118d, didn't listen to the horror stories
Discussion
There's horror stories about anything you wish to buy on the internet. but the N47 seems to come in for an awful lot of criticism , but is it warranted? I'm not so sure. I will start this with a bit of back round info, I own a 2015 E89 Z4 20i M sport with a few mods, it's off the road every winter and so has just about 30k on the clock. Each winter when it goes into hibernation I buy something to get me through the winter months, so Oct 2022 I bought a Toyora Celica vvti140, great condition and a pleasure to drive apart from the fuel economy 25ish to the gallon. Anyway £40+ per week to do less than150 miles was becoming tedious so the hunt was on for something more economical. Criteria, not much really as it would be sold on come the summer so it came down to economy only, searched for a car on FB marketplace Friday night and came across this.
118d 3 owners from new. present owner for 6 years, bodywork 9 out of 10. interior 10 out of 10 and mechanically 10+. Maintained regardless. FSH 75% main dealer, oil changed every 4k to 6k miles.
Now I'm as aware as the next man about the internet horror stories the web throws up regarding the timing chain issues of the N47 but this car is silent, 139k on the clock, no chain noise or any other noises for that matter so I bit the bullet and bought it.
So far so good, it has been faultless, great on fuel and a real pleasure to drive, comfort and style in 1 cheap and cheerful package. I've got to say I can't fault it.
£2250 got me into this car and I have to say I think it's a bargain.
Let me know your thoughts. Do you think I've bought a ticking timebomb or have I grabbed myself a long term bargain?
Bellow are the sellers images.
118d 3 owners from new. present owner for 6 years, bodywork 9 out of 10. interior 10 out of 10 and mechanically 10+. Maintained regardless. FSH 75% main dealer, oil changed every 4k to 6k miles.
Now I'm as aware as the next man about the internet horror stories the web throws up regarding the timing chain issues of the N47 but this car is silent, 139k on the clock, no chain noise or any other noises for that matter so I bit the bullet and bought it.
So far so good, it has been faultless, great on fuel and a real pleasure to drive, comfort and style in 1 cheap and cheerful package. I've got to say I can't fault it.
£2250 got me into this car and I have to say I think it's a bargain.
Let me know your thoughts. Do you think I've bought a ticking timebomb or have I grabbed myself a long term bargain?
Bellow are the sellers images.
I like to think you'll be fine given those oil changes - I think the main issue with these is the stupidly long factory intervals, the chains definitely a weak point but I think the oil changes are the root cause. My other half has an X1 with the 20d engine (N47) and it's had a new chain at 84k - factory interval oil changes up to that point! I'm planning on going for a max of 10k between changes from here onwards.
Ran a 118d(58) N47 few years back, got it up to 170,000 miles before I moved it on - it's now on 250,000 miles with it's new owner still, changed oil every 8,000 miles religiously - seemed of helped, no issues with the chain or tensioners, just other diesel stuff (EGR's/DMF's)
Been running a 318d(12) same engine, same routine, approaching 150,000 miles, no dramas, just routine stuff.
Long oil service intervals exacerbated the chain issue greatly.
Been running a 318d(12) same engine, same routine, approaching 150,000 miles, no dramas, just routine stuff.
Long oil service intervals exacerbated the chain issue greatly.
Edited by 7 5 7 on Sunday 12th March 22:13
MitchT said:
My OH has an early 2005 E87 120d which makes what I can only describe as a brief scraping sound from in front of the engine bulkhead after a cold start. Would that be a timing chain issue?
It probably won't be the same problem as BMW didn't start fitting the N47 engine in the 1 Series until the facelift in March 2007, earlier ones had the M47 engine.That looks pretty clean and tidy.
We bought a 116i from the in laws and that was fine to be honest (again the four pot petrol engines don't have the best reputation).
I would hope that not all of these engines are as bad as the internet would have you believe especially when you consider how many BMW sold.
We bought a 116i from the in laws and that was fine to be honest (again the four pot petrol engines don't have the best reputation).
