BMW 120D or 118D
 

I'm looking to change my Golf GTI as the mpg is really annoying me (26-28mpg) even though it's similar to most of my previous cars (ST, VXR, Scoobs, etc) - must be getting old :)
I looked at the 1 series BMW a year or so ago then dismissed them as looking "odd" but looking at them now (3 doors) they've grown on me a little?
Looking at owners reviews on AT and Parkers there doesn't seem to be that many negative reviews and most say they're great.
I understand late 2007 models came with a dynamic pack - is that stop/start?
The figures for the 120d show 0-60 in 7.0secs which seems great for a standard diesel so a remapped 1 must fly?

Has anyone got either a 118d or 120d and can comment on reliability, performance, economy, etc?
What is the difference between the 2 - is it just CC or are the engines totally different?

Thanks

The 116d, 118d, 120d and 123d are all 2L i think.
Me and the wife looked into one and test drove it. I loved it (118d). I looked into it on the net and found that they have trouble around 100k with a cam belt tensioner (i think) which is a 1k+ engine out job. Due to the miles me and the wife cover, it soon would have been around that sort of mileage. If our commutes change then i wouldn't think twice about getting one :)

Thanks Brun - i've just been reading on the BMW forums about the chain problem (happens at any mileage), seems to be a £3.5k - £4k bill for an engine out job but BMW will pay for 80% labour and 100% parts in most cases.
The cars i've been looking at are 2007 models with 40k so i guess if it sounds quiet on test drive it should be ok?

My neighbours had a 118 and the only problem they had was fairly expensive.
A sensor failed relating to stability control. However BMW contributed towards the cost as the car was just out of warranty, probably because it turned out to be quite a common fault.

I was looking for a 120d around 12 months ago but couldn't find a decent 5 door version second hand with reasonable mileage, meaning below 50k.
Saw loads of 118d though, ended up going for a 140tdi Leon instead

118 lower tax bracket:thumb:

i think you have got your 0 to 60 wrong...123d twin turbo is 7 sec so the 120d will be slightly slower..both 2.0 engines

My wifes and a friends 118 diesels were both unreliable to the point i just had to get rid of mine with 36000 miles on it, and the average fuel consumption on school run etc was 30 to the gallon.Have a ford kuga now does 36 to the gallon same journeys 4wheel drive and heavier,had it 2 years now and never missed a beat.So my journey and my mates were both bad with the 1 series and i would not recommend one. Jason

Well i had a test drive in the 120d around town and computer was showing 27mpg - i know it'd be better on a long run but i only do short trips so decided it wasn't for me (wanted to save on running costs) - picked up a new shape 1.6 astra instead :(

Interesting as we have a 123d and it never falls below 34-36mpg. Combined longer journeys and school run...

What is wrong with BMW, Audi, VW and to a lesser extent Mercedes? They make nice cars that are built like rubbish. The faults and issues seem to be way to high for what was regarded as a safe bet if you were to buy from Germany.

My Uncle has bought a 1 year old 1 series which has seen as much time at BMW as it has on his drive way. You only need to look at the "Ive sold my Focus ST' thread to see what a bashing Audi are getting and as for VW...dont get me started. My cousin in the Met Police says that by far the worst cars they have are the 5 series. They simply cant take what the police throw at them yet the Volvos, Fords and Vauxhalls take it in their stride and keep going.

My opinion of BMW has gone down the pan. I wanted a 3 series but after some research I wouldnt go near them, although the 6 pots (as far as engines are concerned) seem to fair better.

From personal experience the 5 series we just sold had 100k miles on it and never had any problems of note other than usual wear and tear (and even that was pretty good for a big heavy car - a couple of lower arm ball joints and front disks replaced twice). Oh and the washer tube came off the rear washer.

1 series had to have the driver's window adjusted to seal properly. That's it.

Should try a 123d M Sport. Can shift for a diesel once moving and as Trout says, mine never below 36-37mpg short journeys with bit of fun.

Lee

got a 123d coupe and they are very torquey but very difficult to get the power down on to the tarmac...wheelspins in third is very possible if the road is greasy,,,,

I'm now looking at a 120d or 123d m sport coupe for my next car. A mate has the 123d and loves it however with my budget (14-16k) I can bet a newer, lower mileage 120d so I guess it will be down to driving them both to see which I would be happy with.

A pretty simple remap can push the 120d to 200bhp so that may be the way I will go not sure yet

A 120D will a tuning box will do about 215 bhp and with a ecu remap 225 bhp.
Both the 120D and the 123D would benefit from a LSD.

Richard

Deal now done on a 120d m sport coupe which I will hopefully pick up in the next couple of weeks :-)

Very odd. I average about 47mpg in my 120D on the work commute (town and motorway), and can get close to 58mpg on a long motorway run...

Having gone German this time with my car (Leon) I'm getting another scooby next time, honestly the sti didn't cost me as much in repair bills in 3 years as I have paid in 18 months on the Leon.

German build quality is bad these days with VW worst of the bunch Im afraid.

I sold my Impreza for a Mercedes and all I can say is that my next car will be Japanese. Fortunately mines been covered by the warranty but I have half a brand new car that is 5 years old.

I'd go for the 120d, cracking car, had one with an auto box last week while my 135 was in for a service.