135i Maintenance Expenses

[mkeiser]

Originally Posted by JustAnotherSportsCar

Are these cars just as rare in the larger metros?

I rarely see another 1er in Minneapolis area... maybe once a month if I'm lucky.

[K9Leader]

I've had a similar, but even more expensive, experience with my 2011 128i. I was looking for a project when I retired. I already have a weekend fun car ('99 Corvette) and a practical-but-fun DD (2010 E91) but wanted something I could bring back to life. I settled on the 128i and wanted a manual transmission, preferably slick-top, preferably red - a fairly rare combo actually. I searched nationwide but found it only 45 minutes away.

It was in neglected shape and had an ABS/traction control issue. The kid I bought it from had been told by a mechanic friend of his that it was probably the ABS/TC module and would be very expensive to fix (it turned out to be rusted reluctor rings on the rear axles). I bought it as is for $5K.

While I could have put it back to a functional DD for probably $5K, this was a build project for a fun streetcar/occasional track car, so I upgraded wherever I could. I am approaching $20K (beyond the $5K purchase price). Big things:

• struts/shocks (Bilstein B12 kit and M3 anti-sway bar)
• 2 sets of wheels/tires (ARC-8s, one set with summer tires, one with all-seasons)
• brake upgrades (335 calipers/rotors on the front, 328 calipers in the rear)
• oil pan gasket
• starter
• 3IM and tune
• Magnaflow catback
• Sport seats
• Coco mats
• Android head unit & speakers (all of them, even the in-floor subwoofers and added tweeters)
• rear axles/knuckles/hubs/control arms
• all underbody panels (most were missing, the few still there were ripped and torn; instead of a plastic belly pan I went with the Turner aluminum skid plate)
• headlight assemblies and fog light assemblies
• CF kidney grills/mirror caps/shark fin cover/trunk spoiler
• windshield

I have M3 control arms and Dinan fixed camber plates to install before the Spring, and have all new spark plugs/coil packs/spark plug tubes for when it needs it. Planning a new valve cover & gasket sometime in the next few months.

Not good financial sense - I'd be lucky if I could get even half of what it cost me - but I've got a really fun car that can be DD'd, is a blast on the twisties, and is well beyond my current skill level on the track, and I have spent many satisfying hours wrenching and learning. So, as the ads say, "Priceless."

[JustAnotherSportsCar]

Originally Posted by K9Leader

It was in neglected shape and had an ABS/traction control issue. The kid I bought it from had been told by a mechanic friend of his that it was probably the ABS/TC module and would be very expensive to fix (it turned out to be rusted reluctor rings on the rear axles). I bought it as is for $5K.

It sure looks nice now. I’ve over spent on parts and upgrades for almost every fun car I’ve had. But that is part of the fun I guess!

[tracer bullet]

Wow, yeah, you've definitely had a lot of work to do. Pretty sweet that you can manage it all, skill set and time-wise, and have the space and a lift for it.

I've had mine since it was 6 months old, and aside form the recalls and a new Valvetronic motor/eccentric shaft, it's just been the usual maintenances. Has been a cheap car to maintain overall. Then again I only have a little over 30k miles. But luckily no oil pan leaks, no OFHG leaks, valve cover leaks, anything like that.

[JustAnotherSportsCar]

I got lucky with the prior owner of our house leaving the lift behind. I think the high oil temperature in higher mileage cars is what is causing the gaskets to breakdown, you should be good for a while on leaks!

[135mass]

Mine had 85,000 when I bought it from my brother who had it since 30,000 miles. Again I love the car but very disappointed in all the problems this one has had. I also have a newer X4 M 4.0i with a newer generation of the N54 that has been relatively trouble free thru 60,000 miles. It has 50 more HP and none of the problems. That’s what 10 years ago of engine advancement will do.

[lemansblau135is]

I dunno. I just right the checks. Probably too much.