[Rix313]

Good evening chaps and chapettes from around the world!

A little intro as this is my first post. I have been a BMW fan for a few years now. It all started out with an E30 when I was 16, a car I still own today and is now my race car. To keep that company in the garage I have a 2nd E30 for use on nice sunny summer days




I have been desiring a 1 series for a long time and now find myself in the position to buy one! I have been speaking to my local dealer and they have presented me with a couple of options. I'd very much appreciate peoples opinions to help me out a little!

The options are as follows:
1: A 'current' shape F21 118d Msport, auto, in black. Which is in UK stock and has: black leather, professional nav, Msport+, parking sensors and heated seats.

2: A facelift F21 118d Msport colour as yet undecided. Which I would spec with: Msport+, heated seats, BMW nav and depending on price the auto gearbox.

Both have been present with the same monthly payments. So my mind is going, get a higher spec car that has been reduced in price to move it because of the facelift. But on the flip side it would be nice to have the facelifted model when its available which would also be worth a fraction more a little further down the line if and when it comes to sell.

Can any one tell me if the Nav is any good and worth having?

On another note I'm quite intrigued by the Valencia Orange if any one has any pics of their 3door 1 series in that colour I'd love to see them!

Many thanks!

[ovekvam]

My Valencia Orange one series has 5 doors, so I can't help you there. I don't miss not having navigation built into the car. I would go for the facelifted model.

Your E30s are gorgeous! The one to the right is very similar to the 318iS I used to have, and I used it for purposes your left one seems to be built for.

[Weiman]

I would have the facelift as well, especially since you can decide on the color. And I'd rather have alcantara than leather anyway. But why diesel?

The first test drives of the facelifted M135i are out and they are using a valencia orange F21:
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/...w-m135i-review
http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/bmw/...review/1338018
http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/b...ive-2015-03-17
http://www.evo.co.uk/bmw/m135i/15492...-and-0-60-time

[Rix313]

Thanks for the input and the links chaps The pictures of the V Orange car have swayed me I think

I have to admit, a few of the options that are on the black car, aren't really ones I'd chose to have. Like yourself I prefer the alcantara seats, I have my phone which has all my music on and there's bluetooth any way, I'm not an old lady so don't need parking sensors haha.

As for why diesel, I'm tempted in by the torque and higher MPG, plus I've never had a derv. I drove a 420d auto and also a 118d manual and I just liked how they felt. I drove a 116i at the dealer but I can't say it particularly won me over, can't put my finger on why.

[Kiwi]

You guys in England really like tractor engines in your cars. Why not a nice smooth sounding petrol. The fuel savings are almost nothing these days. BMW will not even import diesel engines into NZ and Australia as standard only special order. BMW have not sold a diesel 1 series in 2 years down here and most other car manufactures don't sell diesels now.

[Bee Pee]

Kiwi - you guys in A&NZ are missing out as x35d twin turbo oil burner in the 3/4/5 series is a peach....

[harkes]

I really dont like the rear of the facelift - looks like a Seat...or something. The resell price will be higher though. The alcantara is epic!

Oh...a 114i can be tuned to +200hp

[GeoBem007]

If you have a nice E30 like you mention above on the side, I don't think you'll mind spending your daily commutes in a 1series diesel. I am regretting my decision for a 125d iso a M135i everyday now, especially since my daily miles have gone down by 75%.

Also would go for the facelift. It's hard already to keep value in new BMW's so all bits can help

[ttimbo]

I don't know what Kiwi bases his comments on -- we get plenty of BMW diesels here in Australia -- the 118d, 220d, 320d and 420d all have 4 cyl diesels, and the X3/5 range all have the 3L 6cyl. The 5, 6 and 7 series all have the 6 cyl diesel as well.

My recollection is that tax rules heavily favour diesel in the UK, but someone is surely better placed to comment on that than me.

Personally, I do think that diesels are much less relevant than they were 5 years ago, given the new range of fuel efficient, low emission petrol engines.

[Bob UK]

Sometimes the choice of a Diesel over a petrol can be more about the driving characteristics. Making rapid progress using relatively low revs can be attractive and in urban use the diesels are still well ahead of petrol when it comes to the real world mpg.

However my opinions can be discounted these days as I don't drive a 1 series anymore.

[Rix313]

Saturday may well be the day I get everything in place which is quite exciting

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by Bob UK

Sometimes the choice of a Diesel over a petrol can be more about the driving characteristics. Making rapid progress using relatively low revs can be attractive and in urban use the diesels are still well ahead of petrol when it comes to the real world mpg.

If you compare modern turbo diesel engines with modern turbo petrol engines, the petrol engines are usually more powerful both at high and low RPM. The diesel is stronger around its peak, but the RPM range is very limited. A diesel driver must change gears more often, since the engine is less dynamic.

