1 Series post 2013

[AMG01]

My gf is looking to buy a new car, likes the 1 series 3 door and has approx £11k to spend. She does approx 10k miles per year mostly motorway miles, is there any specific engine models she should avoid? I have read reports of the N47 2.0D tensioner problems, how bad is it, any other engines which should be avoided or other problems I should be aware of?

[SD_1]

My Mum has a 118i, one of the 4cyl ones with 170 odd bhp. It's a great little thing, only issue in 50k has been the electric water pump which is a common problem on these engines. Was quite dear at about £400 to fix but besides that it has just been regular servicing. The fuel economy is very impressive and it's pretty much as fast as my old E46 328i.

Interior is ok, the SE seats are comfy and it's nice and refined, but the overall quality is nowhere near as good as the equivalent A3. Not that anything has gone wrong, but worth noting if you are looking at "premium" hatchbacks.

No experience with the newer 3cyl ones but they are a lot less powerful which is a bit off.

Edited by SD_1 on Thursday 20th June 21:48

[BFleming]

Given she's doing 10k per year, I'd go for the 118d; If you're spending the same amount on the initial purchase anyhow, the fuel economy will pay for itself. Cam chain failures aren't frequent the newer you buy, I'd go low mileage / frequent future oil changes.
I bought a 2013 114i (petrol), which is the same engine as the 116i and 118i, and cam chain stretching is not unheard of in those engines either (it's a BMW / PSA (Peugeot Citroen) joint venture). I wish I'd bought a 118d, and I've never had anything go wrong with either of the N47 engined cars I've owned (one of which I still own).
Build quality is fine on the F20/F21. Of course the F30 3 series is better, and the F10 5 series better again, but they're much heavier cars.
Remember, on the internet you only ever hear the bad stories of the minority, not the good stories of the vast majority.