Which 1 series Diesel

[woogie]

Hi - I am currently debating wether to buy a 1 series bmw. I want something economical and cheap to run. Went out in my friends 118D M sport last week and was impressed. Can anyone advise me on these 3 models. 118D,120D and 123D. All m sport and all 3 door. Narrowed my search down to these 3 models. Can anyone advise cost of tax per year on these and also rough MPG. Is the 118d a lot more economical than 123d? Any thoughts and info would be appreciated.

many thanks

[ed118d]

I have a 118d M Sport 57 plate so it has stop start, Low road tax £30 but I am only getting 46mpg. Still a very nice car.

Ed

Edited by ed118d on Saturday 19th February 14:35

[grar]

I did a quick search and came up with the following, some pretty impressive figures.
I can't compare but real world driving of the 123d, expect maybe mid 40s mpg. We have a 123d SE and its a great little car, pretty quick, economical reliable and fun.

If you can, go for the 123d.


Model: 118d
Trim: ES, SE, Sport, M Sport
Engine: 1995cc
Fuel: Diesel
Transmission: Manual
MPG: 62.8
Class: Small Family
Road Tax Band: C
First Year Road Tax: Free
Standard Road Tax: £30
Company Car Tax: 13%
Insurance Group:
21-22

Vital Statistics
Model: 120d
Trim: SE, M Sport
Engine: 1995cc
Fuel: Diesel
Transmission: Manual
MPG: 60.1
Class: Small Family
Road Tax Band: D
First Year Road Tax: Free
Standard Road Tax: £90
Company Car Tax: 18%
Insurance Group:
26

Vital Statistics
Model: 123d
Trim: M Sport
Engine: 1995cc
Fuel: Diesel
Transmission: Manual
MPG: 55.4
Class: Small Family
Road Tax Band: E
First Year Road Tax: £110
Standard Road Tax: £110
Company Car Tax: 18%
Insurance Group:
30

Edited by grar on Saturday 19th February 16:22

[fredd1e]

123D averages 40~45mpg in normal use (ie with a bit of WOT thrown in). Short gearing sees its drink habits take a turn for the worse if pressing on on M'ways etc . If you want 50~60mpg then the 120/118d are probably a better bet as you need to drive like reginald molehusband to get the 123D up to that level which negates buying the extra go in the 1st place.
ps this is from an 08 coupe with stop/start

Edited by fredd1e on Saturday 19th February 17:26

[woogie]

mmm just seen that economy post, maybe 120D then. Best I go test drive both.

[woogie]

Interesting what was said on here about motorway driving and the 123d having different gearing.I will be doing about 300 miles a week on motorways so looks like 120d is prob my best bet now.

Just one question, I hear the facelift model is a lot better , can someone advise me what year this was introduced?

thanks

[scz4]

My 123d was much poorer than expected on the motorway, 46mpg max. Revs were up at around 2400rpm at 80mph so it's not suprising. Does it have a different diff ratio or gearbox raitos?

[gizlaroc]

2007 the facelift.

The economy on the facelift version is so much better in the real world, even more so on the auto models.

I think that all 3 doors are facelift, think from memory they launched at the same time as each other.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

My 123d is £120 tax IIRC and averages 41mpg, with 50 / 50 town / open road driving.

Check out www.babybmw.net for more info.

[Tea Pot One]

I have a 320d auto (177) so the same engine as a 120d but in a very slightly heavier car than the 1 series ....

Low in the winter with -4c and short horrible London traffic filled journeys was 34mpg.

Highs in the summer were 53mpg on the M3 and A303 from London to Dorset.

Average for me has been 41-43 mpg overall with on a run normally 47-48mpg.

As it's an auto maybe a manual would be 5mpg better ?

I think the 123d is not likely to be too much worse than a 120d in the real world but goes far better
The manual 118d I borrowed while mine was in for a service managed 62mpg where I got 48 the next day in my 320d .... but it was far, far slower.

[baggiebird]

Hi

I don't have a 3 door but a 2008 120d se coupe, which I've had for 5 months. Really nice to drive both on m/way and A roads, quiet smooth and pretty quick. Real world mpg 45-55 depending on the road, but always over 50 on a longer motorway run. The gearchange could be better IMO, nice robust feel but a little notchy. VED is £90.

[smashy]

Hi,at 70 mph my 120d auto facelifted,sits at 1900rpm.Apparently the 123d is at 2200(or 2100 cant remember) hence juicier on motorways.

[IAN1967]

I've got an 09 120d coupe (auto) that I've had for 4 months and is showing 48mpg on a daily 80 mile commute that is mainly A and M road, I've heard the mpg gets betting the more miles it's done

Have a look on www.babybmw.net for a lot more info

[Sticks.]

I never got better than 42mpg from my facelift 120d auto on A and B roads. Didn't like it as a motorway car tbh.

[Funk]

Ecurie Ecosse said:

My 123d is £120 tax IIRC and averages 41mpg, with 50 / 50 town / open road driving.

Check out www.babybmw.net for more info.

I'll echo this. If it's economy you're after, get a 118d or 120d. Think of the 123d as a 'performance' version rather than an 'economy' version. the 23d has 204bhp and 300lb/ft so it's no slouch. The 120d has 177bhp and longer gearing, so will be more economical but won't get a hurry on as well as a 123d does.

123d is twin-turbo, 118/120 are single turbo. Babybmw.net is a great resource. Oh, and ignore all the 'official' mpg figures, they're utter bks. I'm currently averaging 38mpg without hanging around. Best I've seen is 55mpg, but I was driving like a Prius owner.

[billzeebub]

get a 130i and economise elsewhere!

[5678]

I've got a 116i for the day while the 6er is in at the Dealer. Got 34mpg on the way home which wasn't too bad. It wasn't that gutless either.

A very nice car to drive though. I've not had a pedal in a 1er before but was pleasantly surprised.