Looking to buy a 1 Series. Anything
Discussion
I have been wanting to buy a 1 series for years & I was tempted a few years ago but was put off with the timing chain problems on the 1st generation 1 series. I went for a Seat Leon FR instead which I have been happy with but my heart is still on owning a 1 series but the second generation. I am looking at a used 2012 model but not sure whether to go for Diesel or petrol & what specific model? Is there any common problems I need to look out for & if I went for a Diesel do there have many issues with the DPF? The one on my Leon packed in & I went for a DPF removal which cost around £500 but I believe this is a risky business now?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Any advice would be appreciated.
I loved my F21 M135i, probably one of the nicest hatchbacks I've ever driven. What budget do you have in mind? If you can't stretch to an M the 1.5 3-cylinder in the LCI 118i is a nice all rounder. The diesels are worth a look too with the 120d offering strong performance and economy, but more suited to high mileage drivers. DPF removal is risky business so wouldn't bother with that!
I have had 118d SE & a 116i M sport. Both Auto.
I would recconed a diesel if you do more motorway driving to avoid the dpf issues which is caused by stop start driving . The torque of the diesel pulls well on the motorway where the petrol will keep droping down a gear on anything of a hill to maintain progress.
The petrol is OK though. just not a great engine it sounds rough when cold & not great when pushed hard when warmed up though.
The diesel just sounds like a diesel when cold but seemed smoother when cruising at motorway speeds.
We had a few electrical problems though , needed a new i drive display which just fronze , faulty auto wipers , one of the rear windows sticking. All fixed under warranty.
I would recconed a diesel if you do more motorway driving to avoid the dpf issues which is caused by stop start driving . The torque of the diesel pulls well on the motorway where the petrol will keep droping down a gear on anything of a hill to maintain progress.
The petrol is OK though. just not a great engine it sounds rough when cold & not great when pushed hard when warmed up though.
The diesel just sounds like a diesel when cold but seemed smoother when cruising at motorway speeds.
We had a few electrical problems though , needed a new i drive display which just fronze , faulty auto wipers , one of the rear windows sticking. All fixed under warranty.
I found the manual 118i (ours was a 2010 model) pretty awful to drive as the flywheel was so heavy it was hard to make decent progress without being jerky. Or even going slowly. The 118d and 120d autos of the same vintage I drove were great. I'm sure the petrol larger engined cars are nice to drive but the smaller engined cars I would avoid. Test drive for yourself to make sure it suits you.
I’ve probably driven every 1 series variant post 2012 so I know a lot about them and my mum had 2 120d’s back to back, pre LCI 2012 and the LCI 2015.
First question is, is your Leon FR a diesel or petrol? As this has a lot to do with your choice, any petrol 1 series will feel gutless compared to a diesel FR as they are quite quick with lots of torque.
Best all rounder would be an automatic 120d. 50+ mpg with hot hatch rivalling performance (well, 200bhp hot hatches, not the A45 and RS3’s
).
I’ve found that the manual box does not suit these cars at all, especially the lesser powered ones. I had a 118i for a week once while my car has some warranty work done and the fact it’s RWD and underpowered makes it chore to drive, heavy clutch and the gearshift isn’t as smooth as a VAG car.
Depending on your budget and what kit you have in your Leon, 1 series come with next to nothing standard, some don’t even have reading lights so it’s a long road to find the right spec if that’s what you’re after. If you’re not bothered about leather, I urge you to at least go for a basic M sport model with the Alcantara seats, much better fabric than the standard models. In fact, I think the standard models are stitched with plastic if anything, really poor quality and a shame considering the 1 series started at 22 odd grand in 2012.
First question is, is your Leon FR a diesel or petrol? As this has a lot to do with your choice, any petrol 1 series will feel gutless compared to a diesel FR as they are quite quick with lots of torque.
