'10 128 e88 125k miles, wouldya?

[jbailey895]

I gotta have a stick droptop. I found a 128 e88 about a 5 hr drive away, with 125k on the clock. I do not wrench well. Am I crazy to consider this? interior looks decent and top has been replaced. Asking $7k.

If you don't think I'm crazy what should I check/ask/ pay someone to inspect?

TIA,
Joel

[mkeiser]

Oil filter housing gasket, valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, water pump, thermostat, vanos gear bolts.

[jbailey895]

Thank you. That's helpful. I will try to get some maintenance records before I head out there (and seriously piss off the wife, lol.)

[fotontom]

I made the same move a few years ago with an E88. And followed the same path of immediate repair attention. Enjoyed the car for a few years, sold it and made a few bucks. As long as you can see the maintenance history and are fine with it, no reason to hesitate.

[JimD]

I own a 2009 e88 n52. It has about 113K miles. Most of the time I've had it I had something else as my daily driver but I still have used it every week. I had to have the alternator replaced years ago, I've replaced both wheel speed sensors on the front, one coil, and I've replaced the battery once. It is still a reliable car and I have no plans to get rid of it until that changes. I have not replaced any component of the cooling system or any of the engine gaskets. It is not leaving spots on my garage floor.

My top was replaced 2 or possibly 3 times under warranty. It got wear marks on the sides between the back window and the side window. There was a TSB for some little plastic brackets that caused the top to fold differently. I had to show it to my local dealer but they installed the brackets with the top I am still using. I treat it annually and it still looks good and doesn't leak at all. When I am not driving it, it is garaged.

I change oil every 5K miles - plenty often. I've changed the transmission fluid (mine is a manual) twice. I kind of did the rear end once. There is no drain plug, you have to vacuum out the fill hole and there is not much fluid in there. So I did what I could.

One reason I have no plans to trade it in is BMW doesn't offer a normally aspirated 6 any more. I think it has plenty of power to be fun and it is very smooth. You can drive it on the highway in 4th. Redline in 4th is about 100 mph. You'll get better mileage in 6th, of course, but the engine is so smooth I have failed to immediately notice I am not in 6th before.

How long a clutch lasts has more to do with the driver than the vehicle, I think. All of my clutches have gone well over 100K miles. My son is driving the manual SUV I used to have and has nearly 200K on it and it still has the original clutch. But if the owner of the car you are looking at drives differently, 125K seems like enough miles it could need a clutch.

[mct128i]

An inspection by someone who know BMW's would be wise and give you a head's up on any imminent work needed - this could also be a good negotiating tool with the seller. In general though, these are tough little cars and are known to easily run for 200-300 k miles if maintained well. Cooling system and engine gaskets are known items to need periodic replacement as has already been mentioned.

Since you say you don't wrench much yourself, I can recommend La Jolla Independent close to you - very knowledgeable employees and reasonable prices in my experience.

[NorthernDancer]

Maintenance history and inspection by La Jolla. mct128i hit the nail on the head.

[jbailey895]

Thanks guys. I found a more-local 330Ci with about the same mileage, so now I'm flip-flopping. I've always bought low-mileage cars for resale and piece of mind, but for weekend/project, I just might roll the dice.

[gds52]

Originally Posted by jbailey895

Thanks guys. I found a more-local 330Ci with about the same mileage, so now I'm flip-flopping. I've always bought low-mileage cars for resale and piece of mind, but for weekend/project, I just might roll the dice.

I will say test drive it. If the car is well taken care of, you will be good. I sold my 328i hard top convertible at 132k miles a year ago and it's running great for new owner (friend).

At this mileage, most common issues must have already been addressed. Get PPI done. Good luck.

[jbailey895]

Thnx. Stumbled across an '09 135 vert with 61k miles and leaky valve cover on CL. I haven't checked it out yet; I like the lower miles but it sounds like its right in the zone where all the maintenance will be needed (valve cover gasket, coils, oil pan gasket?) I'm trying to be patient as I know now is a horrible time to buy a car.

I appreciate everyone's advice, being in SoCal, verts go for a premium year-round.

[________]

Originally Posted by jbailey895

Thnx. Stumbled across an '09 135 vert with 61k miles and leaky valve cover on CL. I haven't checked it out yet; I like the lower miles but it sounds like its right in the zone where all the maintenance will be needed (valve cover gasket, coils, oil pan gasket?) I'm trying to be patient as I know now is a horrible time to buy a car.

I appreciate everyone's advice, being in SoCal, verts go for a premium year-round.

Wouldn’t recommend a 135i if you’re not mechanically inclined.

[jbailey895]

Just to follow up, I drove the 135i and it is a nice car. VCG is definitely leaking, AC blows hot, there are two poorly repaired dings in the body and paint. The car is otherwise in great shape and at 61k miles, I know that is a blessing and curse. Carfax shows VCG already replaced at 26k miles, but no HPFP or turbo work done (yet.)

Asking price is higher than KBB/Nada. Annoyingly tempting but I could see thousands of necessary work in the near future; added to the over-book price, it may not be the best investment. but still. . . lol

[fotontom]

Originally Posted by jbailey895

Just to follow up, I drove the 135i and it is a nice car. VCG is definitely leaking, AC blows hot, there are two poorly repaired dings in the body and paint. The car is otherwise in great shape and at 61k miles, I know that is a blessing and curse. Carfax shows VCG already replaced at 26k miles, but no HPFP or turbo work done (yet.)

Asking price is higher than KBB/Nada. Annoyingly tempting but I could see thousands of necessary work in the near future; added to the over-book price, it may not be the best investment. but still. . . lol

See if you can find out if the 26K VCG repair included replacing the VC. If not, plan to replace the VC itself in any case. 61K on a 135 might be the same as 90k or even more on a 128 in terms of potential maintenance to be done. The hot A/C and poor body repair could mean additional $$$. Most of the time a recharge solves the AC, but these cars are not famous for their AC systems. I'd keep looking unless the car had other redeeming values.

[JimD]

For reliability I would definitely want the n52. For fun I would definitely want the convertible.