Comments on: The Curious Case for the BMW 123d http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/11/11/the-curious-case-for-the-123d/ BMW News, Reviews, Test Drives, Photos And Videos Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:30:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: tytek http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/11/11/the-curious-case-for-the-123d/#comment-262521 tytek Mon, 13 Sep 2010 03:28:15 +0000 http://www.bmwblog.com/?p=23740#comment-262521 Actually, you can already have one here stateside - unfortunately with FWD and a different logo - it is called an Audi A3 TDI ;-) In all seriousness, the TDI A3 is not a best seller for Audi in the US, but they have moved their fair share of them. Not sure why BMW is not trying to go after some of those buyers... (actually, I do know - it is the cost of getting them US ready). The US market is changing, albeit slowly. According to VAG, 75% of 2010 Jetta SportWagens sold in the US were diesels (2.0 CR TDI). The diesel stigma is lifting and buyers are educating themselves (with OEMs help) on the benefits of oil burners. Even Mazda will be offering diesel engine options soon (the only Japanese automaker to do so in North America). Actually, you can already have one here stateside – unfortunately with FWD and a different logo – it is called an Audi A3 TDI ;-)

In all seriousness, the TDI A3 is not a best seller for Audi in the US, but they have moved their fair share of them. Not sure why BMW is not trying to go after some of those buyers… (actually, I do know – it is the cost of getting them US ready).

The US market is changing, albeit slowly. According to VAG, 75% of 2010 Jetta SportWagens sold in the US were diesels (2.0 CR TDI). The diesel stigma is lifting and buyers are educating themselves (with OEMs help) on the benefits of oil burners. Even Mazda will be offering diesel engine options soon (the only Japanese automaker to do so in North America).

]]> By: new 123d http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/11/11/the-curious-case-for-the-123d/#comment-189011 new 123d Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:54:05 +0000 http://www.bmwblog.com/?p=23740#comment-189011 I just collected my 123d here in Australia Nov 09. I used to own a Golf Mk V Gti. 123d is definitely a better car in term of handling and acceleration. I had more confidence overtaking going up hill. Power delivery is smooth and instance. 123d manages more than 700km in 1 full tank compare to 500km in the Gti. I am heavy foot driver. Insurance is cheaper in the 123d and it only needs 1 servicing every 20000km or once every 2 years. Gti needs servicing every 15000km or every year. I had lots of quality issues with the gti since day 1 but not with the 123d. Built quality is excellent compare to the gti. The only let down is the weak air-con. It's the same with the gti. I just collected my 123d here in Australia Nov 09. I used to own a Golf Mk V Gti. 123d is definitely a better car in term of handling and acceleration. I had more confidence overtaking going up hill. Power delivery is smooth and instance. 123d manages more than 700km in 1 full tank compare to 500km in the Gti. I am heavy foot driver. Insurance is cheaper in the 123d and it only needs 1 servicing every 20000km or once every 2 years. Gti needs servicing every 15000km or every year. I had lots of quality issues with the gti since day 1 but not with the 123d. Built quality is excellent compare to the gti. The only let down is the weak air-con. It’s the same with the gti.

]]> By: Ronald Switzerland http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/11/11/the-curious-case-for-the-123d/#comment-179601 Ronald Switzerland Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:26:58 +0000 http://www.bmwblog.com/?p=23740#comment-179601 Well I just ordered one here in Europe, a beautiful blue 123d. As the writer noticed a 4 cilinder diesel car don't have the sound experience of a gasoline car, but for that the driving experience, torque and fuel economy are wonderfull. The reason that diesel is an enourmes success here in Europe has to do with exactly that combination (and ofcourse fuel is around 3x more expensive then in the US). At the moment a big pain point is the dollar-euro exchange rate. Since these cars are produced in europe there is almost no possibility to have them sold with profit in the US. Well I just ordered one here in Europe, a beautiful blue 123d. As the writer noticed a 4 cilinder diesel car don’t have the sound experience of a gasoline car, but for that the driving experience, torque and fuel economy are wonderfull.
The reason that diesel is an enourmes success here in Europe has to do with exactly that combination (and ofcourse fuel is around 3x more expensive then in the US). At the moment a big pain point is the dollar-euro exchange rate. Since these cars are produced in europe there is almost no possibility to have them sold with profit in the US.

