120i or 120d?

[Bakks]

Originally Posted by One_M

If you like even the slighest of spirited driving go the Diesel.I love my 120i, but the chassis is just so underpowered, the car is capable of far more, and with the weight of the car, the engine is just not quite enough, and mine is manual too, an Auto would be horrible.

I test drove a diesel, and it felt very good. The 0-100 times are supposedly the same for both cars but it is the torque, that is very useful, that you benefit from and will never regret.

I managed to test drive a 120i this week. It was ok, very smooth, but I think the diesel will be the one to go for. Problem is finding one here in WA. Plus I have decided if I want one, it has to be M-Sport. I might be waiting a while.....

[Jude Starr]

Originally Posted by 130iguy

nope no USB in mine

i think that may be part of the iDrive system

No, not part of iDrive (my car has the USB but does not have iDrive), the usb is a separate audio intergration option. Not sure when it was introduced as an option though, so maybe it wasn't available for 130's?

[130iguy]

obviously not available in '06

[MickyD]

Might have been introduced with the LCI facelift.
Typical of BMW - the first cars come with not much more than wheels and seats, and then gradually options are made standard over the lifecycle of the car.

[Jude Starr]

Originally Posted by MickyD

Might have been introduced with the LCI facelift.
Typical of BMW - the first cars come with not much more than wheels and seats, and then gradually options are made standard over the lifecycle of the car.

Well, can't vouch for what happens now, but when I bought my car (last year) the usb audio was still an option, not standard. I got it as part of the "executive" model (before his upgrade to M sport ).

[Bakks]

Originally Posted by sparoz

Real life fuel economy with mix driving is around 6.5L/100km. The newer 20d will probably in the 4s or 5s, but not the 2005-2007 model.

Just touching back on this point, I presume there was a facelift or update around 2007 or 2008? Are any 2007 cars the "revised" version? If so, how do you tell?

Also I think I read somewhere the diesel has a different steering setup to the petrol version. Is this correct?

Interestingly though, looking online it seems that a 130i can be had for very little more than a 120i or 120d..... Certainly seems much better value as they all seem to be M-Sport with Xenon's, manual though and probably drinks through the fuel.

[blingers]

Originally Posted by Bakks

Interestingly though, looking online it seems that a 130i can be had for very little more than a 120i or 120d..... Certainly seems much better value as they all seem to be M-Sport with Xenon's, manual though and probably drinks through the fuel.

i'd like to know where these 130i you are finding because the 130i seem to be $7000-$10k more than the 120i of equivalent year and kms. i would so get the 130i!

[Bakks]

I can't find an M Sport kitted 120i for under about 30k (actually there is one, for $26k I think), yet there are plenty of 130i's with the M Sport kit in the low 30's (30k to 33k).

To me there is no way a 4 or 5 year old 120i is worth anywhere near 30k, a 130i on the other hand....

For example - http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...ode%20matchany

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...ode%20matchany

[130iguy]

well if anyone wants a 130i, let me know.. you can buy mine

[blingers]

Originally Posted by Bakks

I can't find an M Sport kitted 120i for under about 30k (actually there is one, for $26k I think), yet there are plenty of 130i's with the M Sport kit in the low 30's (30k to 33k).

To me there is no way a 4 or 5 year old 120i is worth anywhere near 30k, a 130i on the other hand....

For example - http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...ode%20matchany

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...ode%20matchany

ah ok i forgot about the msports.

[Rivenscyr]

Originally Posted by Bakks

Also I think I read somewhere the diesel has a different steering setup to the petrol version. Is this correct?

Ive been in a couple of petrol models and i find the steering to be really heavy. Think us diesel owners get some sort of electric assistance in steering to deal with our heavy diesel engines

[sbce90]

Originally Posted by Rivenscyr

Ive been in a couple of petrol models and i find the steering to be really heavy. Think us diesel owners get some sort of electric assistance in steering to deal with our heavy diesel engines

It's just because your arms are weak. I know you jelly bout my window-washing skills.

[JB4-335]

Originally Posted by Orlin

given how far you need to drive to work everyday I would go the 120d.

Agree. 120d for sure. Goes well and extremely economical.

[One_M]

Originally Posted by Bakks

I can't find an M Sport kitted 120i for under about 30k (actually there is one, for $26k I think), yet there are plenty of 130i's with the M Sport kit in the low 30's (30k to 33k).

To me there is no way a 4 or 5 year old 120i is worth anywhere near 30k, a 130i on the other hand....

They can be had. I paid 26k for my early 2007 120i M Sport (manual). Having said that there were cars with the same K's (69k) going for 30-32k. It really depends on the position the seller is in. If you have the time to sit around and be prudent, it would be nothing to score an 06-07 130i with 50-70k on the clock for around 30k.

