WTB: 128i 6sp coupe

[Geran]

Hello,

I am in the market for a 128i 6MT coupe. The closer to the Mid-Atlantic area the better, but willing to ship the vehicle if it is in good condition. Mileage isn't an issue either.

[JacobFatz]

Hey, I will be listing my 6MT sport package 128i on here shortly.

Cliff notes are:

2008 128i
N52
Sport package
Clean title (in hand)
0 accidents
6MT
154k miles
iDrive w/ Andoid 10.5” piggyback system
Active steering
Comfort access
Sunroof
Alpine White/black sport interior
135i bumpers front and rear
M3 control arms
Enkei Raijin wheels with customer powdercoat color
CSF radiator

Recent maintenance:
Oil pan gasket
Oil filter housing gasket
Belt
Valve cover
All coolant hoses
Mickey Mouse flange
Water pump
Thermostat
Diff cover seal
Kick plates, air vents, various interior trim replaced with new OEM

Looking for $16k.

This car presents as well as a 80k-Mile example with all of the OEM+ modifications you’d want. This is all just off the top of my head and doesn’t cover everything but let me know if you’re interested and I’ll gladly send over all info or the ad if it’s posted by then. I also have a probably 75 page binder full of receipts and service records… and every fuel fill up logged.

I’m in Fort Mill, SC on the border of NC. Closest major city is Charlotte (around 20 min to uptown). I’ve shipped cars before across the country so we can definitely work that out as well.

[NorthernDancer]

We don't need comments like that here

[335xiE90]

Yes I've been following the market closely. $16k will get you a loaded 135i.

[Almuliman]

Even account for possible BaT inflation, this is pretty strong evidence the 128 is holding its own and that the OP isn't wrong. NA straight 6, simpler, lighter, and more balanced than the 135. To each their own, but those are all the reasons I chose the 128 over the 135.

75K mile 2011 sold on 10/31: $19,750
80K mile 2010 sold on 11/15: $17,000
75K mile 2011 sold on 12/14: $20,000 (!)

[JacobFatz]

Thanks for the replies about value. While I understand the mileage is higher on my car, I can all but guarantee it’s one of the nicest 128is you’ll find for sale right now. It won’t be for everybody and that’s perfectly okay.

By the way, I forgot to mention another important modification… 335i front calipers and z4 3.5is rotors (they’re the OEM two piece aluminum hat rotors) and 328i rear calipers. 135i master cylinder and the car is coded for “performance braking system.” Ferodo DS2500 pads all around and new rear e brake shoes/hardware as well as rear rotors and Motul brake fluid. The whole setup is basically brand new.

Also has the OEM Blackline LCI tail lights.

These two alone would cost you around $2000 in just parts to replicate.

It’s been raining here so I haven’t gotten a chance to grab decent photos but I’ll be doing that soon. Again, please feel free to message me privately if you’re interested. I’m an open book and am happy to chat.

[kashikoi]

I think 6spd 128i prices will shock people in the coming years and may out price comparable 135i models. I know BaT is just a bunch bat shit lol, but just looking at the last 2 closed prices as of 12-17-2023, I see a 128i 6spd with 75k miles sold for $20k, and 135i 6spd with 67k miles sold for ~$17k. Both sport models from CA and clean.

I've done a lot of 128i 6spd searches this past year and I would have to guess that out of every ~32 128i models, there is only 1 6spd coupe. Given that there are probably a good handful of clean, low mileage, 128i autos (with a decent number of sport and m packages), I wouldn't be surprised if there will be some business potential to create a manual conversion package (I think it's still pricey now, $4-6K not including a junker 328i MT you can find at a junkyard?).

Anyway don't underestimate the lowly secretary's e82

[BMWCCA1]

Originally Posted by Almuliman

Even account for possible BaT inflation, this is pretty strong evidence the 128 is holding its own and that the OP isn't wrong. NA straight 6, simpler, lighter, and more balanced than the 135. To each their own, but those are all the reasons I chose the 128 over the 135.

75K mile 2011 sold on 10/31: $19,750
80K mile 2010 sold on 11/15: $17,000
75K mile 2011 sold on 12/14: $20,000 (!)

