Thinking of a 1 Series (2004-2007)

[inkey$]

Am a bit bored and looking at replacing the Golf for something RWD like a 120i. Manual or Auto I don't mind; just don't want diesel as it's going to be used predominantly for shorter trips. Would quite like a sub 9 sec 0-60 too

Budget around £5-6k for a car with less that 70k miles. Anything to look out for or check in particular?

(and if anybody is interested in my 2001 auto 4 door Golf on 36k miles and recent cambelt/waterpump change let me know!)

 

[inkey$]

Here's the Golf I'm going to sell.

 

[Lillywhite]

Budget around £5-6k for a car with less that 70k miles. Anything to look out for or check in particular?

I've got an early E87 Series 1 which is adequate for our needs and used by my wife. However my advice is to look for a later 6 speed model which mine isn't. On the rare occasions that I drive it I'm always searching for that 6th gear which my Zed has. The later models are more fuel efficient. Oh and get rid of the run flats!
Early models had an hydro pump problem and were initially expensive to replace £1500+ until BMW brought out a repair kit for £180. It failed on mine.

Visit the Baby BMW Forum for more information and advice on the Series 1.

http://www.babybmw.net/viewforum.php?f=11&sid=cca809b89df2df5573de7225131118e1

 

[discopete88]

I don't have one to sell but I had a 54 plate 116i Sport for 3 years.

In 3 years I had virtually no problems with the car. It was very comfortable, even for long periods of time. Every 2 or 3 months I would drive around 500 miles in it from the South of England to Scotland (and vice versa) and it was great (cruise control helped). The boot size isn't great, it's easier to get my golf clubs in the back of my Z4 than in the 1 Series, but everything else was fine.

If I was to get another one I'd definitely get a 1.8 at least as sometimes it did feel a little underpowered.

Also, toward the end of its time with me (around 70000) it started to get a few problems with engine management but thats electronics.

Hope this helps

 

[Rob s]

How much are you looking for the Golf?

 

[inkey$]

How much are you looking for the Golf?

Probably around £1300. Cambelt and water pump done last August. MOT'd until March. 4 x very good condition Firestones. Few dinks here or there but drives well and getting around 35mpg on a run.

 

[inkey$]

Thanks Lilywhite and Discopete. Appreciate the feedback.

 

[Angie4m]

As mentioned re the Hydro Pump, this was not just a defect on early modles it effects all 4 Cylinder and BMW state that this is not a defect and so you are left to shell out for the replacement Hydro unit fix which they can do for you. But I would watch as one dealer I went to said they needed to diagnoise the issue themselves and the quote came in at near £1200, where as another dealer just did as I asked which is how it should be.

I had this fail at 14k on my E88 and they are kept in stock at dealerships because its a very common replacement part on 1 and 3 series.

Otherwise its a very nice car inside, not very keen on the look of the hatch outside but its really a nice drive. I did find some of the lower range petrol engines extreamly gutsy, I had a 116 from a dealer as a loan car which did less MPG than a E88 with an auto box in town! But then if your looking for sub 9 seconds and petrol then it'll be a 120 you would be looking at I would assume, unless you can find a nice wee 125i

 

[inkey$]

As mentioned re the Hydro Pump, this was not just a defect on early modles it effects all 4 Cylinder and BMW state that this is not a defect and so you are left to shell out for the replacement Hydro unit fix which they can do for you. But I would watch as one dealer I went to said they needed to diagnoise the issue themselves and the quote came in at near £1200, where as another dealer just did as I asked which is how it should be.

I had this fail at 14k on my E88 and they are kept in stock at dealerships because its a very common replacement part on 1 and 3 series.

Otherwise its a very nice car inside, not very keen on the look of the hatch outside but its really a nice drive. I did find some of the lower range petrol engines extreamly gutsy, I had a 116 from a dealer as a loan car which did less MPG than a E88 with an auto box in town! But then if your looking for sub 9 seconds and petrol then it'll be a 120 you would be looking at I would assume, unless you can find a nice wee 125i

Thanks Angie4m; sounds like the right choice for me then. It's between this and a larger engined petrol later model Golf.

 

[Mowflow]

We had an e81 116i SE. It was s h it.

We had it when our first was born and it was next to useless in terms of size. The rear seat and the boot are MUCH smaller than your current golf. The SE spec interior was really low budget, everything felt horrible and the 116i engine couldn't pull the skin off a custard. In the end the car died when the engine lunched itself due to a failed cam pulley at 30k miles. BMW fixed it for free and we got shot of it ASAP.

Oddly it didn't put me off. Had another 3 BMWs since and now have an f20 1 series which is light years ahead in every way. The 116i was by far the worst BMW i've had...... I do however think that a 130i might be quite good, just not for a family as it's too small for covering any distance with any luggage and rear occupants.

 

[inkey$]

Cheers Mowflow. Beginning to think the size may not cut it as it's smaller than my [any] Golf and no matter how brand aligned I am, the Golf is beginning to feel like a better option. Perhaps I should start looking at four door GT/GTI's.

