120d xDrive

Setright · 03-06-2022, 08:13 AM

Hi all,

Has anyone driven an F40 120d xDrive? What's it actually like to drive?

I will be replacing my company car this autumn. The second of two F20 120ds.

The platform shift to FWD is a problem for me, I am one of the 20% that BMW found out actually KNEW that the car was RWD.

I have test driven a 118i with standard springs and a 120d with M-Sport suspension. The difference between them is night and day. The standard suspension feels nose heavy and not at all interested in turning. The M-Spec actually makes the car lively and entertaining. It is a really well sorted FWD car.

Of course, that is the problem, it's still FWD. Hence I am leaning toward choosing M-Spec and xDrive.

However, I cannot source one for a test drive here in Denmark. Journalists seem to ignore the 120d xDrive, there are plenty of reviews of the xDrive 228i and 135i variants, but those have a mechanical diff on the front...the 120d doesn't. Therefore, the reviews aren't directly comparable.

Manboy · 03-08-2022, 10:01 AM

Fair point, I think I've only seen reviews of the 118i and M135i. It's like the diesel doesn't even exist. very strange, I thought it would be a popular chose.

karlos91 · 03-24-2022, 05:34 AM

Both 120i and 120d have strut tower brace under bonnet.
118i has not and I can feel it (even with M sport suspension).
120i has also bigger brakes, so I assume that 120d has similar.

Perch_3.0 · 02-04-2023, 01:49 AM

Not sure if you found info you were looking for but I recently purchased a 120D Xdrive in M Sport spec.

After 2 Z4’s and current G01 X3, I must say I’m very impressed with the car overall. Was considering a GTI and didn’t even know that there was a non-M135i model with xDrive in the range. Aside from some very minor cost cutting measures, it’s a proper BMW.

Handling wise, I’m yet to do any active driving since it’s mid winter in Estonia but again, car feels very very planted on the road and is pretty rapid in city driving. Suspension and steering are on the firm side, but not overbearing. Happy to answer any specific questions.

Setright · 02-16-2023, 02:53 AM

Thanks Perch_3.0.

xDrive wasn't available for me, I now have a 120i M-Sport. It drives and handles well for a FWD car, easily as much fun as the GTi.

Of course, it will never be the same as the RWD :-)

Please comment when you get more experience with your car !

03-06-2022, 08:13 AM	#1
Setright Car Enthusiast 20 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 120i M-Sport 2022 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Denmark iTrader: (0)	120d xDrive - What's it like to drive? Hi all, Has anyone driven an F40 120d xDrive? What's it actually like to drive? I will be replacing my company car this autumn. The second of two F20 120ds. The platform shift to FWD is a problem for me, I am one of the 20% that BMW found out actually KNEW that the car was RWD. I have test driven a 118i with standard springs and a 120d with M-Sport suspension. The difference between them is night and day. The standard suspension feels nose heavy and not at all interested in turning. The M-Spec actually makes the car lively and entertaining. It is a really well sorted FWD car. Of course, that is the problem, it's still FWD. Hence I am leaning toward choosing M-Spec and xDrive. However, I cannot source one for a test drive here in Denmark. Journalists seem to ignore the 120d xDrive, there are plenty of reviews of the xDrive 228i and 135i variants, but those have a mechanical diff on the front...the 120d doesn't. Therefore, the reviews aren't directly comparable.
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03-08-2022, 10:01 AM	#2
Manboy Captain 440 Rep 846 Posts Drives: 2020 M135i Misano Blue Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	Fair point, I think I've only seen reviews of the 118i and M135i. It's like the diesel doesn't even exist. very strange, I thought it would be a popular chose.
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03-24-2022, 05:34 AM	#3
karlos91 New Member 51 Rep 23 Posts Drives: BMW F40 2021 MSport 118i Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: PL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW 1er F40 [0.00]	Both 120i and 120d have strut tower brace under bonnet. 118i has not and I can feel it (even with M sport suspension). 120i has also bigger brakes, so I assume that 120d has similar. Last edited by karlos91; 03-24-2022 at 06:35 AM.. Reason: speeling
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02-04-2023, 01:49 AM	#4
Perch_3.0 New Member 3 Rep 7 Posts Drives: BMW X3 G01 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Estonia iTrader: (0)	Not sure if you found info you were looking for but I recently purchased a 120D Xdrive in M Sport spec. After 2 Z4’s and current G01 X3, I must say I’m very impressed with the car overall. Was considering a GTI and didn’t even know that there was a non-M135i model with xDrive in the range. Aside from some very minor cost cutting measures, it’s a proper BMW. Handling wise, I’m yet to do any active driving since it’s mid winter in Estonia but again, car feels very very planted on the road and is pretty rapid in city driving. Suspension and steering are on the firm side, but not overbearing. Happy to answer any specific questions.
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02-16-2023, 02:53 AM	#5
Setright Car Enthusiast 20 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 120i M-Sport 2022 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Denmark iTrader: (0)	Thanks Perch_3.0. xDrive wasn't available for me, I now have a 120i M-Sport. It drives and handles well for a FWD car, easily as much fun as the GTi. Of course, it will never be the same as the RWD :-) Please comment when you get more experience with your car !
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