Bmw 116 or 118 what's best for me?
Discussion
For a long time now I have been saving up to buy my first Bmw. After doing a lot of research and running about a million quotes, I've got my heart set on a 1 series(2004-2006 models).
However the problem I'm facing is the choice of engine/model...
An 118D model will cost £200-300 more to ensure, and will also have to be bought at a higher mileage.
But does anyone reckon that the overall driving experience from the 2.L engine + fuel economy out weigh the cheaper and less powerful 1.6 engine?
Any past experiences or advice would be of great help thanks!
However the problem I'm facing is the choice of engine/model...
An 118D model will cost £200-300 more to ensure, and will also have to be bought at a higher mileage.
But does anyone reckon that the overall driving experience from the 2.L engine + fuel economy out weigh the cheaper and less powerful 1.6 engine?
Any past experiences or advice would be of great help thanks!
jayemm89 said:
And what's your mileage?
If you aren't doing massive miles I'd be tempted to get the 116i, with a better spec and less miles and enjoy the handling of your first beemer
I'm looking at spending around 5k, I'd say I do around 17,000 miles a year. I'm tempted myself to get the 116i, in fact I'm off to look at some this week. But just concerned it might not be as fun to drive!If you aren't doing massive miles I'd be tempted to get the 116i, with a better spec and less miles and enjoy the handling of your first beemer
Thanks for input guys
Only one way to find out - drive 'em both!
If you're doing that many miles and you're going to keep it for a while, I would be tempted to do what I do and get an ex-company car or similar. Buy one with loads of miles on in the first place as your car is probably going to have lots on when you're done with it!
The main thing is get one with a nice interior. At 17K a year you're going to spend a lot of time looking at it!
If you're doing that many miles and you're going to keep it for a while, I would be tempted to do what I do and get an ex-company car or similar. Buy one with loads of miles on in the first place as your car is probably going to have lots on when you're done with it!
The main thing is get one with a nice interior. At 17K a year you're going to spend a lot of time looking at it!
You buying a manual?
The manual gearbox on the diesels is a pig imho, BMW are replacing them as they flywheel was out of alignment and causes judder, many people say 'Its a BNW and they all feel like this.' and to a certain extent that is true, but they are not meant to. On an Early 2004 model you should be fine, but from MY 05 through to March 2011 they all have the issue, some just don't notice it.
I had mine swapped for the replacement clutch and flywheel and the difference is staggering.
But I would go petrol every time, the early 118d on the M74 engine will return around 28-50mpg depneding on what you are doing, the 116, 188 and 120i will return 25-45 depending on what you are doing.
120i seems to be the most efficient of the three petrol 4cyl models, with 35bhp more it needs working far less.
Why the 116i?
Seems the strangest choice?
Go for a 118/120d or the 120i.
The manual gearbox on the diesels is a pig imho, BMW are replacing them as they flywheel was out of alignment and causes judder, many people say 'Its a BNW and they all feel like this.' and to a certain extent that is true, but they are not meant to. On an Early 2004 model you should be fine, but from MY 05 through to March 2011 they all have the issue, some just don't notice it.
I had mine swapped for the replacement clutch and flywheel and the difference is staggering.
But I would go petrol every time, the early 118d on the M74 engine will return around 28-50mpg depneding on what you are doing, the 116, 188 and 120i will return 25-45 depending on what you are doing.
120i seems to be the most efficient of the three petrol 4cyl models, with 35bhp more it needs working far less.
Why the 116i?
Seems the strangest choice?
Go for a 118/120d or the 120i.
I would buy something like this and then put a nice leather interior in there and leave yourself a grand for anything like new suspension etc.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Few more.....
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
But I would find another £500 and get over and look at this....
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
But I would find another £500 and get over and look at this....
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
jayemm89 said:
Only one way to find out - drive 'em both!
If you're doing that many miles and you're going to keep it for a while, I would be tempted to do what I do and get an ex-company car or similar. Buy one with loads of miles on in the first place as your car is probably going to have lots on when you're done with it!