 

[Mowflow]

I looked at Mk5 GTi's around that price recently and came to the conclusion that they were all either on their last legs or potential money pits as many were being sold by unsavoury types or had been driven to the moon and back. I dare say there are decent ones if you look long and hard. My conclusion was that for a family the Octavia vRS was a much better prospect.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201401040808942/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/make/skoda/price-to/6000/model/octavia/body-type/estate/fuel-type/petrol/postcode/pa191hy/page/1/radius/1500/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l?logcode=p

I have also always had a soft spot for the Leon FR or Cupra which again is bigger than the old 1 series.

 

[inkey$]

I looked at Mk5 GTi's around that price recently and came to the conclusion that they were all either on their last legs or potential money pits as many were being sold by unsavoury types or had been driven to the moon and back. I dare say there are decent ones if you look long and hard. My conclusion was that for a family the Octavia vRS was a much better prospect.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201401040808942/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/make/skoda/price-to/6000/model/octavia/body-type/estate/fuel-type/petrol/postcode/pa191hy/page/1/radius/1500/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l?logcode=p

I have also always had a soft spot for the Leon FR or Cupra which again is bigger than the old 1 series.

Unfortunately its not me that needs convincing since the gf is the daily driver on this one and I get to drive when we all go out somewhere (hence the need for a decent turn of pace!). She's green lit either a 1 Series or another Golf and won't deviate from that current limiting course.

Whats the next fastest Mk 5/6 Golf? GT right?

 

[Mowflow]

Yeah, the GT is the next fastest. What about a 2.0 TFSI A3 sportback? Could even get a quattro for extra family safety brownie points. I quite liked the A3 sportback I had and it was plenty roomy for the family.

The beauty of VAG is that you can get the same car in so many different flavours and prices.

Edit. Oh
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201401080879846/sort/default/usedcars/fuel-type/petrol/quantity-of-doors/5/model/a3/postcode/pa191hy/price-to/6000/page/1/engine-size-cars/3l_to_3-9l/make/audi/radius/1500/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew?logcode=p

 

[TitanTim]

Loved my previous two 1 Series, had a 08 plate 118d se and then the 10 plate 118d M Sport,



They are compromised space wise for rear passengers but apart from that the boot is fine and you can always drop the seats. I would go diesel over the comparable petrols as the engines are much better with plenty of low down torque and smooth when cruising. I tended to do short trips in mine but still got great MPG. The petrols suffer from coil failures, the diesel N47 timing chain probs. A decent petrol may be harder to find. I would go for a 2007 or later facelift as the interior was better quality. If a pre 2007 check under rear seats for water ingress as the vents could fail. Steering wheel leather and black plastic on the steering wheel tends to age prematurely and peel.

Tim.

 

[inkey$]

Cheers for the advice Tim
Your 10 plater looked sweet!

 

[TitanTim]

Cheers for the advice Tim
Your 10 plater looked sweet!

Cheers, I spent a fortune on the carbon bits

Funnily enough I hated the look when they first appeared and then all of sudden thought they were really cool :roll: I still prefer the shape over the F20.

I do miss the practicality of a 5 door hatch

Tim.

 

[shawna]

The 1 series is a great car.

Drive any other car in that category after driving it and they will feel crap.

Maybe the Mk 6 golf is as good. Actually the Mk6 have the better diesel engines.

Beware of buying the 2007-2010 N47 diesel engine due to failure of the timing chain.

They are reknown to eat the front tyres very quickly.

If certain extras like bluetooth are important for you and prefer OEM then find one which already has it as you will pay over the odds to get one installed even if it has bluetooth prep.

Try to find one with the bi xenon headlamps, they include the angel eyes and are extremely desireable.

M Sport models are reknown for their hard suspension but look very cool.

 

[woolybear]

Am a bit bored and looking at replacing the Golf for something RWD like a 120i. Manual or Auto I don't mind; just don't want diesel as it's going to be used predominantly for shorter trips. Would quite like a sub 9 sec 0-60 too

Budget around £5-6k for a car with less that 70k miles. Anything to look out for or check in particular?

(and if anybody is interested in my 2001 auto 4 door Golf on 36k miles and recent cambelt/waterpump change let me know!)

Hi..
I have recently brought, an 06 plated, 130i ///M Sport..
It's been tinkered with, in a very subtle but positive way, by the prior owner..
Possibly, the best car I have ever had the pleasure, of owning.. With: 1,000% grin factor..
You might find one for your budget, if your lucky.. It, has the power, pace and practicality, to beat and match a lot of other cars, in the same bracket..
If your bothered about fuel economy however, then I'd look at something else!
Best of luck, in your quest however..
Cheers..

 

[inkey$]

Am a bit bored and looking at replacing the Golf for something RWD like a 120i. Manual or Auto I don't mind; just don't want diesel as it's going to be used predominantly for shorter trips. Would quite like a sub 9 sec 0-60 too

Budget around £5-6k for a car with less that 70k miles. Anything to look out for or check in particular?

(and if anybody is interested in my 2001 auto 4 door Golf on 36k miles and recent cambelt/waterpump change let me know!)

Hi..
I have recently brought, an 06 plated, 130i ///M Sport..
It's been tinkered with, in a very subtle but positive way, by the prior owner..
Possibly, the best car I have ever had the pleasure, of owning.. With: 1,000% grin factor..
You might find one for your budget, if your lucky.. It, has the power, pace and practicality, to beat and match a lot of other cars, in the same bracket..
If your bothered about fuel economy however, then I'd look at something else!
Best of luck, in your quest however..
Cheers..