Possible options to trade a 128i for a 135i?

[adobeee]

Hi everybody,

So I had a chance to drive a loaner 2010 135i (M-sport package with navi) while my 2008 128i was in service and I fell in love with it.

While I still love my 128i and treat it like my baby, I feel that the 135i was more exhilarating to drive. I crave the noise it makes during engine startup and acceleration.

What are my possible options if I wanted to trade-in my 2008 128i for an used 135i? Also, how much would it cost? My 128i has the premium package (grey poplar trim, boston red leather seats, power seats, auto-dim mirrors, compass, etc.), adaptive xenons, bluetooth, hi-fi sound system and usb/ipod convertor. I would expect the 135i to have more-or-less the same options, but with navi.

I know these questions may sound vague as hell, but I just wanted to get the community’s opinion and what the best possible options are.

Thanks!!!

[rogm]

KBB.com price it, then sell it on craigslist... then get a 135I...
Or take it to a dealer and trade it in... you will take a hit this way, but it will be a fast trade.

[doublevanosrc]

Dude you're going to lose any way you slice it, just hurry and trade it in and start enjoying the 135i. My dealer lets you buy loaners if you want, so if you really like the loaner you drove make them a generous offer.

[adobeee]

Should I be concerned with getting a 2008 model? i.e. engine HPFP issues?

[KingOfJericho]

The lesson to be learned here is to test drive both models before purchasing next time. There were issues straight through the 2010 models with the HPFP but they issued a recall and most were replaced. I wouldn't let that be the sticking point.

[J0E]

The HPFP issues should have been recalled and fixed. I just bought a 2008 and I made sure this recall was done on the service records. They also automatically extend the warranty on the HPFP to 10yr/120k.

As far as trade-in value. I would find a CPO 128i similar to yours at a local dealer. Take their retail price and subtract $4,000. That's probably the best you will get ($2k profit, $2k CPO). Then you can compare it to the going rate for 135i CPO's. Of course you can find 135i's that aren't CPO'd at other dealers but I personally prefer the piece of mind of a warranty on a used vehicle.

Keep in mind, though I'm not sure if it's the same in every state, but here in CO, your full trade-in value goes toward the taxable price, whereas money down doesn't. In my case, by trading in my car instead of selling it outright, I knocked my Sales Tax down $1000. In that case, trading in the car nets you about the same value as selling it for $1000 more than the trade-in price.

Last but not least, BMW is doing 0.9% APR for 48 months (or 0% for 12mo) on all '08 1-series AND BMW financial will pay your first two payments up to $500 each. For a 135i, that will (probably) knock another $1000 off your purchase price. In this case, it's actually cheaper to finance the BMW than to buy it outright (for $30,000 loan, total interest after 48mo is ~$600)

It's actually not a bad time right now to jump out of your 128i and into a (2008) 135i if you really want one. Of course these numbers were approximated based on my own recent purchase but yours should be similar.

[the1andonly]

Originally Posted by adobeee

Hi everybody,

So I had a chance to drive a loaner 2010 135i (M-sport package with navi) while my 2008 128i was in service and I fell in love with it.

While I still love my 128i and treat it like my baby, I feel that the 135i was more exhilarating to drive. I crave the noise it makes during engine startup and acceleration.

What are my possible options if I wanted to trade-in my 2008 128i for an used 135i? Also, how much would it cost? My 128i has the premium package (grey poplar trim, boston red leather seats, power seats, auto-dim mirrors, compass, etc.), adaptive xenons, bluetooth, hi-fi sound system and usb/ipod convertor. I would expect the 135i to have more-or-less the same options, but with navi.

I know these questions may sound vague as hell, but I just wanted to get the community’s opinion and what the best possible options are.

Thanks!!!

I drove both...bought the 128i manual and love it, but the 135i is a very sweet ride too. Ive heard on these boards and even noticed on driving both cars that the exhaust and engine sound on the 128i is actually a bit nicer from the natuarally asperated I6 than the 135i, both stock...am i mistaken?

[cvandenhaute]

Originally Posted by the1andonly

I drove both...bought the 128i manual and love it, but the 135i is a very sweet ride too. Ive heard on these boards and even noticed on driving both cars that the exhaust and engine sound on the 128i is actually a bit nicer from the natuarally asperated I6 than the 135i, both stock...am i mistaken?

