Should I buy a BMW 118i with over 130,000km on Odometer?

Question

I will turn 18 in August and finally want to fulfill my long-standing dream of having my own car, to be precise my own convertible. During my search I fell in love with the BMW 1 Series. But since my budget is limited to €10,000, it would be a 118i with EZ 04/20120 with 134,000 km on the clock. The car was delivered from the factory with an M package inside and out. There was a recall from BMW through which a new timing chain came in, otherwise the discs and pads in the rear and the pads in the front were changed in 2019 and 4 ignition coils and spark plugs replaced in 2020.

The fact that this is the small engine is not a problem for me and in the hands of a young novice driver more power would be irresponsible anyway. I'm only unsure about the mileage. Does it make sense to buy such a car with over 130,000km or should you rather stay away from something like that? Respectively. what should you consider when buying.

Answer 1

Hello, I have to advise you against.

I drive a six-cylinder Z4 and recently also a 118i convertible.

I read a lot beforehand. I also advise you. Nobody does the work for you.

I bought the fully equipped car from a well-heeled 1st (senior) hand with actually only 10500km ..

After everything I've read before, the N43 engine (116i, 118i, 120i) is a problem engine. Keywords are timing chain (again and again), NOx sensor, injectors, ignition coils and a few little things more. Even if something has already been done on yours ... you say your budget is limited. But you should have plenty of money in your hand or leave it behind, or look for a ring pigeon like I was lucky to find. It doesn't necessarily have to be a BMW. And even I have made myself clear beforehand whether I am willing to invest if necessary. The car itself is great. The engine also appeals to me, from driving. But for special reasons only to drive with Superplus and every 2000km of injector cleaner additive in the tank. Not a problem financially for me, but for you?

So leave it. I've had almost 100 cars in my life and I'm not a screwdriver, but I am always extremely knowledgeable and also worked in the automotive sector for a while! I would think about another convertible or look extremely and maybe. find something better.

If it were a six-cylinder, things would look very different, but you won't find one with your budget.