[Smithers247]

Hi all!

I am currently in the market for a BMW and i thought id join this forum as where better to get advice than from BMW owners themselves!

I have whittled down the options and the 2 choices are a post-facelift 120i or a post-facelift 120d (both the M Sport Editions) but im having trouble deciding between the 2..

The 120d offers better MPG and power but I'm very concerned about the N47 timing chain issue i have read so much about - im also a town driver with the odd 40mile round trip 2/3x a week so not sure this mileage would be good with the DPF

The 120i has very similar power and the one that i have seen is from a second hand dealer offering 1 year labour and parts warranty.. however reading on here i have seem some poor reviews of the 120i and claims that the 4 cylinder petrol engines are just awful..

Does anyone have any experience with either or both of these cars and can offer some advice as to which would be best?

All help is appreciated thanks!

 

[seamaster]

I ran a 118D for 4 years and my mileage was low. 21,000 over the whole 4 years.

Quite a few short runs. Never had a DPF issue. Just ran it in a lower gear once a week to keep the revs up
over a 10 mile journey.

So with your 40 mile round trips 2/3 times a week would expect you to be OK.

As for the N47 timing chain issue, just make sure your choice has full BMW service history and buy the
BMW extended warranty ( typically around £40 a month for a car at less than 60K miles).

 

[0l0dom0l0]

How many miles per annum are you going to be doing?

 

[Smithers247]

I have to admit the 120d is looking the better option so its reassuring to here the lack of issues at that low mileage..

How many miles per annum are you going to be doing?

My mileage would be anywhere between 7500-10000 (closer to the later) with most of this being town driving and A Roads with the odd Motorway trip here and there..

I am more than likely going to purchase the car from a second-hand car dealership (not BMW) or from a private seller so i will look out for the sounds at 1500rpm before purchasing.. can i still buy the BMW extended warranty if i haven't purchased the car from BMW directly?

I also saw on here that BMW re-called the N47 engines? does this mean if something goes wrong with the chain they have now taken responsibility for this and will rectify the issue?

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Cupster]

I have driven a 320i and a 520d if that helps.

I found the 20i frustrating. The power is all in the higher rev range so you would have to work it harder to make decent progress when compared to the 20d. I found the 520d effortless by comparison BUT I am aware that it has a bit more power and more sound deadening than a 1 and 3 series. Plus the extra idle noise.

As far as I know the 20i suffers heavy mpg (similar to 30i numbers iirc) and coil pack issues, although this has probably been addressed by now with revised designs.

I would go 120d personally - with a warranty for piece of mind on the timing chain issue. You will also find an unlimited supply of 20d parts etc - I would have thought compared the rarer 20i

 

[bashmore]

120d

However at that mileage Id go with a nice 3.0L six-cylinder 125i coupe or 130i hatchback.

 

[Smithers247]

Yes i have heard the 120i do lack that bit of punch so i think the 120d is going to be the way forward, especially with the 120i getting low mpg figures and that seemingly common coil spring issue..

as long as i can get some warranty specifically for the chain problem i think the 120d is the way to go!

 

[Smithers247]

120d

However at that mileage Id go with a nice 3.0L six-cylinder 125i coupe or 130i hatchback.

I wish i could afford the insurance on something like these! unfortunately im still in the 'hit-them-with-extortionate-fees' bracket :x

 

[aj_mckay]

I also saw on here that BMW re-called the N47 engines? does this mean if something goes wrong with the chain they have now taken responsibility for this and will rectify the issue?

I believe that the recall has recently ended on this issue. You may be able to find a car for sale with evidence of being checked or having remedial work carried out by BMW under the recall.

 

[stevesurrey]

I also saw on here that BMW re-called the N47 engines? does this mean if something goes wrong with the chain they have now taken responsibility for this and will rectify the issue?

Thanks for the replies!

