What would you buy to replace your 1 series?

[Zombie_Head]

Originally Posted by tock172

Loved my Techno Violet on Mulberry E36 M3, but certainly don't miss it. The only older BMW's interested in owning at this point are pre-1991 or something like an E46 M3. And I've already got an E30 that I drive almost daily.

I found another E30 4 door 325i for sale in Stuttgart.

It has ABS (must have for me in hilly Bavaria with all the rain and snow), A/C (again summer traffic) and most importantly...factory LSD from BMW (back when BMW gave LSDs an option in their non M cars, M Tech II OE kit etc.

Super clean car, owned by a Porsche technician. Major rust repaired/new panels, new cylinder head w/new cams, valves, springs etc...bottom end got new bearings (while you are in there), water pump, belts, hoses, tensioners etc....

I got..interested so i gave the owner a call. He was happy to speak to another "car guy" and answered everything. Only reason he is selling it, is because it is such a clean original car, he does not want to strip it and turn it into a "ringtool" and looking for a cheap E36 M3, cayman or Z3 to convert instead.

We will be speaking on the 27th, if the weather permits, i will see it on the 28th or 29th. I did a ton of research regarding parts, common faults, upgrades etc...damn the prices are cheap, even insurance is 50% less (obviously). It sounds like one of those cars, that checks everything someone like me would want....that is the scary part. If it turns out to be one of those cars that are "the one"....i can not keep the E82....

[Zombie_Head]

Originally Posted by markslc1

Agreed. And my E36's were awesome. Dont miss them at all after putting the right mods on the 128.

Why is that? i know you guys in the US never got the full blow EU 286/321 HP version we got, but when i was looking to compare the E30 325i against the E36 M3, a lot pushed towards the M3. However, some instructors kept saying to stay away from them, but without solid reason(s).

[Dogeeseegod]

The E36 M3 was such a fantastic car...I had such a love/hate relationship with mine. It required a lot of maintenance and work to keep it going, but I drove the hell out of that car. Honestly, all of my best car memories are in my 1992 325is (E36) That car carried me everywhere and looked great doing it. My only complaints with the E36 are the terrible interior parts, poor factory stereo and terrible tire life lol I would own another if the circumstances were right.

[Oregon]

An E46 M3, this one...

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Oregon

An E46 M3, this one...

Beautiful...

My favorite looking BMW of all time.

[MightyMouseTech]

I would like to revise my answer.

If, god forbid, something happened to my 1er, I would make it my life obsession to find, and somehow get this car into my life.

The only blue 1M ever built.

https://www.bmwblog.com/2018/03/06/m...-bmw-1m-world/

[duder13]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

I would like to revise my answer.

If, god forbid, something happened to my 1er, I would make it my life obsession to find, and somehow get this car into my life.

The only blue 1M ever built.

https://www.bmwblog.com/2018/03/06/m...-bmw-1m-world/

Nice. I kinda love the crazy brown one:

[Zombie_Head]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

I would like to revise my answer.

If, god forbid, something happened to my 1er, I would make it my life obsession to find, and somehow get this car into my life.

The only blue 1M ever built.

https://www.bmwblog.com/2018/03/06/m...-bmw-1m-world/

There is one in Europe as well.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Zombie_Head

There is one in Europe as well.

Yes, that is the only one.

[FrostyDC4]

Just curious is it easy to source new parts (mostly new interior pieces) for older BMW cars? I would like to keep my 1er for a long time but I am scared that it will be hard to find replacement parts.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by FrostyDC4

Just curious is it easy to source new parts (mostly new interior pieces) for older BMW cars? I would like to keep my 1er for a long time but I am scared that it will be hard to find replacement parts.

Good question. I'd like to know this as well.

[Oregon]

Originally Posted by Oregon

An E46 M3, this one...

I do miss the frenetic acceleration of the 135i from 0-50. Though the M3 is only a few tenths behind at 50, it pulls steadily through 140, whereby, I noticed the speedo, lost courage...

Having said that, the acceleration of the 135i from 0-50 was unforgettable!

[Thunderguts]

Originally Posted by FrostyDC4

Just curious is it easy to source new parts (mostly new interior pieces) for older BMW cars? I would like to keep my 1er for a long time but I am scared that it will be hard to find replacement parts.