The main thing is get one with a nice interior. At 17K a year you're going to spend a lot of time looking at it!
Drove the 116i earlier today and actually really liked it, Off to see a 120d tomorrow so I can get a comparison If you're doing that many miles and you're going to keep it for a while, I would be tempted to do what I do and get an ex-company car or similar. Buy one with loads of miles on in the first place as your car is probably going to have lots on when you're done with it!
The main thing is get one with a nice interior. At 17K a year you're going to spend a lot of time looking at it!
Luckily there seems to be a fair few 1 series with a lot of added extras on the market at minute just need to get lucky (as I do fancy some nice leather seats). Not overly keen on a high mileage though want it to be easy to sell in the future.
Thanks jay
gizlaroc said:
You buying a manual?
The manual gearbox on the diesels is a pig imho, BMW are replacing them as they flywheel was out of alignment and causes judder, many people say 'Its a BNW and they all feel like this.' and to a certain extent that is true, but they are not meant to. On an Early 2004 model you should be fine, but from MY 05 through to March 2011 they all have the issue, some just don't notice it.
I had mine swapped for the replacement clutch and flywheel and the difference is staggering.
But I would go petrol every time, the early 118d on the M74 engine will return around 28-50mpg depneding on what you are doing, the 116, 188 and 120i will return 25-45 depending on what you are doing.
120i seems to be the most efficient of the three petrol 4cyl models, with 35bhp more it needs working far less.
Why the 116i?
Seems the strangest choice?
Go for a 118/120d or the 120i.
Taking into account what you've said I think I need to go and look at some 120i's! The manual gearbox on the diesels is a pig imho, BMW are replacing them as they flywheel was out of alignment and causes judder, many people say 'Its a BNW and they all feel like this.' and to a certain extent that is true, but they are not meant to. On an Early 2004 model you should be fine, but from MY 05 through to March 2011 they all have the issue, some just don't notice it.
I had mine swapped for the replacement clutch and flywheel and the difference is staggering.
But I would go petrol every time, the early 118d on the M74 engine will return around 28-50mpg depneding on what you are doing, the 116, 188 and 120i will return 25-45 depending on what you are doing.
120i seems to be the most efficient of the three petrol 4cyl models, with 35bhp more it needs working far less.
Why the 116i?
Seems the strangest choice?
Go for a 118/120d or the 120i.
I've heard of the 120d's having fly wheel problems before, in fact there's several threads on here that are a bit off putting.
I was looking at the 116i's as they're a much cheaper alternative to buy and insure.
I really appreciate you taking the time to list a few cars as well, although I really wish you didn't post the link of that lovely M sport just out of my price range, its torture!
I quite like this one though
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Our 118i eats ignition coils and injectors. 6 so far and we're on less than 50k miles. Also had problems with nox sensor and braking sensor. I'd personally go for the 118d as it's cheaper on road tax IIRC, much faster than a 11xi, especially if you get the swirl flaps replaced (think 118d is affected by these). If you're doing a large mileage then diesel engine should be warmed up nicely most days and I think be more reliable than if you did a low mileage. Also if you're on the motorway a lot, the 118d will have far better acceleration than a 116i. I had one as a courtesy car and the 118d felt much faster (it was an auto) than my 118i manual. Manual gearbox on our 118i is very hard to change smoothly as the flywheel is so heavy. If you rush the change it's very hard to get a seamless transition between gears. Sorry for the brain dump!
mekondelta said:
Our 118i eats ignition coils and injectors. 6 so far and we're on less than 50k miles. Also had problems with nox sensor and braking sensor. I'd personally go for the 118d as it's cheaper on road tax IIRC, much faster than a 11xi, especially if you get the swirl flaps replaced (think 118d is affected by these). If you're doing a large mileage then diesel engine should be warmed up nicely most days and I think be more reliable than if you did a low mileage. Also if you're on the motorway a lot, the 118d will have far better acceleration than a 116i. I had one as a courtesy car and the 118d felt much faster (it was an auto) than my 118i manual. Manual gearbox on our 118i is very hard to change smoothly as the flywheel is so heavy. If you rush the change it's very hard to get a seamless transition between gears. Sorry for the brain dump!