BMW's Quality Enhancement (aka. recall) was limited to 2007/2008 models and now seems to have ended. I wudnt personally touch one from those years without evidence the QE work had been done (paperwork and/or phone BMW). I dont think BMW will take any further responsibilty for this issue, except perhaps on their rather ad hoc 'goodwill' basis. Check any 120D service history carefully to make sure its had regular oil changes, preferably more frequently than the standard BMW intervals.

 

[Smithers247]

Thank you Steve and AJ for going into more detail about the recall situation..

I will definitely keep that in mind when shopping around and try and find a car that has hopefully had this chain issue rectified..

I will be wary of the 2007/08 and definitely look into getting some form of warranty..

Just got to wait now for the perfect car to come available!

 

[0l0dom0l0]

Just do an insurance quote on a 130i, you might be surprised. Deffo the best car for your requirements I think.

 

[greggsy07]

Just do an insurance quote on a 130i, you might be surprised. Deffo the best car for your requirements I think.

THIS!!

I looked into 120D/123D/130i and the 130i came back cheapest on insurance for every quote! Don ask why as I don't know but they were all hatchbacks.

 

[Smithers247]

The only problem with a 130i is the budget i have..
can get a much younger

Just do an insurance quote on a 130i, you might be surprised. Deffo the best car for your requirements I think.

THIS!!

I looked into 120D/123D/130i and the 130i came back cheapest on insurance for every quote! Don ask why as I don't know but they were all hatchbacks.

Only problem with this is budget.. can get a much younger and lower mileage 120d (hopefully M Sport too) for similar price as a high mileage 130i

 

[0l0dom0l0]

Just do an insurance quote on a 130i, you might be surprised. Deffo the best car for your requirements I think.

THIS!!

I looked into 120D/123D/130i and the 130i came back cheapest on insurance for every quote! Don ask why as I don't know but they were all hatchbacks.

Only problem with this is budget.. can get a much younger and lower mileage 120d (hopefully M Sport too) for similar price as a high mileage 130i

What is your budget? There's a couple up for sale on here for less than 7 grand and both are sub 60k mileage cars.

 

[Steffydog]

120d 74k on clock, I'm getting 46mpg.

Insurance wasn't cheap but I'm a London post code

It's not exactly rapid, ok when your in 2/3 gears, but naff in 1st, all revved out at 4-5k.

I like the car though, only had it 3-4 months 2010, MSport

 

[Smithers247]

THIS!!

I looked into 120D/123D/130i and the 130i came back cheapest on insurance for every quote! Don ask why as I don't know but they were all hatchbacks.

Only problem with this is budget.. can get a much younger and lower mileage 120d (hopefully M Sport too) for similar price as a high mileage 130i

What is your budget? There's a couple up for sale on here for less than 7 grand and both are sub 60k mileage cars.

My budget is £7,500 but i could probably push to £8,000 - where can i find these cars? didnt realise people sold on here too

 

[Smithers247]

120d 74k on clock, I'm getting 46mpg.

Insurance wasn't cheap but I'm a London post code

It's not exactly rapid, ok when your in 2/3 gears, but naff in 1st, all revved out at 4-5k.

I like the car though, only had it 3-4 months 2010, MSport

tbf 46mpg sounds pretty good i could probably get it a little higher with my driving routes ..

just want something with a bit of power, wont be drag racing at lights so the 1st gear shoudlnt be too much of an issue

 

[0l0dom0l0]

My budget is £7,500 but i could probably push to £8,000 - where can i find these cars? didnt realise people sold on here too

Scroll down on the forum home page about 3 from the bottom

 

[bashmore]

Only problem with this is budget.. can get a much younger and lower mileage 120d (hopefully M Sport too) for similar price as a high mileage 130i

What is your budget? There's a couple up for sale on here for less than 7 grand and both are sub 60k mileage cars.

My budget is £7,500 but i could probably push to £8,000 - where can i find these cars? didnt realise people sold on here too

http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=81921

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Under 7 grand and under 60k sounds a bargain.

I'd be quite tempted by these on AT

£7,250
06
78,588

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201512219594993

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£6,495
56
74,500

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201601240371346

" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

£5,690
55
76,000

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201601200261492

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