Feb 2005 BMW 120d - potential issues?
Discussion
The OH has a Feb 2005 E87 BMW 120d with about 97,000 miles on the clock. Firstly, how do I find out which engine is in it and, secondly, is the car a potential ticking time bomb? I'm thinking swirl flaps and timing chain issues in particular. I know these can be an issue on the 120d, but do they apply to this 120d and, if so, what can be done to mitigate said issues? She's thinking of changing the car at some point so I'm thinking I might offer to match whatever p-ex value she's offered and take it on myself as it's been a great car and I could make use of it, but I want to be sure what I'm letting myself in for.
You're asking the right questions, but ultimately if it's reliability you need, then a 16 year old car with a few miles on it that hasn't imploded so far may not be the one for you. It's your OH's, so hopefully you know what sort of a life it has led, and how reliable it has been / what's been spent on it. Hopefully it's cheap enough so that if/when it fails on you, you haven't lost much on it. Are you considering it just because it's convenient?
The M47 likes thermostats from memory, which in turn makes them like fuel & staying cold. Swirl flaps too, yes. Probably DMFs and clutches I imagine at that age.
The M47 likes thermostats from memory, which in turn makes them like fuel & staying cold. Swirl flaps too, yes. Probably DMFs and clutches I imagine at that age.
Having just seen a 63 plate 118d that's shat it's timing chain at 112,000, I would think twice about replacing what is still a good car. Newer is not better with BMW reliability. All the 120d needs is the swirl flaps removing (£200 at a garage), 10,000 mile oil changes and whatever it needs every MOT. These didn't suffer the diff problems of the M47 118d. You will eventually have to replace the dual mass flywheel but that could be 50,000 miles away.
An M47 engined 120d in good condition is a car worth keeping. That will run to 250,000 miles. They drive nicely, go well and do 45-50 mpg. And they're not exactly ancient are they?
An M47 engined 120d in good condition is a car worth keeping. That will run to 250,000 miles. They drive nicely, go well and do 45-50 mpg. And they're not exactly ancient are they?
Thanks for the replies.
She had the car when I met her almost 11 years ago and it's been virtually bulletproof the whole time. The steering lock needed re-coding once and the reluctor ring needed replacing a year or so ago. Other than that, nothing. I'm going to need a practical but cheap car so my rationale is that if she does decide to part with it I'd rather have this than something else of comparable value that's a completely unknown quantity. I just want to be forearmed with knowledge as to what preventative maintenance might need doing to mitigate a catastrophe!
She had the car when I met her almost 11 years ago and it's been virtually bulletproof the whole time. The steering lock needed re-coding once and the reluctor ring needed replacing a year or so ago. Other than that, nothing. I'm going to need a practical but cheap car so my rationale is that if she does decide to part with it I'd rather have this than something else of comparable value that's a completely unknown quantity. I just want to be forearmed with knowledge as to what preventative maintenance might need doing to mitigate a catastrophe!
MitchT said:
BFleming said:
Not sure what you are both expecting as a trade-in value; I imagine £1k tops.
Precisely. For £1k I might as well have a car that I know inside out. That's if she even decides to replace it - it's not set in stone yet.MitchT said:
Thanks for the replies.
She had the car when I met her almost 11 years ago and it's been virtually bulletproof the whole time. The steering lock needed re-coding once and the reluctor ring needed replacing a year or so ago. Other than that, nothing. I'm going to need a practical but cheap car so my rationale is that if she does decide to part with it I'd rather have this than something else of comparable value that's a completely unknown quantity. I just want to be forearmed with knowledge as to what preventative maintenance might need doing to mitigate a catastrophe!
I had a 2007 123d for over 6 years/80K miles and really liked it, but sold it when I started reading about cam-chain issues on the N47 engine that came with the March 2007 facelift.She had the car when I met her almost 11 years ago and it's been virtually bulletproof the whole time. The steering lock needed re-coding once and the reluctor ring needed replacing a year or so ago. Other than that, nothing. I'm going to need a practical but cheap car so my rationale is that if she does decide to part with it I'd rather have this than something else of comparable value that's a completely unknown quantity. I just want to be forearmed with knowledge as to what preventative maintenance might need doing to mitigate a catastrophe!
If I was loking for another 1 Series diesel I'd be looking for a pre-facelift like yours for the M47 engine and no DPF!
It's an irrelevant argument (in a couple of the above posts) to bring the N47 into it. The OP is asking about a specific car that has a M47, he has never said anything about alternatives. If we are talking about what the M47 is better than, I'll chip in with "it's definitely better than taking the bus".
I'm reminded of the old saying: "The devil you know is better than the devil you don't know." That wisdom applies 100% here.
I have a theory that cars are like people. They have a middle age when a few things go wrong. If the problems are taken care of properly at the time the patient will live for years. Likewise with cars, take care of any problems and the car will go on for years. It will also give you very cheap motoring because all loans are likely to be paid off and depreciation will be neglegable.
I have a theory that cars are like people. They have a middle age when a few things go wrong. If the problems are taken care of properly at the time the patient will live for years. Likewise with cars, take care of any problems and the car will go on for years. It will also give you very cheap motoring because all loans are likely to be paid off and depreciation will be neglegable.
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