buying a 1 series

Post Fri Oct 19, 2012 9:52 pm

I'm going to look at a 2004 118d sport tomorrow. Anyone on here have experience with the 2.0 d donk? What to look out for? It needs a service but all previous service bar one by bmw. All commentss welcome except silly ones obviously. Ta.[/u]

Post Fri Oct 19, 2012 9:53 pm

Should have said, 5 door, 106k on the clock.

Post Fri Oct 19, 2012 9:56 pm

Evening sir.

Big enough boot for the dog and a pushchair ?

Post Fri Oct 19, 2012 10:04 pm

Nope. Well, not sure that's why I'm going to look at it. How's you man?

Post Sat Oct 20, 2012 7:30 am

I found this helpful if any of you are interested.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topi ... 20+d+Sport+

Post Sat Oct 20, 2012 8:10 am

Had an 05 120d sport as a company car for 3 years. Loved the drive and pretty reliable over 60,000 miles in that time.

Had issues with he clutch in the end which necessitated a clutch and flywheel replacement but my commute is 10 miles in an hour into central London but also a lot of motorway mileage.

Sport seats have an infinite number of uncomfortable positions, especially with the electronic lumbar support which was a complete waste of money. Boot is compromised by the rear drive - but that's nothing new.

Had a failure of the steering column electrics that took out indicators and wipers but aside from that and the clutch problem, pretty good overall and 43mpg averaged over 60k.

Other problems were related to the inability of the paint to withstand bird shit for any length of time (don't get a flat black one), it kept getting scratched and a building fell on it when it was being returned from the body shop having had the scratches sorted out. (Don't buy vn05ggu it might be jinxed).

Very tempted now by the coupe.

Post Sat Oct 20, 2012 9:12 am

I love the look of the coupe but with a dog and a child think its out of the question for me. Thanks for the pointers, sounds like the seats are something to examine, as I'll be doing a lot of motorway miles in it.

Post Sat Oct 20, 2012 9:58 am

The sports seats are excellent!

Up to 2007 will be the M47 engine as used in the E46 so all the same for things to look or engine wise apply.

Swirl flaps, change for blanks, check turbo for smoke and operation, check clutch for judder after a long drive, may need a flywheel as well, check for oil leaks, change the oil separator cylclone valve every other oil change as a precaution.

Check all the electics work, check inside the boot side well for water ingress as they can leak there an there is some electrical items there.

Suspension lasts well but check the obvious.

Post Sat Oct 20, 2012 12:35 pm

Cheese Barry,

I just called the garage selling it only to find out he's currently sitting doing a deal with someone else for the car, I'd say my call will have helped him close the deal. Loads more out there I guess. Snooze you lose.

Post Sat Oct 20, 2012 4:48 pm

If wanting space for a dog/push chair - worth checking out a 320d touring?

Post Sat Oct 20, 2012 5:53 pm

Hi George that's one of the other options, currently lookin at seat Leon FR, Saab 9-3, 3 series touring and 1 series.

9-5 estate current bus which is 2.3t manages 25mpg and a set of front tires every 5000miles, ok that's my fault but its happy to spin them.in first and second!!

Post Sun Oct 21, 2012 6:23 pm

The 118d is okay, but there are many better cars for the £££. In terms of practicality, the Mark 5 Golf is much better. If it's a truly astounding boot you need, look at the Vectra C. They're worth fuck all now but you'll get a lot of car for £2500. They're nowhere near as grim to drive as the experts say either. The Saab is the same thing only more stylish and more money.

You need to pay 5 grand to get a 1 Series worth having and imo, they're not worth the money.

Post Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:26 pm

I've got a 2005 Mk1 Leon FR TDi. Bought it as a 3 year old with 70k on the clock, now got 144k on it and all it's needed is servicing, cambelt, tyres, brake light switch, glow plugs and just needs the passenger door seal replacing now. Still goes well, still really economical (averaged 50mpg in my ownership), cheaper than the equivalent Golf or A3 an looks a lot better IMO. Boot is a decent size as well.

Post Mon Oct 22, 2012 8:47 pm

Ta.

I like the seat a lot. I don't think I'm a car snob but I'm not a fan of the golf. Not saying anything about performance or capability, I'm sure its a great car, just never going to own one, if I can help it. Were I live the streets are gull of gleaming golfs, I loved driving my e30 about as it stuck out like a sore thumb. Hadn't thought about the Vauxhall. The Audi is out for the same reason.

Post Thu Oct 25, 2012 7:36 pm

The wife and I very nearly bought a 1 series, I consulted Barry on the subject infact, they are a great car, we tried all sorts from a 120d right up to a 130i, all brilliant as drivers cars, our problem in the end was the rubbish boot and poor rear legroom, especially for people behind me (i'm 6'3") the ride comfort on anything with M-Sport suspension isn't great either, none of the ones we drove had great spec either, not for the money atleast. In the end we got an 07 plate Mk5 Golf GTi DSG, you know what it's got great driving dynamics, as good as the 1 series, it's fast, brilliant spec and the DSG gearbox is the shizzle, well made too, in short it does evrything the 1 series does but it's got a really good boot and people can sit behind me.