Buying my 1st 135i, questions

[mjposner]

Getting a one owner dealer serviced 135i with 65k miles.

Its a 2012 DCT, all options except active steering.

Carfax has detailed service history.

New Battery at 62k
Tires at 53k
Fuel Pump at 53k
Air/Cabin at 29k
Oil Filter at 65k

Every dealer service shows "Maintenance inspection completed"

What i do not see is the following:

Coolant Change
Rear Diff Changed
Spark Plugs Changed
recent air and cabin filter

I will try and get more info from dealer.

Thoughts?

[tracer bullet]

Sounds OK. Odd for a 2012 to need a fuel pump, but other than that...

I assume oil's been changed a lot more often than that last entry. Coolant, rear diff, plugs, etc. are upcoming sure but no issue w/ them not being done yet. Consider brake fluid and possibly tranny as well coming up. Engine air & cabin air filters are crazy easy, due but is OK if not done yet as far as buying a car.

[NorthernDancer]

Yes, what Tracer said.
I assume by dealer, you mean BMW dealer
Also try to get more detailed service records, even if they're just verbal between SA and yourself. Hopefully you'll see a minimum of 7 oil changes.
Learn to do your own oil changes, minimum 2 per year now.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by mjposner

What i do not see is the following:

Coolant Change
Rear Diff Changed

Thoughts?

Coolant = "lifetime" fluid
Rear diff = "lifetime" fluid

The dealer will only change these if requested and paid for by the customer.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

Coolant = "lifetime" fluid
Rear diff = "lifetime" fluid

The dealer will only change these if requested and paid for by the customer.

DCT trans fluid is also considered "lifetime".

[Gangplank]

First don't trust carfax 100%. They don't get all the service records. Only records from dealers who agree to their terms & then when/if the dealer provides the data. Also their accident data is error prone. It will miss accidents that happened for years after & they will report accidents that never occurred. So take carfax w/ a grain of salt.

Second. As noted the DCT transmission fluid is "lifetime". Many of us are over 60k, 70k or more miles without changing it. Some have done it because they don't trust lifetime & others haven't. Personally I'm planning to change mine but I keep increasing when I plan to do it. Looking at 100k maybe... there is no set rule when it needs to be done.

Water pump. It doesn't look like the water pump has been changed. Ask the owner about it. They often go out in the 50-70,000 mile range. Some of us have changed them proactively. There is no warning or signs to look for. It works fine one day then kaput. You'll want to do the thermostat at the same time.

Coolant every 3-4 years or when the water pump goes. So have it changed if you aren't doing the water pump proactively.

Steering fluid should be done every 4 years give or take. Many never change theirs but it does deteriorate over time. I'd have it done to improve steering feel.

Spark plugs are due at 60k on the n55 motor so they are due. Change them out. They are inexpensive but be sure you get BMW plugs from the dealer not from an auto parts store. They are not the same.

Oil Filler Housing Gasket is a common failure on these cars. If it hasn't been done check around that part to see if you see any seepage. It may have been done at some point and if not it may never be needed. (It's up front, top of the motor black cap the size of an oil filter).

You didn't list the brakes being done so I'd have those checked as part of a pre-purchase inspection (PPI). I'd get a PPI done for a couple hundred at an independent shop. You'll likely find items that are needed and be able to negotiate the price down. If it gets a clean bill of health then it's money well spent. MotorHaus is in West Palm & specialized in BMW & Mini.

[Gangplank]

Here is a good thread started by another 1addicts member Matticus91


The Ultimate 1-Series Buyer's Guide https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1285231

[zx10guy]

To add on to Gangplank's comments.

Don't be surprised many shops have not done a DCT fluid service before. It gets rather involved if you want to do the full service as there are two filters in the trans. One requires the trans pan to be dropped for access. The other is a cartridge on the side of the trans. The trans has to be dropped a little to get free and clear access to the cartridge. Filling the fluid is also a bit involved as the trans temp has to be in a certain range for an accurate fill.

I chose to only do part of the service. I did mine around the 80-85k mark. I elected to have what ever fluid that could be just drained out and then the side cartridge done. The mechanic that did the work said there were no leaks from the trans pan so I didn't want to tempt fate and disturb it. If you elect to do the trans fluid service, this will also provide an opportunity for the mechanic to inspect the mechatronics assembly on the trans. Those have been known to leak and to fix it requires the trans to be dropped entirely.

As to the water pump, I had mine proactively replaced at 75k. The majority of failures from the water pump are an instant situation with no warning. Some times you luck out as there can be some codes that are thrown specific to the water pump or you'll see the radiator fan running at full blast. But those are rare situations. And in my situation, the new water pump that was installed was bad out of the box and required another one to be installed.

[Happy Jose]

If the water pump fails, you'll get a red temperature icon!

[The Wind Breezes]

Fuel pump replacement on N55 is rather unusual and may indicate other issues. I'd avoid the car on that basis alone.

[duder13]

Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes

Fuel pump replacement on N55 is rather unusual and may indicate other issues. I'd avoid the car on that basis alone.

It depends on build date. The earlier ones got the same pump as the outgoing N54.

[mjposner]

So I went to see the car yesterday. https://www.philsmithacura.com/used/...4c6be696bb.htm

Very disappointed. Trunk and rear bumper were scratched to hell.

