Go New 135is or Go Used 2011 n55 DCT?

[3002 tii]

Help me out folks... I want to pick up a new daily and am in the market for a 135i with N55 and DCT. I'll probably keep mods to minimal at least while the car is still under warranty but I'm having trouble deciding between ordering a 135is vs getting a used 2011 model.

I know you can pickup an 135is for 7-9% off MSRP but you're still looking at $40k. But all those BMW performance goodies and being a unique model (maybe not 1M but similar to the 330 ZHP) make it awfully tempting. The alternative is to pick up a used 2011 model with about 35k on the odom for high 20's and buy PE, CF bits and PPK separately (those would be the only mods I'm interested in). Is Lemans Blue with black leather / blue stitching worth the 12k premium??

[doublevanosrc]

135is/endthread

[WhiteTgr135i]

I only buy new, so I'd personally go with the 135is. CarFax and CPO cars do help in terms of knowing the history of the car, but they still can't tell you how bad the car was driven etc.

[mb135is]

The color and the interior stitching are not worth the difference in price, but the other reasons you mentioned certainly are (to me at least).

If you'll be at NJMP this weekend, you are free to take mine for a spin to see if you like it!

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by WhiteTgr135i

I only buy new, so I'd personally go with the 135is. CarFax and CPO cars do help in terms of knowing the history of the car, but they still can't tell you how bad the car was driven etc.

I'll second this. Plus, when you do the math, adding the PPK2 and PE will already run you a couple grand, and for that $8-9k difference, I would rather have the new car with 0 miles, completely under warranty and service for longer, and not run the risk of hidden problems with used cars, especially the way some of these cars have been modded in their prior lives.

Case in point on the carfax is my old 135 had $26k in damage from an accident yet shockingly had a clean carfax when I went to sell it or turn it in. That scared the hell out of me.

[IEDEI]

as a package, the 135is is sooo nice. it's got everything I'd want in a 135 plus 313 alloys and those badass black and blue seats. the car sounds so great with the upgraded cooling and performance exhaust. sounds like a supercar! I briefly considered a CPO N55 135i but ultimately decided to go with what I really wanted---the 135is

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by mb135is

The color and the interior stitching are not worth the difference in price, but the other reasons you mentioned certainly are (to me at least).

If you'll be at NJMP this weekend, you are free to take mine for a spin to see if you like it!

I'll see you there, what run group are you in btw?

[mb135is]

Originally Posted by DSC_OFF

I'll see you there, what run group are you in btw?

Green. I think that's adv. for del Val but it could be intermediate.

[m981addicts]

If you can afford the new, then do it. Otherwise if the used is more financially feasible, do that. I love the N54 with the 6 speed, but I also love the N55Hp with the DCT

[ejm3]

If you spend enough time on these forums and see how people drive their 1's I would never buy a used one!

[phobic]

I love my used 2011 DCT, but if I could have afforded it, the 135is would have been something I considered. its a mean machine.

[houtan]

I was in a similar situation as you a few months ago. I ended up buying a used 2011 Lemans Blue 135i (DCT) with 28k miles for 30K before taxes. It has every option except for the cellphone dock thingy that goes in the arm rest.

To me, it was totally worth it. The car is still under factory warranty for another year and half so I have some protection there. The one advantage buying a used bmw is typically all of the service would be done by the BMW dealership so you can see the service history. Also, you can see what type of warranty work has been completed on the car. There is no guarantee a brand new car will not have issues or be a lemon. so to me, a car that's a couple of years old with a dealer history that has little to no issues is a good way to reduce the chances of a lemon.

of course, like others have already said, there is no guarantee a cpo or clean carfax means the car has not been in an accident. but, if you know what to look for, you usually will be able to see if a cars body has been repaired or repainted. As for the worry of someone beating on their car, thats always a possibility, but thats how these cars are meant to be driven!! also, common sense goes a long way. look at the exterior and interior of the car, are they in good shape, kinda dirty, extremely clean and talk to the owner, does he seem to be ocd and know every nook and cranny of his car? to me, those are all potential indicators of how well the car was maintained. ok ill stop rambling. long story short, i bought a used 135i, saved a lot of money (window sticker on the car was 49k) and to me it was totally worth it!

