[SteveG]

gIzzE,

I'll have the TT for a full 48 hours as a minimum to test drive.

Have to say having sat in the TT, a 123d Coupe, a 320d SE Coupe and seen a non-prepped 320d Edition M Sport, I've more or less ruled the TT out of the equation.

The same applies to the 320d SE coupe on the basis that the company car scheme will only let me spend so much on extras. If I go for sports suspension and sports seats I can't upgrade to the half cloth half leather seats and I'm not keen on the standard full cloth seat trim.

This leaves two or after another trip out this afternoon, 3 options:

123d Coupe in white with leather, 18" wheels, Xenon etc

123d 3 door in white with leather, 18" wheels, Xenon etc. (didn't like it in dark colour at dealer this morning but it looked great in white at different dealer this afternoon)

320d Edition M Sport in Tiag with Xenon

The white Coupe is growing on me but I'm not sure whether it's a young persons or womans car. I'm 48 and a bloke and wouldn't want to look a prat in it.

As stated previously I don't really need four doors as the rear seats would rarely get used but given my age, maybe the E90 is the more sensible option. Then again, having seen the videos and pics from the 5th UK meet, I think I must be one the oldest on the forums !!!!!

[gIzzE]

Out of all those I would say the 123d coupe would be the best drivers car, and the 320d editions M-Sport would be the best overall package, having the toys does make it a nice place to be.

I always have factory nav in my cars, I even fitted the BMW nav into my CSL and it was never an option on that car, did the same with the Audi DVD Nav in our A3, A4 Cab and the S4 avant, but when I bought the 120d I wasn't so fussed, and the fact it had Logic7, xenons and full leather was enough.
But it did annoy me having to get the portable nav out all the time, even though I hardwired the mount into the car so there was no wires and it just popped into the mount nice and easy, it was still a chore, so I fitted the GPStar flip up dash screen, much better.

How many miles do you do? do you need nav?

If you do a good 15k+ miles a year then the 320d with all the toys, like traffic master, would probably be the car that you don't tire off as quickly, if you only do 12k miles a year and mainly on roads you know then go for the 123d.
There is no way you would look like a pratt in a white coupe, my old man sort a 1 series cab in white yesterday and said he may swap my mums 118d for one, really like it, he is 64 by the way and has always been a merc man cause they are understated. Got him to try a 730d instead of his usual S-Class and he was sold!

I think the white hatch in white may be pushing things a bit far, but the coupe in white is the best colour, so why not?

[SteveG]

The current 320d M Sport has 98K miles on it and it is nearly 30 months old. Unfortunately it has to go back before it hits 100K or the company incurs penalty payments. I'll therefore be in a hire car (Golf) until I order my replacement.

I am hoping to reduce my mileage due to changing job location within the company but still expect to cover at least 20k a year. I know the location of most of our offices and our meeting locations so have no desperate need for navigation. I do have Tom Tom for the odd occasion that I need to go and see a customer.

My head is telling me the Edition M Sport is the one to go for especially with all the extra kit, but my heart is telling me the Coupe. I guess the test drive in the Coupe will confirm one way or the other.

[DervFan]

I'd been a MKI TT owner from 2000-2002. So was eagerly awaiting the arrival of a Diesel MKII. Unfortunately I made the mistake of driving the 3.2 over the 2.0T

After, deliberating, I decided that a 2.0D wasn't going to be 'enough' for me, so moved marques and sights to E91 instead

[SteveG]

Just thought I'd post a quick update.

The fleet co-ordinator has been really helpful so last weekend I had a 120D 3 door M Sport. It was white and looked really nice. Have to say I was really impressed with the build quality and lack of rattles. 177bhp engine did feel much smoother than my current 163bhp.

On Friday they delivered a 123d M Sport Coupe in TIAG. Again, very well built, no rattles and so smooth and quick. Whilst I love it when I'm in it, from the outside it reminds me of Noddy's car. The shape just looks odd to me. Can't decide whether it's dated or one for the future.

Alas neither of them are for me.

I had a drive to Stratstone BMW in Derby this afternoon and they had a 130i in carbon black with lemon leather and the 18" touring car wheels. In the showroom light it looked stunning and the colour changed from a dark blue to black depending upon the angle of light on it. It was unregistered and I was amazed to see lots of little swirl marks and scratches on it, probably from the clener at the dealers wiping it over with a duster.

Anyways, as a result of seeing it I've now narrowed my choice down to the 320d Edition M Sport in carbon black with lemon leather or;

The Diesel TT. Called in at the Audi dealer and had a sit in a couple (petrol) and have to say I was impressed. I've got a petrol roadster coming on June 12th for five days after which I'll have to decide. Not sure the TT will be as quiet or as smooth as the BMW but maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.

I'll update you again when I've finally ordered.

[AlanQS]

Steve, I'll throw in my piece on the 320d SE coupe. Throw out the sports suspension because the difference will only be noticeable if you are really thrashing it down country roads all the time. The 18" wheels with the SE (Type 189) look really good on the car, better IMO than the standard 18" m-sport wheels - and easier to maintain.

With the saving on the sports suspension and the extra cost of sports seats, this almost covers the cost of the pearlpoint half leather seats which are also sports seats and I think the cloth bit looks really smart as well.
The range of standard equipment on the coupe is significantly better than the saloon and the coupe isn't being facelifted in four months time.
It also looks very smart!

[Gibbo]

Originally Posted by AlanQS

Steve, I'll throw in my piece on the 320d SE coupe. Throw out the sports suspension because the difference will only be noticeable if you are really thrashing it down country roads all the time. The 18" wheels with the SE (Type 189) look really good on the car, better IMO than the standard 18" m-sport wheels - and easier to maintain.

With the saving on the sports suspension and the extra cost of sports seats, this almost covers the cost of the pearlpoint half leather seats which are also sports seats and I think the cloth bit looks really smart as well.
The range of standard equipment on the coupe is significantly better than the saloon and the coupe isn't being facelifted in four months time.
It also looks very smart!

18's M sport are very easy to maintain. Simple design and a brush fits nicely between the double spokes sections no probs. I only buy cars with easy wheels to clean.

The laquer quality is rubbish.

[creepy coupe]

I recently test drove a 123d coupe and the engine is fecking awsome, throttle response was amazing, much better than my 177 bhp unit, the gear change was slicker also.
It would be my choice.

[chrisbin]

Originally Posted by AlanQS

Steve, I'll throw in my piece on the 320d SE coupe. Throw out the sports suspension because the difference will only be noticeable if you are really thrashing it down country roads all the time. The 18" wheels with the SE (Type 189) look really good on the car, better IMO than the standard 18" m-sport wheels - and easier to maintain.

With the saving on the sports suspension and the extra cost of sports seats, this almost covers the cost of the pearlpoint half leather seats which are also sports seats and I think the cloth bit looks really smart as well.
The range of standard equipment on the coupe is significantly better than the saloon and the coupe isn't being facelifted in four months time.
It also looks very smart!

Exactly what I was going to say - lose the sports suspension and spend it maybe on part leather?? Had that in my E90 with sports seats and was a good compromise....

E92 is a great package with plenty of room for 4 and a good boot so very little compromise for much more style....imo of course!

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by Gibbo

Carlos, was it dirty or is this some other Essex 'shamzie' term.

It looked terrible in white mate!!!

There is a 123d coupe in my town now, nice little motor inTIAG!