Things I wish I knew before buying a used 1

[JTB]

Just a couple things I would have looked for during the buying process.

1) Check the LEDs in the tail lights. Early cars have frequent failures and there are no lights on the dash to warn you that the driving lights are out.

2) Park the car in the sun on a hot day and look at the radio. If the LCD panel goes wonky and is hard to read, the display needs to be repaired / replaced.

3) Have BMW bring up the VIN at the service department. The car may have been black listed due to modifications. If so, when the HPFP, injectors, wastegates fail, BMW will deny the extended warranty coverage.

Number 1 and 2 got me. I now have a set of blacklines so not too bummed . What have you guys encountered?

[uberschnell]

#3 That's why CPO is the way to go

[bbbbmw]

Originally Posted by uberschnell

#3 That's why CPO is the way to go

Except that I don't believe CPO would cover any of the above, other than ensuring the car hadn't been modified.

I felt very burned by my previous CPO warranty - it's essentially a drivetrain warranty, with little clarification of what is/isn't covered, until something breaks.

A very expensive drivetrain warranty.

[RX-BMW]

I thought I was the only one with #2! but it Just started doing it this summer and i've had the car for 3 years.

[WGScales]

My current 128 and my previous two BMWs all have had the radio dispay failure in the hot sun. Getting my current radio replaced under warranty next week.

[cheshirecat79]

Originally Posted by bbbbmw

Except that I don't believe CPO would cover any of the above, other than ensuring the car hadn't been modified.

HPFP and wastegates (turbo replacement) are covered on all cars, CPO or not, up until the times specified in each TSB- given that the car hasn't been blacklisted by BMW due to mods.

[Bob Z.]

I do not think that one can group all "Mods" into one negative category. For example, a catback exhaust and air intake should not scare someone away but downpipes, tuning programs should alert potential buyers that they should investigate the car throughly before purchasing.

[Colt]

Originally Posted by RX-BMW

I thought I was the only one with #2! but it Just started doing it this summer and i've had the car for 3 years.

Mine does it. But it seems to go away a little and brighten up after a while of driving the car with the A/C on

[RX-BMW]

Originally Posted by Angerman

Mine does it. But it seems to go away a little and brighten up after a while of driving the car with the A/C on

Yeah doesnt really bother me

[JimD]

The only modification I can immediately think of that would give a dealer a legitamate right to disclaim responsibility for engine damage is a tune that raises boost pressure. It's a simple way to gain power but it can break things. Most things, correctly installed, will not hurt the car so they should not be the cause of a dis-allowed warranty claim.

[MZWIE]

1) 135 does not have driving lights

2) I park my car in hot sun every day. As soon as interior cools of when AC is running display is fine

3) If dealer detects mods then you're out of luck. CPO or otherwise

[rking117]

if the dealer CPOs the car it wont matter what mods are done to it they will repair back to factory specs. They will not CPO a modded car so CPO is always the way to go. Their inspection process will uncover any upgrades that would not be covered and either fixed at that point or doen so if/when they fail. But lets say u get car with aftermarket coilovers or something like that. they are not likely to replace those coilover if one fails but rather not offer that vehicle with CPO. IF they did make a mistake and still offer CPO on the vehicle (and you document the coilovers) they will likely replace one with a factory suspension part if it fails but that might leave you ridin sideways having to pay out of pocket for the other. There are simply too many scenarios to cover but certainly I believe in CPO becuase they will stand behnd your vehicle rather than having u pull out your wallet.

[rking117]

Originally Posted by bbbbmw

Except that I don't believe CPO would cover any of the above, other than ensuring the car hadn't been modified.

I felt very burned by my previous CPO warranty - it's essentially a drivetrain warranty, with little clarification of what is/isn't covered, until something breaks.

A very expensive drivetrain warranty.

there are two CPO warranties. If you get the more costly one it DOES cover your radio. I just spoke to my SA about it.

[EnlightenedOne]

Are there things such as the HPFP that are covered on all cars even if the factory warranty has expired?

[Ehwnnc]

I cant see my display with my sunglasses on anyway

[miiipilot]

I wish I knew the 1M was coming out before I bought mine

[cheshirecat79]

Originally Posted by EnlightenedOne

Are there things such as the HPFP that are covered on all cars even if the factory warranty has expired?

Yes, as long as your car hasn't been blacklisted.

The HPFP is covered until 10 years/120k miles, regardless of your warranty status.

The turbos are covered to 8 years/82k miles in the event of wastegate rattle.

[Zombie1]

Originally Posted by cheshirecat79

Yes, as long as your car hasn't been blacklisted.

The HPFP is covered until 10 years/120k miles, regardless of your warranty status.

The turbos are covered to 8 years/82k miles in the event of wastegate rattle.

Or just early model years?

[cheshirecat79]

Originally Posted by Zombie1

Or just early model years?

All N54's, basically as they apply to any model throughout BMW's stable.

For the E82, it's 2008-2010.

[Judge]

Originally Posted by JTB

2) Park the car in the sun on a hot day and look at the radio. If the LCD panel goes wonky and is hard to read, the display needs to be repaired / replaced.

This is a frequent issue, but since we're talking about it does anyone know how much it would cost to have the radio display fixed/repaired out of warranty? The problem does go away once the car cools down a bit but if it's a cheap fix I'll consider it next time I take my car to the dealer.

[miiipilot]

I've had my radio replaced for this issue and the new one also does that. Bad design overall for this. Just gets too hot and then shuts down

[vertebra]

I wish I knew how fun and fast the 135i is.... I would have bought one sooner!