don't want to completely give up on fun just yet. It does seem the 123 ticks both those boxesI got a 123d coupe with lots of toys and I really like it, for a commuter car its superb! MPG is just under 48 in the last 20k and other than a little warranty work due to dsc failure it's been perfect.
With regard to spec levels, I have heard differing things about the MSport suspension,any comments?
I assume I want Xenons, Professional Stereo and Comfort Pack?
The M Sport suspension is fairly stiff but nothing out of the ordinary for a hot hatch class car, and with the runflats ditched (highly recommended) even on 18" wheels I find it perfectly comfortable even on fairly rough country B roads.
I've got the comfort pack and Pro head unit (with bluetooth) but not Xenons, the former is fairly common as it was a very cheap option so it shouldn't be difficult to find one with it specced, the Pro head unit itself although better than the Business HU still doesn't exactly give you audiophile quality, so if decent quality audio is what you're after either look for a Pro Logic equipped car (very rare) or just add the BMW Alpine speaker/amp upgrade to either Business or Pro headunit, as it's the stock door speakers that are the biggest limiting factor. The Bluetooth is good though which requires the Pro headunit, the Xenons are worth getting too as the standard lights aren't amazing, but with a set of high performance bulbs they are perfectly adequate so I wouldn't dismiss a car purely on that.
The only gripe with mine has been clutch judder which is fairly common across manual gearboxes on the 4 cylinder BMW diesel range and something BMW still haven't worked out how to fix. Some cars don't seem to suffer at all though so it's a bit pot luck, mine had it's clutch replaced earlier in the year and it's been OK since, but even though the judder was liveable with, it's still a bit of a long term concern should it return again. For that reason alone I'd try a 6 cylinder 3 Series diesel to see how it compares if I was in the market now, I've not driven one personally but those that have driven both seem to suggest the 1 Series is a bit more fun than the 3 Series, but a little more raw which may or may not be a plus.
I've got the comfort pack and Pro head unit (with bluetooth) but not Xenons, the former is fairly common as it was a very cheap option so it shouldn't be difficult to find one with it specced, the Pro head unit itself although better than the Business HU still doesn't exactly give you audiophile quality, so if decent quality audio is what you're after either look for a Pro Logic equipped car (very rare) or just add the BMW Alpine speaker/amp upgrade to either Business or Pro headunit, as it's the stock door speakers that are the biggest limiting factor. The Bluetooth is good though which requires the Pro headunit, the Xenons are worth getting too as the standard lights aren't amazing, but with a set of high performance bulbs they are perfectly adequate so I wouldn't dismiss a car purely on that.
The only gripe with mine has been clutch judder which is fairly common across manual gearboxes on the 4 cylinder BMW diesel range and something BMW still haven't worked out how to fix. Some cars don't seem to suffer at all though so it's a bit pot luck, mine had it's clutch replaced earlier in the year and it's been OK since, but even though the judder was liveable with, it's still a bit of a long term concern should it return again. For that reason alone I'd try a 6 cylinder 3 Series diesel to see how it compares if I was in the market now, I've not driven one personally but those that have driven both seem to suggest the 1 Series is a bit more fun than the 3 Series, but a little more raw which may or may not be a plus.
Nah, 45mpg equates to about 450-500 miles depending on how low you run it, it's only a 50L tank and the warning comes on with about 5L left so it hasn't got mega range for a diesel. 355 miles out of £70 of petrol (~50L @ £1.35 per litre?) is a lot better than 25mpg though, nearer 32mpg if my calcs are correct, but then trip estimates are notoriously inaccurate as they tend to just take into account the last few miles of your journey which isn't a good barometer overall. The figures I quoted are proper brim to brim figures using the actual mileage in between.
Edited by LocoBlade on Wednesday 5th December 20:28
LocoBlade said:
Nah, 45mpg equates to about 450-500 miles depending on how low you run it, it's only a 50L tank and the warning comes on with about 5L left so it hasn't got mega range for a diesel. 355 miles out of £70 of petrol (~50L @ £1.35 per litre?) is a lot better than 25mpg though, nearer 32mpg if my calcs are correct.
£1.29 so more like 54 litres but yeah I think its about 30mpg. That will be about right for this trip as its all Mway.More realisticly I do about £70 a week on the 200 miles to work and back each day which is where I am trying to make the saving. The mileage to clients is covered by work on expenses.
LocoBlade said:
Crikey, some savings to be had then, I do a similar 200 mile weekly mileage to and from work on rural A and B roads and only spend that every two weeks.
Yeah mine is semi rural A roadsA couple of villages where the traffic slows to a crawl and a bit of stop/start but then its a solid 12 mile section of 40-60 traffic dependant.
I think the Mazda only gets about 25 gallon in these conditions which is where it hits me
Previously I was working in our London office so it was just a weekend car and occasional client visits
Take into account the Tax and Insurance savings and I think there are some to be had for sure. Mazda is 465 on tax alone
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