123d M Sport - How does it compare to the 3-series equivalents?

Raider

Raider

Raider

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Unfortunately my increase in weekly mileage over the past few months is forcing me to consider ditching the Boxster in the spring. As much as I love it I really can't afford to clock up so many miles of longer distance driving on it. I always knew it would be a fairly short term thing, but now I think I have to move on again.

So I'm now considering what I can replace it with, with the main consideration being that it has a decent mpg return (I'm on 25 mpg average now, so would like at least 35 mpg combined), still has a bit of poke and has a high quality interior and sound system. So far I quite like the look of the 123d. I've had a test drive in a 135i a while back and I remember being quite impressed with the overall feel of the car and the interior quality.

Now I know a 3 series is that bit bigger, but having come from a Boxster I don't think I'd find the 1 series exactly tiny on the inside. But are there any other reasons to consider a 3 series over something like the 123d? Is the 3-series that much better at motorway driving for example?

Many thanks :)
 
If you want diesel then fine, but any of the i6 petrol bmws will give 35 combined assuming you don't just set cruise to 99.
The 1 is more like a refined golf than a less refined 3. It's nice inside but won't be as comfortable as the 3. The three will still feel more 'premium' which having come from a porsche, I would think is fairly high on your list of wants.
 
the guy i car share with used to drive an e46 320 petrol. that thing would never average more than 26-27mpg combined. even with cruise set at 70-75 on the motorway (to buy a golf) his car only just managed 32mpg which is rubbish for a 2.2 given that its not particularly quick.
 
The 3 Series is a better car and this opinion comes following several long distance journeys in both 1 and 3 Series 4 cylinder diesels. It feels less rushed, the ride is more composed and its a better place to be on the Motorway. These benefits come without sacrificing much of the handing ability you get with the 1 Series.

The other advantage of the 3 Series is that instead of the engine in the 123d you instead get the 325d. This is a 3 litre inline six and is considerably smoother and nicer to drive than the 4 pot diesels in the range. It is a MUCH better match for the car.
 
Matt82 said:
the guy i car share with used to drive an e46 320 petrol. that thing would never average more than 26-27mpg combined. even with cruise set at 70-75 on the motorway (to buy a golf) his car only just managed 32mpg which is rubbish for a 2.2 given that its not particularly quick.
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It was broken. The 2.2 is no more conomical than the 2.5 or the 3.0, but either of these 3 should top 32mpg with the cruise set to 70. It is also irrelevant, given that this engine has not been found in a 3 Series since the 320Ci Cabriolet vanished in 2006.
 
As said earlier, Its a posh Golf, in fact the Golf is a more refined car imo. The 1 series is better to drive and the 123 is actually a nice engine, albeit a bit gruff. One thing tho, all the nice bits like a nice stereo are quite expensive, as stock they arent brilliantly equipped for the money.Its also quite small, buit as you have a Boxster, I suppose that wont be a concern.
 
[TW]Fox;15497894 said:
It was broken. The 2.2 is no more conomical than the 2.5 or the 3.0, but either of these 3 should top 32mpg with the cruise set to 70. It is also irrelevant, given that this engine has not been found in a 3 Series since the 320Ci Cabriolet vanished in 2006.
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his used to go back to the dealer for servicing, surely they check for fault codes etc his only drinks slightly less then my audi.
 
No BMW is brilliantly equipped for the money really. They're not 'value for money' in terms of the spec, but what you do get is nice. Standard BMW buying rules apply: Don't even look at ES models, think very hard before settling for an SE, but usually an M Sport is the way forward.
 
i found the 1 series really small inside, and that's coming from a leon
a 6 cylinder 3 series will always be a nicer place to be than a 4-pot 1 series

depends what you want really. if you want something a bit more sporty, go with the 1
 
merlin said:
Why is that?
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are they not more sporty? :o

i'd have though with the shorter wheelbase it'd be more agile and therefore have a more sporty feel
i could be wrong tho :p

plus it looks more like a fun sports car in coupe form than a saloon
 
mjt said:
are they not more sporty? :o

i'd have though with the shorter wheelbase it'd be more agile and therefore have a more sporty feel
i could be wrong tho :p

plus it looks more like a fun sports car in coupe form than a saloon
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Umm........NO :p
 
afaik SEAT don't scan for codes unless you ask them to as it's not free obviously
or maybe it's just my dealer
 
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