BMW 123d or 130i? or an alternative?
Discussion
Hi, New to the BMW world so any experiences/knowledge would be greatly appreciated.
I'm on the hunt for a 1 series with a bit of poke for under 10k. Initially I thought the 123d was ideal, given the great fuel economy and power on board.. Then I read about some of the issues, the main one being the timing chain. I thought maybe the 130i would be a better choice for reliability, although they seem to have their own issues with the water pump and rear sub frame rusting. Im a bit worried about the fuel economy on the 130i, I do about 10,000 miles a year which isn't loads, but it's mostly city driving.
Any advice?
Cheers
I'm on the hunt for a 1 series with a bit of poke for under 10k. Initially I thought the 123d was ideal, given the great fuel economy and power on board.. Then I read about some of the issues, the main one being the timing chain. I thought maybe the 130i would be a better choice for reliability, although they seem to have their own issues with the water pump and rear sub frame rusting. Im a bit worried about the fuel economy on the 130i, I do about 10,000 miles a year which isn't loads, but it's mostly city driving.
Any advice?
Cheers
I had a 130i. 34mpg on a run, but more like 30 on average. 25-28mpg if you're just doing local stuff.
The tank isn't massive so 350 miles on a tank at best.
The engine in the 130i is a masterpiece, whereas the engine in the 123d....isn't.
I paid just over £10k for an M135i last year and that's been faultless, plus it was a little better on fuel compared to the 130i, maybe 5% or so.
Find a good 130i and treasure it.
The tank isn't massive so 350 miles on a tank at best.
The engine in the 130i is a masterpiece, whereas the engine in the 123d....isn't.
I paid just over £10k for an M135i last year and that's been faultless, plus it was a little better on fuel compared to the 130i, maybe 5% or so.
Find a good 130i and treasure it.
I have a 130i which I’ve owned for 13 years. For me, it’s all about that N52 engine. It was the reason I bought it and the reason I still own it. I makes a fairly average car feel quite special and I can’t imagine it feeling like that with a Diesel engine under the bonnet.
Don’t worry about reliability. They have very few issues and none are hugely worrying. As you seem to have established, the electric water pump has a limited life span and will need replacing at some point, but you tend to get some warning signs and is not prohibitively expensive. Also many will already have had the water pump replaced. I’ve not heard of any subframe issues; I thought that was E46 territory.
The engine’s are pretty much bulletproof and many are running perfectly with high mileages. I’ve found maintenance to be cheap and depreciation has been non existent for years now. Economy is not amazing, with low 30s at best in my experience. It’s bloody worth it though!
Don’t worry about reliability. They have very few issues and none are hugely worrying. As you seem to have established, the electric water pump has a limited life span and will need replacing at some point, but you tend to get some warning signs and is not prohibitively expensive. Also many will already have had the water pump replaced. I’ve not heard of any subframe issues; I thought that was E46 territory.
The engine’s are pretty much bulletproof and many are running perfectly with high mileages. I’ve found maintenance to be cheap and depreciation has been non existent for years now. Economy is not amazing, with low 30s at best in my experience. It’s bloody worth it though!
Thanks for the response and words of wisdom. Finding a 135 for 10k would probably be a stretch at the minute due to the mad prices for cars at the minute.
I’ve seen a 2006 model
70k miles
In excellent condition.
For just under £9k. Seems like mad money for a car of that age. But I guess it’s a piece of history. Haha
I’ve seen a 2006 model
70k miles
In excellent condition.
For just under £9k. Seems like mad money for a car of that age. But I guess it’s a piece of history. Haha
130i is the choice I've made quite literally in the last week - found a red one with xenons, 90k miles and full history for £6500. Not immaculate but it's not far off, needs a little paint and a wheel refurb.
If ever there was a car that's all about the engine, the 130i really is it. If yours has runflats get rid of them as they're awful. If you can find one with the professional stereo or better you can fit bluetooth calling and music for £150 for a plug-in module.
Water pump isn't crazy expensive and easy enough, subframe rust - get a freshly MOT'd one then get a tin of underseal on it.
A 123d wouldn't get a look-in for me at 10k miles.