If you like to drive at 1500-3000 RPM, the diesel engine is working well, and feels very strong. If you need some extra power to pass another car, there is no more to find. With a petrol engine, you can just let the RPM keep rising, and there is more power available.

[ttimbo]

We have both types - my M135i, and her Golf GTD. Actually, the Golf is a pretty darn good at overtaking, as it's generally sitting well in its torque curve and just steamrolls past at a very respectable rate.

Of course, there's none of the neck-snap of the M135i, but I thinks there's less between a Golf GTI and a GTD.

Fuel economy is also interesting. Over nearly 40,000k, my BMW is averaging 7.8L/100k (lots of motorway) while my wife's Golf is averaging 6.5L/100k (mostly urban) over 75,000k. All of which makes us think we'll skip diesel next time, only because of the initial higher purchase price.

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by ttimbo

I don't know what Kiwi bases his comments on -- we get plenty of BMW diesels here in Australia -- the 118d, 220d, 320d and 420d all have 4 cyl diesels, and the X3/5 range all have the 3L 6cyl. The 5, 6 and 7 series all have the 6 cyl diesel as well.

My recollection is that tax rules heavily favour diesel in the UK, but someone is surely better placed to comment on that than me.

Personally, I do think that diesels are much less relevant than they were 5 years ago, given the new range of fuel efficient, low emission petrol engines.

Have a check with BMW how many they sell now as even the new 2 series convertible is not being sold with a diesel option in Australia or NZ. Diesel is coming to an end in small BMW cars, actually any small car.

My views are over the last 1-2 years and yes their are heaps of diesel 1 series in NZ but not in the latest models.

BMW NZ has not sold 1 series diesel in almost 3 years. The 118d is available on special order only.

Why would you buy diesel cars in Australia as diesel is usually more expensive to buy at the pump.

[ttimbo]

Diesel is still less expensive than 95RON or greater fuels, which is what the BMW petrol engines need.

I'm not really disagreeing with you, from a use case perspective, but I can walk into my local BMW dealer and buy several current diesel models off the floor, which you seemed to assume was not the case. And a diesel convertible is clearly an oxymoron!

My point is you constantly seem to think the NZ experience is universally applicable, but it ain't!

[Rix313]

I took the plunge yesterday and ordered an F21 118d Msport in Valencia Orange Delivery will be the beginning of May but hopefully sooner

[Bob UK]

Originally Posted by ovekvam

If you compare modern turbo diesel engines with modern turbo petrol engines, the petrol engines are usually more powerful both at high and low RPM. The diesel is stronger around its peak, but the RPM range is very limited. A diesel driver must change gears more often, since the engine is less dynamic.

If you like to drive at 1500-3000 RPM, the diesel engine is working well, and feels very strong. If you need some extra power to pass another car, there is no more to find. With a petrol engine, you can just let the RPM keep rising, and there is more power available.

Yes but you have to be a fan of a screaming petrol engine to enjoy the top end pulling power and that's not me.

Now I'm in a diesel with the 8SAT gear changing is not a factor and the box is very smooth even under full load. Even though my X1 engine is the 1.8 unit (Detuned 120d same engine afaik) I can't say I have had any issues passing traffic when needed.

Of course my 120d was a rocket by comparison but I would still recommend a diesel auto over a petrol for all round ownership.

I'm sure you will enjoy the 118d rix, it will not disappoint.

[Rix313]

My car is in the UK and I had the registration certificate come through by email today. Getting excited -/ impatient now haha.

[yumyum]

Only days now

[AusF20/F48]

Originally Posted by Rix313

The options are as follows:
1: A 'current' shape F21 118d Msport, auto, in black. Which is in UK stock and has: black leather, professional nav, Msport+, parking sensors and heated seats.

2: A facelift F21 118d Msport colour as yet undecided. Which I would spec with: Msport+, heated seats, BMW nav and depending on price the auto gearbox.

On another note I'm quite intrigued by the Valencia Orange if any one has any pics of their 3door 1 series in that colour I'd love to see them!

Many thanks!

The advantage of a new F21 is that you can choose the colour and extras.
You would surprised how little other extras add on to your monthly repayments.
The question is what can you live without.
You can dress up the exterior anytime, but it is very costly to have options installed after you get it.

I would not include Sat Nav unless they offer you free updates for the time you own it.

[No one]

Originally Posted by AusF20

I would not include Sat Nav unless they offer you free updates for the time you own it.

Even if they do: I have "lifetime" free navigation updates for my phone, but the brand has passed away ("lifetime" ) and that's just it.

If you happen to own it for just "too long" they will move on to a new hardware/software platform and leave you with a latest (effectively last) update no matter how outdated it is, won't they?

IMHO/AFAIK, the only (but unbeatable ) advantage of the integrated navigation is the usage convenience. Otherwise it's nothing but a ridiculously expensive toy.