BMW F20 118D for my Daughter

[Rob 131 Sport]

My daughter is 20 next week (Christmas Eve) and will be starting full time work in just over a year. She has been using an Alfa Mito that has been in the family for 11 years without any problems.

However we’re now looking at something a little bit more up to date and I’ve been offered a high mileage (140k) late 2014 118d M Sport. I understand this is the N47 engine which doesn’t enjoy the best of reputations. The example we’ve looking at certainly sounds alright with no cam chain rattle.

Whilst she is really keen on the car, I’m just concerned that I could be letting myself in for a big headache as I’ll be paying all the maintenance and repairs. The BMW in question with a new set of premium rubber all round together with a service would stand me in around £4k.

In the alternative would I be better forgetting all about the BMW and get a 3 to 5 year old Clio or Polo which would be £11 to £14k.

Any thoughts and suggestions, particularly with reference to this model of BMW would be most welcome.

[sawman]

Cant help with the bmw, but my girl has been running a 2019 suzuki swift 1.2 for 5 years, since upgrading from a 500.

Its been utterly reliable, cheap to run and on the occasions i have driven it, it s a great steer. In fact when my lease car goes back next year, I d be inclined to buy it off her

[Evolved]

High mileage old BMW with an engine known to bork itself. What could go wrong.

Sanity check; my son is 19 and we re looking for his second car to upgrade , there s no way in hell I d be recommending one of these - especially if you re on the hook for upkeep and maintenance.

Go for something less expansive to fix, cheaper to run and with a history of reliability. So not a leggy BMW.

[ashenfie]

As having own a high mileage bmw of that era I can tell you they are pretty solid. One thing to check as it is expensive is the
Timing chain. From cold the tail tail signs are rattle that clears up pretty quickly. Like any car with high mileage a history are important.

[MitchT]

Rob 131 said:

In the alternative would I be better forgetting all about the BMW and get a 3 to 5 year old Clio or Polo which would be £11 to £14k.

If you can afford £11k-14k then you can get a decent 118i. My OH paid £11,500 for an early 2019 118i M Sport with 64k miles. Loads of extras including heated seats.

[andrew-6xade]

I just don't see what you'd gain.

Cheap for a reason and an engine with known issues.

[ashenfie]

Mmm, the poster could buy the Clio and enjoy the French electrics. My point being that all cars have issues. The older
N45/N46/N47 engines had timing chain issues and best avoided. Later F20 1.5 engines pretty solid nippy engines.

[ZX10R NIN]

Will your daughters usage suit a diesel?
For me this is the bigger factor as short trips etc could potentially cause you more issues than the car itself.

If the usage suits & you know the car then I don't see an issue buying a 118d but the price is a bit strong.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511308...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511037...

[Rob 131 Sport]

ZX10R NIN said:

Will your daughters usage suit a diesel?
For me this is the bigger factor as short trips etc could potentially cause you more issues than the car itself.

If the usage suits & you know the car then I don't see an issue buying a 118d but the price is a bit strong.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511308...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511037...

I think there’s quite a premium for the M Sport over a Sport or SE. She would definitely want the M Sport. We are looking at Clio’s and Polo’s tomorrow. Whilst my daughter isn’t massively into cars unlike my second son, she has inherited the Car Spec gene and has identified the sporty versions of the Clio and Polo.

[ZX10R NIN]

Rob 131 Sport said:

I think there s quite a premium for the M Sport over a Sport or SE. She would definitely want the M Sport. We are looking at Clio s and Polo s tomorrow. Whilst my daughter isn t massively into cars unlike my second son, she has inherited the Car Spec gene and has identified the sporty versions of the Clio and Polo.

Spec is key, I wonder who she's inherited that from

[Rob 131 Sport]

ZX10R NIN said:

Rob 131 Sport said:

I think there s quite a premium for the M Sport over a Sport or SE. She would definitely want the M Sport. We are looking at Clio s and Polo s tomorrow. Whilst my daughter isn t massively into cars unlike my second son, she has inherited the Car Spec gene and has identified the sporty versions of the Clio and Polo.

