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Diminutive sports coupés infused with quality engineering: vehicles like these form the bedrock of BMW’s revered tradition, and with the new 1-series coupé, the firm seeks a return to a sporting ethos it believes will produce the lowest average owner age profile of any car it currently makes.

Which explains why BMW is so eager to associate the 1-series coupé with the sports saloon/coupé models of the late ’60s and early ’70s, particularly the much-loved 2002 tii and 2002 turbo models....Read the full article

I don't see why anyone would buy this particular model (the Coupe) over the 3 door model with the same engine.  The 3 door is more practical, looks better, still has the pillar-less doors...  Not only that but get it in SE spec and it's also considerably cheaper for the same brilliant engine and handling.

As soon as I pass my exams and qualify as an Accountant I shall be purchasing a 3 door 123d and enjoy all the benefits for a lot less money.  The Germans seem to be so good at selling us (the British in particular) less car for more money.  Hence the reason the M6 costs about £20k more than an M5 and for what, seeing as they share so many components under the body? 

oaffie:

The 3 door is more practical

Really depends on your definition of practical I suppose.  The coupe is a slightly larger car, 12cm longer than the three-door, and comes with 40 litres more boot space - how beneficial that is depends on the configuration, of course, and what you intend to lug about in your shiney new car - beyond the weekly shop.

The coupe is a proper four seater, in that it doesn't have the compromised rear bench with pads and seatbelts for three that the the 3/5 door has.  Neither would actually be very comfortable for three rear passengers but if I found myself in the back of one I'd rather have a nicely formed seat than an upholstered hump.

If practicality is what you're after then an A3 might be a better buy (though far more dull! My wife has one - I know!)

As for the price difference, in SE trim the coupe comes out £1090 more.  Not sure if there are any equipment/technical differences between them, but most manufacturers put a premium on coupe/cabrio, BMW are no different here, and I think the coupe is a better looking car (though the 3-door is somewhat reminiscent of the marvellous M Coupe), but for my money the forthcoming cabriolet beats them all, and I'll be ordering one, if it ever comes with the twin-turbo 2.0d.

The Colonel:

Really depends on your definition of practical I suppose.  The coupe is a slightly larger car, 12cm longer than the three-door, and comes with 40 litres more boot space - how beneficial that is depends on the configuration, of course, and what you intend to lug about in your shiney new car - beyond the weekly shop.

As soon as this engine is installed in the 3 series saloon and coupe that will be the end of the 123d coupe. The 123d is just too heavy and expensive relative to the 3 series saloon and coupe. Also a simple Upsolute or Revo remap of the latest 2.0 d engine from BMW will produce the same power and torque figures for a modest three or four hundred pounds so why waste your money on the 123d!

 Get a 320 cd and have it remapped and enjoy a better looking, bigger, better car which is just as fast for less money. You know it makes sense!

 
Frawls
 

Interesting theory sprung to mind from your post Frawls about the lethargy in which BMW are releasing their efficient dynamics packages and revised engines across their range.  I suppose most manufacturers do this though to avoid undue competition between the cars in their range (e.g. witness the 911 vs. Cayman lack of engine sharing)

With respect to the aftermarket tuning, for me I prefer to keep cars standard, as they were intended to be by the manufacturers.  This is for many reasons:

1, maintain warranty

2, protect resale (mods suggest someone who rags their car (true or not))

3, excess power may exceed the limits of other compenents

Bearing in mind the 3 series already has the 325d (at 197hp) it's unlikely that the introduction of a 323d will happen, rather the 325d will probably find an uplift in power.

In any case, it doesn't seem to have stopped BMW introducing a 123d, which is likely to be a big seller, and the current or revised 325d is not likely to be "the end of the 123d coupe", as not all people want the same thing.

Kee Law:

With respect to the aftermarket tuning, for me I prefer to keep cars standard,

Likewise.  Also insurance companies by-and-large don't like re-maps.  Yes there are some firms out there that make a point of providing cover for re-mapped cars, but at some cost.

Even though the road test was for the Coupe version, I think the 123d 3dr is the first official 200 BHP Diesel "Hot Hatch" (unlike the Thurlby Astra T9).

Which is pretty significant IMO

I'm sure the BMW twin turbo four is the best four cylinder deisel engine in the world and that before long every other manufacturer will be trying to copy it,just like they do the cars.

I am also sure it will be available in everything,probably even a seven series in some markets.

Its cheaper to make than a six,and lighter,you see.

Its just,well,when this engine first became commonish knowledge in the industry,an old chum who works on the oil side rang me and reminded me that this is the very engine we designed over a weekend thirteen years ago,furthermore the only thing not available then was a common rail pump which could produce the necessary pressure,or nobody was admitting it if there was.

If we just look at the somewhat prosaic twin turbo bit,what on earth took them so long?

I mean,we have all been wailing about under 2000 rpm lethargy in deisels for half a century it seems,and the answer has always been to develop the forced induction.

I thought then,and still do that a simple engine driven blower would be best at the lower rpm range,like the VW petrols use.

There is absolutely nothing new here,even the electronics are nothing much,and I'm even unsure about the switching between the blowers,but I can't,of course,get any detail on this!

I freely admit I have it in for car manufacturers,I think they bring most of their problems upon themselves and we pay for the bungling incompetence.

I hope the above explains why I think that.

Robin

Aren't BMW late to the party because in recent history they had shunned diesels. 

Since their entry into the market however its fair to say that they've been at or around the leading edge.  your argument would be more fairly directed at say the french manufacturers who have been doing diesels for longer and were considered the leaders...

This may not be anything new, but what's your point?  Surely better late than never?

I drove a 1 Series hatch (1.8) last year and the quality of the interior was astounding, the drive lovely and tight, typical tuetonic values throughout, very impressed. However I really think BMW's pricing policy is a tad too arrogant (way too high).. and even as a long term BMW fan this coupe makes me winch.. there's something 'wrong' about it!!