2011 BMW 128i 6M - what to offer?

[gs6456]

Originally Posted by caranddriver

I'm not very concerned with color when it comes to a used car. I'm okay with anything. What were the full options on yours? That sounds like a good price.

The xenons and the upgraded stereo are pretty much the only thing it doesn't have. And I'm fine with that. Leather, heated seats, and moonroof were my most important considerations. After manual & M-Sport, of course. I really think you need to hold out for a manual M-Sport. I can't tell you how happy I am with mine.

[sixburgh]

Just to brag. I picked this 2010 BMW 128i CPO, slick top, non-smoker pack, sport pack/ black trim, black piano-key interior, 6MT and Xenons and 18K mileage for $21,500 at a BMW dealer. End of month, March 2013.
Just keep looking for your deal.

[mb135is]

What a find!

[Overpar56]

Originally Posted by caranddriver

Sorry I meant "Space Gray" not "Galaxy Gray." Galaxy Gray was a Mazda RX-8 color - guess the space theme is very popular for gray. For me the minimum was heated seats, sunroof and a manual transmission. I asked the salesperson to confirm it was a 50-state vehicle from under the hood. If it isn't, can't bring it back to Calif.

I am not interested in changing the bumpers front or back so that's not a problem. I don't track the car and it'll be a daily driver, freeway car so not having the sport suspension from the start won't be a deal killer. It appears to have the Goodyear RFTs so those will go right away to Bridgestone Potenza S-04 PPs for year round in California. Either way, any all-season tires will be swapped immediately for summer.

I wouldn't be in such a hurry, but my Mazda mechanic says my RX-8 engine is heading downhill at 86K, despite regular maintenance. I figured it was inevitable from following the 8 forum and was just seeing how long it would last.

You must have an S1. Out of the Mazda warranty window now I guess.

Sport seats are a must. The BMW ones are some of the best. Where I slide out of the seat in my 8, the 135is sports keep me planted.

You really need seat heaters in San Jose? Those sub-50 degree mornings must be tough. (-5 here as I type this).

Good luck in your search.

[rudyr]

A couple things to consider. Cars are just more expensive in CA. When people tell you they got $X amazing deal, it's probably in a lower COL area. Bay Area is pricey for everything.

Second, if you can, buy private party. The dealership will ring you up for 10% sales tax on the full sale price. Private party can give you a receipt for any figure you'd like. If you walk into the DMV with a sales receipt for $1 that'll raise flags, but you could easily claim a $10-12k sales price and it'll be processed without issue.

I work in Palo Alto, so maybe it's a skewed price since people have to much money around here, but, I recently has a business card / offer for $22k left under my wiper and that's the 2nd time I've had that done.

[csow]

I wish we had Cali prices up here in Canada.

[Kouper]

Originally Posted by Overpar56

You really need seat heaters in San Jose? Those sub-50 degree mornings must be tough. (-5 here as I type this).

Good luck in your search.

Overpar, hey hey we actually had several days of low 20's temp mornings in NorCal in December, so it's not all warm and beautiful here (just most of the time)

But no way we can compete with the cold in the Midwest and East right now. Brrrr, stay warm.

[caranddriver]

Originally Posted by Overpar56

You must have an S1. Out of the Mazda warranty window now I guess.

So I did a compression test last Fall (was ok) and should have done one when the 8Y/100K warranty was ending this Nov. 1. Around Thanksgiving, the check engine light comes on and my mechanic (the rotary expert in the San Jose area) looks at it and says my engine is hopeless. Bad luck!!! Mazda is now charging low $3Ks for new engines and then labor - so $4-5K job for car not worth much more. That said, I got the car 1 year old at a steal and haven't had any major problems up to this point. Will just sell it for whatever I can get for it.

So on the 128i, thank you for all your input. I've decided the right thing to do is wait for the right 128i.

And no, you don't need seat heaters in SJ like you do in those frigid, bitter places, but they sure feel nice and I've gotten used to them in my Mazda.

[Worra]

Originally Posted by Kouper

Overpar, hey hey we actually had several days of low 20's temp mornings in NorCal in December, so it's not all warm and beautiful here (just most of the time)

But no way we can compete with the cold in the Midwest and East right now. Brrrr, stay warm.

I skipped the heaters after not using them much in my E90. Anything to keep my weight down a bit. Still wish we had the option of a CF roof

[TheSt|G]

Hold out for sport or Msport, really changes the car. The seats are worlds better.

Originally Posted by sixburgh

Just to brag. I picked this 2010 BMW 128i CPO, slick top, non-smoker pack, sport pack/ black trim, black piano-key interior, 6MT and Xenons and 18K mileage for $21,500 at a BMW dealer. End of month, March 2013.
Just keep looking for your deal.

2010 was a good year as it was before they started forcing packages on people.

[Kouper]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Hold out for sport or Msport, really changes the car. The seats are worlds better.

+1. Get the car you really want with no regrets, and you'll be happy with it for years.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Kouper

+1. Get the car you really want with no regrets, and you'll be happy with it for years.

Exactly.

At least you don't want any of the funky stuff OP. Finding a slick top with all the rest of what I wanted was a bear. Eventually had to compromise on the heated seats.

[Stupenal]

.

[nunka]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Hold out for sport or Msport, really changes the car. The seats are worlds better.

They really are. I drove a non-sport 128i at the dealership and the seats were just sort of there. Really unremarkable. Then I sat in my car when it arrived, and it was like Aladdin took me on a magic carpet ride and gave me a great big bear hug.

...My analogies aren't very good, okay?

Anyway, I'm now constantly getting pissed at my Civic (which I drive when it snows, just for this winter) because the seats are utter shit by comparison. Can't find a comfortable spot. Urgh.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Stupenal

What's the added weight for heated seats? My understanding is the heating element is a thin foil piece, and other than the heated seat buttons, we're talking about some additional wiring to power the seats. At most, maybe 5 pounds?

I would be surprised if it was more than half a pound. I didn't skip them intentionally.

Originally Posted by nunka

They really are. I drove a non-sport 128i at the dealership and the seats were just sort of there. Really unremarkable. Then I sat in my car when it arrived, and it was like Aladdin took me on a magic carpet ride and gave me a great big bear hug.

...My analogies aren't very good, okay?

Anyway, I'm now constantly getting pissed at my Civic (which I drive when it snows, just for this winter) because the seats are utter shit by comparison. Can't find a comfortable spot. Urgh.

The sport seats for the 1er are frankly some of the best seats BMW has made period. I've said it before, they completely outclass the price point of the car.

[Downeaster1]

I recently traded my 128i for 135is and I've managed to google my old VIN and found it...http://www.auto.com/cars/BMW-128-i-2...UP73558VF06452

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by Downeaster1

I recently traded my 128i for 135is and I've managed to google my old VIN and found it...http://www.auto.com/cars/BMW-128-i-2...UP73558VF06452

Ha! You going to go visit it? I found my 2008 135 for sale in Arizona after I turned it in and happened to have a trip planned that had me driving right past it, so had to go take a look. I also thought they might want the commemorative book that came with it for a prospective buyer, but they were such dicks to me about it, I said screw it, and kept it. Wonder if a forum member perhaps ended up buying my old car.

[gregthegr8]

Hey, just stumbled across a space gray 128 with the m-sport package and appears to be a manual (I think after doing a vin search). Take a look, as it's in LA, so not too far from you:

http://www.centurywestbmw.com/new/BM...abe8b62c71.htm