BMW 118d - Would you recommend getting one?

[75Black]

Hi all, I've recently been toying with the idea of getting a newer car. I'm currently driving a Pug 206 Sport, and previously before that had a VW Polo MK4 as a first car (sadly got written off having been t-boned by a twunt not paying attention and emerging from a side road straight into us). My current job means I'm driving around 12 miles into work and while I like my current car, I'm ready to move out of the cheap small engined hatchback phase, and at 27 years old wouldn't consider myself being in that risky category so would like something a bit more plush and modern.

Anyway on to the topic at hand, I've been looking at the BMW 1 series coupe most likely in the new year, in particular the 118d, my budget being 3-5k and looking for something around the 2010-11 year of which I've seen a few of on Autotrader. It'd be used as my commute car and general daily driver, and I'm not fussed about it being diesel either. For any owners of this car, I'd like to hear some opinions - positives/negatives, or should I just go for an Audi A3 diesel instead?

[keo]

24 miles a day? I wouldn’t bother with a diesel. Can comment on the bmw but I have an A3 2.0tdi Quattro s line blah blah. It’s such a boring car to drive. My £200 Focus was a better drive.
Only reason I have still got it as Iv done lots of miles init so it’s not worth selling!

For your budge I would get the best Renaultsport I could.

[PaddyPadsPat]

I would go for a Golf GTI Mk5 at your budget. Much more fun and engaging. Ditch the diesal also

[Shiv_P]

Don't get a diesel 4 cylinder bmw from that era. They are ste.

[anonymous-user]

Certainly wouldn' be looking at a diesel for that mileage.

Something fun could be had for £5k.

[75Black]

Thanks for the advice, I'll keep looking in that case, not 100% settled on anything at the moment, currently leaning towards an Audi A3 though

[Deep Thought]

75Black said:

Thanks for the advice, I'll keep looking in that case, not 100% settled on anything at the moment, currently leaning towards an Audi A3 though

Avoid the 1.6TDI if you're looking at Audi / VW.

[ZX10R NIN]

It seems you're seduced by the German badges, so if you want a nice A3/1 series look for these more interesting options:

3.2 A3 Sport/S Line

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

125 SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

130i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

With your budget I'd be looking at an ST-3 Focus

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Leftfield Options:

C30 T5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mazda3 MPS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You don't do the miles to justify a diesel so don't bother with one.

[Don Roque]

If you really want a diesel the 123d manual is the better option. I wouldn't bother with a diesel at those miles unless you really want one.

[DailyHack]

Only get one with very detailed service history, and preferably many oil services - they can have a tendency to lunch their cam chains if neglected.

Had a 2008 (58) E81 three door 118d, ran it up to 167k, brilliant car, just looked up MOT and it's still going strong with over 200k on it.

Drove it hard always rewarded me with 50mpg, doubled up the oil services and did 25k annually in it for 4 years.

But, ask yourself whether you need a diesel if doing such low miles, lots of things to go wrong on these which in my eyes is pot luck sometimes, but these cars thrive on good motorway blast all the time.

Have a 2012 (12) 318d same 4 cylinder engine, 125k and goes well won't be loosing this car for a while.

Audi A3 is competent, but woefully dull to drive in comparison in my eyes.

[75Black]

So probably against all advice, I went and had a look at a 2011 118d Coupe, had a test drive and put down a deposit, car costs £4k all in all so within my budget, offered my 206 in as p/x and will go on Sunday to pick it up.

As much as I was looking at A3's, Fiestas and a few others, they didn't grab my attention as much as this, so pretty pleased.

[anonymous-user]

Pointless thread.

[MOBB]

Don’t know if it’s your thing, but I had one of these remapped and it totally transformed it, much more free revving and peppier