Bruce

By Matt Rigby

[B]What is it?[/b]



The new BMW 1-series coupé is a hugely significant car. Forget the paltry projected sales figures (BMW GB expects to sell no more than 3600 a year of all variants), and forget the, er, challenging visual detailing. In fact, you can even forget about the mouthwateringly powerful 135i that we drove last week.

Why? Because I would bet several of my limbs that history will record the 1-series coupé as important for one reason. And that reason is the 123d or, more specifically, the 201bhp twin-turbo turbodiesel under the bonnet.

If that sounds like so much hyperbole, then consider a few key facts. This is the most powerful four-pot turbodiesel you can buy, as well as being the first one on sale equipped with twin turbos (not a twin-scroll turbo).

But the killer point is that all this comes coupled with serious green credentials. So you get 295lb ft, 0-62mph in 7.0sec and a 148mph top speed at the same time as 54.7mpg and 138g/km of CO2. That’s the same CO2 output as a Skoda Roomster diesel.

What’s it like?

The 123d’s performance on the road is equally impressive, with a smooth, linear power delivery providing decent shove from 1800rpm right up to 4500rpm. It’s pretty refined, too, though not as sonorous as a BMW or Audi six-cylinder diesel.

For rest of the car, the praise is a little less gushing. As with the 135i, the 123d is a neat and tidy handler, with an ultimate tendency to understeer.
But unlike in the 135i, the steering is electrically assisted and, while accurate, it seems oddly detached, almost like an arcade game with fake force feedback.

The interior is impressive enough, with plenty of space and great-quality materials, particularly the Boston Red leather of our test car – an £895 option.

Which brings us to the one major weakness of the 123d – price. In M Sport guise you’ll be forking out £26,290 before options. That’s over three grand more than the equivalent Audi A3.

Should I buy one?

Yes. An over-the-odds sticker price is not enough to spoil the 123d – this is still a distinctive, interesting car. With a brilliant engine.



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bmwownage

What is the equilvalent A3 of the 1series coupe? Don't tell me prices can be compared between coupes and hatches.

dr Dunkel

I don't know, is there a 200+ hp diesel A3? No, of course not.

So, if you are after a sporty A3 diesel you will have to go for the 2.0 TDi 170 and then that is much more comparable to the 120d (which is priced like the 2.0 TDi 170).

If you do not need a diesel the A3 2.0T FSI 200 offers about the same amunt of power. But then again, that is just a plain A3 - nothing exciting at all.

EnI

Audi previewed the 204HP 2.0 TDI in the Cross Coupe Quattro Concept.

So, I guess it is coming ... Or maybe not. They also previewed 3.2 FSI Valvelift with 300HP in the Roadjet Concept (at NAIAS 2006), but the engine is still not offered.

Same case with MB 320 CDI tri-turbo with 286HP, previewed in SLK (at Geneva 2005) ... previewed, but never offered.

vedjo01

Great car..very expensive but it´s worth every cent for what kind of performance it deliveres.. IMO this car is gonna be real threat to 3-er coupe,especially in this version..And this engine is perfect candidate to win engine of the year award IMO

speed_kills

Just_me

I have it in my car and its wonderful. Better than my mothers that doesnt have this in her bimmer. I dont care what they think because it works brilliant in my car.

speed_kills

Does your bimmer understeers too?

Just_me

Dont noticed yet but I havent pushed my car too much yet since its so new for me.

EnI

We should be aware the N54 engine is not a very light engine! Even the 130i hatch when debuted was criticized as "too nose heavy" - with slight tendency to understeer. Something that eg. 118i & 120i do not experience.

I'm sure the best 1er - regarding driving dynamics - will definitely be the one with I4 turbo petrol engine. Great power, great torque, and not too nose heavy.

135i is still not a pure enthusiast's car - it's a mass market product. The tii version & other sport versions will be more hardcore.