Buying a BMW 1series, things to look for?!

[sirromlliw]

Hi guys

I'm looking to buy a new car as my ford focus' clutch has just gone and it's not worth the £500 i have to spend on it as i got it for free!

I've previously had a BMW 318i compact and loved it, ran smoothly and was awesome for its age as it was a 53 plate. Since then ive always wanted another BMW and have seen a couple of '07 1 series that have caught my eye for around £2500/3000. I'm not sure whether this is too cheap for one and will be riddled with issues, or just an absolute bargain?

As well as that I want to know what to look out for if i do go to view any?

Any help would be great. Cheers,

Will

[kurt535]

One of these engines is a money trap; im sure someone will be along to confirm which one needs to be avoided at all costs

[Agent XXX]

Things to look for..................a different car.

[Toed64]

Some models of E8X 1 series are marvellous:

130i (N52 engine)
125i (N52 engine)
135i pref from March 2010 on when they got more reliable (N55 engine)
120d up to early 2006 (M47 diesel engine) - the only diseasel 1 series I would buy

Generally MUCH less desirable:

All the old leggy diesels (118d, 120d, 123d with the N47 engines prone to catastrophic failure) from 2006 up to about 2014 when they were improved. Clearly, they won't all fail, but a cheap N47 is a very risky proposition.

The 4 cylinder petrols are not as lovely as the 6 cylinder cars and also have earned a reputation for being unreliable. I'd rather drive around in a Focus!

[PTF]

Get a 130i

[rallycross]

Toed64 said:

Some models of E8X 1 series are marvellous:

130i (N52 engine)
125i (N52 engine)
135i pref from March 2010 on when they got more reliable (N55 engine)
120d up to early 2006 (M47 diesel engine) - the only diseasel 1 series I would buy

!

All correct.

Also make sure to avoid the later 2.0 petrol N43 engine model this can be 116 or 120 and it’s a horrible engine one of bmw’s Worst for reliability - problems with timing chains stretching then damaging engines when the timing slips, (good second hand engines impossible to get hold of on these).

But worse still before that happens your N43 petrol is likely to give lots of rough running problems occasional misfires and lots of engine warning lights - due to poor injectors often mis diagnosed as coil packs or plugs. Just avoid this model!

6 cylinder 130i and 125i are superb cars but obviously quite rare and can be expensive on insurance and running - but they do offer fantastic performance and good engine reliability .

[Mr Tidy]

Yep, Toed64 seems to have it all covered!

The only 1 Series I'd consider would be a 125i or a 130i.

You could always save some cash and buy a 325ti Compact as you liked your 318ti - it's pretty much the same but with Fast Forward!