Near Dream-Spec 128i

[Fume]

Congrats on your purchase! Always nice to see more car enthusiasts get the car.

[Bimmer-Bob]

Nice! Glad to see the car went to an enthusiast. Really nicely spec'ed, low mileage example, too - well done. I think you'll be really happy with it.

The BMW Performance exhaust sounds really sweet, by the way. I don't think you'll regret it one bit.

[squidge]

Thanks guys! Yeah, I've been watching videos and reading feedback on the performance exhaust and I'm pretty sold on going that route.

I should be able to keep the mileage low too -- this won't be a DD for the foreseeable future. My wife commutes up to SF by bike and train and I drive the V70 and/or bike.

[_Pants]

Originally Posted by squidge

Thanks guys! Yeah, I've been watching videos and reading feedback on the performance exhaust and I'm pretty sold on going that route.

I should be able to keep the mileage low too -- this won't be a DD for the foreseeable future. My wife commutes up to SF by bike and train and I drive the V70 and/or bike.

Huge round of applause for purchasing this car! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the listing. I actually can't take credit for it as it was found by a good friend of mine and posted in our Craigslist Cage Match facebook group. Basically a bunch of other car nerds that appreciate rare and goofy spec'd cars such as this. This same group helped me find my 128i as well.

I will agree with what everyone else has said regarding the performance exhaust. You won't regret it and will only wonder why you didn't do it sooner. Not too loud but enough sound to highlight the spirited nature of the car.

Taking another look it seems that the strut bar in your car is the OEM BMW Performance strut bar with the decal added by the previous owner. I hope he comes up with those headrests for you as well!

Congrats again on picking up such a rare bird and enjoy it in good health! I look forward to seeing what you do with it. Cheers!

[Ric in RVA]

Welcome and congrats!!!

[squidge]

It was total luck that I found it. I was not actually on the hunt. I'm an idle car shopper most of the time, and I'd been doing country wide searches for M Sport 128s on BMW's CPO site and found that there were like three or four 6MTs anywhere in the country at a given time, half of those 'verts, and usually with options I didn't want (like nav).

Found this one via a cars.com search and knew it was a rare find. Mulled it over for about three days, had a "this is the one" talk with my wife, and the rest is history.

It's nice when things like this work out.

As far as my car background, I got my start with turbo Mitsubishis (three Galant VR-4s, one AWD Laser), had an AE86 coupe for a bit, the E90 335i which I loved but was not in the right financial state for, and a modded 6MT TSX, with some less interesting stuff along the way.

The TSX is what actually sold me on NA. I was always a turbo guy before that. BMW's NA swan song seemed like the perfect car for me to settle down with.

[E91WAG3N]

Originally Posted by squidge

As far as my car background, I got my start with turbo Mitsubishis (three Galant VR-4s, one AWD Laser), had an AE86 coupe for a bit, the E90 335i which I loved but was not in the right financial state for, and a modded 6MT TSX, with some less interesting stuff along the way.

I made a similar switch, minus the TSX in between going from an e92 335i 6MT that I ordered to my e82 128i 6MT a couple of months ago. I really like the e82 compared to the e92 so far.

Enjoy!

[squidge]

I'm sure it feels much more agile, big weight reduction there. Less to go wrong, too. Nice!

[RetroGrade]

I too saw this car earlier on cars.com. Great opportunity and super rare the way it's optioned out. Round of applause to you.

[Olgeezer1]

Originally Posted by squidge

And regarding price, stickers on the windshield said $26995, which I'd call high. I think it likely sat around for a while and then got an aggressive internet price. They wouldn't come off the $23995 at all. Worth it.

I put 8k down and financed the balance at 2.0% for 36mos.

Absolutely worth it.

[dat128]

congrats.

i was seriously considering this car, but the process of selling my current 128i msport then buying this was too big of a headache.

it wouldve been a nice 6k upgrade just for the low mileage and bmw performance parts while giving up all the niceities of my current car (got it used with every single package and options, the polar opposite of your new car)

wish you were from chicago, so i could check it out.

enjoy the car. 128i is one of the best driving cars.

[squidge]

Thanks! I was in Chicago for three months for work, but right now I'm pretty happy to be back in CA.

