Need advice on this 128i listing

[xlr231]

I've been looking for a 1-series for months now with no luck. I'm thinking it's time to just pull the trigger on something that's local. I'm getting sick of driving around the 1994 Acura I'm borrowing from my boss.

What do you think of this? CarGurus

Even though it's listed as a for-sale by owner, I think the seller is basically flipping cars for profit. Carfax says it was recently sold at an auction, but it hasn't been registered yet. Even though the listing says "extensive service history" when I inquired about it they just pointed me to the Carfax. For a car with 115Kmi it is no where near extensive. It has 5 "service records" which were the pre-delivery inspection, the 10k service, checking the computer and replacing a tire, and the 2 listed below. Not exactly extensive.


2 other concerning entries on the Carfax were these below.
Is the Camshaft oil seal a normal maintenance item? Also seems like the timing chain should last more than 95,000mi.

06/30/2016 92,800 Rudy's European Auto Repair
Rome, GA
706-291-0741
rudyseuro.com/ Air filter replaced
Battery replaced
Crankshaft oil seal(s) replaced
Oil and filter changed
Oil filter adapter seal replaced
Spark plug(s) replaced
Timing chain replaced
Valve cover gasket(s) replaced
08/19/2016 93,213 Rudy's European Auto Repair
Rome, GA
706-291-0741
rudyseuro.com/ Valve cover gasket(s) replaced

Should I stay away from this car or could it be a good deal?

[MightyMouseTech]

Timing chain replaced? That seem sketchy.

[135iTime]

Guy is either a dealer or getting cars dumped to him by a friend who's a dealer, I would tread carefully with this one.

[desertman123]

As well optioned as it is, it has some questionable service history. Crankshaft oil seal (front or rear main) isn't uncommon to happen on basically any engine, but the timing chain is EXTREMELY uncommon on N52s. Maybe it was done preemptively by someone whose motor blew due to a failed chain/tensioner/belt? Sketchy garage looking to make $$$$ on any service they could think of? Timing belts are usually like 100-150k mi items.


It's well optioned and a great color, but at the very least I'd pay for BMW to run a fine tooth comb over it.

[12vElectronics]

I'm thinking about selling mine. What specs are you looking for in a 1?

[xlr231]

I'm looking for either a 128i or 135i coupe. Only must have options are sport seats/suspension. Prefer an auto or DCT in a 135i. If I got a 128i I'd take either manual or auto.

I prefer Space Gray, but at this point I'm not super picky.

[Level3]

Quick look on craigslist shows a lot of cars that meet your criteria? Did you check them all out? They all suck? I saw a couple of pretty sweet ones.

[xlr231]

I've been looking more at 135i than 128i and mostly on CarGurus and AutoTrader.

There are really only 3 135i coupes on CL in Atlanta. One is red (don't want red) with 150k, one is way overpriced and had a manual (looking for an auto or dct if I go for a 135i) the 3rd I'm still considering, but when I posted asking what people thought a few months back the general consensus was to stay away due to it having 126k miles. Also the ppi said it needed about 3k in maintenance/repairs.

As far as 128I I guess I'd overlooked several of those listings. I'd been looking for something besides black or white. There are several I may take a look at. I'm at the point where I just want to pull the trigger on something instead of waiting for exactly what I want.

[minirips2]

Originally Posted by xlr231

I've been looking more at 135i than 128i and mostly on CarGurus and AutoTrader.

There are really only 3 135i coupes on CL in Atlanta. One is red (don't want red) with 150k, one is way overpriced and had a manual (looking for an auto or dct if I go for a 135i) the 3rd I'm still considering, but when I posted asking what people thought a few months back the general consensus was to stay away due to it having 126k miles. Also the ppi said it needed about 3k in maintenance/repairs.

As far as 128I I guess I'd overlooked several of those listings. I'd been looking for something besides black or white. There are several I may take a look at. I'm at the point where I just want to pull the trigger on something instead of waiting for exactly what I want.

Do yourself a favor, and wait for the perfect car. I searched all over for a 128i 6MT M-Sport. Ended up with a non-sport 6MT in red. I love the car, but I sure wish I had the sport seats when I'm hitting it hard on freeway ramps. Be patient. It's not like you're walking, right?

[TheCaptain]

You should look at cpo.bmwusa.com, they have nearly every BMW for sale at every dealer in the country, including new, used, and CPO.

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by minirips2

Do yourself a favor, and wait for the perfect car. I searched all over for a 128i 6MT M-Sport. Ended up with a non-sport 6MT in red. I love the car, but I sure wish I had the sport seats when I'm hitting it hard on freeway ramps. Be patient. It's not like you're walking, right?

Prioritize the options. If you want it all, you're gonna wait. I would've LOVED getting the lighting package, sunroof delete, leather or a 2010+ for M-Sport instead of normal sport, but I figured getting the 6spd with sport was already pushing my luck with it being a 20 minute drive to the dealership

[minirips2]

I actually did prioritize options when I went looking, but I didn't realize how much difference there was in the seating. My number one "must have" was a 6MT. I wouldn't have considered going any other way. I was happy to find one with xenon headlights and comfort access. I hope I never regret the keyless deal, but so far, no issues there. I had to go pretty far (Florida) from home to find it, but the road trip home was a joy. Made a detour to the Tail of the Dragon, and wasn't disappointed. I just wish I had been more familiar with the car when I did it. So far, so good with my 1er. Happy, but slightly apprehensive given some of the issues other addicts have had...

