BMW 1 series buying
Discussion
Hi guys,
I am looking at buying a second hand BMW 1 series. I don’t really want to spend more than £7.5k if I can help it. I see you can pick up 2007-10 model for under £5k with relatively low mileage. Such as: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101218...
That seems to be quite a lot of car for the money. A lot don’t seem to have Bluetooth, xenons etc. Not a deal breaker but once you’ve had them on a car it’s hard to not go back! Hmmm, some form of compromises have to be made somewhere I guess!
Given I am looking at diesel engines (to benefit from more economical and cheaper motoring) I was wondering if anyone owned a 118d/120d or 123d? The latter engine is most appealing as it is 200bhp. That said the 118/120 seem fast enough for what I need. Is there much difference in the economy between them all? The 123d has more expensive road tax and car insurance is a little more. Any suggestions would be most appreciated thank you.
Thank you so much.
I am looking at buying a second hand BMW 1 series. I don’t really want to spend more than £7.5k if I can help it. I see you can pick up 2007-10 model for under £5k with relatively low mileage. Such as: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101218...
That seems to be quite a lot of car for the money. A lot don’t seem to have Bluetooth, xenons etc. Not a deal breaker but once you’ve had them on a car it’s hard to not go back! Hmmm, some form of compromises have to be made somewhere I guess!
Given I am looking at diesel engines (to benefit from more economical and cheaper motoring) I was wondering if anyone owned a 118d/120d or 123d? The latter engine is most appealing as it is 200bhp. That said the 118/120 seem fast enough for what I need. Is there much difference in the economy between them all? The 123d has more expensive road tax and car insurance is a little more. Any suggestions would be most appreciated thank you.
Thank you so much.
I ran a 57 plate 120d for a few years and found a well specced M-Sport which had lots of toys on it. Pretty much faultless, cheap to run and good fun to drive (coming from a MINI Cooper). Economy for me was low to mid 40's but it was enjoyed and not driven for economy.
Worth reading up on the cam-chain issues that the N47 engine can suffer from - mine didn't and was just serviced as per the schedule.
Chris
Worth reading up on the cam-chain issues that the N47 engine can suffer from - mine didn't and was just serviced as per the schedule.
Chris
I would avoid anything with the 2L N47 Diesel engine like the plague, especially the earlier 2007-2011 models.
Timing chain snaps are not uncommon on these, seems to occur once you get to 80-100k miles so a ticking time bomb. I am sure loads have run them with zero issues but I simply wouldn't take the risk myself. Its not a small fault, once the chain goes its new engine time. All cars have common issues but this is major and just not worth the risk.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_1_Series_(E87)
Looks like the 2004-2007 118d/120d ran the earlier M47 engine which didn't have the same issue if you are set on a 1 series.
Timing chain snaps are not uncommon on these, seems to occur once you get to 80-100k miles so a ticking time bomb. I am sure loads have run them with zero issues but I simply wouldn't take the risk myself. Its not a small fault, once the chain goes its new engine time. All cars have common issues but this is major and just not worth the risk.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_1_Series_(E87)
Looks like the 2004-2007 118d/120d ran the earlier M47 engine which didn't have the same issue if you are set on a 1 series.
I had a 2005 120d E87 that I ragged all over the place and it was solid. No DPF on them I don't think either. I think it was 2006 onward cars that have the notorious chain problems, the earlier M47 engines are seemingly bullet proof although lack a little bit of BHP on the N47's. Mine was certainly reliable apart from a few calipers but I reckon the garage used cheap calipers when repairing them.
They're quiet to drive, really comfortable and are surprisingly quick for a 2 litre 4 pot diesel. I found them a bit cramped though, boot space isn't stellar unless you pop the seats down and you have to remove that back part of the cowling if you need access to anything behind there like on most BMW's. If you just want a small, economical, comfy and quiet car though, they're lovely.
They're quiet to drive, really comfortable and are surprisingly quick for a 2 litre 4 pot diesel. I found them a bit cramped though, boot space isn't stellar unless you pop the seats down and you have to remove that back part of the cowling if you need access to anything behind there like on most BMW's. If you just want a small, economical, comfy and quiet car though, they're lovely.
Looking at these as a potential shed replacement and the conclusion I have come to is the M47 is the only reliable engine unless you go for a six cylinder petrol.
