Cars to replace a 135i.

[moveswiftly]

I have a 135i... I've been having problems with the car since I got it. First the water pump crapped out on me on the highway while i was driving forcing me to limp to a gas station and then get towed away. Now I'm getting misfires all the time from a failing HPFP. I'm thinking long term, i won't be able to afford a new car till I graduate law school which is in another 3-4 years. This is the only car I have. I am modded, KW V2, M3 sway bar and jb3 and a few supporting mods so my car is pretty fast.

Any recommendations on what I should do In my situation: These are my options:
1. Keep the car and deal with the issues and face the problems I might have when the warranty is over, or buy an extended warranty when the warranty is about to end.
2. Sell the car and get a replacement, Give me a replacement car that has about 400 horsepower or something similar.

I need a reliable car that is fun to drive. I'm just a student that runs my family business and can't afford hefty bills and the uncertainty that my car may not turn on or my car may crap out on me on the highway as it has done several times...

[BMW86]

I think there are a few people out there in the same situation as you. To be honest, I'd just suck it up and keep the car. If sell your car you'll take a hit and you'll lose money on the car plus your mods. I don't think there are too many cars out there that will hit the spot like the 135i does in this price range.

Your 135i has a few nice goodies so I see no reason not to hang onto it. Maintenance and repairs are something we have to face with every car. The HPFP situation is frustrating though. I just had mine replaced yesterday and I was given a loan car for couple days it was in the garage. Now that is behind me I can enjoy the car again. The 135i is a great car when it's works.

[moveswiftly]

Originally Posted by BMW86

I think there are a few people out there in the same situation as you. To be honest, I'd just suck it up and keep the car. If sell your car you'll take a hit and you'll lose money on the car plus your mods. I don't think there are too many cars out there that will hit the spot like the 135i does in this price range.

Your 135i has a few nice goodies so I see no reason not to hang onto it. Maintenance and repairs are something we have to face with every car. The HPFP situation is frustrating though. I just had mine replaced yesterday and I was given a loan car for couple days it was in the garage. Now that is behind me I can enjoy the car again. The 135i is a great car when it's works.

I keep searching / searching online. There's nothing under 35K USD that could give me 400rwhp, the handling i have, and the fun I have with my car. This really sucks. Unless I spent 40-50k I wouldn't get the performance I do in my car that I do now. It's just these engine misfires are driving me nuts.

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by chesterfan1230

I keep searching / searching online. There's nothing under 35K USD that could give me 400rwhp, the handling i have, and the fun I have with my car. This really sucks. Unless I spent 40-50k I wouldn't get the performance I do in my car that I do now. It's just these engine misfires are driving me nuts.

If you want something cheap and fast check out a Chrysler Crossfire SRT6. It'll give you modded 135i speed. Intake, tune and pulley and you'll be running mid to low 12's all day.

[Top Gon]

Nope, not a lot of cars can get 400whp easily under $35k. I would say Evo or STI but I dont think its an improvement in reliability. definitely down on refinement too.

[MikeVictor]

Cayman or Cayman S would have been a serious contender for me, but I didn't have serious enough $ at the time. Maybe when this lease is up?

[fwmcb]

get a used corvette, I know some modded C6s push more than 600hp. I`m seriously considering picking one up in the near future.

[gnat]

Originally Posted by chesterfan1230

i won't be able to afford a new car till I graduate ... This is the only car I have ... I need a reliable car that is fun to drive ... I'm just a student ... can't afford hefty bills

These things add up to you really not being in the market for a (new) car that meets/exceeds what your 135 can do now. And any car with power like you are wanting has it's share of issues too.

Your best options probably are:

1. Sell the car while the resale is still decent (I expect prices are going to start dropping as leases start to expire). Get something cheap/reliable to get you through school and forget power until you can really afford it.
2. Pick up the extended warranty (probably your cheapest option, but doesn't address the reliability).
3. Pick up a beater in the sub 3k range ($1500 or less would be ideal, but might be hard to find something that you can flog for a year or two at that price) for your DD, only put the basics in it (oil, gas, wiper fluid, etc..), drive it till it dies or will cost too much to fix, rinse and repeat.

