We're about to start a new business venture that I'll reveal in due course...

We will need a company vehicle and - after a considerable amount of debate and consideration - we have decided on a 1-series Bimmer.

It's not going to be a new car. On our budget (up to £3k), it's barely even going to be younger than a decade and will have moonshot mileage, but we think it will give us something that looks reasonably prestigious, yet not too boy-racer. One of the reasons for this is that the 1-series (in hatch guise) hasn't changed too much since it first came out.

Given that the main driver is going to be my 19-year-old stepson (hey, with 2 years' of his own no claims!), we won't be getting a 130i or any such beast, so what should we go for?

Ideally, we'd like a dark grey 120d, with lots of extras (leather, etc.).

If you were seeking such a thing, where would you look? And if we're wrong to consider the BMW, what should we target?

Without giving too much away at this stage, our market will include yoof with sick whips and middle aged family men with X5s, so that's the tightrope we want to tread...

Where would I look? Everywhere, I think. Autotrader, eBay, Gumtree, etc. There are probably loads of 120d about. I remember a car dealer telling me his heart sank every time someone wanted to trade one in because they were so common that they were never worth what people were expecting. The trick is going to be finding the one you want - like me with my E Class.

As I’d never consider an X5 and my yoof was in the 80’s, I can’t imagine what your business proposal is so can’t suggest another car.

I know the mk1 has crap rear leg room. We test drove a 120D and I was fairly unimpressed, though I'm sure they are "good." Personally there are probably more exciting choices but not sure what your brief is.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be obtuse - the business is window tinting. I had no idea it was still in demand, but apparently any decent tinter is swamped and it dovetails neatly with what we do/where we work.

The diverse market mentioned above means that we want a car that young customers won't think is too square and yet older, "sensible" people won't dismiss as boy-racer.

We did consider a Mini and a Seat Léon and various VW products, but all were either too pricey or had the wrong image from one perspective or another.

The 1-series probably fits the bill.

Have you thought about protective films too?

Protective films for glass or bodywork? We're looking at wraps too (especially liquid wrapping), but that's a substantial investment.

Bodywork, I was thinking of. I’ve been looking at film for WL because the circuits inevitably get gravel on them which makes a mess of the valance and sills.

MRS, you want helicopter tape.

JC, make sure you get plenty of tuition and practice. I've a fair bit of experience with the wraps and tints. And I'm still rubbish at it. The guy I know, who is a pro, makes it look very easy. It's all about knowing where to cut and when to heat. Meticulous prep goes without saying.

If you get it wrong durability suffers massively, which isn't great as most of the films carry decent guarantees, which a customer would expect.

All the best. If I had the skill it's something I'd like to do full time.

Edit: I'd personally buy the 116 petrol. It's not particularly sought after, but with some wheels, bumpers, tints, and wrap it'll look like a top spec car. Which is the reason most people get wraps and tints imo

Very sound advice on all fronts, szkom. Having spent many months learning to spray (and still feeling like a novice), we know it'll be a long learning process.
Prep, products and process...
Will look into the 116.

Thanks. How does it differ from regular stone chip film? Looking at it, it seems to be matte or satin - but, beyond that, I’m not sure of the difference. How well does it manage convex surfaces?

I think it depends on what you buy. I can well imagine that some stone chip films will be very similar to the tape. I believe the tape will generally be thicker than most of the films. Other than that it handles like a vinyl. You'll need a little heat and to feel your way around any compound curves you have.

The 116 is a great suggestion and should be cheaper to pick up a newer model vs 120d

De badge it and you’ve got a winner.

Something like this.

Jim,

I'd stay as far away as is possible from the 118d/120d with the notorious N47 chain driven engine. These were picked up and covered on Watchdog for premature chain wear. This is mainly 07-10 plate models.

116 petrol is a better choice!!

Thanks for the tip, Dan!

I’ve got a 120d coupe 57 plate............2007-2009 there was a recall on the timing chain. Check it’s been done.
It’s easy to listen out for the chain, plenty of info about it.
Oil changes should about every 8k and avoid using the start/stop to prolong the life of the chain.

Thankfully mine had been done at bmw less than a year before I bought it.
I’d probably advise going for the 118d, no swirl flaps to worry about and £30 road tax.

DIY oil changes are too easy, oil filter located on the top of the engine.
Use an oil extractor......no need to hack up the car.
ABS sensors are common failure on BMW but dead easy to fix £35 a pair.

Hand held scanner does come in useful.
Take a look at BabyBMW as plenty of info
4 pot petrols aren’t great, BMW 6 cylinder petrol is far far better.

More good - if conflicting! -advice... Thanks Richard. I'd love a 6, but I have to insure it for my stepson!

Yes the 6 pot would be a bit steep for a ‘youth’ to insure........great drive though.
May be saying the 4 pot petrol isn’t great is a little unfair just the diesel 4 pot is a better drive imho

If the timing chain is a worry maybe look at the pre 2007’s with the M47 engines.
But even then there other issues to look out for as with all diesels.

Good indies can do the chain replacement circa £1k if it’s getting noisy.
I wouldn’t be put off by a n47 that’s had the ‘quality enchantment’ recall........chains have snapped but there’s loads of the n47 units on original chain going strong.
It’s a bit like Porsche IMS/RMS and coops with snapped cam belts..........it’s does happen but it’s a small percentage.