3 mile commute = petrol.

 

Bike it to work and get a 140.

 

Hi there,

When you say both have M Sport brakes I assume you mean the blue calipers... in which case this was typically part of the M Sport+ pack that had the brakes, HK sound and rear privacy glass. So I would guess if both have the blue M Sport brakes both should have the HK sound?... Cant really see someone specing the brakes separate to the M Sport + pack as they were like a £600 option from memory.

Also are you sure the 120d doesn't have nav as all LCI have at least business nav - assuming the 120d isn't a late pre LCI?

Does the 120i have the pro nav - easiest way to tell is the larger screen? I like the connected drive features (well some) such as real time traffic updates, bigger screen and better Spotify integration. Granted a lot of the features I never use such as locking unlocking via phone etc.

 

Hi there,

When you say both have M Sport brakes I assume you mean the blue calipers... in which case this was typically part of the M Sport+ pack that had the brakes, HK sound and rear **SPAM** glass. So I would guess if both have the blue M Sport brakes both should have the HK sound?... Cant really see someone specing the brakes separate to the M Sport + pack as they were like a £600 option from memory.

Also are you sure the 120d doesn't have nav as all LCI have at least business nav - assuming the 120d isn't a late pre LCI?

Does the 120i have the pro nav - easiest way to tell is the larger screen? I like the connected drive features (well some) such as real time traffic updates, bigger screen and better Spotify integration. Granted a lot of the features I never use such as locking unlocking via phone etc.

Hi Andy,

After closer inspection it looks like the 120i doesn't have the blue calipers!

The 120d definitely doesn't have nav, and the iDrive controller is the 5 button one, not 7 button. First registered in June 2015, whereas the 120i was December 2015. The 120i is also the smaller 6.5" display.

I've got a second head unit that has nav functional via an emulator, but I know I can't use the ConnectedDrive features on that unit with the emulator if I was to fit it inside the 120d.

Here's the part number of the spare headunit - 9365833

 

Do you have web links for the cars and I'll take a look.

Are both cars the LCI model as well?

With the car that has the business nav a lot of the connected drive features will not be standard like on the pro nav so would need to be added via the connected drive website anyway - not sure if you were aware? There could be the slim chance the previous owner bought all the connected drive features but it's probably a slim chance from experience.

 

I actually put a deposit down on the 120d so BMW have removed the link from their site - then I came across the 120i and now I'm torn between the 2!

I've got the VIN numbers if you'd like them for a comparison?

120d: P709274
120i: 5B29841

Both have 35k on the clock and both immaculate.

 

3 mile commute = petrol.

Totally agree with this. For me, this would be my decision.

 

I actually put a deposit down on the 120d so BMW have removed the link from their site - then I came across the 120i and now I'm torn between the 2!

I've got the VIN numbers if you'd like them for a comparison?

120d: P709274
120i: 5B29841

Both have 35k on the clock and both immaculate.

I see what you mean on the VIN decoder about the nav. Are both the same LCI shape or is the 120d the older pre facelift model?

I think the 120d has a little better spec ie M Sport + pack but the lack of Nav would be a big miss for me.

I can only imagine the lack of nav on the 120d is either its a pre facelift or there was a batch of LCI made without business NAV as standard. seems odd though.

 

I actually put a deposit down on the 120d so BMW have removed the link from their site - then I came across the 120i and now I'm torn between the 2!

I've got the VIN numbers if you'd like them for a comparison?

120d: P709274
120i: 5B29841

Both have 35k on the clock and both immaculate.

I see what you mean on the VIN decoder about the nav. Are both the same LCI shape or is the 120d the older pre facelift model?

I think the 120d has a little better spec ie M Sport + pack but the lack of Nav would be a big miss for me.

I can only imagine the lack of nav on the 120d is either its a pre facelift or there was a batch of LCI made without business NAV as standard. seems odd though.

Both are LCI shape! Like I said I can always retrofit a head unit, but then I'd pretty much lose all of the ConnectedDrive features...unless somebody can recommend otherwise.

 

For what it's worth I've only recently had BMW sat nav, using Google maps on my phone with my previous bimmer.

It's subjective, I know, but driving around the country as I do and running the new BMW sat nav alongside Google maps I'd have to say that I think BMW sat nav is a poor relation.