]]> By: 100$ GUY http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/11/11/the-curious-case-for-the-123d/#comment-167318 100$ GUY Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:36:03 +0000 http://www.bmwblog.com/?p=23740#comment-167318 No appeal for me whatsoever, but happy you enjoyed it. No appeal for me whatsoever, but happy you enjoyed it.

]]> By: BMW plans to offer four-cylinder diesels in the U.S. http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/11/11/the-curious-case-for-the-123d/#comment-167201 BMW plans to offer four-cylinder diesels in the U.S. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:46:18 +0000 http://www.bmwblog.com/?p=23740#comment-167201 [...] we’re quite excited to hear these news and after reading Andrew’s article on the BMW 123d, we’re even more sold [...] [...] we’re quite excited to hear these news and after reading Andrew’s article on the BMW 123d, we’re even more sold [...]

]]> By: Shawn http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/11/11/the-curious-case-for-the-123d/#comment-167150 Shawn Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:47:32 +0000 http://www.bmwblog.com/?p=23740#comment-167150 Andrew, that was a brilliant article - keep it coming! I really identify with you in your need of a practical, efficient, uncompromising sports car. I really feel that the 123d would do well in the American and Canadian market if given a chance. Andrew, that was a brilliant article – keep it coming!

I really identify with you in your need of a practical, efficient, uncompromising sports car. I really feel that the 123d would do well in the American and Canadian market if given a chance.

]]> By: michael http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/11/11/the-curious-case-for-the-123d/#comment-167127 michael Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:36:03 +0000 http://www.bmwblog.com/?p=23740#comment-167127 I thought this might be a bit relevant considering this discussion http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/report-bmw-plans-to-offer-four-cylinder-diesels-in-the-u-s/ I thought this might be a bit relevant considering this discussion
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/report-bmw-plans-to-offer-four-cylinder-diesels-in-the-u-s/

]]> By: drew http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/11/11/the-curious-case-for-the-123d/#comment-167024 drew Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:38:26 +0000 http://www.bmwblog.com/?p=23740#comment-167024 BRING IT!!! (which isn't going to happen I fully realise)... but please BMW please bring the next gen 1er hatch stateside... BRING IT!!!

(which isn’t going to happen I fully realise)…

but please BMW please bring the next gen 1er hatch stateside…

]]> By: john http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/11/11/the-curious-case-for-the-123d/#comment-167018 john Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:42:28 +0000 http://www.bmwblog.com/?p=23740#comment-167018 the 1 series is a magical car that i wish i had the option to buy as a diesel wether it be the 116,120,123 .... i would trade my car in and buy the 1 series today if i could the 1 series is a magical car that i wish i had the option to buy as a diesel wether it be the 116,120,123 …. i would trade my car in and buy the 1 series today if i could

]]> By: Elgee http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/11/11/the-curious-case-for-the-123d/#comment-167008 Elgee Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:59:45 +0000 http://www.bmwblog.com/?p=23740#comment-167008 I have a 118d and i love it ! people, luxury and pleasure doesn't mean big ! I have a 118d and i love it ! people, luxury and pleasure doesn’t mean big !

]]> By: Esteves http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/11/11/the-curious-case-for-the-123d/#comment-166999 Esteves Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:04:58 +0000 http://www.bmwblog.com/?p=23740#comment-166999 It's the top 1er diesel in Europe. 2.0 inline 4 with 204ps and 400Nm averaging 45mpg in our test cycle. It's a sweet car. But you can also get lower powered diesel models. The lowest is the 116d, which just produces 115ps but averages 53mpg. It’s the top 1er diesel in Europe. 2.0 inline 4 with 204ps and 400Nm averaging 45mpg in our test cycle. It’s a sweet car. But you can also get lower powered diesel models. The lowest is the 116d, which just produces 115ps but averages 53mpg.

]]> By: michael http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/11/11/the-curious-case-for-the-123d/#comment-166957 michael Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:46:29 +0000 http://www.bmwblog.com/?p=23740#comment-166957 see i didn't realise there was a 123d we only get the 120d here in Australia see i didn’t realise there was a 123d
we only get the 120d here in Australia

]]> By: J.T. http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/11/11/the-curious-case-for-the-123d/#comment-166954 J.T. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:34:43 +0000 http://www.bmwblog.com/?p=23740#comment-166954 Why must you tease us with the 1er, let alone a diesel and a M-Sport!. ;^; Why must you tease us with the 1er, let alone a diesel and a M-Sport!. ;^;

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