How rare are these becoming? (135i 6 spd)

[swunder]

Just started looking for a 135i with MT but appear to be pretty late to the party. Seems like most have 75k+ miles and are not MT. They also seem to nearly ALL have an accident history, guessing because the average owner is probably a 22 year old male.

So if I actually find one near me that's not beat up and has a reasonable amount of miles should I be inclined to jump on it?

Asking because since I just started looking, I have no idea how often new sales pop up and what their usual mileage/condition is.

[tock172]

It took quite a bit of time to sell my 2011 M Sport 6-speed with 35k miles and a warranty last year. I ultimately got my price, but thanks to a few flakey buyers and unprofessional individuals at the bank, I ended up sitting on the car for longer than I ever imagined. KBB detracts a certain amount off of their valuations for a manual 1 if I recall. The manual has remained the enthusiast's choice though. If you find a car you like, don't hesitate to get it inspected and potentially make an offer.

[ShocknAwe]

Hard to find one. Going to be next to impossible to find a manual N54 with less than 70k miles unless you're looking at 1M cars.

That said, the 135i isn't rare yet. Not by a long shot.

[Esteban]

Don't forget to check out Matt's thread, The Ultimate 1-Series Buyer's Guide, and definitely get a PPI. Good luck!

[Gangplank]

I would recommend you look and look some more. Or you can do what I did and just buy the first 135i you drive....

They are rare because the turbo is like....

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

I would recommend you look and look some more. Or you can do what I did and just buy the first 135i you drive....

They are rare because the turbo is like....

128i be like "I'm powered by polite unicorns."

[asiflicious]

I'd say a manual, well maintained, low mileage 135i is pretty rare. At least I couldn't find one when I was looking for one

[WingerRed]

I gave up looking for a six speed and ended up with a DCT. I'm satisfied with my decision, but there are just way less options if you're limiting your search to 6MTs.

[Swamp Donkey]

I'm lucky enough to have a manual 2010 135i M sport with all the goodies and just under 43,000 miles (69,000 kilometers). Everything is for sale, so if you're interested and don't mind making a trip up to Canada, send me a pm. Your American dollars will go a long way up here at the moment.

[MightyMouseTech]

Lots of manuals are out there, but owners want to keep them.

[Lucky1]

There's one for sale right now in Vancouver, Canada in either the for sale section of the forum or the Canada regional subforum (can't remember which).

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

128i be like "I'm powered by polite unicorns."

Very polite and responsive unicorns

[Esteban]

To hell with unicorns! My N55 is powered by angry dragons.

Split second pause for ignition, then blast off! lol

(If we're going to make shit up, I think it should be fierce, scary, and breathe fire)

[jetrep]

6MT requirement definitely makes it more difficult to find a 128i or 135i. To add to the trouble most of the websites mess up the listings and will show many automatics as manuals. I spoke with a guy at a VW dealer and he mentioned this is a common problem with 1 and 3 series BMWs. The websites are automated, pulling the information for the VIN. For some reason the data for these cars are not correct. He also said they can only add a note, they can't edit the transmission type...so sorting by transmission type is still erroneous.

[swunder]

Oh my god yes the listings are brutal. 9/10 of the 'manuals' are automatics.

I'm actually test driving a DCT tomorrow just because its the closest 135i in general to me. I've never liked paddles in any other car I've tried but who knows maybe I'll be blown away.

I'm still in the school of the entire point of these (and similar) cars is the MT. I get it, DCT can be .1 quicker to 60... who the hell cares. But I'm open for my mind to be changed.

[Zombie_Head]

Originally Posted by swunder

Just started looking for a 135i with MT but appear to be pretty late to the party. Seems like most have 75k+ miles and are not MT. They also seem to nearly ALL have an accident history, guessing because the average owner is probably a 22 year old male.

So if I actually find one near me that's not beat up and has a reasonable amount of miles should I be inclined to jump on it?

Asking because since I just started looking, I have no idea how often new sales pop up and what their usual mileage/condition is.

Took me two and a half months to find my 125i, these things take time.

[duder13]

Originally Posted by swunder

I'm still in the school of the entire point of these (and similar) cars is the MT. I get it, DCT can be .1 quicker to 60... who the hell cares. But I'm open for my mind to be changed.

I absolutely agree. I'd hold out for a manual.

[Stubbie Blue]

I was specifically looking for a MT RWD car for the involvement since the roads are all straight and flat here in Florida so changing gears at least gives you something to do. I'm not keen on a convertible like the Miata since it's too hot here. The Cayman/Boxster was a bit too expensive. Toyota 86 doesn't have much power. And I'm not personally into American muscle cars--Mustang, Camaro, Challenger. What else is there?

So when this 2012 135i 6MT with 33k mi popped up for sale I immediately felt it was a good fit. I think I paid a premium for it too at $22k or about half the original MSRP for a 6 year old car.

[Dogeeseegod]

I searched for my 128i for 6 months before finding it. My search parameters: no black interior or exterior, no i-drive, manual transmission. I found it accidently listed as an auto 450 miles from home! Bought a plane ticket and drove her home! Certainly worth the wait, I feel like if I'm going to spend $10k I better get exactly what I want or nothing at all.

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by swunder

Just started looking for a 135i with MT but appear to be pretty late to the party. Seems like most have 75k+ miles and are not MT. They also seem to nearly ALL have an accident history, guessing because the average owner is probably a 22-year-old male.

So if I actually find one near me that's not beat up and has a reasonable amount of miles should I be inclined to jump on it?

Asking because since I just started looking, I have no idea how often new sales pop up and what their usual mileage/condition is.

I got a clean 2013 135i manual loaded, 100% stock, 65K. Yes, they are rare took me 2 years to find mine. Of course, I would be willing to entertain any offer ABOVE market value.

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by tock172

It took quite a bit of time to sell my 2011 M Sport 6-speed with 35k miles and a warranty last year. I ultimately got my price, but thanks to a few flakey buyers and unprofessional individuals at the bank, I ended up sitting on the car for longer than I ever imagined. KBB detracts a certain amount off of their valuations for a manual 1 if I recall. The manual has remained the enthusiast's choice though. If you find a car you like, don't hesitate to get it inspected and potentially make an offer.

Yeah KBB kills the value of manual 135s when it should do the opposite.

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by swunder

Oh my god yes the listings are brutal. 9/10 of the 'manuals' are automatics.

I'm actually test driving a DCT tomorrow just because its the closest 135i in general to me. I've never liked paddles in any other car I've tried but who knows maybe I'll be blown away.

I'm still in the school of the entire point of these (and similar) cars is the MT. I get it, DCT can be .1 quicker to 60... who the hell cares. But I'm open for my mind to be changed.

What year is it? My 2011 DCT is great. Some complain about the lag or jerkiness in slow speed traffic and/or when stopped. Mine doesn't have any issues. The PPK helps make the DCT even more responsive. Honestly the DCT completely changed my mind about automatics.