'09 135i pricing

[mzem]

New to the forum and have decided to go for a pre-owned 135i. I found a '09 at a BMW dealer for 31.9K. This is a non-CPO vehicle. Here's the specs:

- Jet Black
- Steptronic (would love a manual, but have a grueling 12 mile commute)
- Sport Package
- Savanna Beige Leather
- Heated Seats
- Power Seats
- Prepped for satellite radio

Is this a good deal? From what I gathered off of Edmunds/Kelly/NADA, the pricing's in the ballpark. Are these cars going for less than book? Like anyone else, I'd like to be able to knock a couple grand off the pricing. Thanks.

[KingOfJericho]

mileage?

[mzem]

17K miles.

[KingOfJericho]

Why isn't it Certified? Seems a little strange.

[mzem]

The answer the sales rep gave me was "due to the low miles and condition of the vehicle, the didn't find it to be necessary." He did provide me with the service history (HPFP and 3rd brake light both replaced once). I've found the same thing with one of the dealers in my area.

[bdoooh]

Or you can just take it to a BMW and extend the warranty.

[mzem]

In regard to the CPO, does anyone feel that it's worth it? In looking over the list of what is covered and what is not, I would expect the parts that would need to be replaced between 50-100K would be brakes, serpentine belt, and the shocks/struts. I would just have my friend, who owns his own shop and is equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment, take care of the items that I mentioned. The last BMW I bought was a 318ti off the lot in '98. While that car was a maintenance nightmare, I would expect that BMW's made significant improvements in quality over the years.

[jpd]

Does book mean retail. If so there is plenty to haggle over. Whether the seller is willing to budge is anyones guess. CPO well it may be a bit of gamble but offers peace of mind. Whether its worth it depends on the individual. BMW and the other German marques are very very expensive to repair, and the 135 ranks near the bottom in reliability check Consumer Reports comments.

[uberschnell]

Originally Posted by mzem

In regard to the CPO, does anyone feel that it's worth it? In looking over the list of what is covered and what is not, I would expect the parts that would need to be replaced between 50-100K would be brakes, serpentine belt, and the shocks/struts. I would just have my friend, who owns his own shop and is equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment, take care of the items that I mentioned. The last BMW I bought was a 318ti off the lot in '98. While that car was a maintenance nightmare, I would expect that BMW's made significant improvements in quality over the years.

Then you would bet wrong. The N54 has it's slew of issues. Hopefully they hit before the original warranty runs, otherwise you may be in for some big $$ without the CPO warranty.

[jpd]

Excellent advice MteK

[mzem]

That's a bit depressing (BMW's poor reliability), Mtek. I'm not deterred from buying a BMW, but I will seriously consider getting this or any other 135 CPO'd.

[jpd]

The reference is to the N54 which was the engine from 2008-10. Newer uses the N55

[jkoral]

I've been shopping '09 135i and that price is in the ballpark. All dealers seem willing to knock a $1K off the asking price without hesitation. If serious and ready to buy, I would expect more. You don't say whether that is the final negotiated price or the "list price".

I struggled with CPO. In the end I went with a highly maintained private sale, but if buying from a dealer I would have only bought CPO.

Originally Posted by mzem

The last BMW I bought was a 318ti off the lot in '98. While that car was a maintenance nightmare, I would expect that BMW's made significant improvements in quality over the years.

FWIW, I owned a '96 318ti Sport for 14 years and 130K (bought new). Rock solid, minimal maintenance required, took a ton of abuse and only problem was window regulators. Nothing ever broke and I certainly was never stranded (unlike all the 135i going into limp home mode with bad HPFPs).

I'm *much* more nervous about my '09 135i and when it comes off warranty.

I don't believe there is any improvement in quality per se, but a more complicated engine (300hp TT N54 vs. 138hp NA M44) is going to require more maintenance and have more things to go wrong.