Friend fancies this beemer, I’m not sure

[Largechris]

He’s had a mini one for many years and loves the go kart handling, it’s now reached the end of its life and he reckons a small beemer would be good, the mini hasn’t cost much to keep running so he’s keen on the 2 series coupe.

He’s looking at a 2015 1.5 218i SE manual up for £9,800.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209199...

Any experience with this one, any alternatives that would be more fun / reliable / economical?

He needs space for golf clubs and apparently the rear seats fold down on this one. Cheers

Edited by Largechris on Monday 3rd October 09:37

[joropug]

I'm pretty sure it's the cheapest engine, in the cheapest spec level, with zero options.

Personally I think it would be better to spend a little more and get a lot more car for the money. No experience with that engine, is it a BMW one or shared with PSA like some of the other cars in the group?

[Sensibleboy]

It's the 3cyl out of the Mini Cooper. Nothing shared with the PSA/BMW Prince engine which has the unreliable BMW parts on it.

[Largechris]

How about borkage potential for the beemer above?

Edited by Largechris on Monday 3rd October 17:07

[rosejem]

The B38 1.5 so far has a good reputation for reliability. This is a entry BMW coupe is SE spec , could be quite a nice drive on small wheels . Check the service history its all on the i drive.
Plenty of BMW specialist to look after it , I would say it would be a nice step up from the MINI . Economy is not great for a small engine though low 40s at best.

[georgeyboy12345]

There are worse cars he could buy. They should be fine in terms of reliability.

[Largechris]

rosejem said:

The B38 1.5 so far has a good reputation for reliability. This is a entry BMW coupe is SE spec , could be quite a nice drive on small wheels . Check the service history its all on the i drive.
Plenty of BMW specialist to look after it , I would say it would be a nice step up from the MINI . Economy is not great for a small engine though low 40s at best.

Ok I shall let him know cheers

[Mr Tidy]

Good to know the 3 cylinder engines seem to be pretty reliable, although I didn't really like it the only time I had a Mini Cooper courtesy car with it.

I'm pretty sure the rear seats have split/fold in all models of the 1 & 2 Series Coupes.

[DT1975]

Sensibleboy said:

It's the 3cyl out of the Mini Cooper. Nothing shared with the PSA/BMW Prince engine which has the unreliable BMW parts on it.

Solid engine, we have three in the family. I've driven the 1 series with same and you would never know it was a 3 pot.

[Largechris]

Doesn't seem to have cruise control?

[bodhi]

Can't comment on this specific model, but I have the previous gen 1 Series Coupé and it is perfect for carrying golf clubs. I have a full set + trolley and shoes in there most of the time - don't even need to take the woods out to fit it all in.

He'll need the split fold seats if he needs to transport multiple sets of clubs, but if it's just him the standard boot will be absolutely fine.

[Largechris]

bodhi said:

Can't comment on this specific model, but I have the previous gen 1 Series Coupé and it is perfect for carrying golf clubs. I have a full set + trolley and shoes in there most of the time - don't even need to take the woods out to fit it all in.

He'll need the split fold seats if he needs to transport multiple sets of clubs, but if it's just him the standard boot will be absolutely fine.

Cheers

[ilikejam]

Largechris said:

Doesn't seem to have cruise control?

It is literally the base spec - surprised it has parking sensors as they were an option even on higher trims at that time. Won't have sat nav either.

The engine will probably be fine - they put it in the 3 series too - but I'd be trying to find a better spec

[Brett748]

Having had a base spec F30 320d company car a few years ago and I would of much preferred a better specified Mondeo or similar.

I bought an F30 330d M Sport after the 320d with good spec and it felt a million times better, I felt like I was driving a BMW so to speak. Spec is everything on a BMW.

[Largechris]

Brett748 said:

Having had a base spec F30 320d company car a few years ago and I would of much preferred a better specified Mondeo or similar.

I bought an F30 330d M Sport after the 320d with good spec and it felt a million times better, I felt like I was driving a BMW so to speak. Spec is everything on a BMW.

I think that's maybe where my concerns about a base beemer come from, I too had a similar 3 series from new and it was the worst car I've had - unreliable, poor quality, not remotely quick, and scuttle shake when attempting to push on.