Would I be correct in thinking that even if you go for an F20, the engines are ticking time bombs? I have heard nothing good about the B38 3 cylinder engine petrol or N20 4 cylinder engines.
I don't think BMW have made a reliable four cylinder engine (M47 aside) in the last 20 years?
Would I be correct in thinking that even if you go for an F20, the engines are ticking time bombs? I have heard nothing good about the B38 3 cylinder engine petrol or N20 4 cylinder engines.
I don't think BMW have made a reliable four cylinder engine (M47 aside) in the last 20 years?
I bought a pre-registered 57 plate 123d in January 2008 with less than 20 miles on the clock.
Kept it for over 80K miles and 6+ years but I started reading about N47 cam-chain issues which BMW wouldn't pay for at the time - although they did for a while later.
It was a great car and really quick for a diesel, but I bailed out of it before it broke catastrophically!
The N47 engine was introduced with the facelift around March 2007.
If I was buying another I'd look for a pre-facelift 120d with the M47 engine, or better still a 130i!
Since I sold it in 2014 I've only had N/A straight 6 petrol BMWs based on what my local Indy-fixer recommended.
Kept it for over 80K miles and 6+ years but I started reading about N47 cam-chain issues which BMW wouldn't pay for at the time - although they did for a while later.
It was a great car and really quick for a diesel, but I bailed out of it before it broke catastrophically!
The N47 engine was introduced with the facelift around March 2007.
If I was buying another I'd look for a pre-facelift 120d with the M47 engine, or better still a 130i!
Since I sold it in 2014 I've only had N/A straight 6 petrol BMWs based on what my local Indy-fixer recommended.
Joey Deacon said:
Looking at these as a potential shed replacement and the conclusion I have come to is the M47 is the only reliable engine unless you go for a six cylinder petrol.
Would I be correct in thinking that even if you go for an F20, the engines are ticking time bombs? I have heard nothing good about the B38 3 cylinder engine petrol or N20 4 cylinder engines.
I don't think BMW have made a reliable four cylinder engine (M47 aside) in the last 20 years?
Its only the Nxx series engines that are the ones to avoid if you can, specifically the N47. Even the N20 wasn't exempt from the timing chain failures, although I believe it was the earlier models so far less than the N47. We had an N46 in our Z4 which is the 2L non turbo Petrol, it was gutless due to being non turbo but at about 70k miles the timing chain jumped a tooth which apparently is not uncommon for this engine. Fortunately we got away with it and it was only a £400 bill to replace the snapped guide and tensioners. We then bought a 523i F10 which had 75k miles but the N53 straight six engine. Had it two months and the injectors started failing, another common thing apparently! That cost just shy of £1500 for injectors, coil pack and plugs. Perhaps we were just unlucky but now I know what I do, I wouldn't go near any of the Nxx engines. Would I be correct in thinking that even if you go for an F20, the engines are ticking time bombs? I have heard nothing good about the B38 3 cylinder engine petrol or N20 4 cylinder engines.
I don't think BMW have made a reliable four cylinder engine (M47 aside) in the last 20 years?
Latest Bxx series are fine, both petrol and diesel so if budget allows these are your best option by far.
If you want to go older then the M47 from pre 2007 is also fine, although any car is likely to have higher mileage so you have to factor in possible repair work from any higher mileage car.
Edited by Wagonwheel555 on Wednesday 3rd February 07:51
I will use my previous ownership experience of a 2005 130i. Le Mans Blue. 100k+
The car was very good. Not the sharpest tool in the box from the factory but enough of the right ingredients to improve on.
Reliability/Servicing/Maintenance - All were easily handled DIY or by a specialist. In my ownership the only issues i had were coilpacks which showed up as a lumpy idle and a bit of a misfire about 3.5k and also a fuel injector failed. The injector took me about 45mins to fit a new one. They don't need mapping to the car like some engines. So can be done DIY, it was a case of disconnecting a sensor, pulling rail, pulling injector, fit the new and reversal.
Everything else was easy to do, oils, filters, brakes etc. All doable on a driveway.
The work i sent it to a specialist for was suspension and geometry tweaks to get the best from the handling. I fit e46 M3 lower arms and bushes, suspension package of uprated shocks and springs and it handled like a dream. The tail was easy to control and it was an absolute peach to rev high - where is where you got the most of the 265hp on tap.
