BMW 120 d Sport
Discussion
Hi Guys,
Im new to this forum which was strongly recommended by a friend.
I am thinking about buying a BMW 1 sereies 120 D sport or maybe the standard version.
I am 25, soon to be 26 and this will be my second car, I have driven a ford focus for several years but that has some accident damage wich is not worth repairing.
I commute about 40 miles each day so would like something sporty and economical.
Anyone have any tips on what I should look out for when buying a BMW 1 series (second hand) to avoud buying a dodgey BMW?
Thanks guys
Im new to this forum which was strongly recommended by a friend.
I am thinking about buying a BMW 1 sereies 120 D sport or maybe the standard version.
I am 25, soon to be 26 and this will be my second car, I have driven a ford focus for several years but that has some accident damage wich is not worth repairing.
I commute about 40 miles each day so would like something sporty and economical.
Anyone have any tips on what I should look out for when buying a BMW 1 series (second hand) to avoud buying a dodgey BMW?
Thanks guys
Hi VWS,
I am sure a kindly mod will be along shortly to move you to the right section.
The 120d is a cracking motor - the ride on the sport imho is punishing, however if you can find an SE with Sports seats - that is a great combo.
The major issue on the d engines (that I know of) is the plastic swirl flaps breaking and being ingested into the engine. I believe they can be replaced with some metal ones for @£150 which could prevent future engine horror. I am sure this is on the sames lines as Vanos issues in the E46 - far more talk than actual instances of it, but something to be aware of.
Besides that - check all the electrics work, make sure the RFT's have decent tread left or budget for the replacement in the cost.
Cheers
Kris
I am sure a kindly mod will be along shortly to move you to the right section.
The 120d is a cracking motor - the ride on the sport imho is punishing, however if you can find an SE with Sports seats - that is a great combo.
The major issue on the d engines (that I know of) is the plastic swirl flaps breaking and being ingested into the engine. I believe they can be replaced with some metal ones for @£150 which could prevent future engine horror. I am sure this is on the sames lines as Vanos issues in the E46 - far more talk than actual instances of it, but something to be aware of.
Besides that - check all the electrics work, make sure the RFT's have decent tread left or budget for the replacement in the cost.
Cheers
Kris
Edited by krisdelta on Sunday 5th August 11:28
I replaced an E46 M3 with a 120d M-Sport earlier this year and although it's not a patch on the M3, it's fun in it's own way.
Like has been said, runflats and Sport suspension mean that some bumps can fling you from your seat, but the reward is that on smoother roads it handles beautifully.
The handling is classic hot hatch. You can provoke lift off oversteer and then get on the gas and get a little powerslide on the exit, which is about as much fun as as a diesel can be. The steering's quite direct and the gearchange good and you can make pretty swift progress. It's merely brisk though, never fast.
The swirl flap issue, I think, is a real one and after buying my car I called PMW and purchased some blanking plates for about £40 IIRC. It's a DIY job that takes about 3-4hrs, mainly because actually getting to the swirl flaps means that you have to take off lots of bits of plastic from the top of the engine and engine bay. My flaps (hmm) were pretty nasty and covered in diesely gunk and it's certainly peace of mind for me that the flaps aren't in there any more.
If you purchase a pre 2006 car then there's some kind of filter on the engine (crankcase breather maybe?) that can get clogged and screw everything up. They were changed on the late 2005/2006 cars I think. It's also possible to put the new filter on the older cars too.
The door rubbers can creak, but that's easily cured with some krytox lube from the dealer!
Driving it like I stole it returns 40mpg at worst, but it's usually up around 46mpg, with 55mpg at best.
Finally, and I sound like a broken record, for wet weather driving it really needs an LSD. If it had that, it would be near perfect IMO.
Like has been said, runflats and Sport suspension mean that some bumps can fling you from your seat, but the reward is that on smoother roads it handles beautifully.
The handling is classic hot hatch. You can provoke lift off oversteer and then get on the gas and get a little powerslide on the exit, which is about as much fun as as a diesel can be. The steering's quite direct and the gearchange good and you can make pretty swift progress. It's merely brisk though, never fast.