Did a little bit of research, found the 2013 ordering guide, and realized that the xenon package (ZLP) required ordering the premium package (ZPP), which would've added some things the car doesn't need, so I'm no longer bummed about the lack of xenons. It is what it is -- simplicity is the mission. I honestly don't drive that much at night anyway, young kids and all.

Speaking of young kids, for anyone curious about my carseat setup (pictured in the album below), I'm using a Cybex Aton base (without the load arm), Cybex Aton 2 seat, and Maxi-Cosi Maxi Taxi stroller. It's basically the smallest possible setup and mounted in the center of the rear seat, doesn't intrude into front seat space at all.

Yesterday I drove east from San Jose up to Lick Observatory. Fantastic road.

A few photos:

https://goo.gl/photos/3sbHwSjoV9UTWkto6

[squidge]

[dat128]

my god those wheels look good

[squidge]

I know, too bad they're boat anchors.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by squidge

...found the 2013 ordering guide, and realized that the xenon package (ZLP) required ordering the premium package (ZPP), which would've added some things the car doesn't need, so I'm no longer bummed about the lack of xenons. It is what it is -- simplicity is the mission.

[Bimmer-Bob]

Really nice looking 1er!

I had forgotten that BMW changed the option structure in later model years to require the Premium Package with xenons. I'm not sure when they made the change, but in earlier model years the xenons were a standalone option.

[2002ish]

I tip my hat off to you squidge. Not 5 months ago after a long search and interesting set of events I found the deal of a lifetime 2013 128i w/ a manual / leather and nothing else and jumped on it. Sure enough I decided to torture myself a little bit and see what was on the market 128i wise and your car made me weep a little bit. I really didn't want to get hit with California tax twice so I didn't go for it. Even at their list price you definitely got a great deal. Congrats and enjoy!

BTW I just got the whiteline rear subframe inserts done... if the previous owner didn't already take care of it, I would... it makes as big of an improvement as everyone carries on about.

[squidge]

Suprgnat, love the color of your 128i. Beautiful car.

Bimmer-Bob, I read through your build thread a couple of days ago and your car looks fantastic as well! Lots of great info there. I moved to CA from Raleigh, NC about a year ago and plan to move back in about a year and a half; we still own a house there. Maybe we can have a little mini-meet some day. Would love to get in on some autox.

And 2002ish, the subframe bushings are definitely on my radar, along with the M3 front control arms.

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by squidge

Suprgnat, love the color of your 128i. Beautiful car.

Bimmer-Bob, I read through your build thread a couple of days ago and your car looks fantastic as well! Lots of great info there. I moved to CA from Raleigh, NC about a year ago and plan to move back in about a year and a half; we still own a house there. Maybe we can have a little mini-meet some day. Would love to get in on some autox.

And 2002ish, the subframe bushings are definitely on my radar, along with the M3 front control arms.

Unfortunately, I'll only be in NC for a few more months! But it's always possible that I'll be back.

In any case, the rear subframe bushings are one of the BEST things you can do to this car, regardless of how far you want to go with mods. I mean, someone who is preparing the car for autocross or track days will obviously see a benefit (and will be doing a bunch of other mods besides), but I really think even a discerning commuter would appreciate the result as well, in the absence of any other changes. I just went from Whiteline rear subframe bushing inserts (only about $45 new) to full-on poly bushings, so if you want some used RSFB inserts for free, let me know...

[sixburgh]

That was a pretty car
Yes, they can be found, like this one in Atlanta, GA.

2010 128i
Titanium silver
Sport suspension
Sport 17" wheels
6 Speed manual
Sunroof delete
Black interior- black piano key trim
Manual sport seats
Non- smoker package
Xenons
BMW Performance Exhaust

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by sixburgh

That was a pretty car
Yes, they can be found, like this one in Atlanta, GA.

2010 128i
Titanium silver
Sport suspension
Sport 17" wheels
6 Speed manual
Sunroof delete
Black interior- black piano key trim
Manual sport seats
Non- smoker package
Xenons
BMW Performance Exhaust

That's the same year and basically the same options of my car. Different color, of course, and I have the Light Burl Walnut trim instead of the High-Gloss Black - but otherwise pretty spot on. The BMW Performance exhaust (which I also used to have) is just icing on the cake. Pretty solid car - is it yours?