125i M sport (F20): buy or stay away??

[//M_POWER_WP]

Hi Fanatics:

I'm looking to purchase a 2012 125i M-sport (F20) with the N20 engine...

Car has 107 000km on the clock, checked the history with BMW: no comments & just normal services & brakes have been done...
Only positive that I notice is that the Camshaft check was conducted (I see that this has caused failures on other cars).

I'm a bit two-minded as I've read some stories about the issues this N20 has (turbo, camshaft guides etc. which have lead to engine failure etc).
Car is out of plan so I will need to get an external warranty as well...mgwaiting:

Is it a safe buy or stay away??

 

[Dirtydeedsman]

Hi Fanatics:

I'm looking to purchase a 2012 125i M-sport (F20) with the N20 engine...

Car has 107 000km on the clock, checked the history with BMW: no comments & just normal services & brakes have been done...
Only positive that I notice is that the Camshaft check was conducted (I see that this has caused failures on other cars).

I'm a bit two-minded as I've read some stories about the issues this N20 has (turbo, camshaft guides etc. which have lead to engine failure etc).
Car is out of plan so I will need to get an external warranty as well...mgwaiting:

Is it a safe buy or stay away??

These things are luck of draw, if it pleases you and you can see there is nothing wrong with it then by all means take it.
Some will go 300 000 kms and not a days problems and others will spend more time in the shop than your garage.

I would get a after market warranty though for peace of mind.

 

[Mr.k]

thread bump....so basically want to buy the same car mentioned but read some horror stories.... any advice from the masses ? its almost identical to the one mentioned in this thread. n20 125i 2012 104 000km on the clock.

 

[dvst8]

I had a 2013 F20 125.

I had new and it was an awesome car for price and Performance.

I had the N20 in a few cars, 125, X1 2.8i and a 228 Convertible. Never had any issue with any.

:thumbs:

 

[LukeHawk]

The N20 is a pretty solid engine, in my opinion. Lots of tuning potential as well. The only thing I'm aware of that seems to be a fairly common-place issue on earlier model N20's (2013 and below, if I'm not mistaken) is the quality of the plastic BMW used for the timing chain guides.. They changed it to a different material in the later builds due to them wearing down fairly easily. Not always the case, but its a known issue. I myself am planning on getting my timing chain and guides replaced in the future to prevent any possible problems, and to keep a peace of mind.
If you are able to, check out the car properly, or take a knowledgeable friend along. Rev the car a couple of times and listen for any high-pitched whines. That's a sign that you'll need to replace the timing chain/guides/oil pump at some point. This effects a fairly small percentage of early N20's, but its always good to check. Can be a costly bill to sort out from BMW (50k+) should it fail. Thats a crazy BMW price though... I got a quote to get mine done for about 15k from a reputable german car specialist, should I feel the need.

Again, its in a very small percentage. If it sounds fine, it should be fine.

 

[Chavoos]

Had an engine failure replaced under warranty (aftermarket)
The plastic timing chain guides are the major weak spot on the motor.

There have been class action lawsuits in other countries e.g

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releas...ine-contains-dangerous-defects-653043233.html

 

[peanut125i]

I had oil pump fail at 50k. Engine was replaced under warranty. Personally I think the pre 2013 engines are rubbish. But if it's like the car I had that had the oil pump/guides or engine replaced you should be fine.

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk