First drive of the convertible

[Kiwi]

The convertible was launched in NZ a couple of weeks ago and this weekend I have a 120i auto for the weekend.
The car seems to be well built for the price and very quite with the top up. I haven't had the chance to drive with the top down as it is wet.
The 2 litre petrol engine is disappointing compared to my 118d as well the auto gear box. It seems to be searching for gears. I'll differently be buying the 120d.
The other disappointing thing is the radio and the lack of speakers by the mirrors. It really sounds rubbish compared to my 118d

[dodgey]

Originally Posted by kiwi

The 2 litre petrol engine is disappointing compared to my 118d as well the auto gear box. It seems to be searching for gears. I'll differently be buying the 120d.
The other disappointing thing is the radio and the lack of speakers by the mirrors. It really sounds rubbish compared to my 118d

Ooh, we don't even get those here :iono: Only the 125 (3.0 NA) and the 135 (3.0 TT) Is the 120 diesel the twin turbo or the single one?

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by dodgey

Ooh, we don't even get those here :iono: Only the 125 (3.0 NA) and the 135 (3.0 TT) Is the 120 diesel the twin turbo or the single one?

Single turbo and special order only at this stage. BMW have not installed the 123d in the convertible.

The coupe has the 123d as standard in NZ

[Zuzu]

Sorry to correct you Dodgey, but we do get the 120i vert in Oz.:biggrin:

Kiwi, the car is so heavy, in fact in the 135i vert is 110kg heavier than the coupe. The 120i is really prob underpowered when comparing to your current car which is far lighter.

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by Zuzu

Sorry to correct you Dodgey, but we do get the 120i vert in Oz.:biggrin:

Kiwi, the car is so heavy, in fact in the 135i vert is 110kg heavier than the coupe. The 120i is really prob underpowered when comparing to your current car which is far lighter.

Its not so much the 120i is under powdered its just BMW diesels are so much better and getting 4.3lt on the motorway compared to 9.7 with petrol is great as well.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by kiwi

Its not so much the 120i is under powdered its just BMW diesels are so much better and getting 4.3lt on the motorway compared to 9.7 with petrol is great as well.

hey there kiwi...Ive got a 120i Convertible Auto on order...Ive got a current 3 E90 series with basically the same engine too....Ive driven enough in Wellington, Christchurch & Auckland to know 1st hand that the 4cyl is totally ok...sure its down on power.
No 2 ways about that. You wouldn't have any dramas with it I'm sure.
At the end of the day I use it to get from the house to the office - albeit in crap Sydney traffic in the morning...and it will suit me perfectly.
The Tiptronic gives you a few extra herbs - nothing to write home about, but helps a little.

(Last time I heard from someone in Auckland they said ULP was circa $2.12NZ a lt )

[dodgey]

Originally Posted by Zuzu

Sorry to correct you Dodgey, but we do get the 120i vert in Oz.:biggrin:

Don't be sorry to correct me. I was wrong Important to get the info out. Should have checked about the verts first. I was concentrating on the coupe so much I didn't realise... I do think that the 123d engine in this car would be really nice though... (perhaps not in the vert so much...)

[Zuzu]

Thats cool..thought as much..
You COUPE drivers...:biggrin:

[dodgey]

Originally Posted by Zuzu

Thats cool..thought as much..
You COUPE drivers...:biggrin:

Heh, I'm still a Golf driver That said, I think the 135 would be brilliant drive over in NZ, so long as I'm not paying for the petrol...

[Kiwi]

I've booked the 135 convertible for next weekend.

The 120i would be fine on the motorway. The diesel is not available yet in the convertible. I'm properly going to buy a second hand Z4 3lt at this stage as the car is only going to be a toy for weekend trips My wife really wants a Z4.

The cost of fuel here doesn't matter much as the distances are shorter than Australia and my 118d is cheap to run as well a lot quicker that the 120i is.