What's Good
Longer, coupe on 1-Series floorpan 4,360mm long and 1,934mm wide with 370 litre boot, on sale in UK from November 2007. Launched Frankfort Motor Show September 2007. Launch engine range:
120d: EfficientDynamics 177PS, 350Nm torque, 0-60 7.3 seconds, 141mph, 58.9mpg combines and 128g/km CO2.
123d EfficientDynamics: 204PS, 400Nm torque, 0-60 6.7 seconds, 148mph, 54.3mpg combined and 138g/km CO2.
135i: 306PS, 400Nm torque, 0-60 5.1 seconds, 155mph, 30.7mpg combines, 220g/km CO2 (so £205 - £215pa VED rather than £300 - £400).
120d ES Coupe £21,585
120d SE Coupe £23,025
120d M Sport Coupe £24,705
123d SE Coupe £24,855
123d M Sport Coupe £26,290
135i M Sport Coupe £29,745
On sale UK 24-11-2007
Pick of the range: 123dSE.
125i Coupé announced 31-1-2008. 218hp from 2,996 cc, the 125i Coupé accelerates from 0 to 60mph in 6.2 seconds and achieves a top speed of 152mph. EfficientDynamics delivers 35.8mpg on the combined cycle and 190g/km of CO2.
The 125i Coupé SE costs £23,195 OTR while the M Sport derivative, with its 18-inch alloy wheels, sport seats and body styling, costs £25,050 OTR. The BMW 125i Coupé goes on sale in March 2008.
3 year UNLIMITED MILEAGE warranty.
Road test 135i at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=298
Good Runflats service. Prompt, helpful and £90 a tyre cheaper than BMW dealers: Event Mobile Tyre Service, Henley on Thames, tel: 01491 412453.
More as it comes at www.bmw.co.uk
Last updated 3-12-2008
What's Bad
135i has over-light steering and 35 profile tyres that feel every catseye.
How to get the car's Bluetooth hands free system to take your mobile phone directory (thanks to Stuart of www.emftechnology.co.uk : 1st ensure that your car and handset are paired with one another, and then send your address/contacts to the car by Bluetooth as Business Cards. Don't send the whole address book in one lump as this usually fails, but send contacts/address's from ABC&D first, once this is done, turn the car off and let the Bluetooth connection be lost between car and phone, then turn the car back on, let the Bluetooth connection be made between car and phone, then next addresses EFGH, etc, etc remember to turn to car on/off between each address "chunk" then go to the contacts address's on the I-Drive and hey presto and if by magic, your contacts will appear and you can call them from the I-Drive and also when receiving a call you will see who's calling you as long as they have been previously added to the car by the above. Apparently, this also works with Audis and Mercedes Benz.
What to Watch Out For
Feedback welcome.
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