Unfortunately not, I test drove a manual 135i before I bought my 128i and I have to say that the stock exhaust of the 135i (2011 so N55 engine) was more dramatic than the 128i (more crackle and burble). The 128i has a reasonable sound in stock version but I wouldn't mind if it sounded as good as the 135i...

[tritonx]

Originally Posted by cvandenhaute

Unfortunately not, I test drove a manual 135i before I bought my 128i and I have to say that the stock exhaust of the 135i (2011 so N55 engine) was more dramatic than the 128i (more crackle and burble). The 128i has a reasonable sound in stock version but I wouldn't mind if it sounded as good as the 135i...

If all you want is more sound, look into an aftermarket exhaust. The engine in the 128i is more than capable of more sound with a different exhaust setup.

[adobeee]

Originally Posted by tritonx

If all you want is more sound, look into an aftermarket exhaust. The engine in the 128i is more than capable of more sound with a different exhaust setup.

Any idea on how the PE sounds on a 128i? What other aftermarket exhausts would you recommend?

[tritonx]

Originally Posted by adobeee

Any idea on how the PE sounds on a 128i? What other aftermarket exhausts would you recommend?

I don't know but I'm sure you can find something that will make the 128i sounds meaner than the stock 135i. I would be interested in knowing the options too.

[__ivy__]

IMO, keep the car you have, assuming that it is issue free. The reality is that (1) it will cost a fair amount to upgrade, and (2) you may be buying someone else's problems.

I know the extra power is intoxicating. However, I did the fire-breathing-monster thing with a E60 550i with 6-speed and ZSP, and the reality is that I found there are very few places you can use all of that power on the street without being arrested.

On my first BMW, and E46 325, you wind through the gears and tickle the redline all around town. On the 550, 2nd gear redline was about 68 mph. Thus, I now have a 328 and have a 128 convertible on order.

I'd put some money towards a better exhaust, and think about getting a fire-breathing-monster a few years down the road when you're done with this car.

[adobeee]

Originally Posted by tritonx

If all you want is more sound, look into an aftermarket exhaust. The engine in the 128i is more than capable of more sound with a different exhaust setup.

Originally Posted by __ivy__

IMO, keep the car you have, assuming that it is issue free. The reality is that (1) it will cost a fair amount to upgrade, and (2) you may be buying someone else's problems.

I know the extra power is intoxicating. However, I did the fire-breathing-monster thing with a E60 550i with 6-speed and ZSP, and the reality is that I found there are very few places you can use all of that power on the street without being arrested.

On my first BMW, and E46 325, you wind through the gears and tickle the redline all around town. On the 550, 2nd gear redline was about 68 mph. Thus, I now have a 328 and have a 128 convertible on order.

I'd put some money towards a better exhaust, and think about getting a fire-breathing-monster a few years down the road when you're done with this car.

Thanks for all the helpful advice given so far in this thread. Would you recommend the PE exhaust for 128i (it sounds good) or do you know a better sounding one? I just want an exhaust that doesn't sound like a ricer..I like a deeper sounding exhaust.

And for the fire-breathing monster car..that's when I can afford it!!

[cvandenhaute]

Originally Posted by adobeee

Thanks for all the helpful advice given so far in this thread. Would you recommend the PE exhaust for 128i (it sounds good) or do you know a better sounding one? I just want an exhaust that doesn't sound like a ricer..I like a deeper sounding exhaust.

And for the fire-breathing monster car..that's when I can afford it!!

I think you will find a lot of positive treads about the PE for the 128i in the 128i section. There are a few videos and it really sounds good, never heard it myself but I am contemplating the idea to mount it on my 128i

[BimmerEnthusiast99]

Originally Posted by __ivy__

IMO, keep the car you have, assuming that it is issue free. The reality is that (1) it will cost a fair amount to upgrade, and (2) you may be buying someone else's problems.

... the reality is that I found there are very few places you can use all of that power on the street without being arrested.

I'd put some money towards a better exhaust, and think about getting a fire-breathing-monster a few years down the road when you're done with this car.

This x1000. And get Performance Exhaust, it sounds nice; I think the N52 sounds great in the 128, even stock.

The N54 is fantastic (I've had 2); however, I wouldn't trust any pre-owned/used 1 or 3 with one in it. Not necessarily because of the engine itself, but because of the foot that has pressed the pedal for the last 2-3 years.