Who doesn’t enjoy a sprightly drive in a car that is made to be driven? I, for one, enjoy the fun factor that BMW’s little BMW 120d is offering – yes, and all this fun is from a diesel motorcar too!

BMW has the some of the world’s finest engineering, and this leading edge build quality is still very much apparent in the ‘Baby Beemer’. Amazingly, the BMW 120d has the performance figures to not only match but to better the petrol alternative. And with a fuel economy officially being claimed at 6.6 L/100 km, one would wonder “Why not a diesel?”

With 115 kW of power in the latest version and a time of around 8 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a standstill, these are some serious performance figures in a small car of this type and practicality. The manufacturer’s top speed is quoted at being over 220 km/h. That, in my book, is quite impressive from a 2 litre turbo diesel engine. Let’s just add here that the BMW 120d also has a thumping 340 Nm of torque on tap at a low 1750 rpm. Wow! These figures give the BMW 120d plenty of power in all the right places, particularly when passing slower traffic on the motorway. The small chassis and minimal overhang front and back over the wheels means that the balance and grip of the BMW 120d, when pushed hard in cornering, is fantastic or should that be funtastic? Gear changing is beautifully smooth in the 6-speed steptronic automatic gear box. The BMW 120d is electronically designed to keep the engine’s hefty torque right at one’s right foot toes.

With ABS (Anti Lock Brakes), ESP (Electronic Stability), dynamic stability control, front seatbelt pretensioners, and front driver and passenger airbags plus front side airbags, the BMW 120d is well equipped in the safety arena. Crash tests have rated the BMW 120d with a five star, too.

BMWs have always been a pleasant place to journey in, and the BMW 120d is no exception. The seats are lovely and comfortable, although legroom in the back is tight for adult travellers. This would certainly make for an entertaining long commuting car. Luxury levels aren’t too bad, with an alarm, an immobiliser, electric mirrors, central locking, and electric front and rear windows all being standard equipment. Lovely leather seats and Cruise control are some of the options that are available at an extra cost, as are alloy wheels and metallic paint. These optional extras are standard on the better equipped versions of the BMW 120d, such as the ES model. The BMW 120d M has, of course, the more sporty M-suspension as standard as well as the M sport steering wheel and M sport aerodynamic body kit. A great sounding CD player is a standard item in any version of the BMW 120d.

Perhaps not a car for big families, but the BMW 120d is certainly fantastic as a second car or for a couple to own. And with crisp handling and loads of grip, the BMW 120d is a very pleasing small car alternative.

The current model series includes the:

• BMW 120d Steptronic Hatch

For any more information on the BMW 120d, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of BMW dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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