New Owner

[zx3psyko]

Hey, guys. I posted on here a month or two ago about looking at a 135i, and finally pulled the trigger recently. This forum was integral in my decision to purchase this car, since I was nervous about buying an older BMW. This was my dream car for quite a few years though, and I was sad when it went out of prod, and shelved my dreams for a while. My friend was leaving the country though, and sold me his for just $10k, so I'm pretty happy and with this forum for guidance as I try to do all of the maintenance possible myself, I hope I should be able to have some fun and not break my bank.

Meet Gustav, the 2012 N55 135i, Deep Sea Blue Metallic, 95k miles, 6MT, coupe.

I'm planning on keeping it stock as my friend did, and I'm working now on restoring the on-the-way-downhill paint. My friend took great care of the engine and maintenance, but parked the car outside and never really cleaned it as far as I can tell. Dozens of tiny paint chips and scratches all over, for which I've ordered a paint pen recently, and I'm going to try my hand at restoring it and polishing and waxing it rather than redoing the paint. I also have to park outside unfortunately.

Planning on using LiquiMoly 5W-40 oil every 5-6k miles, but open to suggestions or criticism. I only drive 4-5k miles per year, and though I have fun with the car, I'm not thrashing or tracking it, especially with a 2-year-old squeeeeeezed into the back seat =p

I've heard about the water and fuel pump issues - luckily these were already replaced at 50 and 59k miles.

As for all the rest, all the fluids and plugs were last changed around 65-82k miles, so I'm planning on changing the spark plugs and flushing the coolant and power steering fluid within the next few months. I'm hoping all of this should keep this car happy for at least 3-4 years at the rate I drive.

[Esteban]

Welcome... love that color.

Here's the Official DEEP SEA BLUE Thread (in case you haven't already seen it) if you are interested in seeing more 1ers with your color paint and maybe posting there as well.

[Gangplank]

Welcome. If you do the regular maintenance BMWs can be quite reliable as the get on in years, especially if you are only doing 5k per year.

Congrats on the dream car. I feel the same way about mine still going on 3 years now!!

[NorthernDancer]

Congrats on new car-it looks great. From what you write, you can do most/all simple maintenance which is hugely important. Even tho you'll do low mileage, do 2 oil changes per year.

[Tuxedo]

Welcome, Looks good, get a clay bar kit and good buff and it will restore most of the shine.

[Matticus91]

Welcome your car is looking great!!

[PA135ii]

Welcome to you and Gustav. Mine is a year one of the one and I still like it the same as the day I got it. In 2017 I purchased a used Honda CRV so my 135i mileage is much like yours now at about 5K a year. enjoy....

[Captain Blood]

Great car, and those are my favorite wheels!

[docpanama]

Originally Posted by Tuxedo

Welcome, Looks good, get a clay bar kit and good buff and it will restore most of the shine.

I second this....I just did that with Frannie and she looks fantastic. Her clearcoat was in lousy shape, and it really came back great. Deep and glossy.

[iminhell1]

Explain the screen name ...

[mike@x-ph.com]

Congrats!

[Crematoriant]

Welcome and congratz'.

[mfindigital]

Originally Posted by iminhell1

Explain the screen name ...

I'd guess he had a focus as a youngun. My old thread names were similary, rx7mike, ms3s2000, 240srMS3, etc, lol.

[iminhell1]

Originally Posted by mfindigital

I'd guess he had a focus as a youngun. My old thread names were similary, rx7mike, ms3s2000, 240srMS3, etc, lol.

Well I've had Foci for 18 years so ...
Moderated a few sites over the years.

[zx3psyko]

Originally Posted by mfindigital

I'd guess he had a focus as a youngun. My old thread names were similary, rx7mike, ms3s2000, 240srMS3, etc, lol.

Hah, yeah, my second car was a black 2001 Focus ZX3 5MT. God, I riced that thing up. Cringeworthy now. Big old exhaust, cold air intake, silver flames painted on the side, lowered, 2 12" subwoofers, blue neon lights underneath and inside. Don't judge me - I've come a long way in 16 years.

[mfindigital]

Originally Posted by zx3psyko

Hah, yeah, my second car was a black 2001 Focus ZX3 5MT. God, I riced that thing up. Cringeworthy now. Big old exhaust, cold air intake, silver flames painted on the side, lowered, 2 12" subwoofers, blue neon lights underneath and inside. Don't judge me - I've come a long way in 16 years.

No judgement here. This was my 2nd car (minus the hood scoop). Tech II turbo kit and a wings west body kit. All paid for by myself when I was 17. I had money to burn (started working at 14, and had an,um, had a "side" business as well) and I did. I loved the car though, felt like a Bentley compared to my 1979 rx7.

[zx3psyko]

Originally Posted by mfindigital

No judgement here. This was my 2nd car (minus the hood scoop). Tech II turbo kit and a wings west body kit. All paid for by myself when I was 17. I had money to burn (started working at 14, and had an,um, had a "side" business as well) and I did. I loved the car though, felt like a Bentley compared to my 1979 rx7.

Hah, close to same story for me. Technically my first car was a 1986 BMW 5-series, but it was bought off the side of the road for $700 and you could tell. Missing half its windows, 1/3 of its engine parts, cracked frame, no paint, 3 bald and one donut tire. Lasted about two months before falling apart at a red light. Thus my 2001 Focus that I bought for 6k cash was my "upgrade."

[zx3psyko]

Originally Posted by mfindigital

No judgement here. This was my 2nd car (minus the hood scoop). Tech II turbo kit and a wings west body kit. All paid for by myself when I was 17. I had money to burn (started working at 14, and had an,um, had a "side" business as well) and I did. I loved the car though, felt like a Bentley compared to my 1979 rx7.

And I actually found some old pics of it! Wow, 2003 seems like so long ago, and such a crappy cell-phone-pic era.

[mfindigital]

Originally Posted by zx3psyko

And I actually found some old pics of it! Wow, 2003 seems like so long ago, and such a crappy cell-phone-pic era.

Haha, JNCO pants and tribal car tattoos. I miss the early 2000's.