I believe the first and last ones were the same car. The buyer did not complete the purchase on the first auction and BaT ran it again. That really wasn't even that nice of a car to bring that much money . . . twice!

When I was looking for my 128i M-sport MT (which I bought here), I had no interest in a 135i and wouldn't have paid a dime more for a 135i than a 128i if I was. I've owned BMWs for over 50-years and this has been my favorite to drive. I hope it lasts me forever!

[Almuliman]

Methinks you are correct. I remember the listings now; just looked at prices earlier.

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by 335xiE90

Yes I've been following the market closely. $16k will get you a loaded 135i.

A person looking for a 128i 6mt sport or msport couldn't give a rats ass about a 135i

That is a great price for the work done.

Come back in 2033....here is my prognostication. 135i will be half the price of 128i sports or msports. and an e90 335ix? Dog shit....

see you in 10 years. I'll still be driving my 128i.

[JacobFatz]

Sorry for the back and forth on details. Here’s the full list of modifications to my 128i and some photos:

Exterior

135i front bumper
Gloss black kidney grilles
135i rear bumper
Blackline LCI tail lights
Ppf headlights
Rolled front fenders
15% tint all but windshield
70% tint on windshield
Light paint correction

Interior

DroidUK iDrive replacement (wireless CarPlay, backup camera)
Induktiv wireless charger in OEM oddments tray
Wrapped steering wheel and center console in 3M satin black
Cocomat floor mats
New OEM air vents
Oem x1 euro spectacles tray
New OEM kick plates
Gut and detail
New driver side window regulator

Suspension

Bilstein replacement M Sport dampers
Eibach Pro Kit lowering springs
OEM mounts/bushings
OEM top hats and gaskets
Dinan camber plates
OEM M3 front control arms
New front sway bar end links

Brake

Z4 3.5is front rotors
E9x 335i front calipers
Ferodo ds2500 pads all around
E9x 328i rear calipers
New 128i rear rotors and e brake
RBF 600 fluid
Paint all calipers bright silver

Engine

New OEM valve cover
New OEM water pump
New OEM thermostat
CSF radiator
Charcoal filter removed from airbox
New air filter
New cabin filter
Liquimoly oil and OEM filter
Liquimoly power steering fluid
Oem coolant
135i exhaust rear section
New fuel pressure regulator/fuel filter/both hanger seals

Transmission

OE Bmw performance short shifter

Wheels

Enkei Raijin 18x8 +42
Powdercoat wheels alien silver prismatic colors
Goodyear eagle sport all season 225/40/18

I’ll stop thread-jacking now haha. The Hotchkiss sway bars and Ground Control adjustable arms can also go with the car if interested.

[Blau]

Originally Posted by kashikoi

I think 6spd 128i prices will shock people in the coming years and may out price comparable 135i models. I know BaT is just a bunch bat shit lol, but just looking at the last 2 closed prices as of 12-17-2023, I see a 128i 6spd with 75k miles sold for $20k, and 135i 6spd with 67k miles sold for ~$17k. Both sport models from CA and clean.

I've done a lot of 128i 6spd searches this past year and I would have to guess that out of every ~32 128i models, there is only 1 6spd coupe. Given that there are probably a good handful of clean, low mileage, 128i autos (with a decent number of sport and m packages), I wouldn't be surprised if there will be some business potential to create a manual conversion package (I think it's still pricey now, $4-6K not including a junker 328i MT you can find at a junkyard?).

Anyway don't underestimate the lowly secretary's e82

I'm manual swapping my auto. I'm $1700 in with maybe another $600 to go, maybe less. Def less than the cost of selling my AT and buying MT. Manual prices are climbing and ppl are starting to see the appeal of the NA i6. It's a better e36, and look at that market...

