Buying a used 135i

[qualitycontrol]

I have two options:

1. 2008 135i, auto with 77,000km. Bone stock and needs rear tires. Condition is very good and it has low kms.

2. 2008 135i, auto with 86,000km. Has JB4 G5, bms intake, dp, bmws performance exhaust, VRFS intercooler. Also needs rear tires.

#1 is $15,000 and #2 is $17000. #2 condition is not quite as good as #1 and I cannot see #2 because its 8 hours away.

Which one would you take and why. I am leaning towards #1. Even though its going to cost me a couple grand extra to get the same mods, I know its an older gentleman who has not beat on the car. #2, I have no idea what the true condition is because I cannot physically see it and would be taking a HUGE chance on that car.

There is a third car. Its white and manual. Dealership doesn't know much about it but it has BMS intake and definitely aftermarket exhaust. I was wanting a list of mods, but they don't know and have no idea how to look for them.

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by qualitycontrol

I have two options:

1. 2008 135i, auto with 77,000km. Bone stock and needs rear tires. Condition is very good and it has low kms.

2. 2008 135i, auto with 86,000km. Has JB4 G5, bms intake, dp, bmws performance exhaust, VRFS intercooler. Also needs rear tires.

#1 is $15,000 and #2 is $17000. #2 condition is not quite as good as #1 and I cannot see #2 because its 8 hours away.

Which one would you take and why. I am leaning towards #1. Even though its going to cost me a couple grand extra to get the same mods, I know its an older gentleman who has not beat on the car. #2, I have no idea what the true condition is because I cannot physically see it and would be taking a HUGE chance on that car.

There is a third car. Its white and manual. Dealership doesn't know much about it but it has BMS intake and definitely aftermarket exhaust. I was wanting a list of mods, but they don't know and have no idea how to look for them.

Agree on staying away from #2. Are there option differences that matter? Worth a look at the dealer one also if it's close. Bit of a crapshoot if mods are unknown though.....

[acoustix]

I would go with #1, You can see the car in person. It's a better deal and if you shop for deals you could spend around 2k for all of those mods anyways. So in theory you are getting a lower km car for around the same price.

#2 sounds good with the mods but why risk it for the biscuit?

Happy Shopping

[qualitycontrol]

Originally Posted by asbrr

Agree on staying away from #2. Are there option differences that matter? Worth a look at the dealer one also if it's close. Bit of a crapshoot if mods are unknown though.....

No, basically the exact same car and both in Auto.

The dealership car is a manual but that's a whole new debate. I spend a lot of time on the 400 during the summer and in traffic, I am leaning auto because manual is such a pita in traffic.

I agree with both of you. It would cost me $250 to fly out to see #2. I don't want to make that drive twice because it is so far. I think you are right and I think the best deal is #1. Thanks gents.

[phierce]

I find it funny that people think manual is a pia in traffic I find the opposite is true as in an auto ur constantly on the brakes which is more work than me coasting in second leaving a car length in front of me and at red lights I rest where auto drivers have to hold the brake.

Manual is where it is at hence why you can't find any 6 mt m sports, autos dime a dozen.

[rod.bearings]

I would wait and see what the dealer has but then again I'm biased to manual. How much is the 6MT one?

[qualitycontrol]

$16,900. but its not a bmws dealership.

As for the manual debate, I guess more people drive on the clutch and brake so driving in traffic still requires a foot on the brake. Auto would just remove the need for a clutch.

I would really prefer a manual. But there are not very many in good condition and this one is the same. Doesn't look as nicely taken care of as car #1 in question.

[phierce]

Originally Posted by qualitycontrol

$16,900. but its not a bmws dealership.

As for the manual debate, I guess more people drive on the clutch and brake so driving in traffic still requires a foot on the brake. Auto would just remove the need for a clutch.

I would really prefer a manual. But there are not very many in good condition and this one is the same. Doesn't look as nicely taken care of as car #1 in question.

In traffic i only use the brake to stop, i play a game with myself and it goes as follows in order, dont brake, dont clutch. You will regret an auto this is a drivers car do it right the first time around. I searched for 8months...