You want to try a manual diesel then, even harder work! I would avoid both the 116i and the 118d. The 116i is painfully, agonisingly slow and the engine is a hound. Timing chains and tensioners as well as the cracked oil pick up pipe drama (oil light on and rattling it's tits off). They're just s
te. The N46 engine in the 118i and 120i also has the same timing chain issues, eccentric shaft wear, failed VVT motors, coil packs plus plenty of oil leaks. It's not a very good engine in terms of durability and anything with over 80k is in the $$$$$$ zone.
The 118d with the M47 engine has a real problem with the differential - it's the small type 168 unit and it's not up to the job. Used diffs are almost non existent and the upgrade to the later bigger diff is around £650 plus fitting. This involves a pair of driveshafts and a prop, so it's not five minutes work. The M47 engine isn't bad but they are at the age where you will be into the old diesel problem zone of turbos, injectors etc etc.
I'm predjudiced because I detest the things (ugly, cramped, poor visibility, ugly) but they're really not that great. Unless you really must have the rear drive and BMW badge, you can do a lot better.
te. The N46 engine in the 118i and 120i also has the same timing chain issues, eccentric shaft wear, failed VVT motors, coil packs plus plenty of oil leaks. It's not a very good engine in terms of durability and anything with over 80k is in the $$$$$$ zone.The 118d with the M47 engine has a real problem with the differential - it's the small type 168 unit and it's not up to the job. Used diffs are almost non existent and the upgrade to the later bigger diff is around £650 plus fitting. This involves a pair of driveshafts and a prop, so it's not five minutes work. The M47 engine isn't bad but they are at the age where you will be into the old diesel problem zone of turbos, injectors etc etc.
I'm predjudiced because I detest the things (ugly, cramped, poor visibility, ugly) but they're really not that great. Unless you really must have the rear drive and BMW badge, you can do a lot better.
Edited by iSore on Wednesday 5th March 21:18
iSore said:
I would avoid both the 116i and the 118d. The 116i is painfully, agonisingly slow and the engine is a hound. Timing chains and tensioners as well as the cracked oil pick up pipe drama (oil light on and rattling it's tits off). They're just ste. The N46 engine in the 118i and 120i also has the same timing chain issues, eccentric shaft wear, failed VVT motors, coil packs plus plenty of oil leaks. It's not a very good engine in terms of durability and anything with over 80k is in the $$$$$$ zone.
The 118d with the M47 engine has a real problem with the differential - it's the small type 168 unit and it's not up to the job. Used diffs are almost non existent and the upgrade to the later bigger diff is around £650 plus fitting. This involves a pair of driveshafts and a prop, so it's not five minutes work. The M47 engine isn't bad but they are at the age where you will be into the old diesel problem zone of turbos, injectors etc etc.
I'm predjudiced because I detest the things (ugly, cramped, poor visibility, ugly) but they're really not that great. Unless you really must have the rear drive and BMW badge, you can do a lot better.
Which of the above did you own?te. The N46 engine in the 118i and 120i also has the same timing chain issues, eccentric shaft wear, failed VVT motors, coil packs plus plenty of oil leaks. It's not a very good engine in terms of durability and anything with over 80k is in the $$$$$$ zone.The 118d with the M47 engine has a real problem with the differential - it's the small type 168 unit and it's not up to the job. Used diffs are almost non existent and the upgrade to the later bigger diff is around £650 plus fitting. This involves a pair of driveshafts and a prop, so it's not five minutes work. The M47 engine isn't bad but they are at the age where you will be into the old diesel problem zone of turbos, injectors etc etc.
I'm predjudiced because I detest the things (ugly, cramped, poor visibility, ugly) but they're really not that great. Unless you really must have the rear drive and BMW badge, you can do a lot better.
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