Rebuilt Salvage 135I or Clean 128I

[SHiFTiNG]

Hey guys, I am new to the forum and need someone to tell me if I am being crazy

In the next day or two I am getting one of two cars both are the exact same price and can’t make up my mind.

Car 1: 2008 128I 71k miles auto pretty much base model.

Car 2: 2008 135I 34k miles auto but has a rebuilt salvage title (I have all records of the work done)

I want this car as a daily driver but a fun car to take to the track (yes I know a manual is better but ignore that for now). I was leaning towards the 128 since it’s a clean car and I know will have good reliability but am I going to regret not getting the 135i. someone needs to tell me to stay far away from the salvage title car but I can’t let it go. I looked over the car and had the BMW techs (I work for a BMW dealer) look over the car and everything appears good ( I also have all records and what was fixed).

My ultimate goal was to just have a fun daily driver that I can upgrade the suspension and minor performance upgrades and have a solid great handling car. Originally the 135’s were out of the question due to price but now I can help but be attracted to the upgrade/performance options on the 135 even being a salvage title car.

Ok, time for helpful real world thoughts…

[Billup]

What was the issue that led to it having a rebuilt salvage title? Certain situations, IE water damage / heavy front end collision, I would recommend staying away from. The 135i is a good candidate, especially having low miles, but the resale down the road might not hold up just because of its title status. I love my 128i and its only a premium model, so it really depends on what you want out of the car. If you want performance, you'll get more out of a 135, but as far as handling goes when I drove both, they seemed to be pretty on par with each other.

[Greenkirby21]

That's a lot of miles for a BMW IMO. How cheap is it?

[SHiFTiNG]

Im not worried about resale as I am going to drive either car into the ground, the damage on the vehicle was a front impact and then hit a curb (the car never had to go on a frame rack) Both vehicles are cheap I am getting them wholesale through my dealership. This would be my 8th BMW and out of those 8, 3 went over 200k miles and the other 5 were all into the 100k miles mark so the miles dont scare me in the slightest.

[Billup]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

That's a lot of miles for a BMW IMO. How cheap is it?

Definitely not a lot of miles for a BMW. Mileage on both seem quite minimal compared to the average lifespan of a Bimmer. Especially the NA inline 6. If the front end damage wasn't severe to where any structural repairs needed to be done to the frame, you'll be a lot happier with the performance of the 135i. I'd say get the 128i if you like the style and worried about the "get go" aspect, although the 128 will still get up and go as well.

[iGot1]

until we can go warp speed i am pretty sure we will always want more power, that looks like a tough decision based on price, mileage, and expert opinions

I had a similar choice to make as in new 128 vs older 135 and went 128, it has enough power for a DD and some fun. if we had huge money to spare we would have just got new 135is's

so why take the risk, if you really want a 135 wait a bit, save a bit and get a decent one..

rule number 3: do not buy rebuilt cars

oh and i would ask about the water pump at 71k miles? and a warranty? perhaps look for a comparable price lower mileage 128 ..use those dealer connections

[vertebra]

Have you driven both? What are YOUR opinions of both cars? For dependability the concensus is go with the 128i even though it has more miles. I personally have driven both and really think the 135i is more fun but that is my opinion. The 128i is quick but the 135i is a rocket. Excluding the salvage title it would be a harder choice for me if the 128i was manual. That being said it would all depend on why it was salvaged and who did the work. I have had cars repaired that had major work and they were never the same. You work for BMW, you must know the dealership gets a lot of cars from auctions. I would wait till they found either a 128i in manual or a nonsalvaged 135i...unless you are getting an incredible deal.

[IEDEI]

Salvage = AVOID

the only reason I could ever recommend a salvaged car to anyone is if they had plans to turn it into a very dedicated and modified track day car. If you're even thinking about it for street use or practical use---AVOID. You have no idea what lurks underneath.

[swmrdrn]

Do they have pictures of the crash damage? Do you have a repair shop receipt of what was fixed? It it was simply an issue of unbolting a bunch of parts and bolting new ones on then I wouldn't worry about it provide a good shop did the work. No if they had to pull the uni-body then I would avoid it at all costs. No matter what, if you decide to get serious about the 135i then get it on a wheel alignment rack and have the tech do a 4 wheel alignment. It it aligns correctly with equal adjustment on both sides then the car is physically straight. That with receipts and photos go a long way to making me feel comfortable about the car. The parts are expensive and the cars aren't worth all that much so it is easy for the insurance company to "total" a perfectly fixable car.

[SHiFTiNG]

They do have pictures of the crash which I have yet to see, however I think I made up my mind and am going to go with the 128. I origionally wasnt even looking at the 135's so I am still getting what I want, I dont have to worry what could still be damaged, and insurance doesnt like salvage vehicles very much. So I found the winner, thanks guys!

[JuuS]

The auto in the 128i is a completely different unit compared to the one in the 135i so beware.

[135Pats]

128i

[the1andonly]

If the 128i was a manual I would say GET IT (you said you wanted a FUN daily driver right?)! But in this case, the 128 being an auto and the 135 salvaged, my vote is for neither...

[Vigilante375]

Salvage and a BMW.......that's a big NO. Heck, any salvaged/rebuilt car is a big no. I don't care if it's a Ferrari and Ferrari deems it's ok by their standards.

[SHiFTiNG]

Originally Posted by Vigilante375

Salvage and a BMW.......that's a big NO. Heck, any salvaged/rebuilt car is a big no. I don't care if it's a Ferrari and Ferrari deems it's ok by their standards.

sounds like an episode of Fast n Loud

[tccox]

128 auto is a fantastic car. Had mine since jan2012 and totally happy , and yes I drove nothing but manuals before that

[rking117]

Have the frame checked for trueness and then alignment for all the proper angles. Makes sure there are no cracks or damage to the engine tranny and I say get the 135 and drive that sucker. f you are not worried about resale then you are good to go. also make sure it still has all the safety equip such as airbags and such and that they are in working order.

[M3_wannabe]

Have the frame checked out and all, my friend had a rebuilt m5 and i just got rid of my rebuilt 5 series for the 135i. Both came out to be excellent cars but then again i will say be extremely cautious, we both knew the previous owners and were really lucky. If it is from a random seller then yea check it out, better safe then sorry.

[Vigilante375]

Originally Posted by SHiFTiNG

sounds like an episode of Fast n Loud

You know it. You see what they went through to get it ok'd by Ferrari and then all the other issue's with it? A rebuilt/salvaged car will never feel or be like a new/used car.

[rking117]

Originally Posted by Vigilante375

You know it. You see what they went through to get it ok'd by Ferrari and then all the other issue's with it? A rebuilt/salvaged car will never feel or be like a new/used car.

If done right your comment is not true.

[cagekicker]

Stay Away From Salvage!!!