[qualitycontrol]

I think you are right. I want the car so bad for this summer but I don't want to rush it and make a mistake. I really don't want to sell an Auto for a Manual

Originally Posted by phierce

In traffic i only use the brake to stop, i play a game with myself and it goes as follows in order, dont brake, dont clutch. You will regret an auto this is a drivers car do it right the first time around. I searched for 8months...

[The Wind Breezes]

Manual is only a PITA in traffic if you don't know how to drive. I survived years driving a manual in Houston / Austin traffic, some of the worst in the entire country, by driving like a truck driver.

What you do is leave a BUFFER (gap) in front of you that grows when traffic accelerates and shrinks when traffic slows down. This way you can stay mostly in one gear and rarely hit the brakes. Leaving a gap is counterintuitive because people are always afraid that other cars will cut in the gap and slow you down. Some cars will, but not that many, and overall it works a lot better this way.

[qualitycontrol]

Well I am going to see two manuals tomorrow.

[mrexcuse]

Agree that manual is the way to go, that being said I ended up buying a 2011 with the DCT and miss the manual at times, but overall it is a fast transmission and it's manual mode is pretty damn good as well. The newer autos and DCT's have improved immensely in terms of responsiveness.

Also agree with the other about traffic, keep a buffer and you will have no issues.

[phierce]

I just read a thread about a dct replacement at 9kusd that's scary

[mrexcuse]

Ya, but like all issues on automobile forums thankfully doesn't happen often. As time passes more and more cars seem to have dual clutch so this will go down with time, and there will be ways to repair them.

Not sure if I would keep it for 20 years though....

[qualitycontrol]

Originally Posted by mrexcuse

Ya, but like all issues on automobile forums thankfully doesn't happen often. As time passes more and more cars seem to have dual clutch so this will go down with time, and there will be ways to repair them.

Not sure if I would keep it for 20 years though....

And those are dealer prices. Realistically you can find a great indie BMW shop to do your work and it will be just as good if not better.

I don't necessarily agree with getting too scared. When parts are new, warranty will take care of it, as warranties start to end, dealerships cannot expect people to drop $10K on a transmission for a $40K car. The market just won't deal well with that.

Still looking. I tried to see a Manual last night, but they were closed. I was a little upset while their hours stated they should have been open!

[Shkaff]

Go for #1.

[qualitycontrol]

Originally Posted by Shkaff

Go for #1.

I really thought about it and almost pulled the trigger, but I think I want a manual.

[jamis33]

Hey first post on this forum. Been following your thread for a while and your previous threads. Just registered recently. Im in the guelph area and looked all over for a nice clean 135i for a few months. I ended up buying one of the ones you had previously looked at and have looked at most of the ones you're describing.

[qualitycontrol]

Which one did you end up buying and how are you liking it?

[jamis33]

2008 manual white from burlington. So far I love it. Cant wait to start playing with it. I definitely wanted a manual over the automatic. Also for car #1 I think it will probably need brakes soon and check to see if water pump has been done on it. From the ones I looked at the leatherette seems to hold up better than the leather over time and the sport seats are a huge upgrade unless you're a big guy then they're uncomfortable. Ideally I wanted a black or white n54 manual with m pack and red interior. But those are really hard to find.

[qualitycontrol]

Originally Posted by jamis33

2008 manual white from burlington. So far I love it. Cant wait to start playing with it. I definitely wanted a manual over the automatic. Also for car #1 I think it will probably need brakes soon and check to see if water pump has been done on it. From the ones I looked at the leatherette seems to hold up better than the leather over time and the sport seats are a huge upgrade unless you're a big guy then they're uncomfortable. Ideally I wanted a black or white n54 manual with m pack and red interior. But those are really hard to find.

Still confused. Did you buy the private sale one? Or from a dealership. Curious because I am not sure if thus is a car I am currently looking at? Did yours have any mods or stock?

[jamis33]

Private sale. I picked it up 2 weeks ago. No mods. All stock