[xlr231]

Originally Posted by minirips2

Do yourself a favor, and wait for the perfect car. I searched all over for a 128i 6MT M-Sport. Ended up with a non-sport 6MT in red. I love the car, but I sure wish I had the sport seats when I'm hitting it hard on freeway ramps. Be patient. It's not like you're walking, right?

Not walking, but a few months ago I hit something in the road and it put a hole in my oil pan... Insurance co totaled the car, so I'm driving this -

which feels slightly unsafe at highway speeds..

It seems like the more I look the less options are out there. The most frustrating part was early in my search the BMW dealer that's less than 1 mi from my house had a 2011 135i that had everything I was looking for.. but was about $2000 overpriced at $16900. I told them that, then a few weeks later while I was out of town for work they dropped the price to $14500. I got home the next day, went to the dealer and they said someone had put a deposit on it So now I can't bring myself to spend more on a car that is worse than that one..

Originally Posted by TheCaptain

You should look at cpo.bmwusa.com, they have nearly every BMW for sale at every dealer in the country, including new, used, and CPO.

I've looked there as well. I think I've looked at almost every 1 series listing in the country for the last 6 months.

[captain slowly]

The link is gone, so I can't comment on the car or price, but if I remember correctly, you were looking to spend in the $10-12k range? If that is correct, that is the main issue. At that price point, you are not getting a 1 series that doesn't need one of everything, sold at a shady dealer.

[NorthernDancer]

And from a person who has owned the car for more than a couple of years. That way you can ask many questions and if you do not get good answers, move on. I've bought 4 BMW's privately and over the telephone (tho money has not been exchanged until I saw the car) and have never had an issue. Plus, I've gone many miles to get them. I drive cars at a car auction; cars are at an auction for a reason, usually a very good (bad) reason.
Buy a car:
1. privately
2. with original paint (or mostly)
3. from someone who has owned car for at least 3 years
4. from someone who has good maintenance records
5. a car that has Michelin, Bridgestone, or other well known tire brand
You should be able to get a good car for $2000 less than a dealer is asking. After all the dealer has to make a profit (usually $3K - $5K).
It really helps if you're a BMWCCA member as you can ask a club member to look at a car in a far off location for you.
I bought my 2008 128 in Brunswick GA 6 years ago and have had nary a problem.

[bm996tt]

I don't mind over paying slightly for the car I want and do not care if its dealer/private, have had good and bad experience's with both. I pay up and usually am glad I did because I am happy long term with my purchase. I paid top dollar for my 996tt and people thought I was nuts= not anymore lol. A nice 135is will be hard to find in a few years and would suggest purchasing if it fits the budget.

[Tommm]

Originally Posted by xlr231

I'm looking for either a 128i or 135i coupe. Only must have options are sport seats/suspension. Prefer an auto or DCT in a 135i. If I got a 128i I'd take either manual or auto.

I prefer Space Gray, but at this point I'm not super picky.

I think your requirements are listed bass ackwards. First decide on the model. If either is OK, decide on the transmission. Then the colors.

Unless the bigger brakes in a 128 are a necessity, the least important is the sport seats and suspension. I purchased a no frills 32k mile 2008 128 manual a year ago. I have a set of 135 sport springs in the garage next to four new Koni sports. Now I am one step above the sport suspension. I bought an electric sport seat from a member here. Now I have that option and I don't care that the passenger seat is leatherette and the drivers seat leather.

See where I am going?

[xlr231]

Originally Posted by captain slowly

The link is gone, so I can't comment on the car or price, but if I remember correctly, you were looking to spend in the $10-12k range? If that is correct, that is the main issue. At that price point, you are not getting a 1 series that doesn't need one of everything, sold at a shady dealer.

He pulled the listing and then re-listed without a VIN. Seems even more shady now. There's also a warning on the Carfax about "curbstone dealers" so I've eliminated this one from consideration.

I'm willing to go over $12k for the right car. Lately around me there are a bunch in the $10k range and then some in the $20+k range, but not much in between. I did look at a 2011 128i with only about 53,000 miles in it this weekend that looked to be in pretty good shape for only $12,500.

[xlr231]

Originally Posted by Tommm

I think your requirements are listed bass ackwards. First decide on the model. If either is OK, decide on the transmission. Then the colors.

Unless the bigger brakes in a 128 are a necessity, the least important is the sport seats and suspension. I purchased a no frills 32k mile 2008 128 manual a year ago. I have a set of 135 sport springs in the garage next to four new Koni sports. Now I am one step above the sport suspension. I bought an electric sport seat from a member here. Now I have that option and I don't care that the passenger seat is leatherette and the drivers seat leather.

See where I am going?

Yes, I've considered getting a non-sport model, but I think there would be too many things I'd want to change. Seats, no paddle shifters, chrome trim, suspension, no rear diffuser on the non M-sport 128i, maybe the steering wheel. I also live in an apartment so i don't really have a good place to work on a car or store a bunch of extra parts.


I've test driven a bunch of 1 series, but on Saturday I drove 2 back to back at the same dealer and spent close to an hour driving them. One thing I noticed this time was the seat belt really was pulling tight across my shoulder. I think I'm used to driving cars where the B-pillar is farther forward so the seat belt anchor is more just up instead of way behind you pulling back. Anyway, I think the seat belt pinched a nerve in my shoulder. I noticed shortly after driving them part of my hand has gone numb, and it's been that way ever since... Maybe it was how the seat was adjusted, but after my hand is back to normal I'll need to try another one and see if it happens again.

[Kturbos]

Sketchy... Plenty of other 128i's in your area you can find. Engage in the search again.