I wouldn't let buying an older 130i put me off - the costs of parts are not horrendous in comparison to other "hot" hatches of that period. My current megane is far more expensive to maintain.
Granted you may not be after a 130i, but of all the cars i think its the one to have. MPG was upwards of 35mpg on a long run. Never dipped below about 24mpg around town (3 mile commute).
Plenty of power for spirited driving as well as for easy motorway journeys. The tech inside was adequate for the period of the car, lovely leather seats. Comfortable driving position. Wasn't uncomfortable (5dr) for me at 6ft 2" by any stretch of the imagination.
It was a nice good fun car to own. I always say it felt like a baby e46 m3 (having had both). It had many of the same mannerisms, but only once you swapped out a few suspension items. But even stock it was a fun thing to own and i'd certainly have another.
The car was very good. Not the sharpest tool in the box from the factory but enough of the right ingredients to improve on.
Reliability/Servicing/Maintenance - All were easily handled DIY or by a specialist. In my ownership the only issues i had were coilpacks which showed up as a lumpy idle and a bit of a misfire about 3.5k and also a fuel injector failed. The injector took me about 45mins to fit a new one. They don't need mapping to the car like some engines. So can be done DIY, it was a case of disconnecting a sensor, pulling rail, pulling injector, fit the new and reversal.
Everything else was easy to do, oils, filters, brakes etc. All doable on a driveway.
The work i sent it to a specialist for was suspension and geometry tweaks to get the best from the handling. I fit e46 M3 lower arms and bushes, suspension package of uprated shocks and springs and it handled like a dream. The tail was easy to control and it was an absolute peach to rev high - where is where you got the most of the 265hp on tap.
I wouldn't let buying an older 130i put me off - the costs of parts are not horrendous in comparison to other "hot" hatches of that period. My current megane is far more expensive to maintain.
Granted you may not be after a 130i, but of all the cars i think its the one to have. MPG was upwards of 35mpg on a long run. Never dipped below about 24mpg around town (3 mile commute).
Plenty of power for spirited driving as well as for easy motorway journeys. The tech inside was adequate for the period of the car, lovely leather seats. Comfortable driving position. Wasn't uncomfortable (5dr) for me at 6ft 2" by any stretch of the imagination.
It was a nice good fun car to own. I always say it felt like a baby e46 m3 (having had both). It had many of the same mannerisms, but only once you swapped out a few suspension items. But even stock it was a fun thing to own and i'd certainly have another.
Another vote here for the 130i, you'll get a good one for around £7k (check out AT at the moment for one) and much more reliable than the N47 engine or having to worry about the complexities of the 123d. Averaging 36mpg out of mine and comes with a great noise... they're beginning to appreciate now and a good one is hard to come across!
AI1601 said:
Did you manage to decide on the Mk5 or Mk6 TDI? What about the S3? Or the Mk6 or Mk7 GTI?
Hi, thank you for the interest and to answer your question no I did not! I have money sitting in the bank now for my 'work car' pot and just debating as to what to get. Save a few grand and get a rather uninspiring TDI golf, cheap to run etc. Or get something more fun to drive like a s3 or GTI as you rightly say! When I have my sensible hat on, I think TDI but then I will just find it dull to own/drive. I spotted a nice GTI on AT which looked rather good on paper, https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101178...I am not sure how uneconomical these cars are over a diesel bmw. I don't really want to be at the pumps every 300miles or so if it can be helped.
Also saw a good looking S3, which I have always been fond of. Apparently you'll be hard pushed to get 300miles from a full tank! https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101127...
Get yourself something like a 325d:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101288...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101047...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008252...
Or 330d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008021...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102018...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101318...
You'll get a nice mix of handling power & economy.
Also worth a look but a bit harder to find are the E350 coupes:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101278...
Or A5 Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102038...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101077...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102028...
At the lower end of your budget this very high spec CLK320cdi Sport is a good buy:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102028...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101288...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101047...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008252...
Or 330d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008021...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102018...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101318...
You'll get a nice mix of handling power & economy.
Also worth a look but a bit harder to find are the E350 coupes:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101278...
Or A5 Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102038...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101077...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102028...
At the lower end of your budget this very high spec CLK320cdi Sport is a good buy:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102028...
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