The swirl flap issue, I think, is a real one and after buying my car I called PMW and purchased some blanking plates for about £40 IIRC. It's a DIY job that takes about 3-4hrs, mainly because actually getting to the swirl flaps means that you have to take off lots of bits of plastic from the top of the engine and engine bay. My flaps (hmm) were pretty nasty and covered in diesely gunk and it's certainly peace of mind for me that the flaps aren't in there any more.
If you purchase a pre 2006 car then there's some kind of filter on the engine (crankcase breather maybe?) that can get clogged and screw everything up. They were changed on the late 2005/2006 cars I think. It's also possible to put the new filter on the older cars too.
The door rubbers can creak, but that's easily cured with some krytox lube from the dealer!
Driving it like I stole it returns 40mpg at worst, but it's usually up around 46mpg, with 55mpg at best.
Finally, and I sound like a broken record, for wet weather driving it really needs an LSD. If it had that, it would be near perfect IMO.
bennyboysvuk said:
I replaced an E46 M3 with a 120d M-Sport earlier this year and although it's not a patch on the M3, it's fun in it's own way.
Like has been said, runflats and Sport suspension mean that some bumps can fling you from your seat, but the reward is that on smoother roads it handles beautifully.
The handling is classic hot hatch. You can provoke lift off oversteer and then get on the gas and get a little powerslide on the exit, which is about as much fun as as a diesel can be. The steering's quite direct and the gearchange good and you can make pretty swift progress. It's merely brisk though, never fast.
The swirl flap issue, I think, is a real one and after buying my car I called PMW and purchased some blanking plates for about £40 IIRC. It's a DIY job that takes about 3-4hrs, mainly because actually getting to the swirl flaps means that you have to take off lots of bits of plastic from the top of the engine and engine bay. My flaps (hmm) were pretty nasty and covered in diesely gunk and it's certainly peace of mind for me that the flaps aren't in there any more.
If you purchase a pre 2006 car then there's some kind of filter on the engine (crankcase breather maybe?) that can get clogged and screw everything up. They were changed on the late 2005/2006 cars I think. It's also possible to put the new filter on the older cars too.
The door rubbers can creak, but that's easily cured with some krytox lube from the dealer!
Driving it like I stole it returns 40mpg at worst, but it's usually up around 46mpg, with 55mpg at best.
Finally, and I sound like a broken record, for wet weather driving it really needs an LSD. If it had that, it would be near perfect IMO.
Bit of a bump after doing a search.Like has been said, runflats and Sport suspension mean that some bumps can fling you from your seat, but the reward is that on smoother roads it handles beautifully.
The handling is classic hot hatch. You can provoke lift off oversteer and then get on the gas and get a little powerslide on the exit, which is about as much fun as as a diesel can be. The steering's quite direct and the gearchange good and you can make pretty swift progress. It's merely brisk though, never fast.
The swirl flap issue, I think, is a real one and after buying my car I called PMW and purchased some blanking plates for about £40 IIRC. It's a DIY job that takes about 3-4hrs, mainly because actually getting to the swirl flaps means that you have to take off lots of bits of plastic from the top of the engine and engine bay. My flaps (hmm) were pretty nasty and covered in diesely gunk and it's certainly peace of mind for me that the flaps aren't in there any more.
If you purchase a pre 2006 car then there's some kind of filter on the engine (crankcase breather maybe?) that can get clogged and screw everything up. They were changed on the late 2005/2006 cars I think. It's also possible to put the new filter on the older cars too.
The door rubbers can creak, but that's easily cured with some krytox lube from the dealer!
Driving it like I stole it returns 40mpg at worst, but it's usually up around 46mpg, with 55mpg at best.
Finally, and I sound like a broken record, for wet weather driving it really needs an LSD. If it had that, it would be near perfect IMO.
The 120d M-sport has found it's way onto my short list as a replacement for my beloved Volvo S60 D5.
