[rosso]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a used F20 towards the end of March.

I currently have an E39 523i which has 168 bhp and 245NM of torque (maybe should read had when new because it certainly doesn't now!)

Anyway, i cover roughly 7000 miles a year. 5 days a week i commute 7 miles twice a day to/from work so I'm firmly in the petrol engine group.

I get at best 30mpg from my E39, that's sitting on the motorway bang on 70mph. On my commute I'm lucky to see 22mpg.

With the F20 good mpg is a priority, but at the same time i would like decent power.

So it seems the 118i is my best option ? It has nearly the same power levels and is nearly 100kg lighter so should be nippy enough.

Any thoughts or input from similar stories ?

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by rosso

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a used F20 towards the end of March.

I currently have an E39 523i which has 168 bhp and 245NM of torque (maybe should read had when new because it certainly doesn't now!)

Anyway, i cover roughly 7000 miles a year. 5 days a week i commute 7 miles twice a day to/from work so I'm firmly in the petrol engine group.

I get at best 30mpg from my E39, that's sitting on the motorway bang on 70mph. On my commute I'm lucky to see 22mpg.

With the F20 good mpg is a priority, but at the same time i would like decent power.

So it seems the 118i is my best option ? It has nearly the same power levels and is nearly 100kg lighter so should be nippy enough.

Any thoughts or input from similar stories ?

I had the same engine in my previous car, an E36 323ti. The current 116i has very boring engine characteristics, slow response and dull sound compared to the six cylinder naturally aspirated engine in the E36. It is however less thirsty, and can do similar laptimes on track days. In a drag race, I think it would stick with the 323ti up to 150 km/h or so. The 116i feels a little underpowered at high speed at the Autobahn. I tops out at 209 km/h, while the E36 could do 230. It is basically down to slightly less top end power and lousy aerodynamics (larger frontal area).

Cruising around in traffic at 1500 RPM, the 116i feels equally strong as the 323ti.

If your 523i is down on power, it probably needs a new camshaft sensor.

[Bob UK]

Listen to Ovekam, he knows his onions.

I would have suggested you test drive a 116i, then if you don't think it has enough for you, try a 118i.

A 6 mile commute isn't much so even though you won't have any DPF risk as in a Diesel (Saying that I do 2000 to 4000 miles a year yet still own one and have no DPF issues). The car will still benefit from at least a decent run on a monthly basis so it can have a bit of a blowout.

[rosso]

Hi,

Some interesting points.

I'm actually a mechanic and have spent a significant amount of time fixing my E39. No obvious fault with the cam sensor. I think it's just the fact it's 15 years old and has done 150,000 miles that it's down on power. The clutch judders and the gearbox syncro is failing

I do only cover 7 miles each way on the commute, so on that basis i would go petrol only. I do however drive through to my partners each weekend which is 40 miles each way on the motorway.

I had thought about a diesel, a 116d remapped or a 120d but im not sure. Being a mechanic if i did run into issue's with the DPF or EGR etc i could sort it myself but it's still a risk.

Trying a 116 first might be a good idea. Hardly any 118 m sports going about at the dealers.

[Kerosene]

I was able to test 116i and 118i before purchasing and the difference was really small for me. Too small to justify the price difference, so I chose 116i with more add-ons and I'm really happy with the choice. If possible, test drive is the key.

[papertiger]

Here are my current thoughts out loud:

I'm really happy with our 116i M sport. For daily driving it's perfect - quick enough in low speeds (up to 120-130 km/h) and enough torque in low revs. I test drove both the 116i and the 116d before we ended up with the first one, and it's a huge difference when it comes to flexibility. If I remember correctly, the 116d was all about the power from 2000 to 3000rpm, but the 116i starts working on around 1400-1500 (actually full torque from around 1300rpm) to around 4000rpm. Yes, I admit being a petrol engine it should have been more fun to rev over 4k rpm as well, but for daily driving I can't say I miss it that much. It's much more practical to have the torque down low in the register - I end up driving it almost like a diesel. 100km/h in 6th gear (M/T) equals around 2000 rpm.

Try it, and I don't think you'll be dissapointed! It's a quick, easy-to-drive car! Just remember to get the M sport package - it gives it the little extra.
PS - listen to what Ovekvam has to say - he's got some nice experience with the 116i, both on the road and on the track.

[rosso]

I will have to test drive them.

My gut tells me the 116i won't have enough power, it's only got 134bhp or something vs the 170 in the 118. Driving cars all day everyday i would probably notice it.

Definitely going with an M sport though. Same xenon's cost so much extra though as an option.

I only found 1 118i m sport for sale in Scotland.

[Bob UK]

118i's are very thin on the ground, probably because most go with the 116i plus options or a 120d.

[AAddict]

116i remapped be a better bet than a 118i? They're pretty much the same engine anyway aren't they?

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by AAddict

116i remapped be a better bet than a 118i? They're pretty much the same engine anyway aren't they?

There is a difference in the exhaust system that should give the 118i engine a power advantage. The 116i also has slightly smaller brakes unless you go for the M-Sport brakes.

[rosso]

I dont think i'd get a 116 mapped. Not really worth it.

Beside the 116 isn't massively cheaper to warrant getting it plus extras. The only extra id really like is xenon's but the 116 price difference doesn't cover the cost.

[rosso]

Just to follow up i test drove a few F20's and have settled on a 120d m sport.

Now just need to find one for sale at this end of the country.

[Bob UK]

Originally Posted by rosso

Just to follow up i test drove a few F20's and have settled on a 120d m sport.

Now just need to find one for sale at this end of the country.

Very good drive even in comfort which you will find more than enough for day in day out motoring.

Did you try sport mode? I bet you grinned.

I live in comfort mode so when I do it, I still chuckle.

[rosso]

Yeah i tried all the modes when out on the test drive Sport + and really giving it the beans was very good