Snow in the intro, can already tell this needed a lot of work 😂

These ”i brought a cheap” videos is like the signature of your channel now matt, keep em coming😅 quality content as per.

You have surrounded yourself with an amazing team, from mechanics, body shop, valet company and the rest. Hats of to them as well as yourself for rescuing this unloved BMW. Let's just hope those nasty phonecalls never come, once sold. Thanks for the video.

I think you summed it up nicely when you mentioned owners who would fit blue light bulbs but not service it.

As a thankfully former 1 series coupe owner as of today, I can fully appreciate his torment. I had a 120D coupe for 2 years and it was nothing but constant trips to the garage. I'm pretty sure that the car spent more time in a garage than on the driveway. I went for a newer Seat estate and I feel like an expensive weight has been lifted off my shoulders

My son has a 125d and I've taught him much better. Has serviced at independent specialist, good tyres and keeps on top of preventative maintenance 👍

My 2012 M135i is treated like a Queen, we aren't all the same us 1 series owners :P Nice to see this 118 saved... hopefully someone decent buys it.

I'll look forward to watching this. I know you're not a fan of the 1 series, but I've had a 116D Sport for 9 years and it's honestly the best car I've ever had. Well built, actually cheap to run and has never let me down with 115k on the clock. It's cost me nothing but servicing and consumables.

those wind deflectors are actually really good, they might look a little bit tacky but theyre great if youre a person that lives somewhere humid or is always warm, even in winter, cause you can crack the window without letting rain/snow in. bought my second car a few years ago and it came with them and ive had them on every car since :p

Skipton is local to me and I have a few friends who live there, I wonder if I can find out who the previous owner was and see how correct you were about them. You couldn't hit the nail on the head any more, the 118d is perfect for that second car where they can't afford the insurance on a 320d and they want something RWD so they can try drift it in Asda car park with their questionably aged "girlfriend".

I honestly don't know how some people can have their car in such a disgusting condition and then you dread to think what the inside of their house looks like.🤢

I'm a young BMW 1 series owner, but I always keep my car in peak condition. My car is a 67 plate F20 and it's only done 43k miles, and I've replaced all brake discs and pads and I serviced my gearbox and glow plugs as well as the usual basic service requirements. I think I have the most well looked after BMW 1 series in the UK lol...

I ran one of these from 72k to 114k miles, and it never once left me stranded. Had an issue with reluctor rings, however that’s common, and disabling Traction enables you to drive normally anyway. Great little cars

I completely agree with you not bothering to refurbish the wheels. Anybody who is buying this car is buying it for the badge and nothing more

I brought one of these almost same spec but in black about 10 years ago in my early 20s. My first “nice” car. Will remember it forever! Great memories 💭

i've thought this many times before but never actually said it. until now. you seem to have really good contacts. the work your valeter does. the mechanics you use. bodywork. and, not forgetting the upholsterer. they do a great job. obviously can't see the work your mechanic does, but looking at the other 3 jobs on this particular vehicle, what a difference. 👏probably one of the biggest and most surprising transformations i've seen on your channel. honestly didn't expect you to carry on with this one. thought you'd just pass it on. think most people would have.

Never been a 1 series fan but at least it looks tidy now. So the power folding mirrors won't work on these when you go over 21mph - full of useful knowledge !

I bought one of these new in 2011 and did around 70,000 miles in in 3 years. It was one of the most enjoyable and reliable daily drivers I’ve ever had, great rear wheel drive handling, gravel roads and traction control on its 50% setting could be hilarious fun…..it was really comfortable, not a single problem, or even a squeak or rattle in the time I owned it. The only negative is that the ride was a bit firm with the run flat tyres. However these days you do see a lot of very rough examples around…..

I bought a 2007 116i a week ago, flawless condition I'm the 3rd owner, FSH 87k miles the only small bit of damage is cracking paint on the rear bumper, its SO nice to drive

You're a wealth of knowledge and when I come to buy my next car, I'll be paying particular attention to your reviews etc. I know you get advertising for your business doing this, but thank you for giving up your time to do it; you are a star

I've owned two 1 series, 123d twin turbo diesel which wasn't the best, felt heavy but was quick enough and then the 130i which was a beast, creamy smooth 6cyl. Absolutely beautiful car. ❤

Would it be interesting to review the cars you have restored over this past year - whether they sold and were they any warranty issues etc.

I bought a cheap 120d. I won't buy a cheap 120d again.