Spec is key, I wonder who she's inherited that from

I know. It’s haunted me since I was in play school back in the late 70’s. I didn’t like any Capri (Mk2 or Mk3) unless it was a Ghia or ‘S’. An ‘L’ or ‘GL’ spec Capri without Alloys or a Rev Counter was just a no no.
I associate the BMW or Audi mid ranking ‘Sport’ spec as being like that late 70’s / early 80’s ‘GL’ spec.

[ZX10R NIN]

Rob 131 Sport said:

I know. It s haunted me since I was in play school back in the late 70 s. I didn t like any Capri (Mk2 or Mk3) unless it was a Ghia or S . An L or GL spec Capri without Alloys or a Rev Counter was just a no no.
I associate the BMW or Audi mid ranking Sport spec as being like that late 70 s / early 80 s GL spec.

While you're out (if there are any near you) I'd suggest taking a look at a Kia Rio in either first edition or GT Line spec, you'll still have some warranty left too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511117...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512158...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509306...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511258...

[Jules Sunley]

ZX10R NIN said:

While you're out (if there are any near you) I'd suggest taking a look at a Kia Rio in either first edition or GT Line spec, you'll still have some warranty left too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511117...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512158...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509306...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511258...

Our youngest in on her second car now, a 2017 Kia Rio 1.4 petrol '3' which is excellent. Trim on these is 1 base up to 4 top spec (leather) but the 3 has reversing camera, sat nav, heated seats etc and is a lovely place to be and a nice drive. We paid a little over 6k early this year for one with 60k miles but importantly for me 7 Kia main dealer stamps for annual services with the car very well cared for.

I have had loads of BMWs but would steer well clear of a cheap high miler myself. Good luck with your search.

[covmutley]

Il add a different perspective. When you say you've been offered it, I assume this is from someone you know, and so you know that it's fundamentally an ok car, and not crashed etc.

At £4k, you don't stand to lose a lot. A £14k car will probably lose 2-3k in depreciation in a year, so if the BMW lasts more than a couple of years ts probably cheaper.

[7 5 7]

As much as the N47 diesels can be problematic, many cars have their issues. I have ran two N47 BMWs and still run one. Current one has exceeded 170,000 miles and does 10k a year, the older one I sold a few years ago in a E81 (118d) currently on 230,000 miles and still going as I know the owner....

Not a whiff of timing chain problems, EGR/flywheel and suspension wear n' tear issues though, oh yes.

Pinch of salt I think, good to research but can't I think can be good if you over maintain them, meaning plenty of oil and filter changes not when it tells you (this is the most important thing to do on these engines to keep them healthy!)

Positive note the 118d detuned doesn't have swirl flaps, another known fail point issue that can raise its head, only the 20d badged more powerful engines had these.

Good luck

Edited by 7 5 7 on Sunday 21st December 11:05

[andrew-6xade]

I'd imagine the badge is a big player in this conversation, especially for a young female.

[Rob 131 Sport]

I went looking at cars with my daughter this afternoon. On further consideration I don’t think the BMW is suitable.

Whilst my favourite for her would be the 1.0 TSI Polo, she thought it was alright but nothing special. She liked the Renault Clio in RS specification and the Mini.

[andrew-6xade]

All looks like decent choices

Polo would be my favourite but probably a little dull for a young Female.

[AlexGSi2000]

What kind of mileage would the 1 Series be doing?

If its been looked after, the right price then I wouldn't have an issue - at £4k if it lasts a couple of years then I would class it as being fair motoring.

I think by 2014 they had mostly addressed the timing chain issues, however those with a keen ear will be able to tell if it needs one (you can typically hear a rhythmic sound at idle and 2k rpm).

If its only going to be used for short distances then it may be worth considering a petrol due to the EGR/DPF.

I'm ever the optimist, I know a few people that have purchased cheap N47 engine cars with the view to running them for a year or so and ended up running them for a lot longer.

My e60 520d was on 250,000 miles when I sold it to a friend, who still uses it daily - it was on its second chain mind.

[Rob 131 Sport]

andrew-6xade said:

All looks like decent choices

Polo would be my favourite but probably a little dull for a young Female.

Polo was my favourite. However unless it’s a GTI, she wouldn’t be interested.