End of Term Report
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From: sideways with an OWL!
End of Term Report
So the 2010 E80 BMW 120d is going tomorrow to be replaced by something a bit more exciting. But in case anyone is interested...
For this car, the brief was something new with warranty, reliable, capable of doing 20k miles a year without breaking the bank, comfortable and practical. Effectively the worst car I could stand to own. Prior to this I was doing 20k a year in an e46 m3 and the running costs were crippling. Amazing car, but costly.
So I decided on the 3dr 120d.
My circumstance changed a bit back so in nearly 3 years I've covered just under 40k miles. All I've had to do to it is replace the tyres (10k rears, 14k fronts) replaced the rear pads and disks about 2k miles ago and fill it with diesel. Not a thing has gone wrong on it as you'd hope with a new car. I've had to top it up with oil once. It's been serviced twice and not due a service for another 7k miles. I've averaged 44.8mpg which is mostly back roads and the odd long trip which I'm happy with considering my heavy right foot. On long trips 55mpg is easily achievable.
It's very comfy, sound system good. Takes my bike in the back (sans front wheel) without issue. Ride is good enough despite 17" run flats. Handling is good for a bog standard hatchback, one of it's best points. It'll do just shy of 150mph on the autobahn no issues at all, and eats the highland roads up. It did a couple of easy laps around the nurburgring, one just under 9minutes and not on the absolute limit. It's not track car, but for a cheeky lap, there's nothing wrong with it at all.
Objectively, the engine is very good, tractable, power band not the smallest for a diesel.
The bad points:
it's a diseasel. The 4 pot tractor engine, whilst tractable is not a nice sound. There's worse but it's unsatisfying. There's no joy in using it. It's an unfair gripe, but as your only means of transport it becomes apparent.
My biggest gripe, despite it being an unfair one, is the lack of an LSD. It's most apparent trying to pull out of tight junctions. I genuinely believe BMW should offer the option of a mechanical diff.
A very good car for the type if you enjoy driving. I'd recommend it without hesitation. But with the above caveats. Perfect car for the other half that cars a bit but not too much about driving.
The replacement will have it's own thread.
For this car, the brief was something new with warranty, reliable, capable of doing 20k miles a year without breaking the bank, comfortable and practical. Effectively the worst car I could stand to own. Prior to this I was doing 20k a year in an e46 m3 and the running costs were crippling. Amazing car, but costly.
So I decided on the 3dr 120d.
My circumstance changed a bit back so in nearly 3 years I've covered just under 40k miles. All I've had to do to it is replace the tyres (10k rears, 14k fronts) replaced the rear pads and disks about 2k miles ago and fill it with diesel. Not a thing has gone wrong on it as you'd hope with a new car. I've had to top it up with oil once. It's been serviced twice and not due a service for another 7k miles. I've averaged 44.8mpg which is mostly back roads and the odd long trip which I'm happy with considering my heavy right foot. On long trips 55mpg is easily achievable.
It's very comfy, sound system good. Takes my bike in the back (sans front wheel) without issue. Ride is good enough despite 17" run flats. Handling is good for a bog standard hatchback, one of it's best points. It'll do just shy of 150mph on the autobahn no issues at all, and eats the highland roads up. It did a couple of easy laps around the nurburgring, one just under 9minutes and not on the absolute limit. It's not track car, but for a cheeky lap, there's nothing wrong with it at all.
Objectively, the engine is very good, tractable, power band not the smallest for a diesel.
The bad points:
it's a diseasel. The 4 pot tractor engine, whilst tractable is not a nice sound. There's worse but it's unsatisfying. There's no joy in using it. It's an unfair gripe, but as your only means of transport it becomes apparent.
My biggest gripe, despite it being an unfair one, is the lack of an LSD. It's most apparent trying to pull out of tight junctions. I genuinely believe BMW should offer the option of a mechanical diff.
A very good car for the type if you enjoy driving. I'd recommend it without hesitation. But with the above caveats. Perfect car for the other half that cars a bit but not too much about driving.
The replacement will have it's own thread.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 29,526
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From: ...by a lake...somewhere
I became immune to the problem that a diesel is. When you get a fast petrol and then go back to a chugger, its shocking how lifeless they are. Totally utilitarian on movement level, but no fun at all in the provision of said utility.
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,181
Likes: 58
From: Hertford
...except if it's a Civic, with a choice of an R18 or an N22. Bit of a rock and a hard place, really.
I think with the 1er, the effelump really is the outstanding straight-six and every little d driver really jonses after one of those instead. And by all accounts, with good reason.
I think with the 1er, the effelump really is the outstanding straight-six and every little d driver really jonses after one of those instead. And by all accounts, with good reason.
)
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From: sideways with an OWL!
Replacement, picked up a few hours ago
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chilled_mark/8705842026/http://www.flickr.com/photos/chilled_mark/8705842026/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/chilled_mark/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chilled_mark/8705842026/http://www.flickr.com/photos/chilled_mark/8705842026/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/chilled_mark/, on Flickr
