Should I trade my 5.0 Mustang for an N55 135i?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by escpeartst

Hi everyone,

Pretty close to coming up on a 2011 BMW 135i m sport myself.. praying everyone stays active here, I have many things to learn

Just keep reading the info in these pages and you'll learn a lot in no time. I have much to learn about the 1 series as well. Good luck on your future purchase.

[50shadesofhockenheim]

Originally Posted by escpeartst

Hi everyone,

Pretty close to coming up on a 2011 BMW 135i m sport myself.. praying everyone stays active here, I have many things to learn

What are you driving now?

[50shadesofhockenheim]

I'm going to get a pre purchase inspection done on the car. The car is in Georgia and I'm Florida so I will have a dealership there do it now. The BMW dealers around there dont do inspections anymore as I just found out from them. I'm going to have an independent shop do one. So...

Is there anything specific I should mention to check that a shop wouldn't normally pay much attention to? Stuff that is specific to BMW or even to 1 series or 135i with DCT specifically?

[escpeartst]

Originally Posted by E90 LCI

What are you driving now?

I'm coming from a 2009 Nissan 370Z sports pkg

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by escpeartst

I'm coming from a 2009 Nissan 370Z sports pkg

My wife drives a 2015 Pearl White 370Z. Great car. Why are you changing cars? Too many miles? Bored with it? Just want something different? Upgrade? Between the 2 cars, I think my 1er is the better car. She doesn't.

[escpeartst]

Originally Posted by Esteban

My wife drives a 2015 Pearl White 370Z. Great car. Why are you changing cars? Too many miles? Bored with it? Just want something different? Upgrade? Between the 2 cars, I think my 1er is the better car. She doesn't.

Very nice, indeed it is an amazing car. I've definitely driven the heck out of it. 81k miles on it right now, got it at 44 I believe 2 years ago. I just feel I'm not getting the gains I'm looking for the amount of mods I'm putting in unless I go FI or turbo.

Plus, although I can't really compare, I've driven the GTR with DCT and I loved it, smooth shifts like butter so I've been looking for one ever since. I was also looking for something with a turbo engine as well.

From my research, gains for the dollar, 135i is handing out naps all night... until I'm ready to move up to the super cars haha

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by escpeartst

Very nice, indeed it is an amazing car. I've definitely driven the heck out of it. 81k miles on it right now, got it at 44 I believe 2 years ago. I just feel I'm not getting the gains I'm looking for the amount of mods I'm putting in unless I go FI or turbo.

Plus, although I can't really compare, I've driven the GTR with DCT and I loved it, smooth shifts like butter so I've been looking for one ever since. I was also looking for something with a turbo engine as well.

From my research, gains for the dollar, 135i is handing out naps all night... until I'm ready to move up to the super cars haha

Would love to try a GTR some day. Bet that's a very special car. I haven't test driven one so far because it's way more than I want to spend and I don't want to be tempted to do something I'll regret later.

[TheCaptain]

Originally Posted by E90 LCI

Is there anything specific I should mention to check that a shop wouldn't normally pay much attention to? Stuff that is specific to BMW or even to 1 series or 135i with DCT specifically?

Make sure the seals on the DCT aren't leaking, which can only be determined by removing the paneling underneath and looking. There are a bunch of threads about this leak. I don't think it's common, but it's serious. The DCT costs about $11k just for the part.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by TheCaptain

Make sure the seals on the DCT aren't leaking, which can only be determined by removing the paneling underneath and looking. There are a bunch of threads about this leak. I don't think it's common, but it's serious. The DCT costs about $11k just for the part.

Yeah, here's a thread about the DCT leaking. Check it out, OP. No leaks here though.

[50shadesofhockenheim]

Originally Posted by TheCaptain

Make sure the seals on the DCT aren't leaking, which can only be determined by removing the paneling underneath and looking. There are a bunch of threads about this leak. I don't think it's common, but it's serious. The DCT costs about $11k just for the part.

Originally Posted by Esteban

Yeah, here's a thread about the DCT leaking. Check it out, OP. No leaks here though.

Dealer is taking the car to a shop now. I told him to tell them to check that. I'm gonna talk to them too

[50shadesofhockenheim]

Customer provided with PPI checklist*Notes:-During the test drive found that the vehicle pulsates under braking-No fault codes present-Found minor scratches on doors and chip damage, scratches on front bumper cover, rear bumper cover has vertical striped goo towards the center-No spare tire, has run flat tires-Front tires are good while rear tires will need to be replaced soon-Both front wheels have been repaired/refinished-Transmission pan leaking (minor) - plastic-No other leaks present at this time


Looks like $150 saved me a lot of money in the long run... Definitely not buying

[ShocknAwe]

Hard to find a low mileage N54 1er. I'd go for a N55 with ~30k miles, negotiate a couple thousand off the car, then blow the wad on cooling system maintenance and get yourself at least a Pure Stage 1 turbo, perhaps a Stage 2. Stage 1 will put you about on par with a N54 in terms of power, and Stage 2 is an animal.