Im kicking myself actually I didnt spend a few K more, which brings me back to the original point...... 130i /120d > 120i. Dont get me wrong, I looove driving my car, and i just cruise around in it, its no go-kart, but the amount of merge-ins, amber traffic lights, and corners I've needed some real power and not had it is enough to have me cursing the asthmatic 110kw I've got

Originally Posted by Bakks

Just touching back on this point, I presume there was a facelift or update around 2007 or 2008? Are any 2007 cars the "revised" version? If so, how do you tell?

The Facelift, or LCI as BMW call it, was around 6th month 2007, the 120i went from the N46 engine (110 kw) to the N43 engine(130kw). The quickest way to tell by looking is at the tail lights, the updates have a very thin reverse light strip, the earlier model has a thicker reverse light strip. The front tyres are another give away, 205/45/18's for the earlier, where as the facelifts got 215/4018's. The rear M sport wheels (18's) also went from being 18 x 8 (+49) to 18 x 8.5 (+53)...not sure why, but anyhow.

The facelift diesels went up in power too, 120 kw pre-FL and 130 kw for the later... im not sure if the engine is different, I have a feeling it is though, and a different turbocharger may have also been used. One of the main factors that deterred me from buying a 120d was the possibility of a rear wastegate sensor failure, this sensor is mounted integral within the rear housing, so a failure means a whole turbo replacement, which is around 4k. On the contrary I do not suspect this issue is that prevalent in Australia, and believe it was more so an issue in countries with diesel of high Sulphur content, which Australia is now not one of...anyhow, I settled for a petrol version.

[///M-pressed]

Originally Posted by One_M

They can be had. I paid 26k for my early 2007 120i M Sport (manual). Having said that there were cars with the same K's (69k) going for 30-32k. It really depends on the position the seller is in. If you have the time to sit around and be prudent, it would be nothing to score an 06-07 130i with 50-70k on the clock for around 30k.

Im kicking myself actually I didnt spend a few K more, which brings me back to the original point...... 130i /120d > 120i. Dont get me wrong, I looove driving my car, and i just cruise around in it, its no go-kart, but the amount of merge-ins, amber traffic lights, and corners I've needed some real power and not had it is enough to have me cursing the asthmatic 110kw I've got



The Facelift, or LCI as BMW call it, was around 6th month 2007, the 120i went from the N46 engine (110 kw) to the N43 engine(130kw). The quickest way to tell by looking is at the tail lights, the updates have a very thin reverse light strip, the earlier model has a thicker reverse light strip. The front tyres are another give away, 205/45/18's for the earlier, where as the facelifts got 215/4018's. The rear M sport wheels (18's) also went from being 18 x 8 (+49) to 18 x 8.5 (+53)...not sure why, but anyhow.

The facelift diesels went up in power too, 120 kw pre-FL and 130 kw for the later... im not sure if the engine is different, I have a feeling it is though, and a different turbocharger may have also been used. One of the main factors that deterred me from buying a 120d was the possibility of a rear wastegate sensor failure, this sensor is mounted integral within the rear housing, so a failure means a whole turbo replacement, which is around 4k. On the contrary I do not suspect this issue is that prevalent in Australia, and believe it was more so an issue in countries with diesel of high Sulphur content, which Australia is now not one of...anyhow, I settled for a petrol version.

I see you're from the Gold Coast too. It's nice to have some extra power up here with such empty roads! (After 2000 at night that is).

[One_M]

Originally Posted by Attuale

I see you're from the Gold Coast too. It's nice to have some extra power up here with such empty roads! (After 2000 at night that is).

Yeah, it used to be at least! Police clamping down more and more,

[///M-pressed]

Originally Posted by One_M

Yeah, it used to be at least! Police clamping down more and more,

Honestly I never see any. Apart from the occasional mobile speed camera 4WD or Van, I've never really seen Police presence here!

[One_M]

Originally Posted by Attuale

Honestly I never see any. Apart from the occasional mobile speed camera 4WD or Van, I've never really seen Police presence here!

Their resources are stretched in terms of prescence, but theyre putting more and more of those damn unmarked vans into service! I came out of Monaco street on to Bermuda street cornering quickly the other day and felt like upping it as i straightened up.... then thought, why bother in this thing..then went past one of those vans!..we both know what would have happened if I bought a 130i

[///M-pressed]

Originally Posted by One_M

Their resources are stretched in terms of prescence, but theyre putting more and more of those damn unmarked vans into service! I came out of Monaco street on to Bermuda street cornering quickly the other day and felt like upping it as i straightened up.... then thought, why bother in this thing..then went past one of those vans!..we both know what would have happened if I bought a 130i

Yeh tell me about it. If you're not concentrating those damn unmarked vans can catch you buy surprise. Especially on Bermuda st, Robina parkway etc. Such open straight roads which are dual carriageway.

[kaitan]

I know this is an old post but I'll go for the 120D. Why go for petrol when you can feel the torque of the diesel and it is so addictive especially after tuning it up