120d M-sport or 123d HE?

[Vigier]

Hi,
I'm looking around for a new lease car (my AR 156 TI is total loss).
I did a test ride with a 120d M-sport and that was very nice, especially the lineair accelleration (really if you compare it to the Audi A4 2.0TDI).
At first I really wanted a 320d Coupé, but that's even more expensive.
Right now I have 2 options that seem to be affordable:

• 120d Coupé (E82) Executive with: M-Sport package, Cruise control, parking sensors front&rear, 2MR rims/tires (styling 261M), rainsensor, Climate control, LeMans Blue metallic color
• 123d Coupé (E82) High Executive with: 2SL rims/tires (styling 262), M-sport suspension, black (not metallic)

The difference is only € 4 a month, so that's no issue (both will cost me about €650/$800 netto a month). I don't know what these cars cost in the US, but here it's about $59.000...
Edit: woooh, the cars are MUCH cheaper in the US!

Which one would you choose? I don't know anymore! Is the extra power of the 123d worth more than the sporty looks of the 120d M-sport? I choose the lower suspension on the 123d because of the 17 inch, I think otherwise they would look to small.
Pffew... way too tough decision. And I don't know for sure what my boss thinks about it.
Grtz, Joris

P.S. I hope my English isn't too bad?

[creepy coupe]

Depends on your idea of important IMO, style over performance, the 120d is a good engine, but the 123d is a fantastic one.

Le Mans is my favourite colour, I had a 320d in it, but it does take some looking after and shows every scratch, saying that I'm sure black's no better.

You can always change things like wheels and body parts if your budget will allow and cruise in now retro fit, but expensive.

[123D-M]

123d is fantastic. But then the M-Sport pack is great too. I have a few friends in Belgium with 120d's and they are very nice to drive too. But they don't have the instant acceleration from low-revs that the twin turbo has.

I chose the 123d with the 18" M-Sport pack but I didn't have to convince my boss because it's not a company car :thumbup:

[Vigier]

@Creepy Coupe: cleaning the car will be necessary for both indeed.
Since it's a lease car, I won't change anything on it during the years. It will be a choice for about 4 years.

@123D-M: you had a easier choice: you could choose both My question to you: what would you give up on your car if you had to choose? Degrade to a 120d and keep the M-sport? Or keep the 123d engine and no sporty looks anymore?

Grtz, Joris

[123D-M]

Hmmm that's a difficult decision... I love how it looks, particularly with sedona red and the 261M wheels... but I also love that I have the most powerful 4 cylinder diesel in the world...

I think I'd go for the M-package and the 120d It's almost as quick anyway and I know that in the Netherlands you can't risk speeding!

[bdardashti]

I'd go with the 123d and add the M-Sport parts (front and rear bumpers) down the road. You should be able to do that for about €1500. (I'm just guessing the prices from what they cost here and converting them to what I THINK they would cost there).

[Vigier]

Thnx 123D-M!! There are not much colleagues that get more tickets than I do, so you have a good point here...

@bdardashti: as I said in my previous post, it's a lease car and I may not change anything during those 4 years. So, getting some parts later is not an option.

[123D-M]

Hehe. I'm always terrified when I cross the border to the Netherlands. I just set the cruise control so I won't get a ticket. People drive a lot faster in Belgium.

Whereabouts in the Netherlands do you live?

[Vigier]

Utrecht, but I grew up in a place about 25 minutes from Antwerp. I used to go to The Zillion of Metropolis ... good old days haha!

@bdardashti: I realise that "lease" might have a different meaning to you. In my case it means that my boss leases the car for me...

[123D-M]

Ah nice. I go to Metropolis too. And I often go to Breda for lunch. It's a nice town. I think I have been to just about every town in the south of the Netherlands except Utrecht! One day!