Worth noting, there is no such thing as a spare tire on the 135i. Pulsating braking is probably just badly worn rotors. I'd have the seller/dealer replace the rotors and brakes with new OE BMW. Tires I'd leave and just negotiate the price down, you'll want to put your own rubber on there. Other stuff, I'd rather buy a car that looks like it's been repaired to good condition, and I wouldn't buy one with any leaks. Biggest dealbreaker for me would be if body paint was in bad condition. Everything else is fixable, and I hated the OE wheels, quickly replaced those and put wider wheels and rubber on.

[escpeartst]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Would love to try a GTR some day. Bet that's a very special car. I haven't test driven one so far because it's way more than I want to spend and I don't want to be tempted to do something I'll regret later.

Haha from what that community tells me, it'll be the best mistake of my life. For now, I have a deep feeling the 1'er will hold me down just as well.

[50shadesofhockenheim]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Hard to find a low mileage N54 1er. I'd go for a N55 with ~30k miles, negotiate a couple thousand off the car, then blow the wad on cooling system maintenance and get yourself at least a Pure Stage 1 turbo, perhaps a Stage 2. Stage 1 will put you about on par with a N54 in terms of power, and Stage 2 is an animal.

Worth noting, there is no such thing as a spare tire on the 135i. Pulsating braking is probably just badly worn rotors. I'd have the seller/dealer replace the rotors and brakes with new OE BMW. Tires I'd leave and just negotiate the price down, you'll want to put your own rubber on there. Other stuff, I'd rather buy a car that looks like it's been repaired to good condition, and I wouldn't buy one with any leaks. Biggest dealbreaker for me would be if body paint was in bad condition. Everything else is fixable, and I hated the OE wheels, quickly replaced those and put wider wheels and rubber on.

The transmission pan being wet is a deal breaker. I can't have that break on me

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by E90 LCI

The transmission pan being wet is a deal breaker. I can't have that break on me

Agreed. I wouldn't buy one w/ a transmission leak unless it comes w/ an extended warranty and even then probably not. Oil Filter Housing Gasket leak no problem. Trans leak is a no go.

[50shadesofhockenheim]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Agreed. I wouldn't buy one w/ a transmission leak unless it comes w/ an extended warranty and even then probably not. Oil Filter Housing Gasket leak no problem. Trans leak is a no go.

Found a nice 135is coupe for a little more $$

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by E90 LCI

Found a nice 135is coupe for a little more $$

Keep us posted! PPI is always a solid move. Even if you have 3-4 PPI's done and finally settle on the 4th car, the $400-500 you spent could save you a ton of money and headaches and just land you with an all-around better car.

I think I linked this already but check out this thread for some info on what to look out for in the inspections: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1285231

I would definitely look for an N55 and, having purchased two myself, I think they're very solid cars. The OFHG leak is the most common issue and is a PITA but can be DIY'd if you're handy and have a few hours to tackle it.

[50shadesofhockenheim]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

Keep us posted! PPI is always a solid move. Even if you have 3-4 PPI's done and finally settle on the 4th car, the $400-500 you spent could save you a ton of money and headaches and just land you with an all-around better car.

I think I linked this already but check out this thread for some info on what to look out for in the inspections: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1285231

I would definitely look for an N55 and, having purchased two myself, I think they're very solid cars. The OFHG leak is the most common issue and is a PITA but can be DIY'd if you're handy and have a few hours to tackle it.

Thanks for the info

What do you guys think of this car carfax? 3 owners

https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistor...UC9C5XDVM13862

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by E90 LCI

Thanks for the info

What do you guys think of this car carfax? 3 owners

https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistor...UC9C5XDVM13862

Nothing standing out, any other details?

[50shadesofhockenheim]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

Nothing standing out, any other details?

Not much. They're gonna take it to BMW to see if anything is wrong or has to be replaced. Pre cautionary.

2013 is coupe
31,854 miles
6 speed manual
Nav
carbon black on black

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by E90 LCI

Not much. They're gonna take it to BMW to see if anything is wrong or has to be replaced. Pre cautionary.

2013 is coupe
31,854 miles
6 speed manual
Nav
carbon black on black

That sounds pretty nice. Carbon Black is a beautiful color. Hope it works out for you.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by E90 LCI

Not much. They're gonna take it to BMW to see if anything is wrong or has to be replaced. Pre cautionary.

2013 is coupe
31,854 miles
6 speed manual
Nav
carbon black on black

Sounds exactly like my car, carbon black is the shit!

135iv2-10 by Matt Steele, on Flickr