Did I get a good deal?? (128i)

[smeard]

Now that it has been just about a year with my lovely 128, I have been wondering if I actually got a good deal.

I got my 2010 128i from CarMax for $14,500 (before taxes). I wanted to go for a private seller, but I wanted a manual and m sport and no one else had one.

It is a Manual, M Sport, Black sapphire on black sensatec, adaptive xenon headlights, bone stock, one owner in California also with only 50k miles and clean, no accident title and conveniently in my hometown CarMax dealer.

However, it is not a slick top, has the SULEV N51, and has had some bodywork done on rear driver quarter panel (found by my mechanic in PPI, everything else checked out).
Since I have bought the car, it has been fairly reliable with the exception of OFHG, oil pan gasket (in shop right now) and no more RDC module (got soaked from water in trunk). I have done some mods as I plan on keeping the car.

Basically, I guess I am wondering what other 128i owners got their car for and if they have found it worth it to own theirs. I love the car, but I have seen people get various 35i and even. ///M and AMG cars for the price I got mine (however, maybe not clean title or low mileage)

Do you guys think my car was a fair deal? I think I could have gotten it for a grand or two less if i waited long enough, but I needed a new car as my old one gave out and I opted for it. Still don't regret it

[mfindigital]

You'll find nothing but pain looking backwards as a BMW owner. I got my 135i dct 2011 December 2017 with 40k miles for 17,000 from a BMW dealer. It was the cheapest I could find by far though, at that mileage, I bought it sight unseen from a dealer in Virginia. Shipping was 800$, I still feel it would be a decent deal today, but I see some cheap oners flying around now.

[smeard]

Originally Posted by mfindigital

You'll find nothing but pain looking backwards as a BMW owner. I got my 135i dct 2011 December 2017 with 40k miles for 17,000 from a BMW dealer. It was the cheapest I could find by far though, at that mileage, I bought it sight unseen from a dealer in Virginia. Shipping was 800$, I still feel it would be a decent deal today, but I see some cheap oners flying around now.

That is true, in every other car (like plain jain lexus sedan loaner i have right now) the steering and throttle response is so vague. That 135i for 17 sounds like a great deal, especially for the price.

[The Wind Breezes]

It's a fair deal if you're happy with it. Real "deals" aren't super common but will make your head spin.

[TURBO8]

I paid $16,500 for my 2011 135i 6spd 60k miles from Carmax in June 2018

[smeard]

Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes

It's a fair deal if you're happy with it. Real "deals" aren't super common but will make your head spin.

Thanks i needed to hear that. Only other car I would have wanted was an e90/92 Manual m3 and no way was I getting one that wouldn't need rod bearings or something crazy for that price.

[Thunderguts]

Carmax is almost always more expensive, but they do make buying an out-of-state car a breeze. It can be a hassle getting a 3rd party to send you all the paperwork from another state so that's worth something.

I got my 2009 128 in May 2018 with 68k miles for $10,800. It was a one-owner that I purchased from the original dealer where the owner had it serviced exclusively. It has the sport package, but not M-sport. I've put almost 6k miles on it since I bought it and haven't had a single issue. Unfortunately the previous owner didn't have much experience with manual transmissions because the 2nd gear synchro is pretty worn which makes shifting overly stiff. I love the car so much that, if it has no major problems in the next few years, I'll probably put in a rebuilt transmission to the tune of $3,600 or so.

Fortunately this isn't my only car so if it needs a new oil pan gasket or bushings, I should be able to do the work myself. If you've never worked on European cars, however, you quickly acquire $1,000 of new tools that you didn't realize you'd need.

[Gangplank]

I bought my 2011 135i Sport in 2015. I probably paid more than I should have, but since I plan on owning it until it doesn't drive anymore I'm perfectly happy with the deal I got.

If you're happy with the car you got a good deal.

[02Pilot]

The one thing that dealers never factor into the price is service history, and it's arguably the most important thing to have when buying a used maintenance-intensive car, at least if you plan to keep it for any length of time. I've paid more for cars with higher mileage because they had service records; yeah, I turned down "deals" because I know they would end up costing more in the long run.

I bought my 128i two summers ago with 100k miles on it, along with a big stack of records going back to original purchase. I happily paid the seller's asking price and considered it a bargain at the time, and I still do, as it has required very little work to date.

