Help Purchasing & Advice!

[autosense]

Hey everyone!

Long time reader and 1st time poster. I’m 32 and I currently drive an MK7 GTI. I was in the market for a new Mustang gt, camaro ss, or even focus rs. My driving style is the mountains between Saratoga and Bennington. I would also like to start tracking at New York Safety track and Limerock. When the 1 series came out in 08 I wanted one then and I want one now….

Well after a few months, I found this- http://www.spanosmotors.com/2011-BMW...ach-FL/6305248

I am familiar with the common issues and I kind-of know what I’m doing..or at least I’m not afraid to tackle the issues that come when owning one of these. However, I am very hesitant on the purchase due to a few things. I’m a little OCD (only with cars, lol).

1. Purchasing sight unseen really turns me off including all the logistical challenges purchasing and getting the car back here in NY.
2. Shipping in a none in-closed tailor kind of puts me off ($700)
3. Mechanical condition- clutch, lines, rubber components/bushings, and overall running condition. (Of course the sales rep says everything is perfect).
4. Rust (its from Daytona Beach and Miami). Should I be worried?

I called and asked a few questions, the sales rep was really nice and patient…he said he can do a video of anything I want, driving, startup and even underside pictures. From the pictures do the body gaps line up? The front end looks little off on the left side, no? (see, my ocd).

I guess I’m looking for guidance, suggesting’s, past experience so I can pursue and purchase this in an intelligent, precise and correct manner..
I hope to be part of the community and I appreciate everyone’s help.

Thanks everyone!

[02Pilot]

I bought my 128i back in July from what must be more or less your backyard (private sale in VT). Prior to finding that car, I was considering long-distance buying, having talked to a couple dealers in FL and TX (looking for a rust-free Southern car).

My planned approach was pretty simple: do your due diligence from home (photos, discussions, CarFax), then buy a cheap round-trip ticket and go look at it. If it's right, drive it home; if it's not, you get a short vacation and then fly back home. It's a bit of a gamble, and potentially inconvenient depending on your commitments, but it's the only way to know before you lay your money down.

[autosense]

Thanks for the quick replay!

Traveling is out of the question for me, that's why i've been "back-n-fourth" on this purchase. I have a 15 month old and need to save my sick days as much as possible. Also, that idea wouldn't go over well with my wife...

I called 2 local BMW dealers for a PPI- noone seems to be doing them anymore.

[02Pilot]

Lack of travel options is an issue, but you can always ask here for someone local to a car to go check it out and report. If you're not already a member, join BMWCCA and check in with them for local indy recommendations for your PPI. FWIW, I found my 128i through the CCA classifieds.

[NorthernDancer]

Have to strongly agree with 02pilot above. I'm a CCA member too. But, I've also learned to ask the right questions. Try to buy privately not from a dealer.

[TheBigChill]

Would you like to drive mine? I live in Troy, which is right between Saratoga and Bennington, as you likely know.

I have a 2009 128i, 6MT, M-Sport suspension (upgraded with Bilstein B8's).


Back on track: I bought mine sight-unseen from Florida a few months ago. I was OK with that because the seller was very honest, had records, and I saw no reason to not trust him (this is my 17th car, so you get a feeling).

My advice is to first find out if they're willing to send it out for inspection. Next, find a highly rated Indy garage on Yelp in that area. Have them do a Pre-Purchase Inspection, and tell them specifically what you want to know about the car other than general mechanical condition.

The next and just as important aspect is shipping. A bad shipped will ruin the whole experience, and maybe even the car. I can lead you in the right direction with a referral; the guys I used were awesome ($680 from FL to NY).

[autosense]

Originally Posted by TheBigChill

Would you like to drive mine? I live in Troy, which is right between Saratoga and Bennington, as you likely know.

I have a 2009 128i, 6MT, M-Sport suspension (upgraded with Bilstein B8's).


Back on track: I bought mine sight-unseen from Florida a few months ago. I was OK with that because the seller was very honest, had records, and I saw no reason to not trust him (this is my 17th car, so you get a feeling).

My advice is to first find out if they're willing to send it out for inspection. Next, find a highly rated Indy garage on Yelp in that area. Have them do a Pre-Purchase Inspection, and tell them specifically what you want to know about the car other than general mechanical condition.

The next and just as important aspect is shipping. A bad shipped will ruin the whole experience, and maybe even the car. I can lead you in the right direction with a referral; the guys I used were awesome ($680 from FL to NY).

PM sent.

[desertman123]

Lol I've been to Spanos. They had a cool inventory but that 128i might be one of the cheapest things on the lot by a decent margin, and subsequently they might not care about it.

I looked a 330i they had - it was pretty trashed. They told me they'd fix it up and give me a call - never got that call and the car was on their site for like another couple months. Figured they'd just want to sell it as-is rather than investing money to fix much.

If you REALLY are interested, and the timing is right I may be able to check it out for you.