Best all rounder would be an automatic 120d. 50+ mpg with hot hatch rivalling performance (well, 200bhp hot hatches, not the A45 and RS3’s
).I’ve found that the manual box does not suit these cars at all, especially the lesser powered ones. I had a 118i for a week once while my car has some warranty work done and the fact it’s RWD and underpowered makes it chore to drive, heavy clutch and the gearshift isn’t as smooth as a VAG car.
Depending on your budget and what kit you have in your Leon, 1 series come with next to nothing standard, some don’t even have reading lights so it’s a long road to find the right spec if that’s what you’re after. If you’re not bothered about leather, I urge you to at least go for a basic M sport model with the Alcantara seats, much better fabric than the standard models. In fact, I think the standard models are stitched with plastic if anything, really poor quality and a shame considering the 1 series started at 22 odd grand in 2012.
Yeah the 1ers are pretty cheap all considered.
Go look in the BMW garage at a 7, 5, 3, the a 1, and be amazed how s
tty the 1 seems.
I’d get a top model or not bother, as used they’re much better value for money, and will be residually better as they age.
Buying a top end BMW is already hard work with their horrible options list, buying a lower spec model would be something I’d avoid entirely.
Life really is too short and BMW too cretinous to reward them with your money on a boggo model.
Go look in the BMW garage at a 7, 5, 3, the a 1, and be amazed how s
tty the 1 seems.I’d get a top model or not bother, as used they’re much better value for money, and will be residually better as they age.
Buying a top end BMW is already hard work with their horrible options list, buying a lower spec model would be something I’d avoid entirely.
Life really is too short and BMW too cretinous to reward them with your money on a boggo model.
We had a 2011 BMW 118i petrol auto. Horrible thing, looked lovely, drove awful (runflats not helping). Auto was pretty bad, especially comparing it from our previous Merc Auto which was superb. I thought the BMW wasn't very fast even for the 170bhp version. It wasn't quite poverty spec but had so little toys it might have been. Sold it within less than a year and took a huge hit.
Chestrockwell said:
I’ve probably driven every 1 series variant post 2012 so I know a lot about them and my mum had 2 120d’s back to back, pre LCI 2012 and the LCI 2015.
First question is, is your Leon FR a diesel or petrol? As this has a lot to do with your choice, any petrol 1 series will feel gutless compared to a diesel FR as they are quite quick with lots of torque.
Best all rounder would be an automatic 120d. 50+ mpg with hot hatch rivalling performance (well, 200bhp hot hatches, not the A45 and RS3’s ).
I’ve found that the manual box does not suit these cars at all, especially the lesser powered ones. I had a 118i for a week once while my car has some warranty work done and the fact it’s RWD and underpowered makes it chore to drive, heavy clutch and the gearshift isn’t as smooth as a VAG car.
Depending on your budget and what kit you have in your Leon, 1 series come with next to nothing standard, some don’t even have reading lights so it’s a long road to find the right spec if that’s what you’re after. If you’re not bothered about leather, I urge you to at least go for a basic M sport model with the Alcantara seats, much better fabric than the standard models. In fact, I think the standard models are stitched with plastic if anything, really poor quality and a shame considering the 1 series started at 22 odd grand in 2012.
My FR is Diesel & remapped to around 200bhp with lots of torque. The performance is superb & the only major issue I had was the DPF. I do about 40 miles per day on the motorway so a Diesel is just right for me. First question is, is your Leon FR a diesel or petrol? As this has a lot to do with your choice, any petrol 1 series will feel gutless compared to a diesel FR as they are quite quick with lots of torque.
Best all rounder would be an automatic 120d. 50+ mpg with hot hatch rivalling performance (well, 200bhp hot hatches, not the A45 and RS3’s
).I’ve found that the manual box does not suit these cars at all, especially the lesser powered ones. I had a 118i for a week once while my car has some warranty work done and the fact it’s RWD and underpowered makes it chore to drive, heavy clutch and the gearshift isn’t as smooth as a VAG car.
