BMW 123d Coupe Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: BMW 123d Coupe
Prices: £24,945-£26,345 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 16
Emissions: 138g/km
Performance: 0-62mph 7s / Max speed 148mph
Fuel Consumption: (combined) 54.3mpg
Safety: Twin front, side & head airbags, ABS, DSC
Dimensions: Length/Width/Heightmm 4360/1748/1408

Please Don't Mind the Face

Our Rating: No Rating Available

With an engine like a BMW, who would mind the face right? But to tell the truth, a lot would. Nothing beats the power of appearances. Now you can have the best of both worlds. The new 123d Coupe looks good, it's a sportscar and it's diesel powered.

From its 1,995cc four-cylinder diesel engine it can give you over 200bhp through BMW's third-generation common-rail fuel injection technology with an attachment of a twin turbocharger. These turbochargers work as a team, the first one, the smaller, provides an extra surge from low revolutions and then hands it over the bigger one to finish the job by delivering the shove at the top of the rev range. The maximum torque of 400Nm arrives at 2,000rpm and does not go below 270Nm until hitting the red line; peak power is at 4,400rpm. Though it is powered by a diesel it is still quick and smooth thanks to its fine engineering of its diesel and a relatively good chassis. It performs rather smoothly on longer journeys and though there is still some inflexibility in the springs and dampers it goes on without drama even on B-roads.

Inside, the seat provides excellent support and can be adjusted. The electric assistance to the steering wheel is outstandingly weighted and can compensate for its thick rim which is not to everybody's taste. It lacks the exact sharpness of the standard sportscar of a BMW but it does not leave the costumers short-changed anyway.

There is a 370-liter baggage allowance under the hood compared to the 150 liters of the hatchback. It goes with the classic styling of BMW using high quality materials and solid construction. The controls for ventilation and entertainment systems are clustered near the steering wheel so as not to give difficulty to the driver when reaching for these reins. This is a plus especially if you always drive alone and this can also lessen car accidents. Like what we see most in the movies where a man reaches for the controls, making him/her unable to concentrate on the road, then suddenly a large truck pops out of nowhere. Well, this lessens likelihood of an accident.

Thanks to BMW's EfficientDynamics program the fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions certainly changed for the better and this is with the benefit of not harming the performance. This program includes technologies such as Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration and an optimum gear change indicator. The 123d can give you a return of 54.3mph combined and emits 138 grams per kilometer of carbon dioxide. It gives an impression of a fast car that is not so expensive to run.

It prices are at £24,945 to £26,345. It can get to 62mph from zero at only 7 seconds flat and has a maximum speed of 148mph. standard safety features include twin front, side and head airbags with ABS and DSC.

It cannot be matched to Formula One cars and its styling others can't ?get? but it has a highly efficient engine and eco-friendly to boot. It may have some problems regarding barreling or going round a bend however it has merits of its own. Drive one and you'll certainly think twice.