BMW 120d orr?

waso_dude · 2 Aug 2011 at 11:31

Hey guys,

Looking to replace my Mazda 3 2.0 sport with something diesel based for more MPG

Seen a few BMW 120ds floating about 8k 60k miles.

what are peoples views on the car? And anything else they would recommend to look into?

[TW]Fox · 2 Aug 2011 at 11:33

How many miles do you do a year?

Will the fuel savings offset the bigger repair bills?

waso_dude · 2 Aug 2011 at 12:33

Doing close to 18k miles a year, all on A roads to work and back.

I'm currently getting about 27-30mpg.

[TW]Fox · 2 Aug 2011 at 12:39

Probably get 40 out of a 120d doing the same thing.

And then spend a grand on a turbo.

Fusion · 2 Aug 2011 at 22:08

If you can only get 40mpg out of a 120d on A-roads then there's something wrong! The official combined figure is 49.6mpg.

I averaged 47.8mpg (validated properly, not with a fuel computer) out of my petrol Fiesta over mixed A and B roads and the combined figure is 45.6mpg officially (57.6mpg extra urban).

BennyC · 2 Aug 2011 at 22:12

I've had an 'indicated' 46/47MPG out of my 05 330D sat between 60-80mph, though this was dual carriage way/motorway. Door to door.

[TW]Fox · 2 Aug 2011 at 22:13

Fusion said:
If you can only get 40mpg out of a 120d on A-roads then there's something wrong! The official combined figure is 49.6mpg.

He currently only gets 27mpg from a 2 litre Mazda3, for which the combined figure is 34mpg. It seems pretty obvious then that there is something about either his driving style or the roads he uses which do not lend themselves to matching the combined figure.

As a result, 40mpg is therefore a better figure for estimating the savings or otherwise involved in buying a 120d.

Fusion · 2 Aug 2011 at 22:20

[TW]Fox;19729952 said:
He currently only gets 27mpg from a 2 litre Mazda3, for which the combined figure is 34mpg. It seems pretty obvious then that there is something about either his driving style or the roads he uses which do not lend themselves to matching the combined figure.

As a result, 40mpg is therefore a better figure for estimating the savings or otherwise involved in buying a 120d.

The 2.0 engine is also used by Ford isn't it? Seems to be quite a thirsty engine from people's accounts on here and people I've spoken to. Perhaps it deviates from the official specs more than most? He would probably get around ~42 mpg in a 1.6 petrol Focus (40.9mpg combined officially, 51.4 extra urban).

[TW]Fox · 2 Aug 2011 at 22:22

Fusion said:
The 2.0 engine is also used by Ford isn't it? Seems to be quite a thirsty engine from people's accounts on here and people I've spoken to.

It is - and this is reflected with its poor combined figure of 34mpg (This is just 3mpg better than my 3 litre twin turbo 3 Series).

Perhaps it deviates from the official specs more than most?

Perhaps it doesn't?

I've driven numerous 120d's - he should use 40mpg for his budgeting. What did you get out of the last 120d you drove?

6thElement · 3 Aug 2011 at 01:49

I think I used to get about 40mpg combined out of my 120d, so I concur with the above.

waso_dude · 3 Aug 2011 at 09:03

Guys back on track, I'm asking about the car in general. Or would people be more learned towards something else?

PMKeates · 3 Aug 2011 at 09:09

Get the 120d. You'll probably see 60 mpg with that driving cycle

[TW]Fox · 3 Aug 2011 at 09:30

PMKeates said:
Get the 120d. You'll probably see 60 mpg with that driving cycle

He won't get 60mpg on a driving cycle that yields only 27 from a Mazda 3!

I got 48 on a drive that got 30 in the 530i and that was in a newer efficient dynamics car!

PMKeates · 3 Aug 2011 at 10:25

'Course he will

BennyC · 3 Aug 2011 at 10:32

Have a search for some other threads with commuter diesels recommended? Should give you a few other models to consider.