Wrecked 135i, good or bad idea?

[Esser]

Hi everyone.

I've seen a very nice, but wrecked 135i for sale. The seller doesn't really write much, except that there is no structural damage, and both the driver and passenger side airbags have been deployed...
The car has driven about 40.000 km (25.000 miles) and is from 2008.

Here's some pictures of the car:












So, first of all, do you think the car is fixable? I'm able to do bodywork, paint and polish myself, which is why I thought this car might be a good project, but I don't know if there might be too much "mechanical stuff" that's broken? I'm not at all an idiot at mechanical stuff, but I don't have a whole lot of experience working on cars. Mostly bikes and quads and stuff...
Also, the rear quarter panel seems to have some quite big dents, can those be fixed...?

And what about the airbags, can those be replaced...?

If you would ever consider buying a car like this, how much should it cost, compared to a similiar car in good condition? Or is this simply too far gone?

I hope someone might have experience with something like this, and are able to tell me if this could be a good buy and a fun project, or if I should stay away at all costs!

[ilikebmxbikes]

I would pull the seats out. It looks like one of those European exclusive ones.

What is the price for the car?

[Esser]

Well, I live in Europe, and the car is for sale in Germany. The seats do look great, and I would LOVE to own a 135i with those!

But right now, the car is priced at 20.000 usd.

[golf_234]

Not sure on German prices, but that could get expensive VERY fast. I would pass. There are so many cars in the world. Why buy a wrecked one.

[1addyfan]

Originally Posted by Esser

But right now, the car is priced at $20.000 usd.

Not just no... but, hell no.

[Esser]

Originally Posted by AJx

Not just no... but, hell no.

I do think it sounds a bit expensive to be honest... I mean, I know it has the performance seats, but still...

For it to be a good deal for me, how much should the car cost? If it could ever be a good deal, that is

[stormzusmc]

I wouldn't pay over 15k (usd) for it, and that's if I could source parts at a good price.

[Esser]

Originally Posted by stormzusmc

I wouldn't pay over 15k (usd) for it, and that's if I could source parts at a good price.

But it looks like it could be fixed to you?

Is there a chance that something really vital is damaged, which would ruin the car forever...?

[stormzusmc]

Doesn't look like there is much mechanical besides suspension possibly. Maybe cooling system and air/vacuum. Also some electrical. Does it mention if it starts/runs?

[Esser]

Originally Posted by stormzusmc

Doesn't look like there is much mechanical besides suspension possibly. Maybe cooling system and air/vacuum. Also some electrical. Does it mention if it starts/runs?

Well, I took the small amount of text that the seller had written, and pasted it in Google translate Here's what it says: "Conditioned vehicle ready to drive. - Driver and front passenger airbags opened. - No frame damage!"
The rest is just a long list of all the optional extras.
It sounds like the engine is fine to me...

[makrop]

Like someone already said, there are tons of cars out there. Find one that isn't wrecked and save the headache/risk. If you are willing to put the time/money into fixing this one, find one that isn't wrecked and use that time/money for maintenance or mods to make it how you like.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by Esser

For it to be a good deal for me, how much should the car cost? If it could ever be a good deal, that is

Total random numbers here, you will have to fill them in correctly, but this would be my guide:

1) What is the car worth if it was in perfect condition and never had an accident? Let's say $25,000.

2) What would this car be worth if it was in perfect condition some day later on, but did have this accident damage that was fixed? Let's say $18,000.

3) What would it costs in parts and labor to repair it? A couple of airbags, fenders, lights, etc. Take a good look at everything that has to be purchased, perhaps it needs $5,000 in parts. Also what is your labor worth? Let's say you think you will have to put 100 hours into it, what is your time worth to you? Let's say that's $2,000.

4) Take $18,000 for it in perfect shape, minus $5,000 and $2,000 for parts and labor, and buying it for $13,000 is your break even point.

5) How much further beyond that do you need to pay for it to be a good deal? If the other numbers were about right and you are pretty confident in the selling price, and your parts and labor content, then maybe buying it at $10,000 would be right?

That's how I'd look at it. No idea what you could sell it for or what you'll have to put into it. You will have to figure that out for yourself. Even if you don't plan to just fix it and sell it, you still have to take all of that into account for the day that you eventually do.

[Ammonia]

I'd stay away. I'm behind restoring a classic car, or a limited make (1M), but there are many a 135i out there in fantastic shape for just a little more than what they're selling at. Satisfy your tinker bug with some mods and save yourself some time, $$$, and headache.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by Esser

Well, I live in Europe, and the car is for sale in Germany. The seats do look great, and I would LOVE to own a 135i with those!

But right now, the car is priced at 20.000 usd.

It's not worth 20k. I would try and buy the seats alone.

[RX-BMW]

Maybe worth 12k usd max

[Nugget]

You guys are all comparing with US prices. A quick google shows a 2008 135i advertised for sale in Denmark for the equivalent of US$75k.
http://www.ooyyo.net/coupe/used-bmw-...6711208F54FBF/

[uberschnell]

That quarter is going to have to be pulled and repaired, unless you want to replace the entire quarter which is a ton of work + new glass. For the right price it would be worth parting out.

[BBBluey]

Looks like it tried to squeeze in between a big truck and a gaurd rail.

Completely fixable. While you're at it, just get a performance steering wheel, widebody kit, carbon fiber hood and new wheels. You can find all those pieces on the for sale threads. I would have a BMW dealer set up new airbags.
I would also spend a 100Euro to let BMW perform a complete check on it...particularly the front suspension bits and if the person was running a tune (turbo wear)....and again, you can find all those parts on the for sale threads should you need any.
I also wouldn't offer more than ....10K Euro. Negotiate hard considering all the parts, paint, labor, delivery/distance, uncertainties...etc..the BMW report will help you drop the price.

[Esser]

Wow, all you guys have been very helpful!
I guess I'll try to contact the seller, and ask about the state of the engine and suspension.

Just so I have something to go by, does anyone know a price estimate for a front bumper, two headlights, a hood and both front quarter panels?

[SHFT]

Originally Posted by Esser

Wow, all you guys have been very helpful!
I guess I'll try to contact the seller, and ask about the state of the engine and suspension.

Just so I have something to go by, does anyone know a price estimate for a front bumper, two headlights, a hood and both front quarter panels?

Esser get on ebay and search for some used 135i headlights. Also get comfortable with the search option on this forum as you will find solid answers quicker then waiting for replies.

[tracer bullet]

As was mentioned, with you apparently being in Denmark, we can only tell you costs around the US (for the most part that is, some euro guys will have better info). Either way it's going to depend on what you can get the parts for, not us, what you can sell the car for locally there, things like that. You are going to have to do your own research to get accurate info.

Also I don't want to be an a$$hole and am trying to phrase this very constructively - are you sure you're up for the work on this car? I kind of get the feeling that you should already know the answers to these questions as far as where to get parts, how much they will cost, if the car is worth picking up to repair. People I know in this line of work here in the US can go to an auction, see a car, and make a decision on it within a few minutes. I don't mean to imply you're incapable of doing the work, but maybe just cautioning you on it.

[ilikebmxbikes]

You need headlight brackets too and it looks like the oil cooler is leaking. I wouldn't be surprised if the front suspension has damaged parts too.