That ding at 23:00... As a former BMW owner and proud conoisseur of the Christmas tree light dashboard, that ding filled me with just a little dread, ha.

because of your videos, i’m (18 yrs) going to buy and sell a few small cars out of my savings to hopefully help me get an a class in the next few years ❤️

my dad's friend has one of these. exactly the same as the one you bought but my dad's friend loves it and he takes care of it. it's a 2006 he bought it new but he's never skipped a service and that Beemer still runs beautifully

Come for the car reviews stay for the social commentary 🎉

The 2012 118D sport auto was my second car I owned and honestly it was the best car I owned. Driving it felt like driving on clouds

Wind deflectors are essential for dog owners, you can leave a window open for the puppers and not let the rain in.

This intro was filmed a long time ago, means it’s likely been away for a while. Let’s see! Ok, I stand corrected!

Is it just me or does anyone else enjoy watching Matt buy complete & utter lemons blind, then turning up to view and rip them apart! Hahaha!! Keep up the good work fella!

Wind deflectors: I’m asthmatic so I can’t stand A/C coupled with the fact that I do long distance drives a lot I appreciate wind deflectors coz that means I don’t have to roll the window down so much to get fresh air in the car which reduces the wind noise coming into the cabin. I appreciate those things. They are a very good idea for people like me

You've turned a scroat's car into a thing of beauty. At least now it's unlikely to be bought by another scroat. Hopefully.

I do like my BMWs so this gets a thumbs up, compare this to Mercs first attempt at a normal hatchback (the first and second gen A class) and I say BMW did a much better job with the 1 series at its first smaller hatchback. Looks good today and nice to drive too since it’s RWD. An M sport version is the one to get, updates it nicely. Great video.

I had an E87 120d. Was a great car, nice spec, drove like a go Kart and no major issues apart from a new turbo nearing the end of the ownership

We’ve had a 120d sport for 7 yrs been and still is a fantastic. Car. No. Major issues whatsoever. Would definitely buy another 1.

I firmly believe that cleanliness and niceness of a car should be part of the MOT

Love these videos!! I thought that the snow was a bit of a clue that things would take time and money!!

It's shocking how many youngsters are wasting on a plastic badge, instead of getting on the property ladder. Not teaching finances in school results in financial mistakes.

My cousins husband has one of these. But he used to work for the BMW prepping shop so got it as a company car. No flaws in his bodywork.

"Look after your things like my parents tough me" continues to drive into fence 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

I do love the 1 series. I had one as my first ever real car. Drove it for 3 years, servicing it as per the BMW schedule with the dealer. Never let me down, but I agree that the used market people want something thats branded but cannot be bothered to look after it properly!

I got a red 118D. It's 2008 and it's on 148k . Original turbo and timing chain . And it's my daily. Regular oil changes and it's been absolutely brilliant for the 9 years I've owned it

Our eldest daughter has an auto 120d se. First owner (daughter is the second) was a GP, he had it from new for his wife, every panel has a scratch or little dint, but the paper work for ot history is like war and peace He took it to bmw for wiper blades and they also stored and fitted his winter tyres.

Fenomenal car and I don't care what people say. Had it as my second car and loved every second in it.

I had an identical car to this, part ex'ed it for 3k, for a newer car... wish I'd just kept it as a back up car, workhorse or something... absolutely loved it. Yeah it always cost a fair bit when something went wrong (BMW used car tax) but it drove brilliantly.

feral scrotes on scrambler bikes 😂 Seems to be a common issue all over the country sadly!

"Think that an MOT includes a service".... such a good line and so often (sadly) true! Amount of times I've viewed "full service history" which is just a stack of MOT's 🤦‍♂️

It says a lot about the quality of Matt’s videos that I managed to sit through an entire episode on a shonky 1 series diesel. Had to draw the line at the Nissan Juke though 😉

I like the way you show the pitfalls of buying cheaper motors buy for 2k spend 2k on repairs end up with a loss we all been there !!

I currently drive a 2010 118d 1 series. I’m a travelling therapies nurse traversing the east of England and it’s not missed a beat and very economical. I think I’d struggle to find a more economical mile muncher.

Great video as always Matt, you and your team have done an amazing job on turning the car from a wreck to a nice motor. 👏

i actually got my 118d for £1250 in march last year, with only 101k miles, now its on 116k and thankfully ive had no issues apart from a small oil leak and the usual service items. A great first car if im being honest, although that timing chain with the n47 is definitely a scary prospect when buying one second hand, that along with insurance being super high for newer drivers.

Damn, I was just looking today about this model, if you’ve made videos about it and couldn’t find any, but here we are😁

I have owned a BMW 120d M-sport and it was great. But you are right, it had so many missing stamps in the service book. To be honest the place where I bought it was a genuine Mitsubishu dealer and they stamped it as serviced just before I bought it. Took it to my mechanic three months later and yep, it was just a stamp, no service done at Mitsu. They said that the oil filter was so old it had rusted, the air filter was entirely black, not white. But it worked great and did use any fuel at all.