Depending on your budget and what kit you have in your Leon, 1 series come with next to nothing standard, some don’t even have reading lights so it’s a long road to find the right spec if that’s what you’re after. If you’re not bothered about leather, I urge you to at least go for a basic M sport model with the Alcantara seats, much better fabric than the standard models. In fact, I think the standard models are stitched with plastic if anything, really poor quality and a shame considering the 1 series started at 22 odd grand in 2012.
Maybe a silly question but what are the differences between 116d 118d & 120d? Is it just the engine size, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0? Also I have noticed there is a sport model not a M sport just sport. What are these like? Is the SE model just the standard model?
I was thinking about looking at this https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
rosejem said:
I have had 118d SE & a 116i M sport. Both Auto.
I would recconed a diesel if you do more motorway driving to avoid the dpf issues which is caused by stop start driving . The torque of the diesel pulls well on the motorway where the petrol will keep droping down a gear on anything of a hill to maintain progress.
The petrol is OK though. just not a great engine it sounds rough when cold & not great when pushed hard when warmed up though.
The diesel just sounds like a diesel when cold but seemed smoother when cruising at motorway speeds.
We had a few electrical problems though , needed a new i drive display which just fronze , faulty auto wipers , one of the rear windows sticking. All fixed under warranty.
I do like diesels & I do around 200 motorway miles per week. I would recconed a diesel if you do more motorway driving to avoid the dpf issues which is caused by stop start driving . The torque of the diesel pulls well on the motorway where the petrol will keep droping down a gear on anything of a hill to maintain progress.
The petrol is OK though. just not a great engine it sounds rough when cold & not great when pushed hard when warmed up though.
The diesel just sounds like a diesel when cold but seemed smoother when cruising at motorway speeds.
We had a few electrical problems though , needed a new i drive display which just fronze , faulty auto wipers , one of the rear windows sticking. All fixed under warranty.
Mr Whippy said:
Yeah the 1ers are pretty cheap all considered.
Go look in the BMW garage at a 7, 5, 3, the a 1, and be amazed how stty the 1 seems.
I’d get a top model or not bother, as used they’re much better value for money, and will be residually better as they age.
Buying a top end BMW is already hard work with their horrible options list, buying a lower spec model would be something I’d avoid entirely.
Life really is too short and BMW too cretinous to reward them with your money on a boggo model.
So would you advise me to consider maybe a 3 or a 5 series instead? I was considering a 3 series. Looks like if I stick with a 1 I should be looking at a 120d or M sport at a minimum? Go look in the BMW garage at a 7, 5, 3, the a 1, and be amazed how s
tty the 1 seems.I’d get a top model or not bother, as used they’re much better value for money, and will be residually better as they age.
Buying a top end BMW is already hard work with their horrible options list, buying a lower spec model would be something I’d avoid entirely.
Life really is too short and BMW too cretinous to reward them with your money on a boggo model.
Second worst drive of my life was in a 116d Sport manual. Returning a loan car, Cardiff to Torquay on a foggy January morning!!
It was floaty (so I assume M Sport trim alone has the proper sport suspension), woefully underpowered, bumpy ride (maybe the run flats) rubbery gearshift, pedals seemed too close together and the seats weren't supportive. Again, I wonder whether a cooking M Sport has the better seats from the M135i / M140i
I've had a few others as loan cars from BMW and wouldn't have them as a gift. I found the Mini loan cars far more engaging and better from every perspective though the gearshift was below par.
SE I imagine would have even worse seats unless on build sports seats were added?
It was floaty (so I assume M Sport trim alone has the proper sport suspension), woefully underpowered, bumpy ride (maybe the run flats) rubbery gearshift, pedals seemed too close together and the seats weren't supportive. Again, I wonder whether a cooking M Sport has the better seats from the M135i / M140i
I've had a few others as loan cars from BMW and wouldn't have them as a gift. I found the Mini loan cars far more engaging and better from every perspective though the gearshift was below par.