Edit: I'll be VERY jealous if this ends up being clean and you get it.... manual M-sport sunroof delete with xenons............................................ .............

[gixracer]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Lol I've been to Spanos. They had a cool inventory but that 128i might be one of the cheapest things on the lot by a decent margin, and subsequently they might not care about it.

I looked a 330i they had - it was pretty trashed. They told me they'd fix it up and give me a call - never got that call and the car was on their site for like another couple months. Figured they'd just want to sell it as-is rather than investing money to fix much.

If you REALLY are interested, and the timing is right I may be able to check it out for you.

Edit: I'll be VERY jealous if this ends up being clean and you get it.... manual M-sport sunroof delete with xenons............................................ .............

Car looks nice, it’s priced competitively for what it has. Last year I spent $17k after taxes for mine with sport package bare bones. It was worth it to me. Hell even got dinged for being a slick top on the value. In white with red it’s interesting but that slick top is wonderful.great drivers car. I would spend the cash to go look at it personally.

[Jrfly9]

Wow, that car is beautiful!

I also think the price is great, but maybe that is more for my mental stability than being objective

[Celthire]

I'm buying that car tomorrow, It has the Valve cover gasket leak, but they agreed to fix it. I'll post pictures and show more details tomorrow evening.

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by Celthire

I'm buying that car tomorrow, It has the Valve cover gasket leak, but they agreed to fix it. I'll post pictures and show more details tomorrow evening.

Sorry OP you missed out, but this car is definitely going to another enthusiast!

I know Celthire personally so expect a photoshoot involving 2 of the most rare-spec'd 128s out there!

[_Pants]

That is a great spec for sure. I also have a 2011 128i M-Sport with the 6 speed and sunroof delete. Talk about finding a needle in a haystack...

My car was also originally purchased in Florida and due to the high heat there is a small bubble that formed on my dashboard. Perhaps one of you can confirm this for me, but wouldn't those xenons have to be added by one of the previous owners of the car? I thought that in 2011 if you chose to not have a sunroof you also got halogen headlights by default since the sunroof and xenons were sold as a package together. That is the only option I wish my car had. Very jealous of whoever got to pick this car up!

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by _Pants

That is a great spec for sure. I also have a 2011 128i M-Sport with the 6 speed and sunroof delete. Talk about finding a needle in a haystack...

My car was also originally purchased in Florida and due to the high heat there is a small bubble that formed on my dashboard. Perhaps one of you can confirm this for me, but wouldn't those xenons have to be added by one of the previous owners of the car? I thought that in 2011 if you chose to not have a sunroof you also got halogen headlights by default since the sunroof and xenons were sold as a package together. That is the only option I wish my car had. Very jealous of whoever got to pick this car up!

To get Xenons on a LCI required:
ZLP Lighting Package, $900
522 Xenon headlights
524 Adaptive light control

ZLP required ZPP Premium Package, $3600
319 Universal garage-door opener
322 Comfort Access keyless entry
403 Moonroof
430 Auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors
431 Auto-dimming rearview mirror
459 Power front seats with driver seat memory
488 Lumbar support
4NA Interior mirror with compass
563 Ambiance lighting
655 Satellite radio with 1 year subscription
LW Boston Leather or LWNL Black Boston

Only one item of which I wanted in addition to the lights; I purchased leather seating separately.

[TheBigChill]

Sorry this one sold on you. If you do decide you want to take a look at mine, here's the build data. Additions include OEM black kidney grill, Xenons & clear corners, Bilstein B8's on M-Sport springs, 17x8 square mesh wheels with 225/45/17 Cooper Zeon RS3-S, and an AFE intake. Best of luck whichever way you go!


S1CAA Selection of COP relevant vehicles
S249A Multifunction f steering wheel
S255A Sports leather steering wheel
S2SLA BMW LA wheel, star spoke 262
S2VBA Tire pressure display
S321A Exterior parts in vehicle color
S3APA Windshield with grey wedge
S403A Glass roof, electrical
S473A Armrest front
S481A Sports seat
S494A Seat heating driver/passenger
S4ATA Interior trim finishers black high-gloss
S520A Fog lights
S521A Rain sensor
S534A Automatic air conditioning
S540A Cruise control
S570A Reinforced power supply
S5GAA Preparation alarm system
S645A BMW US Radio
S663A Radio BMW Professional
S676A HiFi speaker system
S693A Preparation BMW satellite radio
S697A Area-Code 1 for DVD
S6FLA USB/Audio interface
S704A M Sports suspension
S760A High gloss shadow line
S823A Hot-climate version
S840A High speed synchronisation
S845A Acoustic belt warning
S850A Dummy-SALAPA
S853A Language version English
S876A Radio frequency 315 MHz
S8SCA Telematics access request,country-spec.
S8SPA Control unit COP
S925A Dummy-SALAPA