Some great info here, good to read that the dreaded swirl flap issue is easily eliminated.
smashy said:
5 years on 120d auto 177bhp 92000 miles ,whats gone wrong?
Nothing ,zilch ,not even a squeek.Great engine, great economy.
But....do I slyly turn around and look at it as I walk away from it? Nope never have ,never will sadly.
Did you go for the "Sport"? I'm reading here and elsewhere that ride can be a bit hard.Nothing ,zilch ,not even a squeek.Great engine, great economy.
But....do I slyly turn around and look at it as I walk away from it? Nope never have ,never will sadly.
If so is it something you get used to?
I had a 2011 BMW 118d in msport tirm and found it pretty boring. Yes the diesel is refined but it felt very 'white goods', maybe suits some people but I want more of a driving feel.
If you are only doing 12k per year why not look at some petrol BMW's not that I slate the diesel but as the ones I have driven felt more alive and reponsive as a commuting and weekend package.
If you are only doing 12k per year why not look at some petrol BMW's not that I slate the diesel but as the ones I have driven felt more alive and reponsive as a commuting and weekend package.
The Spruce goose said:
why not look at some petrol BMW's not that I slate the diesel but as the ones I have driven felt more alive and reponsive as a commuting and weekend package.
Interestingly the figures (on autotrader) are thus for 1 series:120i (Petrol)
Fuel consumption (urban) 32.8 mpg
Fuel consumption (extra urban) 52.3 mpg
Fuel consumption (combined) 42.8 mpg
0 - 62 mph 7.7 seconds
Top speed 139 mph
Cylinders 4
Valves 16 v
Engine power 170 bhp
Engine torque 155 lbs/ft
Insurance group 13
Vehicle tax band G
120d (Diesel)
Fuel consumption (urban) 47.9 mpg
Fuel consumption (extra urban) 68.9 mpg
Fuel consumption (combined) 60.1 mpg
0 - 62 mph 7.6 seconds
Top speed 142 mph
Cylinders 4
Valves 16 v
Engine power 177 bhp
Engine torque 258 lbs/ft
Insurance group 14
Vehicle tax band D
I'd need to try both tbh.
As it stands right now I enjoy the way my Volvo S60 D5 drives, great low and mid-range shove with good power right to the top of the rev range when you need it (for example, safe overtaking), plus fantastic fuel economy in everyday use and even better on a run...best of both worlds imho.
Worth pointing out that in my experience there's a noticeable difference between the M and non M-sport consumption figures.
I have two colleagues with non M-Sport 118d (coupé and a hatch). They both get 56mpg consistently. I have a 118d M-Sport hatch and get around 49mpg.
We don't think our driving styles are vastly different and I tend to use my car for more short journeys, but I'm convinced the different tyres on the M-Sport (225 rears plays 205) and to a lesser extent the lack of climate on theirs tends to affect the numbers significantly.
I have two colleagues with non M-Sport 118d (coupé and a hatch). They both get 56mpg consistently. I have a 118d M-Sport hatch and get around 49mpg.
We don't think our driving styles are vastly different and I tend to use my car for more short journeys, but I'm convinced the different tyres on the M-Sport (225 rears plays 205) and to a lesser extent the lack of climate on theirs tends to affect the numbers significantly.
The Spruce goose said:
I had a 2011 BMW 118d in msport tirm and found it pretty boring. Yes the diesel is refined but it felt very 'white goods', maybe suits some people but I want more of a driving feel.
If you are only doing 12k per year why not look at some petrol BMW's not that I slate the diesel but as the ones I have driven felt more alive and reponsive as a commuting and weekend package.
The difference in power between the 118 v120 d is pretty big. I love driving my 120 d it's quick handles fantastic always puts a smile on my face. I also find no problems with the run flats I love a firm ride rather than one that floats over bumps.If you are only doing 12k per year why not look at some petrol BMW's not that I slate the diesel but as the ones I have driven felt more alive and reponsive as a commuting and weekend package.
Apart from wheels and bumpers what are the differences between sport and M sport models?
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