|
|
|
04-07-2010, 04:49 AM | #1 |
Major
24
Rep 1,058
Posts |
123d loaner - quick review
So I recently got car serviced and was given a 123d auto loaner. It had the M Sport pack. Thought I'd give it a quick review.
Pros
Cons
Overall after so much hype, I was quite disappointed. Look it still is a good car and has heaps of power - more than most people will ever use - but it just didn't feel like a polished BMW. The engine seemed out of place, and the few other details (steering and brakes) kept me wondering why. I'd prefer to ring the neck of my old 120i than keep a 123d. Don't mean to offend, but the second I jumped back into my 135i, the difference in feel and response in even ordinary driving was pretty obvious.
__________________
Current: 135i Auto, Le Mans Blue - w/ Bridgestone RE-11 rears, GP Thunder 7500k angels, & "golf tee" mod plus a few M3 suspension bits and pieces...
|
04-07-2010, 07:08 AM | #2 |
Second Lieutenant
6
Rep 201
Posts |
Thanks for the quick review mate.
Isn't a 123d more comparable to a 125i ? Its price point suggests so :S And given that it is a 4cylinder turbo i was thinking the fuel saving would've made it a better buy than the 125i ! Turbo lag = bad Insurance for turbo = bad 125i FTW hehe
__________________
MY09 E82 125i M-sports Coupe --> | Black/Black | Rims: 18" 261s | CF spoiler | Xenons: Philips X-tremeVision 4800k | AE: PIAA Hyper Arros 5k |
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-07-2010, 07:22 AM | #3 |
Major
50
Rep 1,474
Posts
Drives: 135i MT, LMB, ProNav
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Scamander, Tasmania
|
Thanks for the review. I got a manual 118d loan car the other week and was quite impressed. Perhaps it was because I was expecting it to be a bit of a slug. To my surprise the thing was quite torquey, and being a manual, I had fun rowing it along.
I suppose I may have had the same anti-climax as you with the 123d, as one would have such a high expectation from THAT engine. Of course once I got back into the 135i I could really appreciate what a beast my car is!
__________________
Fun Car: 135i Manual LeMans Blue / Beige Leather / Grey Poplar / pro nav / euro plates. Delivered 24 June 08 Family Car: Land Rover Discovery 4 SDV6 Spare Car: Volvo V70 Sydney Car: MB 420SEL |
Appreciate
0
|
04-07-2010, 07:41 AM | #4 |
Private
7
Rep 98
Posts |
try the 3.0L inline 6 twin turbo diesel.. i drove it in a X3 the other week - that pulls pretty hard and has minimal turbo lag
Would like to try the 330d - i think that would be a nice car
__________________
130i m-sport
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-07-2010, 07:53 AM | #5 |
Major
24
Rep 1,058
Posts |
I'd suspect (I have driven a 118d so I can't confirm) that a 123d wouldn't feel a whole lot different to the 118d. I drove a 320d and 320i back to back years ago at one of those fascination days, and immediately the petrol felt better simply because of the throttle control. Funny part I've driven the 330d and just loved it. Doesn't sound too much like a diesel and behaves a lot like a petrol engine. Goes real hard too.
I had a 125i as a loaner about 12 months ago. Felt a lot more like the 135i than the 123d, but the missing power between it and the 135i was a mile wide. Whereas the 123d - once rolling - was a lot more closer to the 135i. Hence my comparison to the 135i.
__________________
Current: 135i Auto, Le Mans Blue - w/ Bridgestone RE-11 rears, GP Thunder 7500k angels, & "golf tee" mod plus a few M3 suspension bits and pieces...
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-07-2010, 06:27 PM | #6 |
just a little Bimmer
1
Rep 37
Posts |
If you take any notice of 0-100km/h times, the 125i does it in 6.4 secs., compared to 7.0 for the 123d (manual versions of course). It all depends on what you want from the car. The 125i goes hard enough for me, and I just love the N52 motor. Since I'm probably going to keep the car for a long time, I think that it was the right choice for me.
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-07-2010, 10:14 PM | #7 |
Major General
398
Rep 9,156
Posts |
I just came back from test driving the X1 23d - same engine as the 123d. There is sufficient enough power for daily driving but it's definitely not in the same league as the 135i, not even close IMHO. I know the X1 is heavier in weight, also due to the AWD system. I was pleasantly surprised with the car but it's still a lot of money. I spec'd it out to roughly 85k which was a bit more than I had originally expected. I'll have to sleep on it because I was originally set on buying the new X3 which looks promising.
Overall, the engine seemed to perform well and had a bit of punch on a roll especially from 60km/hr but it wasn't mind-boggling like others have described. I think the drive home in the 135i didn't help either. Believe it or not I was more impressed with the 120d I've driven before as a loan car, maybe the extra weight of the X1 really killed the performance for me? |
Appreciate
0
|
04-07-2010, 11:57 PM | #8 | |
New Member
2
Rep 10
Posts |
123D and 135i Coupe Driven
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-08-2010, 06:42 AM | #9 |
First Lieutenant
13
Rep 356
Posts |
I had a 123d as a loan car too recently. Sure it has some go once up and running but it had no soul. It was just a utility rather than something you would enjoy driving. BMW need to work out a way to make diesels sound good and not rattle so much if they are going to be taken seriously as an enjoyable car.
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-08-2010, 07:09 AM | #10 |
Major
24
Rep 1,058
Posts |
Good to see I wasn't being overly harsh just cause it wasn't a 135i. I drive a Merc V6 diesel very frequently, and it just is in a different league. And again I think BMW have done a great job with the 330d.
