HELP!! 1 Series Advice

[Bensontoast]

Hi All,

Long time reader/browser (10+ years) but 1st time poster, so apologies if it doesn't read too well.

Anyway...

I'm looking to upgrade my "work" car (currently a 2004 1.9TDI MK5 Golf w/remap) and I quite like the idea of a BMW 1 series (preferably diesel as its a commuter), either in Hatchback or Coupe guise. My main question is which to go for, 118, 120, 123d?
I will probably remap it, and also a couple of other little bits to get a bit of a performance increase. My commute sometimes includes some rather good B roads if the main one is shut, which it often is for various reasons. And to keep up with my Dad and brother's on our semi-regular Sunday blasts (Impreza WRX PPP, Fiesta ST + Toyota GT86 w/turbo). I did have a 3rd car which I bought for literal dinner money as a mate was moving abroad (CTR) which did this but it broke unexpectedly & I don't want to have to insure & maintain 3 cars anymore. We also want to book a Nurburgring trip next year once (if) COVID has died down so would like something with a bit of oomph for this (~190-200bhp would be plenty).

FYI I've been looking @ 2008-2011 models- £5k ish budget.

Appreciate any comments and/or suggestions I may get!

Cheers,

Ben

[Pyrolysis]

Does it have to be a diesel? A 130i (LE) would be a good option. Only because, you mention you will be remapping anyway and i also get the impression you aren't driving miss daisy so your MPG is probably out the window anyway!?

[stevemcs]

google N47 issues and then decide if you still want the 1 series. You would be safer keeping your VW.

[Bensontoast]

Pyrolysis said:

Does it have to be a diesel? A 130i (LE) would be a good option. Only because, you mention you will be remapping anyway and i also get the impression you aren't driving miss daisy so your MPG is probably out the window anyway!?

Cheers for the reply, i'm open to whatever to be honest. Reason for diesel (except MPG) is insurance being cheaper, road tax is cheaper and also 130i's in my area (East Anglia) are either ruined, dogs, too expensive or a combo of all 3! But if the right one came along i'd be open to it

[Bensontoast]

stevemcs said:

google N47 issues and then decide if you still want the 1 series. You would be safer keeping your VW.

I know about the issues, but a lot of cars have them (I know the timing chain is a particularly big one). I'm open to all sorts of cars, I just like the look of the 1 series.

I love my Golf, but its rusty in places, a bit beaten up and I can afford something a bit nicer.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you know about the issues & you're going in with your eyes open then the 123d is the pick.

[Mr Tidy]

I had a 123d for over 6 years and really liked it. For a 4 cylinder turbo-diesel it was pretty rapid, and as you plan to remap it I'd imagine you might get to higher numbers because of the twin turbos. But I sold mine partly because of the N47 cam-chain issues, but also because I fancied a change.

So I replaced it with a 3.0Si Z4 Coupe and it was way quicker, as well as being smoother and sounding far better.

After 6 months I got an E46 325ti Compact as a daily, and preferred how that performed to my 123d.

Personally I'd definitely look for a good 130i - engine from my Z4 in the body of my 1 Series ought to be great!

[Bensontoast]

Mr Tidy said:

I had a 123d for over 6 years and really liked it. For a 4 cylinder turbo-diesel it was pretty rapid, and as you plan to remap it I'd imagine you might get to higher numbers because of the twin turbos. But I sold mine partly because of the N47 cam-chain issues, but also because I fancied a change.

So I replaced it with a 3.0Si Z4 Coupe and it was way quicker, as well as being smoother and sounding far better.

After 6 months I got an E46 325ti Compact as a daily, and preferred how that performed to my 123d.

Personally I'd definitely look for a good 130i - engine from my Z4 in the body of my 1 Series ought to be great!

Ok mate cheers aside from BMW's anything else you'd recommend?

[Bensontoast]

ZX10R NIN said:

If you know about the issues & you're going in with your eyes open then the 123d is the pick.

cheers