Scottish Elises

Well I waved good bye yesterday to my 2nd Elise and also my S3

I was going to try and keep them both as long as possible but due to the birth of our first son and the cost of fuel seemingly rocketing out of control, something had to give. Having to travel approx 650 miles a week to and from work and the petrol station in Forfar charging 116.9p for a little of super unleaded made me think seriously about my options. I decided a diesel was the way forward, thus halving my fuel bill.

I bought a BMW 123D M sport coupe, not something I would have seen myself in a couple of years ago but needs must.

I have had good times and bad times with both Elises, but I think now that I probably should have kept my "S". Was a far more enjoyable car than the "SC" and dare I say it the build quality seemed to be better!
Yeah the "SC" was much faster in a straight line but on country road you never really have to change gear, just leave it in 3rd and away you go. Where as the "S" you needed to work a little harder to make it go fast.

So yesterday was a sad day but in a few years once my little boy is big enough I am sure I will return to a lotus.

Sad news but the 123D is a pretty impressive 'diesel' and a cheap remap will bring a huge smile to your face
Out of interest why didn't you get a cheaper diesel work-horse and keep the Elise for weekends etc ?

sorry to hear that too, dont think i ever saw it around Dundee thinking about it .... but i don't get out much I have another baby on the way which is putting a dent in my next lotus plan too but i wouldnt change it for the world, babies are awesome !!! cant believe i put it off for so many years.

Doc883 wrote:Sad news but the 123D is a pretty impressive 'diesel' and a cheap remap will bring a huge smile to your face
Out of interest why didn't you get a cheaper diesel work-horse and keep the Elise for weekends etc ?

Actually a couple of reasons. the elise is was not fully paid for so i had a finance paymen, it was a lot of money to sit around doing nothing. I feel there is only time for my wee man just now nevermind driving my beloved lotus (LOL).

Second reason is my company is away to start paying me car allowance and both cars were not with in the rules.

I have done just over 200miles in the BM and i have to say i am pretty impressed. 42mpg so far and it is probably as quick thru the gears as my remapped S3!!!

At least I had to get rid of my elise for a good reason and have been extremely fortunate to have been in the position to afford such cars. I will be looking for an S1 elise soon but don't tell the wife!!! LOL

So the 123D gets a thumbs up then?

I think when we change cars the wife will get an Octavia or something capable of carrying prams etc and I'll downsize to a 123D.(I'd go for a hatch though to save some form of practicality! We can get more kiddy related stuff in the boot of the wifes Fabia than in my 3 saloon).

I think I'd miss the 6 cylinder noise but it seems to have similar performance to my 330d and should return mid-forties mpg compared to high-thirties. And judging by the 116 courtesy cars I've had, it should be a good laugh on the twisty bits.

Interested to hear how you get on with it over the next feew months

Steve I went from a 320 MSport (2.2 straight six) to the 120D SE and have to say whilst the straight six was a lovely engine the 2.0 diesel is a good engine, pulls well and we get about 49mpg average from it!

I found the 1 series more practical than the 3 series too and they are just about big enough to get prams in too!

Good cars, defo recommend them