123d Coupe - Opinions/Comments

[Wraith]

Just curious to know if any here would or have considered the 123d (2.0ltr twin turbo diesel) variant of the 1er coupe - ie: if it ever makes it down under...

IMHO would 'probably' make the best all round variant of the 1er coupe, if used predominantly as a daily driver and if it comes with all the kit/features available to the petrol variants.

Performance is modest at 7.0sec to 100km/h stock standard and the engine can be flashed to 177kw and nearly 500nm which should see respectable acceleration times and of course the economy would be outstanting.

Thoughts/opinions...

[Yep 135]

there are many reasons I would go for it as I do alot of Highway k's. I get about 8 lt per 100 k's on the h/way and I have heard that after a flash the 123d can down to under 5 or there abouts so a 40% saving. I belive it comes with similar options.
But now I have been tainted with the power of the 135 and would hate to give that up. But would concider. Yes a worthwhile alternative as long as its chiped.

[Breville]

Having had Golf & Peugeot diesels which offer low $$$ to run I wouldn't in a millions years buy a 123D. If I was bothered about fuel prices I'd buy a Golf TDI or similar. I know it's a great car but it's not going to be sporty enough IMO. Sure, it'll have grunt, but don't you want to have some high RPM's and the associated noise & drama?
Anyway, in Australia we don't know the meaning of high fuel prices. Try living in Europe..

[xa-coupe]

I'd give it serious consideration myself.

[123D-M]

I have one. It's awesome. And soon to be available in Australia. And anyone who doesn't think it will be sporty enough obviously hasn't driven one.

Not as fast as a 135i but it's significantly cheaper than that. Better to consider it a competitor for the 125i. I tested both and the 123d felt faster because of all the extra torque. So I bought one...

[sparoz]

It is confirmed for Aust. I would have bought it instead of the 125 for my wife. However, she being a non-car addict actually much preferred the 125 engine than the 120d she had.

The petrol is more responsive, but really.. I can't fault the 120d - the 123d would have twin turbo that would probably kill the lag low down. While it only sips the oil and gives a much better range.

I would seriously consider a 130d if it's ever made and available.

[123D-M]

Originally Posted by sparoz

It is confirmed for Aust. I would have bought it instead of the 125 for my wife. However, she being a non-car addict actually much preferred the 125 engine than the 120d she had.

The petrol is more responsive, but really.. I can't fault the 120d - the 123d would have twin turbo that would probably kill the lag low down. While it only sips the oil and gives a much better range.

I would seriously consider a 130d if it's ever made and available.

There's no lag in the 123d. Small turbo is up and boosting from 1000rpm. And unlike my old Subaru Legacy B4 twin turbo it doesn't have a flat spot between the small and big turbo. Seamless transition.

And you get to tell people you have the most powerful 4 cylinder diesel in the world

We have an old 1.6 turbo diesel Mazda3 as well. So I know ALL about turbo lag

[Macca916]

I've not driven 135i but do have a 123d M and having stepped out of a lotus Europa 225 I can safely say the 123 isn't lacking in overtaking grunt, its got the widest diesel powerband I've come across reving from 1000 to 5000 Which is as wide as most performance petrol engines and nothing like the spikey TDi VAG engines (had the misfortune of a 2.0TDi 140bhp fitted to a Mitsubishi - FLAAAAAAAT as a fart below 2K then boost and choke, all over by 4k).
on the track the 135i wins on, on the road.... hmmm.

[dr.bmw]

It would be interesting to see where the 123d coupe will slot in the current BMW range in Australia. I would think that it will be priced between the 125i and 135i variants, but probably closer to the 135i based on performance figures and European pricing. If that's the case, I would not go for the 123d because the savings aren't substantial enough at least in Australia to be paying a large premium on top of the 125i price. However if the pricing is closer to 125i model then I would think a lot of people would consider diesel over the 6cyl NA variant. It offers equal or better performance with reduced long-term running costs.

[jkp1187]

I am jealous - they still aren't giving us any diesel 1ers in the USA yet. If a 123d had been available here, I almost certainly would've purchased it instead of the 135i.

Having had my 135i for several months now....the decision would be a lot tougher. Still, it's plenty fast for daily driving and that fuel economy is hard to argue with.

[oldman]

123d is supposed to be approx. A$57,000 when it arrives to keep it just below LCT.

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by dr.bmw

It would be interesting to see where the 123d coupe will slot in the current BMW range in Australia. I would think that it will be priced between the 125i and 135i variants, but probably closer to the 135i based on performance figures and European pricing. If that's the case, I would not go for the 123d because the savings aren't substantial enough at least in Australia to be paying a large premium on top of the 125i price. However if the pricing is closer to 125i model then I would think a lot of people would consider diesel over the 6cyl NA variant. It offers equal or better performance with reduced long-term running costs.

Being a diesal, it will have a LCT threshold of $75000 instead. I would say it might be very similar in price to the 125 with better specs? I can't see myself changing it over though... next car for me would be a 5 or X5/6 - getting ready for a family - and... I am keeping the 135.

[King Size]

Originally Posted by Macca916

on the track the 135i wins on, on the road.... hmmm.

Agreed. These modern turbo diesel engines make such sense in road cars.

[MickyD]

that 0-100km/h figure is a bit misleading in some ways, the in gear acceleration of the diesels can be staggering. a 120d is faster than a 125i from 80-120km/h in 4th.......
sure it's not like a 135i, but then I don't think I'd be averaing 5.1L/100k if I'd bought a 135

[aus135i]

im getting smashed with the 135i, avg 13.8/100km... im i doing something wrong???

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by aus135i

im getting smashed with the 135i, avg 13.8/100km... im i doing something wrong???

What do you think Tim...

[123D-M]

Originally Posted by aus135i

im getting smashed with the 135i, avg 13.8/100km... im i doing something wrong???

Ouch. 6.5l/100km here. And I drive it hard. Usually touch 180kph each day on my way to work...

[amk2912]

Originally Posted by aus135i

im getting smashed with the 135i, avg 13.8/100km... im i doing something wrong???

Mate...that's what I'm averaging in the M3....and I ain't no pussyfoot! No entry onto the freeway is made without hitting at least 7000rpm in 2nd with full shift lights flashing! (Need to make sure there's at least 100m clear up ahead before engaging in said manoeuver).

My 135i used to average 10.6/100km.

[amk2912]

Originally Posted by 123D-M

Usually touch 180kph each day on my way to work...

Grrr....that's really rubbing salt into the wound!

[fontana302]

I'm getting 10.2 combined city/highway on map 5 JB3, 9.5 Highway & I'm hard on the throttle - goes like stink (have full AFE induction/exhaust as well). Your mileage is way high. Maybe it's the fuel you're running, that makes a big difference. I use Caltex 98. Don't assume all high octane fuels are the same......

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by fontana302

I'm getting 10.2 combined city/highway on map 5 JB3, 9.5 Highway & I'm hard on the throttle - goes like stink (have full AFE induction/exhaust as well). Your mileage is way high. Maybe it's the fuel you're running, that makes a big difference. I use Caltex 98. Don't assume all high octane fuels are the same......

A 2007 study found that the average Australian bloke walks about 900
> miles a year.
>
> Another study found that the average Australian bloke drinks 22 gallons
> of beer a year.
>
> That means the average Australian bloke gets about 41 miles per gallon.
>
> Bloody good value that! ...

[Panz]

I went to the BMW dealer in Parramatta today.
The guy said that the diesel models will start producing for Australia and arrive in late november.
He also said that the diesel model will not be available with manual for Australia.

Maybe he is just bluffing to try to convince me to buy the automatics petrol ones that he got in stock