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...