I had the same diesel Vs petrol decision to make a few months ago and went for the petrol. I think if you are planning to own the car it is a sensible decision to look in resale value if that is important.

I'm terms of the connected services, I'd say very underwhelming. The only good thing is the Deezer subscription, but there are so many other ways to get music in the car I won't bother renewing it in 12 months time.

So my view would be the petrol. Also the HK sound system I found a little underwhelming too.

I do like my car though, honestly!

 

For what it's worth I've only recently had BMW sat nav, using Google maps on my phone with my previous bimmer.

It's subjective, I know, but driving around the country as I do and running the new BMW sat nav alongside Google maps I'd have to say that I think BMW sat nav is a poor relation.

I had the same diesel Vs petrol decision to make a few months ago and went for the petrol. I think if you are planning to own the car it is a sensible decision to look in resale value if that is important.

I'm terms of the connected services, I'd say very underwhelming. The only good thing is the Deezer subscription, but there are so many other ways to get music in the car I won't bother renewing it in 12 months time.

So my view would be the petrol. Also the HK sound system I found a little underwhelming too.

I do like my car though, honestly!

Haha that made me chuckle - great review!

I suppose it all really stemmed from the economy of the 120i - then it was just a fight between the other little features that made me hesitate with the 120d.

Am I right in thinking that even with the 120d's limited ConnectedDrive features, I'm still able to use Deezer/Spotify on the iDrive? According to the ConnectedDrive portal, the one package available is 'Core BMW ConnectedDrive'.

Thanks/1

 

Hmmm not sure. I've for the Media Professional (larger screen). From what I understand the additional services e.g Deezer, are only available on that.

Mines a 218i btw. Re the petrol diesel debate I'm getting around 45-49 mpg on my motorway runs during rush hour if that helps.

 

My 320i (in the for sale link below) does 56mpg on a run, cant see how diesel would be better by the time you factor in the additional cost of fuel

 

Hmmm not sure. I've for the Media Professional (larger screen). From what I understand the additional services e.g Deezer, are only available on that.

Mines a 218i btw. Re the petrol diesel debate I'm getting around 45-49 mpg on my motorway runs during rush hour if that helps.

Wow that sounds surprisingly good!

So surely the MPG figures from Autotrader are skewed if that's the case? Take a look at the listing on the 120i and let me know your thoughts. There seems to be ups and downs with both variants I'm looking at - it's near enough neck and neck for me with pros and cons to both, I'm just after one thing to tip it over the line.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201902215146937

 

I actually put a deposit down on the 120d so BMW have removed the link from their site - then I came across the 120i and now I'm torn between the 2!

I've got the VIN numbers if you'd like them for a comparison?

120d: P709274
120i: 5B29841

Both have 35k on the clock and both immaculate.

I see what you mean on the VIN decoder about the nav. Are both the same LCI shape or is the 120d the older pre facelift model?

I think the 120d has a little better spec ie M Sport + pack but the lack of Nav would be a big miss for me.

I can only imagine the lack of nav on the 120d is either its a pre facelift or there was a batch of LCI made without business NAV as standard. seems odd though.

Both are LCI shape! Like I said I can always retrofit a head unit, but then I'd pretty much lose all of the ConnectedDrive features...unless somebody can recommend otherwise.

Just done a little bit of digging on the Sat nav and appears they only came standard from Sept 2015 on....

So I imagine the non nav car you're looking at has the older screen also with the like plastic surround vs the glass fronted one.

I 100% agree there are better navigation apps on phones etc but the BMW nav is one of the better in car systems I've used. Mercedes is awful! Plus its sometimes nice to have it all integrated and on a larger screen that your phone.

The HK sound - agree not the best system in the world (the 3 series up have a better version of the HK sound) but its better than stock and gives you the tweeters instead of the awful looking plastic infills on the door. Worth it just to loose those pieces of plastic for me : )

Deezer is only available on the Pro Nav - it uses a built in 4g sim to stream the music I believe vs the 3g sim in the business nav.

 

Just done a little bit of digging on the Sat nav and appears they only came standard from Sept 2015 on....

So I imagine the non nav car you're looking at has the older screen also with the like plastic surround vs the glass fronted one.

