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BMW models, news & reviews
4
Handling
Performance
5
Usability
Feelgood factor
Readers' rating
3.5
By Richard Aucock
First Drives
29 October 2007 03:28
We quite liked the BMW 135i, but the bulk of the 1-series Coupe sales will be diesel. How times change. The 120d boasts 177bhp (to think we thought a 1990s 325i, with 170bhp, was fast) but it’s the range-topper that’s the most interesting. The 123d, benefiting from BMW’s sequential twin turbo technology already seen on the 535d, boosts this 2.0-litre four to 204bhp. That’s right – 100bhp per litre. That's a pretty exceptional achievement for petrol engines - but for a diesel to crack it is, well, quite something else.
And there’s more. It has 295lb ft of torque at just 2000rpm - which matches the twin-turbo 135i - but unlike the petrol flagship which likes a bit of a drink, the 123d returns 54.3mpg on the combined cycle. Yes, 54.3mpg. And it emits just 138g/km of CO2. And will still shoot to 62mph in 7.0 seconds and push on to 148mph. That's a simply remarkable set of stats to sit in the same paragraph as each other. Apparently, BMW’s engineers celebrated by turning the water they were drinking into wine. Lafite Rothschild 1947, no less.
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BMW 123d Coupe M Sport (2008) CAR review
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Schtum says
RE: BMW 123d Coupe M Sport (2008) CAR review
Real world fuel consumption is a bit less impressive, as might be expected. SWMBO has had her 123d M Sport 3 door now for 9 months and c. 13K miles. The trip computer appears to be stuck on 44.1 mpg which taking into account speedo / trip error is probably closer to a real 42 mpg. This is still pretty impressive for a 200 bhp car which isn't driven gently but perhaps BMW could be a tad more honest about what sort of fuel economy owners are likely to achieve. Also, regardless of what Car might say about the later versions of run-flat tyre, we've recently binned the Goodyear Eagle NCT run-flats in favour of a set of ordinary Continental Sport Contact 3. The ride with the Goodyear's was unacceptably harsh and would actually bounce the car off line while attempting to make progress on some of my favourite twisty, bumpy roads. A trip to Southern Ireland and a subsequent puncture sealed the run-flats' fate. A bit of steering precision has been lost but the improved ride is good trade off.
Real world fuel consumption is a bit less impressive, as might be expected. SWMBO has had her 123d M Sport 3 door now for 9 months and c. 13K miles. The trip computer appears to be stuck on 44.1 mpg which taking into account speedo / trip error is probably closer to a real 42 mpg. This is still pretty impressive for a 200 bhp car which isn't driven gently but perhaps BMW could be a tad more honest about what sort of fuel economy owners are likely to achieve.
Also, regardless of what Car might say about the later versions of run-flat tyre, we've recently binned the Goodyear Eagle NCT run-flats in favour of a set of ordinary Continental Sport Contact 3. The ride with the Goodyear's was unacceptably harsh and would actually bounce the car off line while attempting to make progress on some of my favourite twisty, bumpy roads. A trip to Southern Ireland and a subsequent puncture sealed the run-flats' fate. A bit of steering precision has been lost but the improved ride is good trade off.
08 December 2009 01:30
Pepe Gutiérrez says
I tested the 123 d a year ago, during Madrid's Motor Show, and I can say I really enjoyed it. It's not only about great power and torque figures. It's that it has a mighty engine that, thanks to its twin-turbo, pulls from very low revs and (important for sport driving on a mountain road) does not die till almost 5k revs!
08 July 2009 08:29
JohnnyBimmer says
0-62 in 7.0secs, top 148mph, 295lb ft Torque and 54.3mpg
Phenominal. Nuf said!
26 February 2008 01:54
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