IS prices going nuts

[swunder]

Have noticed IS prices are just crazy lately, or maybe they always have been - only been looking for a few months.

When I started there were 2 or 3 in the 22-25k range, which fine I guess is reasonable given the rarity.

However, maybe its just the one dealer by me trying to milk it but they have had multiple for over 30k, including one now for 33k!

1/586 models mentioned in the description -- do you guys/gals think that is worth it for this model? Is it just for someone looking for a very specific car? I would think if you have 35k to blow on an IS you'd just buy a real 1M for 50k.

[c1pher]

I do.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by swunder

-- do you guys/gals think that is worth it for this model?

Not a chance. It was worth the extra grand or two for the improvements made from the factory when new, sure, it got you factory goodies that a lot of people would change out later anyhow on the i model.

But when it comes down to what... wheels, exhaust, slight tune (???) on a used car, it's lucky to be worth even just the extra premium today that it was then. As for being sold for way more, used... not in any way I can possibly see it.

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

Not a chance. It was worth the extra grand or two for the improvements made from the factory when new, sure, it got you factory goodies that a lot of people would change out later anyhow on the i model.

But when it comes down to what... wheels, exhaust, slight tune (???) on a used car, it's lucky to be worth even just the extra premium today that it was then. As for being sold for way more, used... not in any way I can possibly see it.

Some people say the same thing about the 1M.

[low135]

Originally Posted by MGM135is

Some people say the same thing about the 1M.

factory widebody though

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by lowjetta

factory widebody though

And much more...

[swagon]

I've even seen some crazy-priced regular 135i's in Europe... Lots of people have unrealistic expectations as to how much their old babied depreciation tin can is worth after a few years.

[N55darksoul]

Not an IS but I just purchased a black 2012 all the bells and whistles, M performance package 135i w/28k miles, clean 1 person never modified car fax ( windows were not even tinted) I had it professionally inspected with seriously no flaws started at around 21k but got it for 18900 from a dealer! Tell me a car with this performance you can buy for 18k? Lol... Resell is no option - why would I? ...this is a "until the wheels fall off" purchase...lol

[JimVonBaden]

IMHO A car that has been modified is almost always worth less than a factory stock car. You just can't be sure of the quality of the mods, and modified cars are often driven very hard. No way I would pay extra for mods, especially mechanical ones. I sure as hell wouldn't pay more than factory new retail. I would not even pay close to it.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by MGM135is

Some people say the same thing about the 1M.

Huh, I haven't heard that, not lately, but maybe so.

I'm not knocking the IS at all, I'd love to have had one, just don't see any need for it to be a huge premium. A little one sure, huge no.

[Happy Jose]

All Ones ever made have a range of prices from zero to around $20K. I don't care if it was stored in a cryonics chamber on the date of purchase.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by swunder

Have noticed IS prices are just crazy lately, or maybe they always have been - only been looking for a few months.

When I started there were 2 or 3 in the 22-25k range, which fine I guess is reasonable given the rarity.

However, maybe its just the one dealer by me trying to milk it but they have had multiple for over 30k, including one now for 33k!

1/586 models mentioned in the description -- do you guys/gals think that is worth it for this model? Is it just for someone looking for a very specific car? I would think if you have 35k to blow on an IS you'd just buy a real 1M for 50k.

I am a huge fan of the 135is and came close to buying one between my first 1M and 2nd 1M. Just a quick back story, I was one of those unhappy BMW people that felt the M cars had gotten too heavy, bloated and tech laden and missed my chance to order a low option E46 M3. I bought my first 1M in 2011 brand new, euro delivery and sold it 18 months later when my wife and my job were in jeapordy during the california recession. I figured I would wait it out and get an M2 but also looked at M235i and in 2013 the 135is came out and looked at that also.

The 135is was a compelling car and it actually sounded better than the 1M in some respects but having actually owned a 1M, there were a few big differences that I couldn't get past and at the time, the 135is was selling new for more than the 1M. While many uninformed on the 1 series forum continue to say the 1M is just a 135i with a tune, they are wrong, however this charge is closer to the 135is than the 1M. Aside from the power boost and I believe an extra radiator, the underlying body, suspension components, brakes are essentially the same as the 135i. You could buy the BMW Performance kit from BMW and bolt it on a 135i. The suspension tuning was a little different but it was still steel shock housings, the same steering rack, safe diff, etc. The 135is was the best iteration of the 135i especially if you ordered it without sunroof and manual seats and no nav but it is more like a premium M sport version. For those like me that wanted a blue 1M, the 135is was available in blue and It still makes me knees wobbly when I see a blue one. I prefer manual sport cars but for those that prefer the automatic, the "is" has that advantage too!