Due an upgrade on my car soon and even though I live in Northern Ireland I feel like trading mine in with Matt just to watch the predictions and critique! Always on the nose.😂

My mom had a 2008 BMW 118D for a few years. Awesome car, kinda fast, frugal, reliable. To bad we had to sell it because the road tax for diesels has become insane in the Netherlands. I believe it was €130 per month.

those “wind deflector things” are very usefull if you are a smoker (you can ash your cigarette without worrying about ash going in the backseat), thats why people install them, I think

I bought myself a 120d Msport 2010 as a daily for work and I'm in my early 40s - 1 series owners are not all the same. I do a full oil change every 8k on mine. Air filter every 16k, full service annually and I valet the car myself. Mine also runs on michelin pilot sport 4s all around. Has full OE new brakes. I love my 1er, gets 48mpg, pulls like a shire horse, has a sub 7sec 0-60 and is economical as hell. bought it with 48k on the clock and now at 76k, wouldn't change it. gonna run it until it implodes!

The interior quality and plastics is pretty grim, but I like these especially the convertible and coupe, feels like a modern E30 especially with the bigger engines.

You need to start taking surgical gloves to these cars, the interiors give me chills

Not long ago bought and sold a 120d coupe. Not a bad car and made a profit on it I wouldn’t own one myself but the new owner is happy.

This video has made me realise how lucky I am! Ive got an 11 reg 118d sport on 140,000 and it drives like a dream. Never had any maintenance/repair issues, the car has full BMW service history, only 2 previous owners and has never failed an MOT. Only set me back £2700!

118D M Sport. 🤔 140i would be a better match for that M Sport badge. (I know, it’s merely some body kit).

I have a BMW 118d M Sport Auto in Black it’s great 👍

Hi matt, the said owners of such cars want the bragging rights of the badge but, don't want to pay BMW parts costs and labour to fix them. Great vid again, especially reversing into the fence 😂😂

I have a 14 plate M135. Definitely gets all the service and maintenance love it requires 🥰

I feel personally attacked 😂 I have wind deflectors on my Passat and I like them and find them useful. They do look a bit chav though to be fair 😅

Chav mum school car😂

I do like old BMW’s, I got an E90 touring with nearly 200k miles and it still performs like a dream and it’s sound as a pound!

I had a 1 Series 2006 E87 120D and it was brilliant, reliable, fun, fast, comfortable and 40mpg average. The only problem was back seat room. So as family grew up I got a later 2012 F20 1 series 116i that had more room. That was fun and economical. But it was also plastic, unreliable, and stupendously badly made. The engine management light flashed more than the Eddystone Lighthouse. Add to that the BMW dealers wanting to denude your bank account at every opportunity. So I do not touch BMWs after 2010 now, as none are well made. Before 2010 and they tend to be rock solid.

Every prick I knew from school had one of these at 20 21 years of age and would drive round thinking they a boss but you knew they only ever had 15 quids worth of fuel in it at one time

I bought one of these back in I think 2008 that looked identical, but was a 120d, however everyone in the office ripped me for it so badly I got the deposit back the following day and got a 330d instead! Turned out to be the right move, but I still quite like the series 1 one series!…

Look on the bright side Matt, you will have saved another car which was sinking fast, hopefully you will have made a bit of profit, and you have kept all of us entertained-win win really.

These old diesel BMW 4 cylinders in the 1 Series are famous for going bang. Calling it before I've watched the video.

Next owner should book this in for a new timing chain 😅

Whoever conned you into two and a half grand needs a slap 😮 I'd hVe walked A soon S I opened the door I bet oil is on the darker side of black im waiting eagerly 😅

with mates like that Matt, you don't need enemies!

Impressed, you do the right thing at the end of the day, I've had 2 or 3 of those 1 series I like them

Just a general comment, why doesn't he look and drive the cars before he buys them?

I can't agree that people buy these to impress. First, they are the cheap end of the BMW tree. Second, they look like Postman Pat's van.

Love the subtle jabs at the previous owners. I only hope they see your videos and feel the cutting remarks of "run on a shoestring" or "spared no expense". I'm here for it.

Door visors are great in light rain. You can have the window cracked and not get water in. When you stop to pay for tolls etc the rain does not drip into the inside. I have them.

Hideous cars.

I bought a pre-facelift 2006 118d back in 2007. I bought it with 6,000 miles on the clock. It was fine; the problem was that when I bought it, I didn't pay attention to the spec. One fatal thing it lacked was cruise control. At the time I was spending a lot of time traveling around England visiting clients, and I really did feel the lack of cruise control. I also hated the lack of power windows in the rear. But I did get over 50mpg from it. I traded it in 2009 at 35,000 miles for a 2009 123d; this was an ex-BMW staff car with just under 2,000 miles. This was post-facelift, which brought a noticeable jump in quality, particularly in the interior. And the 123d went like stink - OMG, it was so much fun to drive. I loved that car. I kept it until 2013 when a proper grown up F31 320d estate beckoned. That's just been traded for an i4.