[NorthernDancer]

Originally Posted by JacobFatz

Sorry for the back and forth on details. Here’s the full list of modifications to my 128i and some photos:

Exterior

135i front bumper
Gloss black kidney grilles
135i rear bumper
Blackline LCI tail lights
Ppf headlights
Rolled front fenders
15% tint all but windshield
70% tint on windshield
Light paint correction

Interior

DroidUK iDrive replacement (wireless CarPlay, backup camera)
Induktiv wireless charger in OEM oddments tray
Wrapped steering wheel and center console in 3M satin black
Cocomat floor mats
New OEM air vents
Oem x1 euro spectacles tray
New OEM kick plates
Gut and detail
New driver side window regulator

Suspension

Bilstein replacement M Sport dampers
Eibach Pro Kit lowering springs
OEM mounts/bushings
OEM top hats and gaskets
Dinan camber plates
OEM M3 front control arms
New front sway bar end links

Brake

Z4 3.5is front rotors
E9x 335i front calipers
Ferodo ds2500 pads all around
E9x 328i rear calipers
New 128i rear rotors and e brake
RBF 600 fluid
Paint all calipers bright silver

Engine

New OEM valve cover
New OEM water pump
New OEM thermostat
CSF radiator
Charcoal filter removed from airbox
New air filter
New cabin filter
Liquimoly oil and OEM filter
Liquimoly power steering fluid
Oem coolant
135i exhaust rear section
New fuel pressure regulator/fuel filter/both hanger seals

Transmission

OE Bmw performance short shifter

Wheels

Enkei Raijin 18x8 +42
Powdercoat wheels alien silver prismatic colors
Goodyear eagle sport all season 225/40/18

I’ll stop thread-jacking now haha. The Hotchkiss sway bars and Ground Control adjustable arms can also go with the car if interested.

FOLKS: as someone who has had his 128 for going on 13 years now which has a few modifications and much fewer repairs, believe me when I say at $16K, this is the car you want to buy. Great presentation seller. I'd go $17K if you throw in the cat!

[Geran]

Found one and purchased it. Thank you all for the suggestions and offers.

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by Geran

Found one and purchased it. Thank you all for the suggestions and offers.

Congrats!!! Start a build thread to document your journey...post us a link.

[kb2wji]

Awesome, you'll love it!

You guys think the convertible 6mt 128's will bring money? I need to get out of my '11 with 80k (white with red int) to get a sedan Didn't know if the strong values were coupe 6mt specific. Sorry to derail the thread

[BMWCCA1]

Originally Posted by kb2wji

Awesome, you'll love it!

You guys think the convertible 6mt 128's will bring money? I need to get out of my '11 with 80k (white with red int) to get a sedan Didn't know if the strong values were coupe 6mt specific. Sorry to derail the thread

Sport or M-sport options? Makes a big difference, I think.
When I was looking for my coupe, I found more 6-speed convertibles than coupes.

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by kb2wji

Awesome, you'll love it!

You guys think the convertible 6mt 128's will bring money? I need to get out of my '11 with 80k (white with red int) to get a sedan Didn't know if the strong values were coupe 6mt specific. Sorry to derail the thread

I think Coupes are the higher dollar simply because of track days and slicktops even more so.

Manual and Sport/ M-sport is definitely adding value to ANY e8# package.

That being said I could see adding a 'vert to the stable....

[kb2wji]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

Sport or M-sport options? Makes a big difference, I think.
When I was looking for my coupe, I found more 6-speed convertibles than coupes.

Nope - it's as plain jane as plain jane can be. Doesn't even have power seats LOL I paid $13k for it 6 years ago - hoping I can get that out of it at some point with 80-90k on it. I initially thought the OP was wildly high as I had no idea the demand was that strong. Very cool. Sorry again to derail the thread I was just caught off guard by the high numbers that the "cool" 1's are getting

[BMWCCA1]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

I think Coupes are the higher dollar simply because of track days and slicktops even more so.

Manual and Sport/ M-sport is definitely adding value to ANY e8# package.

That being said I could see adding a 'vert to the stable....

I believe it is the fantasy of track days, rather than the actual track use. I've never understood the "slick-top" hot-spot, either. I'm 6'-1" and can fit in my S/R 128i M-sport with a helmet quite easily. Can't be the additional weight since I could diet or go barefoot and closely achieve that same weight reduction. Again, the fantasy.

