former BMW Corporate car, Alcantara dash trim?

[jeremyc74]

This isn't a "corporate" car in any way shape or form. The dealer is BSing you about that, and you should call his ass on it.

MWERKs leased this car, just like any other customer, and then modded it. "Port installed options" my ass! They also had a tune (JB3 IIRC) on this car at one point.

http://mwerks.com/artman2/publish/project_135i/

[Battleship Potemkin]

Personally, I don't care for the look, but it has the right transmission and it's quite unique. If you don't have a problem with it and the price is right, I say go for it.

[thothtp]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

This isn't a "corporate" car in any way shape or form. The dealer is BSing you about that, and you should call his ass on it.

MWERKs leased this car, just like any other customer, and then modded it. "Port installed options" my ass! They also had a tune (JB3 IIRC) on this car at one point.

http://mwerks.com/artman2/publish/project_135i/

I think you are right, and I am bringing it up to him. I don't think hes trying to hide anything, I think he just didn't know. Only reason I ever found out was posting here and having achtungE30 point it out.

I'm not sure about the ownership of the car, but I believe it was always owned and registered to BMW, just lent to Mwerks. I believe that is how long term test cars are typically handled, and the vehicle history report backs that up as a single registration in NJ (home of BMW USA), whereas Mwerks is based in Chicago.

Their last project update does say that while they intended to, they never got around to installing a tune, so the engine remained stock throughout. They did install the performance exhaust, and since that took cutting out the original exhaust I believe that was left on the car. I have not driven a stock 135i to compare, but I did notice it sounded fairly aggressive when I tested it.

I am contacting the dealer now about my concerns, I'll see if we can make a deal.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by thothtp

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Their last project update does say that while they intended to, they never got around to installing a tune, so the engine remained stock throughout. .

This is not the case. I've been a member of their forum for years, and they absolutely had a tune on this car. I remember seeing the thread about getting it installed.

Unfortunatly they switched the software of the entire forum, and the search function doesn't work at all right now or I'd find it for you.

[thothtp]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

This is not the case. I've been a member of their forum for years, and they absolutely had a tune on this car. I remember seeing the thread about getting it installed.

Unfortunatly they switched the software of the entire forum, and the search function doesn't work at all right now or I'd find it for you.

You sure about that? They say right here http://www.mwerks.com/artman2/publis...m_wrapup.shtml



"Though we never got around to upgrading our engine software, the ECU’s programming is smooth and satisfying from any engine speed and offers more performance than most drivers could handle."


However, if they had the thing tuned that whole time they were flogging it, thats a definite negative.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by maxnix

BMW extended warranty only if it is not CPO.

Personally, I think the worst trim is the cross hatched aluminum trim. Can't wait until someone sues BMW from the blinding reflection causing a wreck.

I haven't noticed any reflection issues with my aluminum trim. I originally wished they offered the brushed aluminum trim until I had seen how beat up it can get. The nice thing about our patterned trim is that it is quite durable.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by thothtp

You sure about that? They say right here http://www.mwerks.com/artman2/publis...m_wrapup.shtml



"Though we never got around to upgrading our engine software, the ECU’s programming is smooth and satisfying from any engine speed and offers more performance than most drivers could handle."


However, if they had the thing tuned that whole time they were flogging it, thats a definite negative.

Yes, I'm sure. The writers from Mwerks regularly post on The Car Lounge, and they always posted their update, and then commented on them in the threads.

This car had a tune on it. I'm not positive about which one it was, but it had something. I remember them commenting about how worthless the runflats were even in second gear once the tune was on the car.

This car was driven by dozens of people who didn't own it, worked at an automotive magazine centered around performance, and had no real interest in taking it easy on it. I'm pretty sure it also saw some track time.

I'd keep looking if it were me. The interior just doesn't look good, the dealer has outright lied about where it came from, and the car has a very questionable history.

[Dackelone]

Looking back at these old photos of this BMW NA Corporate car, with Alcantara dash trim - one can't help but wonder IF BMW NA had any hand in the design of the 1M's interior. ?

[KingOfJericho]

I think someone just wrapped it...

[AchtungF80]

This wasn't a BMW NA car....it was part of the journalist fleet and was operated by MWerks. They did a multi-part project on the car for a period of time and modified it accordingly. The Alcantara was a custom job, but it looks like it was adopted for the 1M.

[Wakka]

i think the trim looks awesome personally.

[KingOfJericho]

I generally like it but not around the radio and AC controls. Just like the current 1M.

[burger16b]

if you like it and its a good deal go for it.