WATCH THIS BEFORE BUYING A BMW 1 SERIES E87
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Description
Common problems, reliability, running costs & more. I speak you through ownership of my BMW 120d and what to expect. More BMW mods to come make sure you have subscribed!
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This video serves as a practical, experience-based buyers guide for the BMW 1 Series E87, focused on the common pitfalls, maintenance costs, and ownership realities of a diesel 120d example. The creator opens with a quick setup and explains that the car is being used as an everyday driver, highlighting its reliability and good fuel economy while candidly outlining issues to watch for before purchasing. A central theme is the N47 engine's cam chain risk, with the host detailing how a loose cam chain can lead to serious engine damage and describing the audible symptoms to listen for during cold starts. He also covers the DPF behavior, noting that short trips and urban driving can lead to clogging, and recounts a DPF delete and a plan to tune the car for better efficiency and response, all while stressing that the engine and drivetrain require attention and maintenance. The video proceeds with a tour of in-cabin and exterior quirks that buyers should anticipate, including intermittent head unit display failures, a noisy idle related to the cold start, a rev-happy cold start behavior, and specific interior conveniences such as floor mats that don’t fit the car perfectly and an upcoming plan to replace the aerial with a sportier fin style. He also flags practical ownership issues like cruise control indicators not lighting up, residual engine light behavior, and the need to consider remapping for more torque in lower gears. Throughout, the host ties these points back to real-world ownership costs and the importance of warming up the engine before driving aggressively to minimize risk. The closing sections invite viewer interaction for additional tips, emphasize ongoing content on BMW 1-series upgrades, and encourage subscribing for follow-up interior and performance mods. Overall, the video balances genuine enthusiasm for the car with a clear, no-nonsense account of potential maintenance hurdles. It blends technical observations with personal experience to help prospective buyers decide if a used BMW 1 Series E87 fits their needs and budget, while also teasing further modification and maintenance videos to come. Viewers are encouraged to contribute their own experiences in the comments, creating a community around practical 1-series ownership knowledge and ongoing upgrade ideas.
Topics · cars · reliability · used-car-guide · diesel-engines · car-maintenance
Questions answered
- What is the main engine concern discussed for the BMW 120d in the E87?
- The main engine concern is the cam chain in the N47 engine, which can become loose and cause significant engine wear or failure if not addressed.
- Why might the DPF be problematic on this model, and what modification is mentioned?
- Short trips and city driving can cause DPF clogging; the video mentions a DPF delete with mapping to bypass the DPF, plus plans for a stage one tune.
- What are some interior and driving quirks highlighted that buyers should check?
- Issues include a faulty head unit display that disappears when warm, a noisy cold start idle, a slightly high rev count in low gears, and ill-fitting floor mats that catch the clutch.