Do I take my E82 on the track frequently? No, but I know what it feels like and I've driven 2002tii and E28 535is and other BMWs on-track for decades. It's really just the fantasy that drives the price up—not that some of us won't take our cars to the track. Otherwise explain the feeding frenzy over new M3 and M4s that NEVER will touch a track. That's just not what's driving the price. You watch; a fully-loaded 128i LCI with double-hump will outpace those without, just like sport seats contribute to these cars over "comfort" seats. And, for those of us who actually drive these as daily-drivers, the accessibility of music and Bluetooth call lists is so much more enhanced in these "loaded" Nav cars, it nearly jumps a generation from those without it. Most of those complaining about the Nav cars haven't ever been in an LCI version. And need I remind you that Bring-a-Trailer is not really real-world pricing! Or why would there be so many "alumni".

Having owed two E82, I'd have to think long and hard about buying another if it didn't have xenons, S/R, Nav, sport-seats, or leather and comfort access. Not to mention a manual!

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

I believe it is the fantasy of track days, rather than the actual track use. I've never understood the "slick-top" hot-spot, either. I'm 6'-1" and can fit in my S/R 128i M-sport with a helmet quite easily. Can't be the additional weight since I could diet or go barefoot and closely achieve that same weight reduction. Again, the fantasy.

Do I take my E82 on the track frequently? No, but I know what it feels like and I've driven 2002tii and E28 535is and other BMWs on-track for decades. It's really just the fantasy that drives the price up—not that some of us won't take our cars to the track. Otherwise explain the feeding frenzy over new M3 and M4s that NEVER will touch a track. That's just not what's driving the price. You watch; a fully-loaded 128i LCI with double-hump will outpace those without, just like sport seats contribute to these cars over "comfort" seats. And, for those of us who actually drive these as daily-drivers, the accessibility of music and Bluetooth call lists is so much more enhanced in these "loaded" Nav cars, it nearly jumps a generation from those without it. Most of those complaining about the Nav cars haven't ever been in an LCI version. And need I remind you that Bring-a-Trailer is not really real-world pricing! Or why would there be so many "alumni".

Having owed two E82, I'd have to think long and hard about buying another if it didn't have xenons, S/R, Nav, sport-seats, or leather and comfort access. Not to mention a manual!

I'm not 100% sure what your point is....but I do know I need a translation for "Double-hump". I also liked my LCI 128i Sport better than my current 11 sport....but it also took me 17 months to find it and is now so modified to meet my tastes I'd never sell.

And when I thought about adding another sporty car I filled in some gaps and bought an old Base Cayman....and it doesn't even turn on the headlights automatically!!!

[tankertoad]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

I believe it is the fantasy of track days, rather than the actual track use. I've never understood the "slick-top" hot-spot, either. I'm 6'-1" and can fit in my S/R 128i M-sport with a helmet quite easily. Can't be the additional weight since I could diet or go barefoot and closely achieve that same weight reduction. Again, the fantasy.

Do I take my E82 on the track frequently? No, but I know what it feels like and I've driven 2002tii and E28 535is and other BMWs on-track for decades. It's really just the fantasy that drives the price up—not that some of us won't take our cars to the track. Otherwise explain the feeding frenzy over new M3 and M4s that NEVER will touch a track. That's just not what's driving the price. You watch; a fully-loaded 128i LCI with double-hump will outpace those without, just like sport seats contribute to these cars over "comfort" seats. And, for those of us who actually drive these as daily-drivers, the accessibility of music and Bluetooth call lists is so much more enhanced in these "loaded" Nav cars, it nearly jumps a generation from those without it. Most of those complaining about the Nav cars haven't ever been in an LCI version. And need I remind you that Bring-a-Trailer is not really real-world pricing! Or why would there be so many "alumni".

Having owed two E82, I'd have to think long and hard about buying another if it didn't have xenons, S/R, Nav, sport-seats, or leather and comfort access. Not to mention a manual!

Three additional factors contributing to slicktop desirability:

- scarcity
- structural rigidity
- simplicity (less to go wrong)

YMMV