Used BMW 120

What to know before buying: BMW 120

From 2 forum threads and 1 press test · updated 12/10/2026

What the reviews say

• The E87 120d stands out for precise, direct steering, rear-wheel drive and balanced road manners.[1]one sourceE87
• The driver-focused cabin is praised for its ergonomics, material quality and comfortable seats.[1]one sourceE87
• The 163 hp 120d is described as both lively and economical, with a cited 10–11 L/100 km in town and 6–6.5 L/100 km outside town.[1]one sourceE87
• Ride quality is firm, especially on 17-inch wheels and run-flat tyres; the source reports a marked improvement after the 2007 facelift.[1]one sourceE87

Typical faults

• If the car has an N47 diesel, timing-chain trouble can cause an expensive repair; warnings include a metallic cold-start rattle, chain noise at idle and uneven running.[2][3]

  N47 diesel

• On diesel BMWs, short urban trips and insufficient warm-up can contribute to blocked DPFs and EGR trouble, increased consumption and fault messages.[2]one source

  diesel

Which engine and version to take

• For the E87 generation, the source particularly recommends the 163 hp 120d for its balance of performance and economy, with 340 Nm described as ample for the car.[1]one sourceE87

What to check at the inspection

• Test every cabin feature and function; the source warns that correcting faults can be costly.[1]one sourceE87
• Ask for verifiable service history and obtain a pre-purchase computer diagnostic check for possible faults.[1]one sourceE87
• Listen to a cold engine for metallic rattling or chain noise, and inspect the valve cover, oil-filter housing, turbo lines and sump gaskets for oil leaks.[2]one source
• For a diesel, establish its usage pattern and check the DPF and EGR, especially after predominantly short urban journeys.[2]one source

Verdict

Sources

1. [1]bmwpower-bg.net — Съвети при покупка на BMW първа серия (E87) 120d · forum
2. [2]zz.lv — Biežākās BMW problēmas Latvijā - kam jāpievērš uzmanība? · press
3. [3]tipcars.eu — BMW Serie 1 - latest discussion - TipCars · forum

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