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by ejm3

If you spend enough time on these forums and see how people drive their 1's I would never buy a used one!

I'll respectfully disagree on that one. Seems like most people on bimmerpost drive their car for circle jerk "gtg" and caravans to brofest.

A tracked car on the other hand... yes I'd stay away.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by houtan

I was in a similar situation as you a few months ago. I ended up buying a used 2011 Lemans Blue 135i (DCT) with 28k miles for 30K before taxes. It has every option except for the cellphone dock thingy that goes in the arm rest.

To me, it was totally worth it. The car is still under factory warranty for another year and half so I have some protection there. The one advantage buying a used bmw is typically all of the service would be done by the BMW dealership so you can see the service history. Also, you can see what type of warranty work has been completed on the car. There is no guarantee a brand new car will not have issues or be a lemon. so to me, a car that's a couple of years old with a dealer history that has little to no issues is a good way to reduce the chances of a lemon.

of course, like others have already said, there is no guarantee a cpo or clean carfax means the car has not been in an accident. but, if you know what to look for, you usually will be able to see if a cars body has been repaired or repainted. As for the worry of someone beating on their car, thats always a possibility, but thats how these cars are meant to be driven!! also, common sense goes a long way. look at the exterior and interior of the car, are they in good shape, kinda dirty, extremely clean and talk to the owner, does he seem to be ocd and know every nook and cranny of his car? to me, those are all potential indicators of how well the car was maintained. ok ill stop rambling. long story short, i bought a used 135i, saved a lot of money (window sticker on the car was 49k) and to me it was totally worth it!

That's exactly in line with my original thinking. I'm not afraid of accident history b/c between carfax + visual inspection, I'm pretty sure I can spot any major damage. Decisions... decisions... decisions...

Btw did you buy your used 2011 from private or dealer?

[houtan]

I bought my car from private party.

[M3Dreams]

I just picked up a 2009 135 with every option available in that year on the car, 2800 miles, 1 year warranty remaining, Space Gray with Coral Red interior for 27.5K. Previous owner was storing it in hopes of appreciation. You can find jems, just need to keep looking patiently.

This is the cheapest nearly new BMW I have ever bought. Once I saw the miles on the odo, it was game over. I drove the car home same day.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by M3Dreams

I just picked up a 2009 135 with every option available in that year on the car, 2800 miles, 1 year warranty remaining, Space Gray with Coral Red interior for 27.5K. Previous owner was storing it in hopes of appreciation. You can find jems, just need to keep looking patiently.

This is the cheapest nearly new BMW I have ever bought. Once I saw the miles on the odo, it was game over. I drove the car home same day.

Which did you like more for daily driving, e90 m3 or 135?

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Package is a good buy if you were going to load up the 135i with options. Extra equipment also makes it a better base to modify.

[M3Dreams]

Originally Posted by DSC_OFF

Which did you like more for daily driving, e90 m3 or 135?

DSC, After driving both cars back to back for about six weeks, here are my impressions:

135 is a lot of fun, extremely agile, very punchy/torquey, and relatively more comfortable in daily driving mode. Its easy to park and maneuver in traffic as well.

However, it does lack that special M sauce. There is something about the M that just can't be replicated easily. The suspension, brakes, and overall balanced handling are the obvious differences you pick up on within the first 5 miles of driving the M3. On the track, the M3 is a completely different and untouchable animal all together.

That said, I would maintain that 135 comes very close to having almost 90% of the abilities of the M3 in traffic or as a daily driver. But if you are an aggressive driver who likes to take clovers and corners at 9/10ths most of the time, you are going to be happier with the M3. The question is, can you justify/afford a significant hike in price (ok, 75K vs 45K) for an M3.

I bought the M3 because it was my dream car, and, being a 4 door, it fulfilled everything I wanted/needed in a car. I have had it for 3 years now and will drive it for another 4 - 6 years at least.

I bought the 135 because my wife loves it, I could not pass on the deal, and it is very close in performance to the M3 which means I paid significantly less and sacrificed almost nothing when buying a daily driver for our household.