Good buy or bad idea?

jpeaslee · 10-19-2025, 04:58 PM

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[Undercarriage](

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I’ve recently started looking for a 128i. Not a ton on the market near me that are 6 speeds. Looking for a second car (daily is a 100 series Land Cruiser) for a fun occasional daily, possibly non-competitive auto cross days, and just general spirited driving. I’m moderately capable mechanically, so minor/moderate repairs aren’t a huge deal, but I’m not looking for a project car.

I ran across this one and it checks a lot of boxes for me. Front bumper and driver fender are a little rough (not a big deal to me). It’s about 2 hours away, so I want to make sure there aren’t any big red flags before committing to the trip.

Is the engine noise normal for these engines or is there some valve tapping there?

He’s asking $7

2009 BMW 128i 6 Speed Manual Transmission 182k Miles

• ⁠Stage 3 Intake Manifold
• ⁠Clutch
• ⁠Bimmer Brothers’ Catless Headers, - Full exhaust
• ⁠Garagetastic mounted shifter
• ⁠18x8.5 wheels
• ⁠Aluminum Valve Cover
• ⁠Brakes/Rotors
• ⁠Automatic Diff (3.46 Gears)

When the new clutch was installed, problem areas were addressed.

• ⁠Oil Filter Housing Seals Replaced
• ⁠Mickey Mouse Coolant Hose Mount - Upgraded/changeable AOS Valve

Previous owner had the radiator, hoses, and all fluids done by BMW a few thousand miles before—it appears that he did take care of the car.

jsigone · 10-20-2025, 10:22 AM

Miles kinda high but looks like it was taken care of and some decent mods. If you're in it for the long run, 128 6spd are hard to find, even more so w/o a sunroof. If in the super long run, keep eye on spare engine to save for another date.

I also have a 100 hundo. mine is 2001 lx on 33s and fox shocks. The e82 is oppo since it's a go kart really but nice to have when the roads are calling or gas prices are too high in cali. My hundo needs more maintenance then the e82

jdog006 · 10-22-2025, 04:19 PM

These fuel injected engines have a loud ticking and it's even louder when the engine cover is off. I'm pretty sure the ticking sound is the fuel injectors.

brake-fade · 10-22-2025, 09:11 PM

That engine noise is not normal. Sounds like a lifter. Higher milage engines, like mine, will bleed down if it sits for a few days, but will pump back up after a few miles of driving and not heard again unless it sits. Does that one pump back up and quiet down?Definitely not normal though. Generally pretty quiet engines as they do not have direct injection, which can have a clicking sound.

Lof8 · 11-14-2025, 10:57 AM

Lol. I bought this exact car. I made a 9 hour drive from FL to grab it. 4 days later the engine seized up.

I'm working on getting a new engine in it.

10-19-2025, 04:58 PM	#1
jpeaslee Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: Toyota LandCruiser Join Date: Oct 2025 Location: Alabama iTrader: (0)	Good buy or bad idea? [pics]( View post on imgur.com ) [Video 1]( View post on imgur.com ) [video 2]( View post on imgur.com ) [Undercarriage]( View post on imgur.com ) I’ve recently started looking for a 128i. Not a ton on the market near me that are 6 speeds. Looking for a second car (daily is a 100 series Land Cruiser) for a fun occasional daily, possibly non-competitive auto cross days, and just general spirited driving. I’m moderately capable mechanically, so minor/moderate repairs aren’t a huge deal, but I’m not looking for a project car. I ran across this one and it checks a lot of boxes for me. Front bumper and driver fender are a little rough (not a big deal to me). It’s about 2 hours away, so I want to make sure there aren’t any big red flags before committing to the trip. Is the engine noise normal for these engines or is there some valve tapping there? He’s asking $7 2009 BMW 128i 6 Speed Manual Transmission 182k Miles • ⁠Stage 3 Intake Manifold • ⁠Clutch • ⁠Bimmer Brothers’ Catless Headers, - Full exhaust • ⁠Garagetastic mounted shifter • ⁠18x8.5 wheels • ⁠Aluminum Valve Cover • ⁠Brakes/Rotors • ⁠Automatic Diff (3.46 Gears) When the new clutch was installed, problem areas were addressed. • ⁠Oil Filter Housing Seals Replaced • ⁠Mickey Mouse Coolant Hose Mount - Upgraded/changeable AOS Valve Previous owner had the radiator, hoses, and all fluids done by BMW a few thousand miles before—it appears that he did take care of the car.
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10-20-2025, 10:22 AM	#2
jsigone Private 156 Rep 83 Posts Drives: 13' C63, 12' 135i Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Miles kinda high but looks like it was taken care of and some decent mods. If you're in it for the long run, 128 6spd are hard to find, even more so w/o a sunroof. If in the super long run, keep eye on spare engine to save for another date. I also have a 100 hundo. mine is 2001 lx on 33s and fox shocks. The e82 is oppo since it's a go kart really but nice to have when the roads are calling or gas prices are too high in cali. My hundo needs more maintenance then the e82
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10-22-2025, 04:19 PM	#3
jdog006 Private First Class 97 Rep 108 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Apr 2025 Location: Tucson iTrader: (0)	These fuel injected engines have a loud ticking and it's even louder when the engine cover is off. I'm pretty sure the ticking sound is the fuel injectors.
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10-22-2025, 09:11 PM	#4
brake-fade Private First Class 275 Rep 193 Posts Drives: 128i, 6sp MT, Koni, Swift Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Rhode Island iTrader: (0)	That engine noise is not normal. Sounds like a lifter. Higher milage engines, like mine, will bleed down if it sits for a few days, but will pump back up after a few miles of driving and not heard again unless it sits. Does that one pump back up and quiet down?Definitely not normal though. Generally pretty quiet engines as they do not have direct injection, which can have a clicking sound.
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11-14-2025, 10:57 AM	#5
Lof8 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Nov 2025 Location: Bradenton FL iTrader: (0)	Lol. I bought this exact car. I made a 9 hour drive from FL to grab it. 4 days later the engine seized up. I'm working on getting a new engine in it.
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