I would hope that not all of these engines are as bad as the internet would have you believe especially when you consider how many BMW sold.
Service the nuts off it and it should go for a long time. Use quality oil too. That should keep it going for a long time. I had an M47 one for ages and it was a solid car once the ABS rings were changed. No massive issues with it and parts weren't spiteful, either.
One thing to check is the O/S boot. Water can get in and the BCM sits in what can only be described as a sink. If the drain gets blocked then you're in for a bad time. It's behind the interior panels. Worth a check on a car of that age. Otherwise, I don't think they have any major foibles.
One thing to check is the O/S boot. Water can get in and the BCM sits in what can only be described as a sink. If the drain gets blocked then you're in for a bad time. It's behind the interior panels. Worth a check on a car of that age. Otherwise, I don't think they have any major foibles.
CornedBeef said:
I like to think you'll be fine given those oil changes - I think the main issue with these is the stupidly long factory intervals, the chains definitely a weak point but I think the oil changes are the root cause. My other half has an X1 with the 20d engine (N47) and it's had a new chain at 84k - factory interval oil changes up to that point! I'm planning on going for a max of 10k between changes from here onwards.
I will continue to change the oil and service it regularly, in fact tonight I have bought a complete service kit from Opie Oils, oil and filter, air cabin and fuel filters and a new sump plug and washer for £119.7 5 7 said:
Ran a 118d(58) N47 few years back, got it up to 170,000 miles before I moved it on - it's now on 250,000 miles with it's new owner still, changed oil every 8,000 miles religiously - seemed of helped, no issues with the chain or tensioners, just other diesel stuff (EGR's/DMF's)
Been running a 318d(12) same engine, same routine, approaching 150,000 miles, no dramas, just routine stuff.
Long oil service intervals exacerbated the chain issue greatly.
Oil will continue to be changed regularly. Service history contains an invoice for gearbox rebuild, clutch and DMF, total bill for that work £1195.Been running a 318d(12) same engine, same routine, approaching 150,000 miles, no dramas, just routine stuff.
Long oil service intervals exacerbated the chain issue greatly.
Edited by 7 5 7 on Sunday 12th March 22:13
Court_S said:
That looks pretty clean and tidy.
We bought a 116i from the in laws and that was fine to be honest (again the four pot petrol engines don't have the best reputation).
I would hope that not all of these engines are as bad as the internet would have you believe especially when you consider how many BMW sold.
It's in really nice condition and will remain so in my ownership. I have to agree with you on the engine front, fingers crossed I have a good one.We bought a 116i from the in laws and that was fine to be honest (again the four pot petrol engines don't have the best reputation).
I would hope that not all of these engines are as bad as the internet would have you believe especially when you consider how many BMW sold.
Jhonno said:
The engine is a good one as long as the chain stays quiet/is changed. At 1k,and while you wait, for the job these days with updated parts/service etc, it's not even that bad if it does go. My Grandad's was noisy at 70k.. Now it's done, it's done 50k in 2.5yrs with no issues.
Will continue to be serviced regularly. The chain will be replaced if it's needed, I'm rather hoping that it won't happen in my ownership.RazerSauber said:
Service the nuts off it and it should go for a long time. Use quality oil too. That should keep it going for a long time. I had an M47 one for ages and it was a solid car once the ABS rings were changed. No massive issues with it and parts weren't spiteful, either.
One thing to check is the O/S boot. Water can get in and the BCM sits in what can only be described as a sink. If the drain gets blocked then you're in for a bad time. It's behind the interior panels. Worth a check on a car of that age. Otherwise, I don't think they have any major foibles.
It will be serviced regularly. Thanks for the info about the water in the boot, I will take a look at it soon. With the amount of rain we have had recently if it's leaking then I will know about it.One thing to check is the O/S boot. Water can get in and the BCM sits in what can only be described as a sink. If the drain gets blocked then you're in for a bad time. It's behind the interior panels. Worth a check on a car of that age. Otherwise, I don't think they have any major foibles.
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