BMW 120d Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: BMW 120d
Prices: £20,075 – £24,130- on the road
Insurance Group: 14
Emissions: 129g/km
Performance: 0-60mph 7.5s / Max speed 142mph
Fuel Consumption: (combined) 57.6mpg
Safety: Twin front, side & head airbags / ABS
Dimensions: Length/Width/Heightmm 4227/1751/1430

The Choice Between Efficient and Practical

Our Rating: No Rating Available

It has been years since there was a car that offered rear-wheel drive handling and it was back in 1987 with Toyota's Corolla GT. Now, BMW is trying to put this kind of handling in the market back with its 1 series. And one of the best models in this pack is the 120d. Let's see why.

With a front-wheel drive car, try setting out a 350Nm of torque in just 2,000rpm then you'll definitely get a torque steer. You can even feel a tugging of the steering wheel because the front tires struggle to steady the power while also involved in steering. They have a tendency to veer if they come ?on-cam? and don't ever try accelerating in a Ford RS Focus with hands off the wheel. With BMW's 120d, you don't get these kinds of problems. If you do the things mentioned, then you'll do without the thrashing steering wheel. There is no problem of corrupting this kind of handling.

Without the punching the throttle pedal during traffic or driving at a sedate, relaxed state then you can get a fuel economy return of 60mpg. That is thrice the amount an Audi Q7 emits and compared to it, the 120d is not that slow really with a maximum speed of 142mph; Audi Q7 can go up to 154mph. But with this slightly small difference, look what you get in return or give to the environment. It can also go to 60mph from standstill in 7.5 seconds only; Audi Q7 can do it in 7 flat. This amazing feat is credited to the utilization of BMW's High Precision Direct Injection and Brake Energy Regeneration technologies. These two together with other technologies that comprise the EfficientDynamics program of the BMW that makes the running of an engine or a car more efficient.

This car is certainly not cheap compared to other cars that can produce the same speed but they cannot match the engineering reliability of this particular engine. It has the certain BMW feel to it. Some cars may be even faster but can be bought at a lesser price; you would not be necessarily getting more out of it. You can have two choices for this car, either a three-door type for £20,075 or at £22,560 you can get the five-door variant.

There is always a negative aspect to anything, it can't be always perfect. So like everything else, this model has a drawback: its comfort and size. A supermini's backseat room may be even bigger than this car. If you're tall then it would be really difficult climbing behind the wheel. It would also be uncomfortable for a third person riding in the backseat, the middle person that is. This is due to the transmission tunnel. But practicality is not the motto of this car; this is more of making heads turn and looking good.

Performance is at three stars and comfort at 4 and a half. Not bad. It can also fit most garages with length, width and height at 4227mm, 1751mm, and 1430mm respectively. On the road, it is priced at £20,075 to 24,130. This car is not for lugging around big families but it goes back by being efficient and by running well.