118d - Sport step reliable ?

[phib]

Hi All, potentially coming back to bmw after a couple of years in an Audi A6

Don't need such a big car anymore so am looking at the 118d or 120d Sport step ( sport edition)

Think its the 8 speed auto am I correct in thinking this is just a normal auto i.e. with a torque converter not the dual clutch dsg type ?

Reliability is key, are there any known faults with these 1 series's ?

Any help gratefully received

Thanks

Phib

[Smuler]

phib said:

Hi All, potentially coming back to bmw after a couple of years in an Audi A6

Don't need such a big car anymore so am looking at the 118d or 120d Sport step ( sport edition)

Think its the 8 speed auto am I correct in thinking this is just a normal auto i.e. with a torque converter not the dual clutch dsg type ?

Reliability is key, are there any known faults with these 1 series's ?

Any help gratefully received

Thanks

Phib

Assuming it's the current series, then it's a ZF 8 Speed normal auto and inmho very good.
I don't know about mechanical faults, but found the two 1 series Sports I drove, awful i.e. poor ride and handling average seats and no steering feel.
I reckon a M sport version should cure some of those flaws.

[NorthernSky]

Get a petrol one, the diesel will only be marginally better on fuel economy & petrol will sound better too. :-)

[helix402]

The ZF gearbox is a good reliable one.

[Mr Tidy]

I had a manual 123d for over 6 years and was very pleased with it.

But I started reading horror stories about cam-chain failures and sold it.

Google "BMW N47 engine problems" if you want more detail.

[phib]

Great thanks for the info !! I had heard something about timing chains, any issues with the petrol ones ??

Trying to find a car without a major issue waiting to happen is proving very difficult !!!

Was going to buy a golf DSG but DSG is a lottery too !!

Thanks

Phib

[Mr Tidy]

phib said:

Great thanks for the info !! I had heard something about timing chains, any issues with the petrol ones ??

Trying to find a car without a major issue waiting to happen is proving very difficult !!!

Was going to buy a golf DSG but DSG is a lottery too !!

Thanks

Phib

From what I can work out the petrol BMWs have similar timing chain issues, other than the 130i!

I definitely wouldn't go VAG DSG either at this age - if it goes wrong it'll empty your wallet!

Good luck anyway!

[SwissJonese]

phib said:

Great thanks for the info !! I had heard something about timing chains, any issues with the petrol ones ??

Trying to find a car without a major issue waiting to happen is proving very difficult !!!

Was going to buy a golf DSG but DSG is a lottery too !!

Thanks

Phib

I recently sold my 118i with the 8 speed auto. Had a few people say it will have timing chain issues so offered me less blah blah. But I couldn't find any information on issues with the F20/F21 petrol engine. I think most issues where with the previous Diesel models.

That said never really got on with the auto in this. I was coming from a C350 Merc which had the torque converter 7 speed auto and it was a dream, always seemed to be in the right gear and plenty of power. The BMW 8 speed is supposed to be better but maybe I had a lemon as I found it awful. Really slow and almost like a clutch slipping when cold, felt very jerky until warmed up. Spoke to a BMW specialist about this and said they all do it.

The DSG in our new Tiguan is much better but again issues as always wants to be in the highest gear for economy driving - grrr. So really I want to be back in a Merc as soon as possible.

[iSore]

With 4 cylinder stuff, diesel all the way. Forget the petrols, they're crap. The 114-116-118i use that awful Prince engine found in Minis and Peugeot Citroen rubbish whilst the current turbo N20 is somewhat better if pretty bland and not offering the diesel economy.