If ever there was a car that's all about the engine, the 130i really is it. If yours has runflats get rid of them as they're awful. If you can find one with the professional stereo or better you can fit bluetooth calling and music for £150 for a plug-in module.
Water pump isn't crazy expensive and easy enough, subframe rust - get a freshly MOT'd one then get a tin of underseal on it.
A 123d wouldn't get a look-in for me at 10k miles.
Krikkit said:
130i is the choice I've made quite literally in the last week - found a red one with xenons, 90k miles and full history for £6500. Not immaculate but it's not far off, needs a little paint and a wheel refurb.
If ever there was a car that's all about the engine, the 130i really is it. If yours has runflats get rid of them as they're awful. If you can find one with the professional stereo or better you can fit bluetooth calling and music for £150 for a plug-in module.
Water pump isn't crazy expensive and easy enough, subframe rust - get a freshly MOT'd one then get a tin of underseal on it.
A 123d wouldn't get a look-in for me at 10k miles.
In the grand scheme 9k maybe isn’t too bad for one in excellent condition. Although still crazy for a 2006 car. If ever there was a car that's all about the engine, the 130i really is it. If yours has runflats get rid of them as they're awful. If you can find one with the professional stereo or better you can fit bluetooth calling and music for £150 for a plug-in module.
Water pump isn't crazy expensive and easy enough, subframe rust - get a freshly MOT'd one then get a tin of underseal on it.
A 123d wouldn't get a look-in for me at 10k miles.
Yeah I’ve heard the run flats are terrible. I guess the only fear then is getting a flat! But I’m sure there’s some kind of sealant device for that.
Edited by Chad.a on Monday 21st February 15:40
I'd also go with the 130i, your annual mileage just doesn't justify a diesel, so for that reason alone I'd discount it.
However, the main reason is that the petrol lump is wonderful, and if you get a well cared for example and entrust its care to a good indie you'll have some great motoring for decent money.
However, the main reason is that the petrol lump is wonderful, and if you get a well cared for example and entrust its care to a good indie you'll have some great motoring for decent money.
The 130i is a cracking little car. I swapped my M140i for one last year an have really enjoyed it.
The N52 is a cracking engine; it sounds good and has a lovely feel to it. It makes the car in my opinion. They do have a few issues; water pump and leaks from the rocker cover, oil filter housing, oil cooler and sump are the most common but can also leak from the valvetronic motor and sensor. That all sounds pretty bad, but it’s DIY-able. I replaced rocker cover, gasket and valvetronic sensor myself over Christmas having never really done anything like that before.
There are plenty of videos on YouTube to help.
Mine has a few mods; Birds B1 suspension, Performance spoiler and carbon intake, 135i backbox, M3 LCA’s (massive improvement), camber plates plus a much of stuff inside. It’s a lot of fun to punt down a decent road.
They’re tiny compared to modern cars, but it still managed to take the three of us and our dog on holiday to Devon last summer.
The N52 is a cracking engine; it sounds good and has a lovely feel to it. It makes the car in my opinion. They do have a few issues; water pump and leaks from the rocker cover, oil filter housing, oil cooler and sump are the most common but can also leak from the valvetronic motor and sensor. That all sounds pretty bad, but it’s DIY-able. I replaced rocker cover, gasket and valvetronic sensor myself over Christmas having never really done anything like that before.
There are plenty of videos on YouTube to help.
Mine has a few mods; Birds B1 suspension, Performance spoiler and carbon intake, 135i backbox, M3 LCA’s (massive improvement), camber plates plus a much of stuff inside. It’s a lot of fun to punt down a decent road.
They’re tiny compared to modern cars, but it still managed to take the three of us and our dog on holiday to Devon last summer.
Chad.a said:
Thanks for the response and words of wisdom. Finding a 135 for 10k would probably be a stretch at the minute due to the mad prices for cars at the minute.
I’ve seen a 2006 model
70k miles
In excellent condition.
For just under £9k. Seems like mad money for a car of that age. But I guess it’s a piece of history. Haha
Thats not the one here in NI is it?I’ve seen a 2006 model
70k miles
In excellent condition.
For just under £9k. Seems like mad money for a car of that age. But I guess it’s a piece of history. Haha
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202102...
Edited by Deep Thought on Monday 21st February 21:05
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