Car drove okay, though I thought I felt an occasional misfire (could jut be original plugs, but also injectors).

Rotors were shot and steering wheel shook on braking plus pulled hard right.

Before going I called Braman Miami for service info, no dice, would not tell me anything.

I passed. I have one other optionally locally: https://www.classiccarsofpalmbeach.c...eries/59197164

Not sure on the color.

Also, they offered my $3,100 less on trade than the 1st dealer. They claim they might go up if the see my car, and I countered just give me your highest offer and if the trade is as expected then we might have a deal, but they refused. I won't take less than 39k for my trade. (long story is I bought a 911 and I really can't justify to $40k cars (though both paid for), so I thought I would downsize on a 1 series. I like small nimble cars).

[mjposner]

Also loking at this one: https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

Service history is spotty. Car has been sitting on lot for a year.

[tracer bullet]

Crappy to have to pass but it sounds like the right thing to do. 1-owner, dealer serviced, sounds like it should have been a good one.

[Gangplank]

I might recommend you just buy a 1 series that you like & then sell the 911. You'll get a bit more for it than trade.

Also with the 1 series you should plan on some suspension upgrades. If you add M3 control arms, coil overs w/ stiffer springs & rear differential brace it will handle far better than in stock form.

[Matticus91]

Best thing you can do is just go see them all and drive them. If you can tell the issues a car has through pictures it means it's a load of crap lol.

Also highly recommend getting a PPI done by a local BMW dealership. It's usually $125-$175 and 100% worth it.

[dtla1]

To add to the other common items already mentioned:

• Coolant Expansion tank tends to crack/break over time
• Oil Filter Housing Gasket is a common issue
• Valve Cover Gasket is also pretty normal
• I replaced my HPFP (Fuel Pump) on my 2011 N55 at about 70k miles, so not totally uncommon
• Check the DCT for leaks, there is an electrical connection up top that sometimes leaks
• Also check rear main seal for leaks
• Oil Pan Gasket is another common leak over time

[mfindigital]

Originally Posted by dtla1

To add to the other common items already mentioned:

• Coolant Expansion tank tends to crack/break over time
• Oil File Housing Gasket is a common issue
• Valve Cover Gasket is a also pretty normal
• I replaced my HPFP (Fuel Pump) on my 2011 N55 at about 70k miles, so not totally uncommon
• Check the DCT for leaks, there is an electrical connection up top that sometimes leaks
• Also check rear main seal for leaks
• Oil Pan Gasket is another common leak over time

Fuel pump issues on my n55 as well, as well as the starter, I don't think n55 fuel pump issues are uncommon and also not reason to pass on the car.

OP, fact is, you probably won't get a totally reliable used BMW, especially one that is already going on 8-9 years old. Judging by your vehicle history, you know that already.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by mfindigital

Fuel pump issues on my n55 as well, as well as the starter, I don't think n55 fuel pump issues are uncommon and also not reason to pass on the car.

OP, fact is, you probably won't get a totally reliable used BMW, especially one that is already going on 8-9 years old. Judging by your vehicle history, you know that already.

Ohh yeah, Starter, Corroded Ground Strap, and frayed connection at the jump post.

Agreed on what you say. I've had the car for more than 5.5 years now, plenty of small issues, nothing I would get rid of the car for though, other than maybe my slipping clutch issue, but I think I went the really expensive but surefire route to get that fixed.

[mjposner]

"I might recommend you just buy a 1 series that you like & then sell the 911. You'll get a bit more for it than trade."

Not selling my 911, I like it best, I would trade my 2016 M4 for the 135i and cash. The one I looked at offered me $39,100 and had the car been better I would have done teh deal. I would have preferred a 135is but hard to find and wife insists I get a dct so she can drive occasionally. My 911 is a stick (so is my 65 Corbvair).

[swunder]

That blue 2013 for 13k looks super clean... and weirdly cheap... like been in an accident cheap.

[Captain Blood]

Originally Posted by mjposner

So I went to see the car yesterday. https://www.philsmithacura.com/used/...4c6be696bb.htm

Very disappointed. Trunk and rear bumper were scratched to hell.

Car drove okay, though I thought I felt an occasional misfire (could jut be original plugs, but also injectors).

Rotors were shot and steering wheel shook on braking plus pulled hard right.

Before going I called Braman Miami for service info, no dice, would not tell me anything.

I passed. I have one other optionally locally: https://www.classiccarsofpalmbeach.c...eries/59197164

Not sure on the color.

Also, they offered my $3,100 less on trade than the 1st dealer. They claim they might go up if the see my car, and I countered just give me your highest offer and if the trade is as expected then we might have a deal, but they refused. I won't take less than 39k for my trade. (long story is I bought a 911 and I really can't justify to $40k cars (though both paid for), so I thought I would downsize on a 1 series. I like small nimble cars).

My 1st 135 (a 2008) I was going to buy was also extremely disappointing. The online pics looked good, the price and miles were great, so I drove a rental to Houston to pick it up.

Damn thing looked like it had been at the bottom of a river when I inspected it. So I passed, the ride back from Houston in a tiny rental was not fun.......but I have been very happy with my 2012 i found by luck a month later.