[competition]

go get a lotus exige!

[AchtungF80]

Buy one of my beaters!

[Evice]

Mustang 5.0 - Cheaper, almost performing like a M3. Checkout the last motortrend comparison with M3.

[MikesBMW]

^ 2011 Mustang 5.0 GT

[Yes2m3cs]

Originally Posted by MB135i

^ 2011 Mustang 5.0 GT

Oh yes! that is a good choice..

[competition]

ehh.. idk about a mustang. even though it's so much better than the last one and it's pushing out crazy numbers for a decent price, there's just something about that car that makes me not want to buy one. maybe it's because i always see them with chrome rims and coffee can exhausts in my area.

[Evice]

Only thing I don't enjoy about stang 5.0 is the solid rear axle compared to other performance cars, but motortrends track comparison really changed my view on it cuz stang was only 0.1 sec slower then M3. stock vs. stock and thinking may be it is not that big of an issue.

[moveswiftly]

Originally Posted by maxnix

For law school, you need to survive. HP of your DD is really quite irrelevant in the big picture.

Have you considered removing the JB3 until the running problems are solved?

I'm going to remove my mods tonight to see how my car responds and take it to the dealer again to se what they can do...

[moveswiftly]

Originally Posted by gnat

These things add up to you really not being in the market for a (new) car that meets/exceeds what your 135 can do now. And any car with power like you are wanting has it's share of issues too.

Your best options probably are:

1. Sell the car while the resale is still decent (I expect prices are going to start dropping as leases start to expire). Get something cheap/reliable to get you through school and forget power until you can really afford it.
2. Pick up the extended warranty (probably your cheapest option, but doesn't address the reliability).
3. Pick up a beater in the sub 3k range ($1500 or less would be ideal, but might be hard to find something that you can flog for a year or two at that price) for your DD, only put the basics in it (oil, gas, wiper fluid, etc..), drive it till it dies or will cost too much to fix, rinse and repeat.

I think I'm gonna just get the car fixed ad pick up an extended warranty on the car. I love this car way to much to want to give it up lol.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by Evice

Only thing I don't enjoy about stang 5.0 is the solid rear axle compared to other performance cars, but motortrends track comparison really changed my view on it cuz stang was only 0.1 sec slower then M3. stock vs. stock and thinking may be it is not that big of an issue.

I wonder how the Mustang's suspension setup handles on roads that aren't very smooth. I wish someone would run both cars on say the Nurburgring.

[MrRoboto]

Originally Posted by chesterfan1230

I think I'm gonna just get the car fixed ad pick up an extended warranty on the car. I love this car way to much to want to give it up lol.

Good choice.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by goeslikeschnell

go get a lotus exige!

I don't recommend that at all.

Good choice in keeping the car. My only thought for a fun car that you can mod like crazy would be the S2000.

[roo97ss]

Originally Posted by chesterfan1230

I think I'm gonna just get the car fixed ad pick up an extended warranty on the car. I love this car way to much to want to give it up lol.

Careful, with extended warranties. I'm not a big fan, esp the aftermarket stuff, there can be a bunch of hoops to jump through; and i know more than a few people that have found them nearly useless. Just get a good one (idk which one), your BMW dealer can probably recommend one, or maybe someone here. You want one you can go back to BMW dealer with.

Me, what i'd do...

Go back stock, only thing you lose is the BT Cable if you have it. Keep your parts.

Sell your car.

Buy a cpo 135, and re-mod it. That way you know you can go back to BMW up to 6/100 and only are looking at $75 per issue...

Otherwise if you don't need the rear seat, the c6 vette is a good choice...if you don't mind looking like a mid life crisis 'poor' lawyer instead of a law school student.

The stang 5.0 is a great bargain....

Joe

[moveswiftly]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I don't recommend that at all.

Good choice in keeping the car. My only thought for a fun car that you can mod like crazy would be the S2000.

how's the s2000 with reliability?