I haven't owned a hugh number of cars, and don't test drive cars just for the sake of it, but I do regularly get to drive other cars (either service loaners or road going cars on tracks) and like to think I can have a fairly open mind. Eg. I drove a Merc E500 recently that I can say hand on heart had brakes with better feel and stopping power that a Merc CLS AMG I had driven previously that I thought had rubbish brakes. And the traction control (not stability) on those Mercs was about 5 times more progressive than BMW's seemingly all or nothing systems.
__________________
Current: 135i Auto, Le Mans Blue - w/ Bridgestone RE-11 rears, GP Thunder 7500k angels, & "golf tee" mod plus a few M3 suspension bits and pieces...
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-09-2010, 01:42 AM | #11 |
student
226
Rep 911
Posts |
To be honest with you mate, if insurance was to hike the premium for a turbo DIESEL, i would be VERY suprised.
Almost every Diesel engine these days is turbo..... If you told the insurance company it was Diesel they'd factor that in surely.. Plus its only a 2L engine anyway PS: to the original author, Merc Diesels SUCK. We test drove a 2009 C220 CDI, it was rubbish. Noisy AND slow, to the point where we felt it was dangerous turning onto an intersection from a side give-way road, when oncoming traffic was able to catchup to us with the slow acceleration........ 125i is more realistic than the 135i for a daily driver in terms of power/fuel economy |
Appreciate
0
|
05-09-2010, 03:16 AM | #12 | |
Major
98
Rep 1,092
Posts
Drives: F82 M4 CP
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
|
Quote:
__________________
2017 BMW M4 Competition - Mineral Grey
2009 BMW 135i - Titan Silver - SOLD |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-09-2010, 04:41 AM | #13 |
Enlisted Member
2
Rep 37
Posts |
Just wondering how many Kms these 123d loaners you all drove had? i know with my old mans x3 2.0d loaner it took a few thousand kms to run in before it opened up a bit.
I find it hard to understand how you could even compare the 135 to the 123d tho. Maybe if they put the diesel thats coming out in the new x5 40d in the 1 series it might be a bit closer. Those TT 6 diesels are incredible. |
Appreciate
0
|
05-09-2010, 04:37 PM | #14 | |
Major General
398
Rep 9,156
Posts |
Quote:
Both are twin turbo and have 400nm torque Only major difference is 6 cylinder v 4 cylinder and power (kw) |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-10-2010, 03:13 AM | #15 |
Captain
32
Rep 930
Posts |
The power difference is quite considerable though! The 135i has 50% more power than the 123d. It uses 100% more fuel though
__________________
2009 123D Coupe | Sedona Red | Black Boston Leather | Brushed Aluminium Trim | Tinted Windows | M-Sport Package | 6M | Comfort Access | Heated Seats | Navigation | Park Distance Front & Rear | USB | Bluetooth | Voice Control | Efficient Dynamics | Rain & Light Sensors | Xenon Lights
My blog: http://urbanemusings.wordpress.com/ |
Appreciate
0
|
05-10-2010, 03:47 AM | #16 | |
Major General
398
Rep 9,156
Posts |
Quote:
I drove the X1 with this engine but wasn't overly impressed. I think the AWD and sheer size and weight of the X1 bog it down. Felt quick on a roll though. I'm happy with the 135i. I don't think the 123d would have enough outright speed for me. Anyone know what sort of gains can you expect from a tune on the 123d engine? |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-10-2010, 04:03 AM | #17 |
student
226
Rep 911
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-10-2010, 06:31 AM | #18 | |
Major
24
Rep 1,058
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
Current: 135i Auto, Le Mans Blue - w/ Bridgestone RE-11 rears, GP Thunder 7500k angels, & "golf tee" mod plus a few M3 suspension bits and pieces...
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-10-2010, 08:17 PM | #19 |
Doing it for TV!
10
Rep 182
Posts |
The key to lauching a 123d is to do it in 2nd gear...
My 123d is shitful taking off in 1st (auto) but if you slight transbrake in 2nd (M2) and give it WOT, it launches a lot differently to just WOT in D/DS or M1... no lag.. just BANG.. off you go.. and obviously, you don't have that awful 1st to 2nd hesitated gear change... just 0-100 in one gear.... Again same goes with the ingear acceleration - you just need to know where it's sweet spot is... 80 km/h 3rd gear 3/4 throttle... I have the hatch MSport and it seems to handle better than the coupe (I've had the 123d coupe as a loaner before too).. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-10-2010, 10:52 PM | #21 |
"Bessie"
2
Rep 40
Posts |
apples and oranges
doesn't it depend on what you want -
135 for excellent performance and the ultimate drive. 125 for something close to a 135 but doesn't cost as much. 123d if you are happy with a compromise of relatively good performance and fun but don't want to visit the pumps that often. it is certainly better than Golf GTD Car UK gave the 123d a good rap. http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/...ontent-block=0 |
Appreciate
0
|
07-11-2010, 12:04 AM | #22 |
Lotus Exige ClubRacer
26
Rep 157
Posts
Drives: MY15 Lotus Exige CR
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sydney
|
Drove both the 123d and 125i in convertible form and unless you need the economy the 125i is a much better drivers car and as for the soundtrack there is no comparison
__________________
Lotus Exige CR …. Upgraded Stereo, Cruise Control, Rear Parking Sensors, Full carpet kit with sound insulation ..... its a daily driver
Charge Cooled TVS 1900, 3" bi-modal Exhaust, Moroso Sump, LSD, 60l Alloy Tank, Upgraded 2 Piece Rotors, 46mm Nitrons, Harness Bar and Forged Track Wheels with Yokohama AO50 R Specs for play time |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|