BMW 1 Series

RATM

Just going to test drive an 08 one of these tomorrow up north (sterling is swinging again vs. the euro).

Would love to get opnions from others on this car. Is there any spec model I should be looking out for? Also is there any known problems mechanically with the 1 series? It'll have a 1 yr warranty but would like to check is there any regular problems that crop up with these after a few years?

Victor_M

Please tell me it's the coupe & not the 5 door hatch

2 completely different cars, one is an impractical ugly (IMO) badge lovers underpowered dream.

The coupe on the other hand is one of the nicest cars released in the last few years, specifically the 123d variant.

The vert is lovely looking too.

I haven't heard of any problems with any model I tink al of bmw teething problems with the engines were weeded out with the 3 series.

I hope I haven't offended

EPM

Google BMW Efficient Dynamics and Coils.

Put me right off buying one when one failed on the test drive. If it was a diesel it would be a better option. I thought it was a nice drive, well built, comfy but no room in the back or the boot though. I like them as they look a little different.

alexmcred

I like them as EPM sad if it's petrol coil packs are a big issue with them.

Make sure to check the service history.

dr.fuzzenstein

Cooper S.

Leonard Hofstadter

If it's one of those Efficient Dynamics models, I wouldn't buy the petrol full stop. All facelifted models have the Efficient Dynamics trickery.

Those direct injection petrols are an absolute disaster, and as for the coils, that's the least of your worries with those yokes - more like the injectors are where the trouble is:(.

Then again, BMW's diesels are not exactly what you'd call reliable either..

bazz26

As said avoid the 4 cylinder petrol engined versions with Efficent Dynamics from late 2007. The easiest way to tell the ED models is by the start/stop technology on/off button below the stereo and afik the ED models have a large oval shape rear exhaust pipe. At least that is how you can identify the 3 Series models.

Minimum spec you should be looking at is the SE or M Sport, ES is too basic especially on the 1 Series. Good thing about UK cars is that they tend to order more options than the Irish so try and get one with Bluetooth, climate control, MFSW, etc. These are all desireable when it comes to selling it on. Also as said rear legroom is tight and the boot small.

dharn

Victor_M wrote: »

Please tell me it's the coupe & not the 5 door hatch

2 completely different cars, one is an impractical ugly (IMO) badge lovers underpowered dream.

The coupe on the other hand is one of the nicest cars released in the last few years, specifically the 123d variant.

The vert is lovely looking too.

I haven't heard of any problems with any model I tink al of bmw teething problems with the engines were weeded out with the 3 series.

I hope I haven't offended

completly agree , first time i saw the 1 series coupe i thought it was the nicest car bmw made in a long time 123d should be quite interesting to drive i havent driven any of the 1 series but thats the one i would try first the recent bmw diesel engines seem to be well sorted

WillyWonka

I have a 1 series facelift from july 07...it's not ED though so the oval exhaust and slim fog lights don't necessarily mean ED.

(Thinking of selling by the way)

dharn

is it a nicely shaped coupe or the god awful ugly other one

colm_mcm

Think the coupe looks like a noddy car. It's too narrow and tall. Doesn't matter how capable it is

RATM

OP here, we test drove this today in Belfast
http://www.agnewcars.com/details.asp?CarID=18742&Make=3&Filtered=&SortOrder=priceasc&offset=0

Have a 1999 Ford Fiesta which is on its last legs. He offered to take it off us, install a £300 parking assist system (its going to be in a tiny apartment car park space) and give us the BMW for STG£10,300, so could get this down to £10k on the button when negioating over the phone. Also said they'd drop the car down to us in Dublin, it'll come with a 1 year BMW Approved parts & labour warranty. We are happy with the car overall, feels lovely to drive, very steady and looks great. I know there is little room in the rear seats & boot but neither of these issues are of concern to us.

£10k converts to €11,140, though the currency markets are very choppy this week and set to get choppier next week if Greece pulls out of the Euro. On top of that there'll be VRT of approx €1800, so I'm figuring an all in price of about €14,000.

So do peeps here feel this is good value or is it better to buy in the Republic still? Admitedly it does seem to be a low spec but I'm more what we're after is more to do with getting the newest car with the lowest miles possible than paying more for high specs with climate control, electric seats etc that would never really be used much. Bluetooth also seems to be a technology which will be extinct pretty soon so no desire for it either.

Mc Love

Its pretty low spec for that overall price to be honest, but as you said you are not interested in the spec - i think its a decent offer seeing as some 05's are going for around the 10k mark in the Republic

sentient_6

At the risk of causing offensive that car is butt hole ugly.

R.O.R

Is it start/stop?

If it is, it will break your heart.

Hope you aren't too far from the border as a long drive to Belfast, on 3 cylinders, will not be a pleasant experience.

Leonard Hofstadter

I thought it was only the petrols with stop/start that were heartbreakers, and the diesels were perfectly reliable?

R.O.R

captainspeed wrote: »

I thought it was only the petrols with stop/start that were heartbreakers, and the diesels were perfectly reliable?

And the link the OP posted was for a 116i...........

Leonard Hofstadter

I did not see the OP's link:o!

OP, you clearly did not listen to any of the advice I and a few others gave you about the 1 series - that car is definitely an Efficient Dynamics model - it's a facelift and is 08 reg.

I'll repeat it again - those Efficient Dynamics petrols are appalling for reliability. Get something else!

colm_mcm

A golf on scrappage would be a better option. That yoke is 3 years old

Reloc8

I wouldn't go near that myself. Or at least if you buy it, you'd want to be happy to drive it until it falls apart.

They're a highly unpopular BMW model and need to be well powered and fully loaded to have any desirability at all.

OP are you sure you're not just a bit blinded by the badge here ? (and I'm a BMW fan) That is not a lot of car for your money...

gebbel

Ugly car imo.

alexmcred

OP as has been said a diesel one is a much better option as long as it has been serviced properly 120d msport is a fairly capable car but hard to find.

and before the usual suspects come in here have you looked at an octavia op?:rolleyes:

RATM

Sorry guys yes it is the Efficient Dynamics system, i.e. it has a start/stop button. Im not a fan of them but they can be overridden with a stop button on the dash- does not using it solve the coil problems further down the road or is it something deeper than that?

The car I suppose is pricey but its on 20k miles, practically new and not a single scratch on it.

What would people advise, leaving out the choice of car. Is this Efficient Dynamics thing a massive problem, i.e. it happens to pretty much all of that spec? Or is it more so some cars have broken down but not a majority? Also Im presuming the warranty will cover it? Its BMW Approved so he said any breakdowns dont need to go back to Belfast. Warranty can be extended after 1 year but Im not sure how long after that?

veetwin

OP do mind me asking what attracts you to this particular model other than the BMW badge? It's low on power, low on spec and not exactly what most people would call good looking...The boot is tiny and the rear seats are all but useless. If it was a well specced higher powered model it would have something going for it but this..I don't know..

Would you not get more for your money with a Golf Tsi or similar. At least it would be practical and have a bit of power and driveability/desirability.

I say this as a BMW fan but you are looking to buy the bottom of the bottom of the range.

Matt Simis

veetwin wrote: »

I say this as a BMW fan but you are looking to buy the bottom of the bottom of the range.

Well said!
135i, 130d, 123d, 130i, all interesting and with a point. This.. not so much.