BMW 120d v 120i 2008 Comparison

Road Test Comparo

BMW 120d
RRP: $48,000
Price as tested: $56,700 (metallic paint $1300; Executive Package $1700; sunroof $2200; BMW navigation professional $3500)
Crash rating: 5-star ENCAP
Fuel: Diesel
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 6.1
CO2 emissions (g/km): 176
Also consider: Alfa Romeo 147 JTD, Volvo C30 D5, Audi A3 TDI, Volkswagen Golf GT Sport TDI

Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 4.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 2.0/5.0
Safety: 4.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.0/5.0
X-factor: 2.5/5.0

There are reasons not to choose a 1 Series -- the main being the five door's rather indulgent use of cabin space. If you have to factor in back-seaters chances are they won't be happy.

But if you're taken by the smallest BMW's M Coupe 'breadvan' looks, and you're an inveterate front-seater, then you've probably already decided -- the 1's sporty rear-wheel-drive dynamics give it an advantage over all others in the small car class.

The six-cylinder 130i may take the headlines, but it's the 120 that commands the lion's share of 1 Series sales. That means the decision most 1 Series buyers make is whether to opt for the 120i petrol or 120d turbodiesel.

And the choice between the 120i and 120d is made ever more difficult because BMW's small diesel is a cracker.

The 120d's 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel is a quiet, refined unit with high-pressure common rail electronic injection and computer-controlled variable geometry turbocharger. The engine features a multi-phase injection cycle for lower emissions and better output.

The 120i's 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine uses BMW's Double VANOS variable camshaft control and variable valve timing. It's smooth and willing, but would rarely be described as muscular.

Both are inline four-cylinder units displacing 1995cc, with chain-driven DOHC and four valves per cylinder. But the diesel has the advantage in both power and torque. Indeed, the turbodiesel model also beats the 120i in the 0-100km/h sprint, which BMW says is 9.2 versus 7.8sec.

On paper the power and torque differences are 115kW at 6200rpm and 200Nm at 3600rpm for the petrol engine, compared to the diesel's figures of 125kW at 4000rpm and 340Nm at 1750rpm.

And on the road, the difference is even more marked. The diesel has some lag from standstill but maintains good pull to 4000-odd. The engine is torquey and responsive in traffic, with plenty of mid-range urge for highway overtaking. It's an exercise in refined, frugal performance, if a little noisy.

The 120d shines in the twisty and hilly stuff too, especially if it's kept on-song -- after 2500rpm. The 120 is a great handler and the diesel doesn't compromise the small car's claimed perfect weight distribution.

It's worth noting at this time that unlike the 120i with its sequential six-speed auto or six-speed manual options, the diesel comes with auto only -- but it's well suited to the engine with quick up and downshifts, and has manual override.

In usage the 120d's 'box is a ripper and many petrol buyers would equally favour the auto. But -- and it's a big but -- if a sporting drive means manual to you, your decision's already made.

The petrol version is surprisingly sporty and, really, none-too thirsty. Driven with the verve that the slick-shifting six-speed manual allows saw us nudge 9L/100km but BMW's figure around 7L/100km is believable and reachable.

The 120s offer an accomplished, tidy ride but both examples are somewhat firm and at times jarring over poor surfaces. The model's sportier bent is similar to the likes of new MINI, but unlike the Cooper, the 120 feels more compliant and thus more comfortable. Steering, too, doesn't wander into road undulations, like the Cooper is prone to do with its go-kart set-up.

In fact, the 120's steering is a highlight. Combined with the small rear driver's inherent grip and balance, the 120 can be punted with accuracy and control one could expect from a bigger, more mature sedan.

Both get 17-inch alloys with runflat tyres, which don't help ride and are probably the culprit for the sharp ride and road noise. At times the 120 was no more composed than a Euro hatch at half the price, but its steering and agility helped resolve coarse road conditions.

Both variants are equipped with excellent brakes with strong feel underfoot and smooth action.

Both are reasonable highway cruisers, resembling bigger siblings for comfort and quietude on smoother surfaces. There's some road roar from the tyres but the cabins were free from wind noise. Seating, at least up front, is comfortable with full-sized pews.

In terms of cabin amenities the difference is negligible. In fact, differences are more likely to come down to the choice of options you order (or your BMW dealer has already specced on 'your' behalf). Try buying a base BMW of any model off the floor? It just doesn't happen. At very least it'll have metallic paint, leather and probably trim and audio upgrades. Most 120i will also be auto. (Any cloth trim, base-model 1 Series owners out there? We'd like to hear from you...)

In our way of thinking, the leather upholstery, optional by way of a $1700 Executive upgrade, is a must-have for any impression of premium feel interior-wise. Even with the latest series of updates across the 1, 3 and 5 Series ranges, the appearance of the dash is just going. Controls are easy-to-hand and the dash layout resembles the bigger Beemers, and it's a vast improvement over the previous model, but it is still underdone and tawdry.

There's little difference for daily driving between the two, with strong, usable performance from both options.

The price premium for the diesel is $2500 (comparing auto models): that's made worse by currently, and until further notice, continuing high diesel prices but obviously distance travelled between tanks will be greater. It's a lot of 'kays to make up the difference in price, however.

Ay, there's the rub. The 120 -- with either petrol or diesel -- is not a long distance driver. The ride is too hard, the rear quarters far too cramped and even a weekend's worth of luggage would easily take up the available cargo space -- which isn't much by comparison to most small car rivals, and the sacrifice for rear-wheel drive.

Suitably, BMW calls this body style 'sports hatch'; with the operative on sports rather than hatchback versatility, which is nought.

There's an argument for a longer relationship and driving off the premium for diesel, but the 1 Series is not a keeper. Get the petrol version for the here and now, then grow out of it and into something more refined, spacious...

Both 120s are 'performance' options and we're generally diesel fans, but in this case the petrol's the pick...