Tell me about 120ds

Chris1712

Chris1712

Chris1712

Soldato
Joined
29 Jul 2004
Posts
9,729
Location
Bristol
Hello car experts.

I'm currently umming and aahing about a job offer which will dramatically change my commute, I currently drive a 07 Z4 coupe which I bloody love, but recognise is not a great idea for the commute.

Ive done the sums and figure if I can do a straight swap or thereabouts into a car that will average 50 mpg on the commute, then I consider the job 'worth it'.

Top of my list is currently a 120d, I think 07 onwards for efficient dynamics? I wouldn't want anything older than my Z anyway.

Is there anything j should know? Facelift or engine swaps that are especially worthwhile, weird equipment changes etc.
Can anyone hazard a guess on a px price for my Zed?

2007 3.0si coupe.
79000 miles
FBMWSH
very desirable Carbon Black paint
red leather
Heated and electric memory seats
Xenons
Bluetooth phone prep
Tinted windows
PDC rear
Storage pack gumf
108s alloys

Help
 
I wouldn't px the z4 if it's in good condition. They're holding strong value just now - my Dad turned down £10k for his 2006 car recently, though the mileage was a bit lower at circa 50k

Gives you a feel for value, will depend how quickly you want shot of it.

The 2 litre BMW diesel from that time period has some worrying chain/tensioner issues you should read up on - I'd almost say the 6 cylinder 3 series would be a better buy, but then you can pretty much forget 50mpg, though it won't be massively off - mid 40's
 
[TW]Fox;28360128 said:
Keep the Z4. Depreciation and repair bills will go a long way to offsetting the fuel costs.
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You might be right, but I feel guilty putting so many miles on it lol.

Here's my current estimates, am I miles off?

Uzw68lDh.jpg


Ignore the leasing fields, I was pondering that but turns out it's even more silly money.
 
So it only saves a grand a year in fuel, I bet a 120d will depreciate faster than the Z4. No turbo to fail on a Z4 either.

Plus the engine in the Z4 is wonderful and the engine in the 1 Series is hateful.
 
I was in the same boat as you with my 130i LE and went with a Polo 1.9TDI as the VAG 2.0 TDIs had too many issues. Have had no problem with my Polo apart from sounding like a tractor but do miss the power/noise but fuel saving is a big plus on as I get around 52mpg compared to 32mpg I did in my 130 driving like a grandad!

Luckily for me I sold my 130 for more than I got it for and bought the Polo for 1700, done 10k already. Had the 1.4TDI before this but under powered.

I had been recently looking for a nice 330D now as I want abit more power and comfort but think I'll get a 08+ M6 V10 soon as a weekend car and keep the polo as the workhorse.
 
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I think I'd rather keep the Z4 and the current job. Especially if it is only just worth it, if it involves changing to a diesel 1 series from a lovely straight 6 Z4.
 
Job is an extra 9k + 4k annual bonus. After tax etc. and commute works out p extra £300 a month, but changing from a half hour walk to 40 minute drive. I can't decide
 
£300 a month, £80 increase in fuel means you're £220 better off. Forget the diesel hatchback and decide if the extra time away from home is worth £220 a month.
 
Is the £300 including an element of bonus? I assume not, in which case I'd be tempted. If it's included then probably wouldn't be for me unless the prospects were far better than the current role
 
30 min walk vs 40 min drive so time wise is only 20 mins per day. Not really very much. Commuting cost is the bigger factor there I would think.
 
Considering you 'bloody love' your current car and it gives over 30mpg, changing it for such a relatively short commute doesn't necessarily seem worthwhile.

I would take the job and then decide about the car later if you find it is a big problem.
 
HangTime said:
Considering you 'bloody love' your current car and it gives over 30mpg, changing it for such a relatively short commute doesn't necessarily seem worthwhile.

I would take the job and then decide about the car later if you find it is a big problem.
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Gonna go for this. See how the Z likes the commutes (it is somerset B roads after all!) and re asses my figures after a few months. FWIW they've come back with a third and even better off I think I'd be foolish to ignore.

Cheers for the advice everyone, I may be back in 3 months!

EDIT: Anyone got an idea what'll happen once the Z ticks over 100k, I'm worried it will lose quite a chunk of value / be very hard to shift (stupid public perception of mileage!).
 
Considering it should be 10 years old by then it probably won't be a huge issue. At that age you tend to buy on condition not mileage (well, if you have any sense!)
 
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