2008 BMW 120i E88 Cabriolet a sweet spot preloved

[magic Monkey Dust]

We needed a cheapish stop gap car with auto box and 4 seats while we find the next long term addition for the Mrs. She's just sold her mint 997 as it was getting little wear and tear marks that upset you when a car is too good.
Storage for 2 cars only so it went on to a nice new home.
Scanning classifieds I spotted a 2008 Launch model 120i fully loaded with extended leather, wind deflector ,sat nav, heated seats, 18 inch alloys, the works and 70,000 dry miles. Private sale. All in its set me back 3000 quid, seems like a really nice drive and cheap insurance but peppy performance. Has fate given us a car which May be a sweet spot in sporty small cars. Not even considered one before.
so far so good but given the admiring glances from neighbours you'd think I'd spent 40 grand!.
I'm a convert.

[Mr Tidy]

That looks like a very smart car for the money.

Although I would have looked for a 125i to get the wonderful N52 six-cylinder engine as I'm a big fan of them - currently got my 4th!

[twokcc]

Super cars my 125I_2010 auto 2 owners 80k miles M sport but super comfortable ride on Nexen tyres(no idea what they like for wet grip etc). Just over £5k no rust must be one of the beat bargains for a weekend toy. Non of the expensive electronic kit(but has CIC nav) to go wrong rock solid engine and gearbox- just the usual oil leaks solvable with a spanner not a computer. Has bonus of Harmon Kardon stereo think its 10 speakers in small space

[magic Monkey Dust]

There's plenty out there for sale for less than a Golf, makes me wonder why nobodies really picked up on these. Given the next generation has so much more expensive to fix technology I don't want in a smoker. I think this one may be a keeper.

[I-am-the-reverend]

The N43 2.0 engine has a very bad reputation - plenty of problems with injectors, timing chain, oil pressure etc etc. Google N43 and all will become clear. I've had to fight these to the death in the past. Never again (but I've retired!)

Having said that, they're not all bad and they are cheap to buy.

[twokcc]

I-am-the-reverend said:

The N43 2.0 engine has a very bad reputation - plenty of problems with injectors, timing chain, oil pressure etc etc. Google N43 and all will become clear. I've had to fight these to the death in the past. Never again (but I've retired!)

Having said that, they're not all bad and they are cheap to buy.

Ye you bought the wromg car should have got a N52 125i

[ThingsBehindTheSun]

I-am-the-reverend said:

The N43 2.0 engine has a very bad reputation - plenty of problems with injectors, timing chain, oil pressure etc etc. Google N43 and all will become clear. I've had to fight these to the death in the past. Never again (but I've retired!)

Having said that, they're not all bad and they are cheap to buy.

When I first saw this thread I thought "that is a bargain, I want one". Now after googling N43 engine problems I don't want one anymore.

[twokcc]

ThingsBehindTheSun said:

When I first saw this thread I thought "that is a bargain, I want one". Now after googling N43 engine problems I don't want one anymore.

Your looking for the wrong car iy has t be a 125i, i bought mine 60 plate oprivate seller on from Gumtree . 2 owners passes last 6 MOT's with no advisory's Only ne on at the moment 2008 at a dealers a one owner from new car.64K miles for £ 6k not checked specot MOT history but they are out there.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/bmw-1-series-125i-m-...

Mine had the vanos done so went for a BMW health check only thing they found was needed new rears discs- previous owner had given be then he hadn't got round to getting them replaced.

Decide what spec you want and start looking if you are serious

[Before the music stops]

I've had a 2010 120i M-Sport Cab (auto) for about 5yrs now. It does the job (mainly as wife's car). Engine has been fine. Now on 70k miles. Fuel economy is pants and emissions at MOT time can be a bit testy.

Had a 135i M-Sport Cab (manual) just before the 120i and ran that as a 'town car' to minimise use of my 997. That was a bit of a beast and every bit as quick as the 997.

As has already been said, cheap motoring now and still a very nice car to drive and look at. Just need to fix the 'creak' from the passenger side dash which is a common issue.

[magic Monkey Dust]

Ahh so I may have bought a car in immaculate condition with an engine designed to spoil the party.
Looking at the history file somebody has spent 2400 at a BMW Sytner main dealer earlier this year on coil packs and new injectors . This could be a good sign or just shows theres no such thing as lucky cars........... just research.
I shall start dividing the cost price by number of months it keeps rolling to work out the running costs overall.

[twokcc]

magic Monkey Dust said:

Ahh so I may have bought a car in immaculate condition with an engine designed to spoil the party.
Looking at the history file somebody has spent 2400 at a BMW Sytner main dealer earlier this year on coil packs and new injectors . This could be a good sign or just shows theres no such thing as lucky cars........... just research.
I shall start dividing the cost price by number of months it keeps rolling to work out the running costs overall.

That's brilliant news dodged the biggest bullet just need to swot up on timing chain replacement - for many other manufacturers this would be a maintenance item any way sometime between 60k-100k miles. Just BMW stupid idea that it will last life of the car.
Get it changed before its terminal and you've got a car that will last you another 10 years

[RSTurboPaul]

Orrrrr..... do an M3 engine swap?

[The Conflated Outlier]

5-6 hours and £150 in bits to do a chain swap. The sump only needs to come off if there are bits missing from the guides.

With the chain and injectors done it should be ok. When they're running, the N43 is a decent engine. They're certainly quite lively with 170 bhp and good on fuel.

[magic Monkey Dust]

twokcc said:

That's brilliant news dodged the biggest bullet just need to swot up on timing chain replacement - for many other manufacturers this would be a maintenance item any way sometime between 60k-100k miles. Just BMW stupid idea that it will last life of the car.
Get it changed before its terminal and you've got a car that will last you another 10 years

Thanks for the advice guys.
I intend to send the car to my usual mechanic for a chain replacement. History doesn't show its been done and were on 71,000. Good call.
I would have liked the straight six but the car was right money and very nice spec, I seriously cant think of a better compact soft top I could own with same build quality and occasional rear seats. I have owned several E30 cabs and an early E36 325i and this is much the best of them all for usability, roof mechanism, all round comfort.
With the new 2 series coupe and 4 series cabriolet at bonkers money with tech that isnt to all peoples tastes, a ULEZ compliant compact BMW with lowish running costs and a cheap initial outlay may get increasingly attractive.
Especially since they may not be making them in volume soon.

[twokcc]

Garage here at Thisk quoting from £650 for N43 probably plus vat .
https://www.elementperformance.co.uk/blog/bmw-timi...

OP may get another 30k miles even for most cautions owner so even if say £1k still got a great car for less than £4k. Cant see him getting a better buy if he decides to change it
Not sure if subframe has to be dropped on 1 series but my indie had his own way .which would not be an option for home mechanic not sure if chain at front or back on this engine but sometimes easier to lift engine out. Someone will no doubt know.