Part of the bump you see in prices is that crazy 1M prices are lifting up other cars that are close and the 135is is the closest to it. Furthermore, a recent article throwing around number like the 135is is more rare than the 1M because they made 586 versus 740 1Ms that made it to the US. Now the 135is is rarer and more special based on that. This is grossly misleading because the car is not significantly different than a 135. The bodywork is the same, steering, diff, brakes, etc.

The 1M on the other hand is not a body kit only, the bodywork is wholly different. The entire rear suspension is different including a 100% full lock differential. All the shock housings are aluminum which dissipates heat better than steel shock housings and weight a little less. The brakes are larger and sturdier for track use than the pretty 135i brakes. They are also cross-drilled floating disk design. The body work and wheels are larger to handle the additional torque. The flywheel is lightened and most important of all, it has a different steering rack that is much quicker than the regular 135i rack and a big part of the driving feel. So to make a 1M from a 135i is very difficult and expensive. It takes body work, rack change, suspension change, flywheels change. To make a 135is from a 135, does not require as much.

So even with a tune, a 135i will still behave a little different than the 1M unless you change the flywheel too.

So all of these small changes add up to making the 1M weigh slightly less than an equally equipped 135i despite having bigger wheels, brakes, full lock diff, etc.


So to the OP, at those prices, I would consider looking for a decent 1M. At 22K-30k, I would get a 135is but for $35K and up, that opens the door and there might be deals out there at $45-48K.

I hope that helps. Best wishes!

[duder13]

I think it was probably worth it new, but, used at $35K, no way, since you can easily buy the extra parts off the shelf for a 135i for much less.

When I was sourcing a 135i a few months back, I would have been willing to go maybe $3k-4k more for the 135is, but that's about it.

[iminhell1]

Prices may reflect trying to scare off the tire kickers and tuners. Not everything is about market demand or supply.

[c1pher]

Don't forget that you also get forged 313 wheels and the BMW performance exhaust on the 135is. All from the factory, not modded to get those features. Also, unlike the 135is, not all 135i come with the M-Sport package and shadowline package, although most I have seen do.

So I am not trying to say the 1M is a POS, but with the 135is, you do get the same power as the m235i that replaced it. Some of what an m235i that makes it handle better than a 135i is the tires, so simply replacing the crappy Bridgestones with the same ones the m235i uses, essentially nullifies that problem.

[Esteban]

I like the 135is, but think it's only worth a couple thousand over the standard 135i. Maybe a little more considering the 313s, PPK2, and the PE. Those items can be bought for any 135i tho, and that leaves you with its limited edition, badges, blue stitching (I think on black leather only), etc.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Esteban

I like the 135is, but think it's only worth a couple thousand over the standard 135i. Maybe a little more considering the 313s, PPK2, and the PE. Those items can be bought for any 135i tho, and that leaves you with its limited edition, badges, blue stitching (I think on black leather only), etc.

I have the blue stitched leather. Try pricing it out. Eek!

[nachob]

Originally Posted by MGM135is

Don't forget that you also get forged 313 wheels and the BMW performance exhaust on the 135is. All from the factory, not modded to get those features. Also, unlike the 135is, not all 135i come with the M-Sport package and shadowline package, although most I have seen do.

So I am not trying to say the 1M is a POS, but with the 135is, you do get the same power as the m235i that replaced it. Some of what an m235i that makes it handle better than a 135i is the tires, so simply replacing the crappy Bridgestones with the same ones the m235i uses, essentially nullifies that problem.

I drove M235i and it's nice but 135is sounded better and was more raw. While I find the 135i steering rack a bit slow I still preferred it to the M235i rack that was nice but little feedback. I would take a 135is in blue with no nav and manual seats over an M235i any day!

The 135is feels like Timothy Dalton "Bond". The M235i feels like Roger Moore version. 1M feels like Daniel Craig "Bond"

: )

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by nachob

I drove M235i and it's nice but 135is sounded better and was more raw. While I find the 135i steering rack a bit slow I still preferred it to the M235i rack that was nice but little feedback. I would take a 135is in blue with no nav and manual seats over an M235i any day!

The 135is feels like Timothy Dalton "Bond". The M235i feels like Roger Moore version. 1M feels like Daniel Craig "Bond"

: )

No Sean Connery?

[nachob]

Originally Posted by Esteban

No Sean Connery?

He's the e30 M3!

: )

Old slow but still appreciated!

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

I have the blue stitched leather. Try pricing it out. Eek!

Were you charged extra for the blue stitching? If so, curious as to how much, if you wouldn't mind sharing.

[elitesales305]

Im sure a lot of people can second my post..
theirs times I hate this car..
but theres times I absolutely would consummate a marriage with my 135i..
this is deff a car that I would keep till the wheels fall off..
ive been looking at the m4..and when I think about the trade in value on my 135.. I always say fuck it.. ill pay more a month for the m4 and garage the 135
if that isn't love, I don't know what is!!