I've found what I needed so far. It was easy for me to find a new accessory tray, radio knobs, etc. I'm undecided if I want to replace my center console, but I've found a few new ones for sale in the US. There will always be a decent supply of parts given that the 1 series was much prevalent in Europe, but you may need to import them.

M Performance parts are becoming harder to find and may no longer be available soon. Some dealers still have them, even at a discount, but I bet in another 5 years you won't be able to source new M parts.

[pepper135I]

Only thing that excites me under 100k would be an m2 or m3.

[dmcM2C]

I wish I could swing one of the new 2018 M2's still sitting on lots but I'm trying to be a tad more responsible and wait to pay down some other debt first.

[Rocmit]

I was planning on converting my 135 to 1M but ended up getting an 911 GT3 . I will probably keep the 135i as DD since I need some backseats

[TridenTBoy]

Originally Posted by Rocmit

I was planning on converting my 135 to 1M but ended up getting an 911 GT3 . I will probably keep the 135i as DD since I need some backseats

Someone had their options vest - lol.

I've been thinking of ditching the 135is more and more lately. Sadly, I've also decided that I just can't go back to a coupe. I have to keep with the convertible life! I drive with it down every day (even if it's 30's or 40's out - it's down!). I had a good reason for why I bought this car a couple years ago and I guess I can't find another one to match it (for a reasonable cost, anyway). I considered maybe an M4 convertible but it just looks big and even heavier. I'm already not enthusiastic about how much weight the 135is is with a convertible top - lol.

I'm looking into more power mods for the 135is instead. See if I can get another 80-100hp.

[low135]

Originally Posted by TridenTBoy

Someone had their options vest - lol.

I've been thinking of ditching the 135is more and more lately. Sadly, I've also decided that I just can't go back to a coupe. I have to keep with the convertible life! I drive with it down every day (even if it's 30's or 40's out - it's down!). I had a good reason for why I bought this car a couple years ago and I guess I can't find another one to match it (for a reasonable cost, anyway). I considered maybe an M4 convertible but it just looks big and even heavier. I'm already not enthusiastic about how much weight the 135is is with a convertible top - lol.

I'm looking into more power mods for the 135is instead. See if I can get another 80-100hp.

My top is down most days as well. Hard to say what I'd even consider getting in the convertible world that I'd enjoy. R8 Spyder? I'd be settling for one with decent miles on a V8 but that would be fun still

[Rocmit]

Originally Posted by TridenTBoy

Someone had their options vest - lol.

I've been thinking of ditching the 135is more and more lately. Sadly, I've also decided that I just can't go back to a coupe. I have to keep with the convertible life! I drive with it down every day (even if it's 30's or 40's out - it's down!). I had a good reason for why I bought this car a couple years ago and I guess I can't find another one to match it (for a reasonable cost, anyway). I considered maybe an M4 convertible but it just looks big and even heavier. I'm already not enthusiastic about how much weight the 135is is with a convertible top - lol.

I'm looking into more power mods for the 135is instead. See if I can get another 80-100hp.

It’s fairly easy and cheap to get more power on 135, if u are still stock. Also, have u upgraded your suspension components? Cosmetic mods? If u haven’t done any of that, i would suggest to do it one step at a time, slowly. Over my course of ownership, the car would become less special to me as a daily driver. However, every time i upgraded something i fall in love with the car again because it felt different every time. Try it!

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Rocmit

It's fairly easy and cheap to get more power on 135, if u are still stock. Also, have u upgraded your suspension components? Cosmetic mods? If u haven't done any of that, i would suggest to do it one step at a time, slowly. Over my course of ownership, the car would become less special to me as a daily driver. However, every time i upgraded something i fall in love with the car again because it felt different every time. Try it!

Yes keep it. 135is vert is a special car. I have a Z4M Roady and I completely understand the top down life. You get more space when the top is up and there's a back seat. For a vert with a back seat its just the right size, not too big, not too small and you get hydraulic steering, RWD and twin turbo power inline 6 to boot. You can't get that combination today in a current production car I don't think.

[Warhammer]

Another 1er or an E30 M3 or an E30 325 IS. The E46 M3 would keep me up at night wondering about subframe issues.

[tock172]

M2 prices are dropping nicely, especially for low mileage cars that are still under their original warranty coverage, but not certified.

I said I wouldn't shell out for the same drivetrain I have now (N55+DCT), but I'm a big fan of Long Beach Blue.