SE I imagine would have even worse seats unless on build sports seats were added?
bflare said:
My FR is Diesel & remapped to around 200bhp with lots of torque. The performance is superb & the only major issue I had was the DPF. I do about 40 miles per day on the motorway so a Diesel is just right for me.
Maybe a silly question but what are the differences between 116d 118d & 120d? Is it just the engine size, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0? Also I have noticed there is a sport model not a M sport just sport. What are these like? Is the SE model just the standard model?
I was thinking about looking at this https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Pre lci the 114d, 116d, 118d, 120d and 125d all had the same engine, 2.0 td in different states of tune, The 118d lci has a 1.5 3 pot td.Maybe a silly question but what are the differences between 116d 118d & 120d? Is it just the engine size, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0? Also I have noticed there is a sport model not a M sport just sport. What are these like? Is the SE model just the standard model?
I was thinking about looking at this https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I’m a big BMW fan and won’t drive anything else however in your position, I’d just leave it, your budget won’t give you a good 1 series , the 1 series come with nothing standard and the M sport autos command a premium that puts you in 10 grand territory.
If you can find a tidy 120d m sport/sport with leather/Alcantara sport seats, automatic with nav and xenons in your budget, go for it, otherwise, don’t settle for anything less!
bflare said:
So would you advise me to consider maybe a 3 or a 5 series instead? I was considering a 3 series. Looks like if I stick with a 1 I should be looking at a 120d or M sport at a minimum?
The 1er will be fine, just note that they only get nice near the top end models.Unless you find an optioned up lower spec model, but you really are wasting your life looking.
Start with the top diesel model and go from there.
It took me months to find sensibly optioned top spec models (Z4 3.0i, F30 335Xd and F81 130i), all of them even though top models (sans M) still need options to be nice, and hold values well/be desirable for resale in my view.
Basically, put £2k more into a top model with good spec, and get ~ £2k back at resale, all the while enjoying a higher spec car.
The small engined poor spec stuff will just become worthless as it gets older.
In January 2008 I bought a 3 month old pre-registered 123d SE "Dynamic" - which was basically an SE but with M-Sport suspension and M-Sport half leather seats.
I bought diesel because I had opted out of the company car scheme and took the car allowance and interest free loan - but was expected to have a car that would always work. And with 201 bhp it was the quickest diesel 1 Series!
My regular commute was only 14 miles each way on mostly B roads, but I never had any DPF issues. Although it often did longer trips, mainly for work.
I kept it until I started reading about cam-chain issues, and as I wasn't doing business miles in 2014 I sold it after 6+ years and 81K miles. I fancied a change by then anyway, so I got a Z4 Coupe!
Anyway, during the time I had it I drove a few early F20s as courtesy cars when my car was being serviced. Manual 118i Sport seemed like a pretty decent car, 114d M Sport was a waste of time, 116d Sport was OK.
With the benefit of hindsight I should have bought a 130i. And the only F20 I'd consider now would be an M135i.
But if diesel is a requirement a late 125d M-Sport ought to be a decent option.
I bought diesel because I had opted out of the company car scheme and took the car allowance and interest free loan - but was expected to have a car that would always work. And with 201 bhp it was the quickest diesel 1 Series!
My regular commute was only 14 miles each way on mostly B roads, but I never had any DPF issues. Although it often did longer trips, mainly for work.
I kept it until I started reading about cam-chain issues, and as I wasn't doing business miles in 2014 I sold it after 6+ years and 81K miles. I fancied a change by then anyway, so I got a Z4 Coupe!
Anyway, during the time I had it I drove a few early F20s as courtesy cars when my car was being serviced. Manual 118i Sport seemed like a pretty decent car, 114d M Sport was a waste of time, 116d Sport was OK.
With the benefit of hindsight I should have bought a 130i. And the only F20 I'd consider now would be an M135i.
But if diesel is a requirement a late 125d M-Sport ought to be a decent option.
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