Need advice on 2011 N52 purchase

[SchwarzN52]

Any advice on things to look out for?

[Almuliman]

Yes: A sticky thread titled something along the lines of "buyer's guide" and, if you can find one, a really active forum with lots of knowledgeable people having posted lots and lots of information about 1ers.

P.S. If you have a specific car in mind, those same people can be very helpful if you post specific questions showing you have done your research and given it some thought.

[SchwarzN52]

Originally Posted by Almuliman

Yes: A sticky thread titled something along the lines of "buyer's guide" and, if you can find one, a really active forum with lots of knowledgeable people having posted lots and lots of information about 1ers.

P.S. If you have a specific car in mind, those same people can be very helpful if you post specific questions showing you have done your research and given it some thought.

The issue is that the car I am interested is a 2 owner car, 2nd owner barly drove the car. The issue comes in where the car failed smog once, during the end of first owners ownership. I am interested in this car because of the included options". Hopefully nothing is wrong with it.

[Almuliman]

To be clearer: Read through the relevant sticky thread(s) on this forum, then post more details about the car (VIN is always good) and any specific concerns you have ("failed smog" may be enough for somebody in CA, but I'm not, so it means nothing to me and probably not to most of the people here).

[e91n52power]

Originally Posted by ImBlue52

The issue is that the car I am interested is a 2 owner car, 2nd owner barly drove the car. The issue comes in where the car failed smog once, during the end of first owners ownership. I am interested in this car because of the included options". Hopefully nothing is wrong with it.

If you want, I can offer you Carfax / Autocheck repoert just to double-check the vehicle and make sure everything is fine with its history.

[SchwarzN52]

Originally Posted by e91n52power

If you want, I can offer you Carfax / Autocheck repoert just to double-check the vehicle and make sure everything is fine with its history.

I bought the carfax/vincheck already, this is how i found out the car has failed smog during the end of the 1st owners history. After the failed smog the car has been been sold. 2nd owner passed smog and barely drove the car. The reason remain why the car failed smog is unkown and it seems it was taken car of because of "service repair" before 2nd owners smog check.

I provided a screenshot. Other than this, the rest looks fine to me.

[Olgeezer1]

If you're in California you've probably got an N51 engine which has an extended warranty on anything smog related. Believe it's 150 k. miles. Call BMW and find out. As far as purchase goes, find a reputable independent BMW shop and pay for a PPI. Spending a couple of hundred now could save a bunch down the road. Buying an uninspected BMW is a total crap shoot.

[SchwarzN52]

Originally Posted by Olgeezer1

If you're in California you've probably got an N51 engine which has an extended warranty on anything smog related. Believe it's 150 k. miles. Call BMW and find out. As far as purchase goes, find a reputable independent BMW shop and pay for a PPI. Spending a couple of hundred now could save a bunch down the road. Buying an uninspected BMW is a total crap shoot.

Im specificly only looking for a n52 128i, which is why I put it in the title. I looked at this car, It had to many issues I noticed. Currently gave it a pass now im looking at at others atm. Saw another one over the weekend looking into getting a ppi on it.

One thing I noticed is most of these cars have triangle ! mark light on next to the gear selection in orange.

[Blau]

Originally Posted by ImBlue52

Im specificly only looking for a n52 128i, which is why I put it in the title. I looked at this car, It had to many issues I noticed. Currently gave it a pass now im looking at at others atm. Saw another one over the weekend looking into getting a ppi on it.

One thing I noticed is most of these cars have triangle ! mark light on next to the gear selection in orange.

Don't be afraid of the n51. No ass Dyno is going to feel ~10hp... I've driven both. It's not noticable. YMMV

[SchwarzN52]

Originally Posted by WeShallCallHerBlau

Don't be afraid of the n51. No ass Dyno is going to feel ~10hp... I've driven both. It's not noticable. YMMV

I dont wanna deal with having to replace over priced parts after warrenty runs out.

[Blau]

Originally Posted by ImBlue52

I dont wanna deal with having to replace over priced parts after warrenty runs out.

Such as? I think anything that needs replacing can be substituted with the n52 versions (gas tank and radiator)

I feel you though. Get what you want. I do recommend at least test driving one though if it comes close enough in spec to what your looking for. For me that was a slick top and manual seats.

Best of luck. The 128i is a fun platform and I appreciate that you don't see a ton of them on the road.

[ZeroR]

Originally Posted by ImBlue52

Im specificly only looking for a n52 128i, which is why I put it in the title. I looked at this car, It had to many issues I noticed. Currently gave it a pass now im looking at at others atm. Saw another one over the weekend looking into getting a ppi on it.

Since you are in California, don't you need to get an N51 to pass Smog inspections? That is the whole reason for the N52 not passing. It's not meant for the states like California, the N51 is.

[SchwarzN52]

Originally Posted by ZeroR

Since you are in California, don't you need to get an N51 to pass Smog inspections? That is the whole reason for the N52 not passing. It's not meant for the states like California, the N51 is.

Have to "no", there are n52 california cars here. Not many though. They pass smog like every other car unless they dont meet the requirements.

[SchwarzN52]

Just picked up my 2013 128i N52 M-Sport. Driving this car gives me memories of my previous two 325i e30.



Got two questions for now.

I read it's normal for the stiff steering wheel, right? (I drove a corolla for 12 years and the steering wheel was very loose.)

What oil you guys recommend?

[Almuliman]

Congratulations.

By "stiff", might you mean "heavy"? If so, then yeah, mine feels heavy too, compared to our Volvo V60 and Honda Odyssey, but in a very satisfying hydraulic steering way. I find it far superior to either of those (unsurprisingly).

[SchwarzN52]

Originally Posted by Almuliman

Congratulations.

By "stiff", might you mean "heavy"? If so, then yeah, mine feels heavy too, compared to our Volvo V60 and Honda Odyssey, but in a very satisfying hydraulic steering way. I find it far superior to either of those (unsurprisingly).

Thank you, and yes I meant heavy. I like it, Just wanted to make sure it wasn't an issue.

[NorthernDancer]

Oil
5W 30 with BMW LL 01 written on the back; I've always used Castrol bought usually at Walmart. Now some Castrol may have lost the LL 01 rating but I don't care; my 08 128 has always used that oil and in 11½ years of my ownership I've had only 1 repair-the valve cover gasket.
I think I did see a new 5W 40 Castrol with LL 01 recently.
Whatever oil you choose, make sure it's always readily available and stick with it.
Learn to do your own oil changes

[Almuliman]

If you're at all concerned or just want a baseline, you could also get a Blackstone oil analysis done.

Oh, and consider getting oil and filter from FCP Euro to take advantage of the lifetime replacement policy: oil changes forever after for the price of return shipping. I use LiquiMoly 5W-30 and Mann filters.

[SchwarzN52]

Originally Posted by Almuliman

If you're at all concerned or just want a baseline, you could also get a Blackstone oil analysis done.

Oh, and consider getting oil and filter from FCP Euro to take advantage of the lifetime replacement policy: oil changes forever after for the price of return shipping. I use LiquiMoly 5W-30 and Mann filters.

Didn't fcpeuro recently change their terms on the lifetime oil replacement? I will have to give them a call and find out.

[Almuliman]

Yes, but "only" so that you have to buy the replacement part(s) first, then you get credit on returning the used or broken part(s) and/or liquids. Less great, still saves money over time.

[e91n52power]

Castrol on both my N52s. No issues at all
BTW car looks nice