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11-20-2019, 03:27 PM | #1 |
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My VERY first post. (go me)
I'm currently in the market for an E82 and I've run into something of a dilemma.
The first is a 2012 128i w/ 114k. Has what appears to be a nice set of options, but halogen headlamps. $7000. The second is a 2009 128i that has more or less the same options, but 104k and has Xenon and adaptive lamps. $8000. I admit freely that I'm a BMW neophyte and while I've always loved the brand (since the 1972 2002tii) I don't know anything specific about them. But I am a fanboi in the making. I want xenon, but I don't relish the thought of retrofitting them. I've done it before on older Volvos. But I'm not looking forward to it. And I'm concerned that with the modern electronics, the BMW may require some ECU re-education. So it's between a 2012 for $7k and halogens or a 2009 with Xenons and adaptive lamps. What say you? |
11-20-2019, 06:17 PM | #4 |
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Just 128i or open to 135i? Stick or Auto?
I waited... 6 - 9 months to find my car, and ultimately got it from the board here. You might have to be really patient. I'd say don't settle, wait to find the right car and when you do pounce on it. There's like 30 128i's on the BMW USA used site, certainly one of them has to have the right combo? I haven't looked but would have to imagine... |
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11-20-2019, 06:25 PM | #5 | ||
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Auto. I'd LOVE to drive a stick again, but I have a knee issue.
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But "don't settle" is something I'd tell someone. Quote:
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11-20-2019, 07:54 PM | #6 |
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There's a half dozen or so in the $8k's, more below $10k. If this is a struggle, first I hear you, second you might reconsider things because if you have a needed repair anytime soon it might sink you.
Generally speaking a well maintained car is best, followed closely (or perhaps in the reverse order even) by low miles. I wouldn't worry much about the age if the older car wins the above categories. (104 and 114 k miles is sorta equivalent though). I wouldn't worry much about the headlights either. Xenon is nice but I'd say things like the M-Sport package or other things might be more important. For me at least. You are you and will have to decide what your needs are. One thing too, and I could be wrong, but I'd expect that the 1-Series being sold by BMW dealers are probably trade-ins for newer models, and have probably spent their life being serviced by that dealer. That would do a lot for me. It won't always be the case of course, but I would expect it to be more often than not. Also, a car not through the dealer isn't necessarily bad either, far from it (i.e. mine's rarely seen a dealer but is in basically perfect condition and completely maintained). But I'd have some comfort buying a car from a dealer especially when having to consider cross-country travel for it. |
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11-20-2019, 08:14 PM | #7 |
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It's not a BMW of it doesn't have the iconic angel eyes.
But would I spend $1000 for the privilege? Probably not. Get whichever car has the better service history and do the mods later if necessary. It's been said before, but anyone can afford to buy a BMW but not everyone can afford to maintain one. |
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11-21-2019, 04:34 AM | #8 |
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My 2011 came with Halogens. But it also came with the M-Sport suspension, Sport seats, and optioned very sparsely which I wanted. I would have even opted for no sunroof...but it's harder to find that way. I think it had around 65K miles, was a 6-speed, and personally I gave less than $10K ($9,700) for it as I had the luxury of waiting.
$350 pair of Depos V2 off of the auction site and about 1.5 hours of work taking my time, and I have Angel Eyes. And they have held up great. Now they are not as bright as xenons, but I didn't let that be a deal breaker. Biggest things was that the car had history. Frequent oil changes, OPG and OFHG already done with records...and when I tore into it a few weeks back for the VC gasket and some mods, the engine was as clean as could be. I have already put over 10K miles of very hard driving on it.....and it keeps coming back for more.
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11-21-2019, 11:42 AM | #9 |
Just one more taste...
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Having owned a 135i with Xenons and AHL and then recently coming back to a 128i with Halogens, the performance of the lights are truly night and day. That being said, I don’t think it’s worth the money to retrofit or buy aftermarket units. The Halogens are fine but the Xenons are really top notch headlights.
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11-21-2019, 03:40 PM | #10 | |
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Also, I have the IS and I hated the suspension that it came with. I believe it was the M sport, but it was garbage IMO. It's still in my basement if you want it.
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'13 IS with a few upgrades.
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11-21-2019, 09:30 PM | #11 | ||||
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And to your second point, I"m basing 8-10k on the higher end of what's available. I'll go more for exceptional samples. Quote:
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11-21-2019, 09:41 PM | #12 | |||
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I will say this, I don't cotton to oil leaks and I'll be checking for them, especially since these cars have undercarriage plates which may obfuscate oil drips. |
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11-21-2019, 09:52 PM | #13 |
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You may have thought about it already, but having any friends / family in big cities across the country can help a lot. I'm in MN but was able to expand my search to Atlanta, Houston and Austin, the Bay Area, and Knoxville as well as locations somewhat nearby any of those. All places had people who'd be willing to put me up for the night, and some who would even go drive a car I was serious about and check it out for me.
And again, in case it wasn't obvious, though there's distance involved the cars at dealerships are probably in pretty good shape and reasonably trustworthy. You could likely get maintenance logs. So even though they can be far away, you can feel fairly secure the only hardship is the drive home and it be unlikely you'd see the car for the first time and be disappointed and walk away. And the drive home could be kind of fun. Especially w/ holidays coming up, you'd perhaps get some time off work? If you're busy / a family man (or woman) there's always the option to ship. It does start to get risky after a while but generally you're pretty safe. You could do a combo like fly out, drive it, buy it, then fly home and ship it. Obviously you're adding a grand or more to the price, but if you're looking for that diamond it might be worth it. |
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11-21-2019, 10:10 PM | #14 |
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If interested..
2009 car: https://www.mdecoder.com/decode/vf48719 2012 car: https://www.mdecoder.com/decode/VL91346 And I just found out that the 2009 has not one, but three outstanding recalls. Leverage perhaps? |
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11-22-2019, 04:37 AM | #15 | |
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I'm happy with my lights, but it's not something that is a deal breaker for me. I rarely drive at night, but when I do I can see great and have plenty of output with these units. Plus the black housings and clear corners were an added bonus. This is a daytime shot I took when loading my header tune awhile back.
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11-22-2019, 06:31 AM | #16 | |
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Drives: 135i carbon black
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Boston, ma
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Jon |
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11-27-2019, 02:00 PM | #17 |
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I'm in Worcester. My car is being delivered soon today.
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11-28-2019, 11:14 AM | #19 |
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Pics or it didn't happen.
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2011 135i w/ DCT | ZSP Sport Pkg | PPK | Ohlins R
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11-30-2019, 05:06 PM | #20 |
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Here we go:
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12-01-2019, 10:50 AM | #21 |
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Not enough posts to put up pics, I'd imagine. Welcome to the forum. I had a 128i with the xenons, and later, one with halogens. The xenons are great, but you can upgrade the halogen bulbs and they are much better. I live in the boonies, and use high beam frequently. The Philips bulbs are a big improvement. BMW was probably concerned more about bulb life than output when they spec'd bulbs. Either that, or there's some German law about lumen limits on non self leveling headlights. Angel eyes are pretty cool, but I'm not a fan of the yellowish color of them.
You will fall in love with The steering feel of a 128i. Trust me. |
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12-06-2019, 09:09 AM | #22 |
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Interesting. with less than 50 miles on it, the HVAC control panel died. No heat, fan, defrost, nothing.
Couldn't drive the car as the windows would frost up instantly. the Place I bought it from couldn't help me until next week, Wouldn't even let me tow it in nor do they offer a loaner. I haven't even done the MOT yet. Last edited by Ursan; 10-31-2020 at 05:37 PM.. |
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