👏👏👏 Alan Partridge reference. We had one of the original 120d bought second hand. From a main dealer. Spent a lot of time in the garage. Including it going for a service and coming back with destroyed suspension all round (the garage denied anything, suspect the test drive had taken it over a large jump/kerb - that’s main dealers for you). When it was going ok it was nice and was a lovely spec. Bit small though. And utterly hopeless in the snow.

It amused me somewhat to hear that BMW bong, which Instantly fills you with dred, until your relief to see its low screen wash, or temperature is below 3 degrees. it was your pause of dred, then the don’t panic relief comment 😂

Spray wd40 on the parking sensors it's a common problem they get water in them works for mine

This video reminds me of wheeler dealers Matt,loads of work for very little profit ,but at least you have saved another one.

I owned an E87 118d LCI for roughly 8 years. It was my first car, in Mineral Grey, I absolutely loved it. If it wasn't for some prat pulling out of a junction when he shouldn't have whilst I was doing 50mph, I would still own the car today. Only things I had to do on the car were a rear wiper fix (common on this generation of 1 series), the DPF needed replaced (my fault - I moved to a big city and hadn't any opportunities to take it for a big run) and like this car, my window seals were going so during motorway journeys the sides of the car sounded like a harmonica. What I would say about these is get a 5 door, and if you're above 6 foot like me, the passenger behind you better not have any legs or they won't fit. There can be a slight blindspot from the B pillar if you have your seat as far back as I did. The interior feels very much like a mix of the E46/E90 3 Series and shares a lot of the switch gear, that's either a plus or negative for you. My car didn't have iDrive, same as this, and I think that was a good thing as those screens now look grim when you're used to using an up to date smartphone. A phone mount for your dash vents and Waze/Google maps is good enough to combat the lack of iDrive in my opinion. These do feel slightly underpowered at motorway speeds, especially when overtaking, so I'd opt for a 120d if you do long journeys more often than not. It's most comfortable up to 50 mph, above that and they start showing their lack of power. I did over 180,000 miles in my car and as I said before, I loved it. I miss that car dearly whenever I see another E87 on the road.

For anyone wanting to buy a bimmer with an N47 or N57, look for cars made after 1.3.2011 (dd/mm/yy) and that had an oil change every 10 000km. You should be fine.

The one series is for people who can’t afford to be posh with a three series. Driven by someone named Candace Chardonnay. She’s had four kids by her boyfriend builder, Wayne Hudson. They have chopped this one in for a Vauxhall Mokka at £199 a month because Wayne’s mate and fellow Chelsea supporter Tupper Tyson said the rear transaxle had more play in it than the Arsenal back four.

Ex BMW UK car, if my memory serves me correct, it has comfort pack, folding door mirrors and 18” wheels as options, would’ve been a lovely car back in 2011.

This video is a great watch, as always... What I will say is that car traders over get 'beaten up' (Figure of speech) over supposed profits. Sometimes it is for good reason... I can think of one dealer in St. Albans (UK) with great reviews, but they did a snide move on the mileage of a car they bought from me recently... (If you happen to be reading this then shame on you)! With that said, we appreciate you Matt for being honest and frank about the costs involved in your car purchases and sales. Great channel.

You may find that it may have been a BMW head office car when it was new, alot of BMW cars, especially ones with spec were originally head office cars of some kind.

Not a massive BMW fan but I cannot stand the 1series. Having been a passenger in a few my opinion hasn't changed either. Another good video though.

We have the same problem here in the USA with scrambler bikes/ATV's that people drive on the street illegally. It's like a circus watching them do wheelies and they go straight through red lights. If they get in an accident with someone, they just do a runner, because they don't have insurance. Anyway, just letting off some steam. Great video brother.

been looking forward to a 1 series video were you slate it 😂, i love mine! good video.

Totally agree with you about looking after your kit, I keep my car clean and have it serviced as/when needed and when I'm coming to sell it's always the best it's ever been. BUT who is the mug? Take your well looked after, serviced & cared for car for trade in and you get "Ah, your car's worth £2,500 (for instance sir". Mr Scrote turns up with same car model, age, mileage and gets bid the same or thereabouts, perhaps traders need to start looking more closely at the cars they're buying and pay accordingly?

The 1 series has the same styling as the e60. It just grows on u with age. Not many cars age well but I think these 2 have so much in common. A week ago my non car wife looked out of the window saying ' oh look the neighbours got the same car as we have ' Drumroll please, we have a 2020 a5 sportback. The neighbours got a 2008 530i .....😂😂😂😂😂😂 that just shows how well they age 😅