I 100% agree there are better navigation apps on phones etc but the BMW nav is one of the better in car systems I've used. Mercedes is awful! Plus its sometimes nice to have it all integrated and on a larger screen that your phone.

The HK sound - agree not the best system in the world (the 3 series up have a better version of the HK sound) but its better than stock and gives you the tweeters instead of the awful looking plastic infills on the door. Worth it just to loose those pieces of plastic for me : )

Deezer is only available on the Pro Nav - it uses a built in 4g sim to stream the music I believe vs the 3g sim in the business nav.

It's interesting that the previous owner of the 120d didn't spec it with nav - otherwise I'd probably have jumped at it rather than contemplating the 120i...

At the same time I'm wondering if the ConnectedDrive features are simply a gimmick that I'd never use. As much as I can see peoples opinions on the petrol version for my commute, it's not always the case where I'll be living close to where I work, so really the next key element of choosing would be the resale value following the demonisation of diesel?

My girlfriends brother works for the Renault F1 team and it's his fault that I'm even contemplating a petrol when he mentioned depreciation factors!

 

Forget the 1 series, buy my 320i 😉...has the big brakes, the led lights, harmon kardon, 19 inch wheels, is immaculate, has 260 odd horse power and returns 56mpg. All for £16k. Did i mention its literally immaculate

 

Just done a little bit of digging on the Sat nav and appears they only came standard from Sept 2015 on....

So I imagine the non nav car you're looking at has the older screen also with the like plastic surround vs the glass fronted one.

I 100% agree there are better navigation apps on phones etc but the BMW nav is one of the better in car systems I've used. Mercedes is awful! Plus its sometimes nice to have it all integrated and on a larger screen that your phone.

The HK sound - agree not the best system in the world (the 3 series up have a better version of the HK sound) but its better than stock and gives you the tweeters instead of the awful looking plastic infills on the door. Worth it just to loose those pieces of plastic for me : )

Deezer is only available on the Pro Nav - it uses a built in 4g sim to stream the music I believe vs the 3g sim in the business nav.

It's interesting that the previous owner of the 120d didn't spec it with nav - otherwise I'd probably have jumped at it rather than contemplating the 120i...

At the same time I'm wondering if the ConnectedDrive features are simply a gimmick that I'd never use. As much as I can see peoples opinions on the petrol version for my commute, it's not always the case where I'll be living close to where I work, so really the next key element of choosing would be the resale value following the demonisation of diesel?

My girlfriends brother works for the Renault F1 team and it's his fault that I'm even contemplating a petrol when he mentioned depreciation factors!

I think prior to Sept 2015 then only way to have Nav was to buy the pro nav package which at the time was over 1k. Quite a lot to spend on nav for a 1 series. Considering a lot of business people would have 3 series or bigger I guess this could be a reason for it not been specced with it.

Even if you pick the car with the nav you won't necessarily use any of the connected drive features and you may take the view it isn't worth the subscription (which you'd need to pay unless the previous owner has been so kind to - which I doubt).

Cant really help you on the diesel vs petrol decision. Depends how long you plan on keeping really. 3-4 years... I can't see the diesel market falling apart in that time 5+ years though... maybe a different story. All new cars are still offered with diesel engines so that tells you there is still the market.

 

UK new car registrations fall -6.8% in 2018
The biggest volume decline was seen in the diesel sector, down -29.6% in 2018, with the volume loss equivalent to some 180% of the overall market's decline. Anti-diesel rhetoric and negative fiscal measures took their toll, with December marking the 21st consecutive month of decline for the fuel type.

One other thing to consider with a diesel, will its emissions meet any requirements for driving in certain cities like London where the ULEZ starts next month and you need a Euro 6 compliant car to avoid the £12.50 daily charge.

 

3 mile commute = petrol.

Definitely, a diesel will never get close to warm, though even if it was a 30 mile commute I would still get a petrol.

 

3 mile commute = petrol.

Definitely, a diesel will never get close to warm, though even if it was a 30 mile commute I would still get a petrol.

Second that

http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/bmwdiesel.html

 

Not sure how far you've got with this but I'd wait for the 2.0 120i rather than the reworked 1.6 118i which with another 7bhp became known as the 120i in lci. Don't get me wrong my 118i (170bhp) is great but I bet the 2.0 is better and newer tech.