'09 BMW 1 Series v '09 VW Scirocco

Behind you Joey

Hi folks, I am in two minds between the above cars. I know very little about cars but have viewed and test drove both. Both are being sold by a friend of a friend privately. They are both in great nick (cosmetics, aesthetics) and seem to drive very well. Essentially, I need your advice and opinion on which to go for. The VW works out at about a grand more expensive due to VRT. I will outline their details below:

1. BMW 118d M Sport - 2009, 130,000 miles, 2.0 diesel, tax, NCT, two previous owners, full service history.

2. VW Scirocco - 2009, 105,000 miles, 2.0 diesel, no tax, no NCT, needs VRT, one previous owner, no service history.

Most people are telling me to go for the VW due to the lower mileage, its potential higher resale value and the fact that parts will be much cheaper to source than for the BMW. If you have any experience with either I would be most grateful for any advice, thanks.

bazz26

Has the timing chain been done on the BMW, that engine and vintage are very prone to the timing chain rattling/snapping. The full service history is a major plus.

How well do you know the VW owner, assuming it's still on UK plates I'd be very surprised if it doesn't have a UK service history unless it's been clocked. I'd do a history check on the UK plate as UK owners are generally very meticulous about servicing their cars unlike here joe the mechanic living across the road changing the oil every year or two for cash on the hip is the norm.

Regarding the price of parts and servicing, I'm driving BMWs and I've owned a VW, in my ownership experience there hasn't been a huge difference between the cost of parts and servicing between both brands. Resale value is not that much of a big deal at this stage as both cars are nearly 10 years old, the 1 Series will be two generations out of date next year and the Scirocco has just been discontinued by VW.

omb0wyn5ehpij9

The BMW will have the N47 engine, do a google of it and see what you think.

As Bazz said, BMWs of that vintage are prone to timing chain issues, the diesel more so than the petrol. Full service history is definitely a plus. I was looking at a 1 series petrol over the weekend, and while it looked clean, the lack of service history is a big sticking point at the moment

Behind you Joey

bazz26 wrote: »

Has the timing chain been done on the BMW, that engine and vintage are very prone to the timing chain rattling/snapping. The full service history is a major plus.

How well do you know the VW owner, assuming it's still on UK plates I'd be very surprised if it doesn't have a UK service history unless it's been clocked. I'd do a history check on the UK plate as UK owners are generally very meticulous about servicing their cars unlike here joe the mechanic living across the road changing the oil every year or two for cash on the hip is the norm.

Thanks for that. The timing chain and the clutch have never been done. Which does worry me especially considering the car has done 130,000 miles. The service history is good the car having been serviced every year since the initial purchase from Joe Duffy. How much do you think it cost to replace the timing chain on it? The car is in immaculate condition I have to say regarding the interior, paintwork, bodywork, etc. However, the tires will have to be replaced shortly and I reckon they will cost €200 a go easily.

Re the VW owner, hardly know him. That is a good shout, he seems like a bit of a cowboy to me to be frank. Will run a history check on the number plate and see what materialises. The VW working out at €1500 more expensive is putting me off although if it turns out the timing chain and some other repairs have to be done on the BMW this could even it out.

BDJW wrote: »

The BMW will have the N47 engine, do a google of it and see what you think.

As Bazz said, BMWs of that vintage are prone to timing chain issues, the diesel more so than the petrol. Full service history is definitely a plus. I was looking at a 1 series petrol over the weekend, and while it looked clean, the lack of service history is a big sticking point at the moment

Cheers. They're a lovely car to drive especially the lowered M Sport version. To be honest, I'll only be doing 7,000 miles max on the car a year and plan on only keeping it for 3 years so I guess I am asking the ever-wondered question of 'whether it'll last'?

bazz26

Changing the timing chain will cost around €1200 to €1500 from an independent garage.

And with only doing 7000 miles per year you really should be looking at petrol alternatives, your low mileage really isn't suited for diesel cars.

Behind you Joey

bazz26 wrote: »

Changing the timing chain will cost around €1200 to €1500 from an independent garage.

And with only doing 7000 miles per year you really should be looking at petrol alternatives, your low mileage really isn't suited for diesel cars.

Christ, that will break the bank. I would love to go petrol but for tax/VAT purposes I need to sick with diesel.

Blazer

First off walk away from the VW ASAP.
No NCT, no service history = I wouldn’t give it to my worst enemy.
2nd look round for a nice petrol 1 series.

Behind you Joey

Blazer wrote: »

First off walk away from the VW ASAP.
No NCT, no service history = I wouldn’t give it to my worst enemy.
2nd look round for a nice petrol 1 series.

Gents, just had a look at the service history there and it says "T Chain tensioned". Does that qualify as the timing chain having been done? Thanks.

bazz26

I'd ring the garage that did it and ask them.

Behind you Joey

Rang them there, didn't remember the car. But said it would be strange for the timing chain to have been changed at 110,000km he normally does them at 130,000km and they can go grand up to 120,000 miles! Furthermore, if it has been done engine oil and the fuel filter would also have been marked in the service history for that year (which it isn't).

He said time chain tensioning he can do at the customers request (a quick 20 minute job that doesn't require the engine being removed) but in his opinion it doesn't make the slightest bit of difference. That seems to be what was done here at 108,000km.

See below. Thoughts?

Behind you Joey

Update: Now between a 320d Coupe and a CLK220

PaulKK

Behind you Joey wrote: »

However, the tires will have to be replaced shortly and I reckon they will cost €200 a go easily.

You need to start buying your tyres online.

What year is the 320d?

Behind you Joey

PaulKK wrote: »

You need to start buying your tyres online.

What year is the 320d?

Any website in particular? The Beamer is a 2009 with 80k miles and the Merc a 2008 with 100k miles.

Which will have a better residual value after two or three years do you think? I would guess the 320d over the Merc but am not certain.

bazz26

http://www.oponeo.ie/
http://www.tyreleader.ie
http://www.eiretyres.ie

PaulKK

Behind you Joey wrote: »

Any website in particular? The Beamer is a 2009 with 80k miles and the Merc a 2008 with 100k miles.

Which will have a better residual value after two or three years do you think? I would guess the 320d over the Merc but am not certain.

Bazz linked some sites which I've used and also
https://www.tyres-pneus-online.ie

Any timing chain work done on the 320d?

That's pretty low mileage for a 9 year old diesel. Is it verified?

Behind you Joey

PaulKK wrote: »

Bazz linked some sites which I've used and also
https://www.tyres-pneus-online.ie

Any timing chain work done on the 320d?

That's pretty low mileage for a 9 year old diesel. Is it verified?

No timing chain work done, will probably have to do it myself in time. Verified mileage and did a history check on it. Had a mechanic look at it too. I think she's quite pretty meself. Thanks to all for the advice, hope it is smooth sailing from here.