[Dogeeseegod]

I managed to get my 128i for just $10,400 with 49k on the clock. The only thing I wish it had was the sport package, but I am replacing those parts now anyway :P I got a great deal on it because the previous owner bought it for his son and his son hated the manual and he had some real trouble selling it because of the manual transmission Thank you Portland for being a bunch of wimps lol

[scoff]

Bought a 2011 128i 6MT M-Sport from a dealer with 53k miles for 12.3k in December.

[swunder]

Doesn't sound too reliable with 3 major repairs in 1 year?

If you got what you want you got a good deal. I paid a few grand too much for mine but I haven't seen a similar one available near me since so no regrets!

[duder13]

Originally Posted by TURBO8

I paid $16,500 for my 2011 135i 6spd 60k miles from Carmax in June 2018

Yeah, I paid $19,999 for my 2012 135i M-Sport (manual) with 38k miles from Carmax in April 2018.

I did pay an extra $2K on top of that for the MaxCare warranty that will last me 5 years...and it already paid for itself in the first couple of months, when I needed the headlights/control module replaced and my charge pipe blew. lol

[captain slowly]

The honest answer is you overpaid. That is always the case with Carmax.
At the end of the day, if you are satisfied with the car, its all worth it.

[sixburgh]

It's a BMW. That is status. The oil pan gasket replacement is typical on the aluminum block. Recommended repair every 60-70,000 miles. Congrats on owning a super car! Mine is a 2010 BMW slick top.

[smeard]

Thank you all who replied! Really interesting to see what you all paid and your experiences. I love the car and it is really the perfect spec for me, which is why I justified (and still justify) the higher price I paid. I truly love the car. Family always had BMW, and nearly all were m sport/manual.

[smeard]

Originally Posted by Thunderguts

Carmax is almost always more expensive, but they do make buying an out-of-state car a breeze. It can be a hassle getting a 3rd party to send you all the paperwork from another state so that's worth something.

I got my 2009 128 in May 2018 with 68k miles for $10,800. It was a one-owner that I purchased from the original dealer where the owner had it serviced exclusively. It has the sport package, but not M-sport. I've put almost 6k miles on it since I bought it and haven't had a single issue. Unfortunately the previous owner didn't have much experience with manual transmissions because the 2nd gear synchro is pretty worn which makes shifting overly stiff. I love the car so much that, if it has no major problems in the next few years, I'll probably put in a rebuilt transmission to the tune of $3,600 or so.

Fortunately this isn't my only car so if it needs a new oil pan gasket or bushings, I should be able to do the work myself. If you've never worked on European cars, however, you quickly acquire $1,000 of new tools that you didn't realize you'd need.

Sorry to hear about the synchro issue, but 2nd is notoriously stiff on all these cars. Many attribute the "notchiness" to the CDV. When I deleted it, the second gear shift was a lot smoother. Thanks for your input and glad you enjoy the car

[smeard]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

I bought my 2011 135i Sport in 2015. I probably paid more than I should have, but since I plan on owning it until it doesn't drive anymore I'm perfectly happy with the deal I got.

If you're happy with the car you got a good deal.

indeed! still love the car since I first got it. Not the same story for many friends of mine who have had performance cars for few months then sold. I will keep this one for as long as i can

[smeard]

Originally Posted by 02Pilot

The one thing that dealers never factor into the price is service history, and it's arguably the most important thing to have when buying a used maintenance-intensive car, at least if you plan to keep it for any length of time. I've paid more for cars with higher mileage because they had service records; yeah, I turned down "deals" because I know they would end up costing more in the long run.

I bought my 128i two summers ago with 100k miles on it, along with a big stack of records going back to original purchase. I happily paid the seller's asking price and considered it a bargain at the time, and I still do, as it has required very little work to date.

See, I brought the car to both an independent mechanic and the dealer. Mechanic for PPI, dealer for records. Dealer said first owner specced the car and bought it, apparently upgraded to M235i (specced and ordered). Maintenance plan was followed, but from the complaints over every little rattle and vibration noted on record, i hopefully assumed he did mid service interval oil changes too.

[smeard]

Originally Posted by 02Pilot

The one thing that dealers never factor into the price is service history, and it's arguably the most important thing to have when buying a used maintenance-intensive car, at least if you plan to keep it for any length of time. I've paid more for cars with higher mileage because they had service records; yeah, I turned down "deals" because I know they would end up costing more in the long run.

I bought my 128i two summers ago with 100k miles on it, along with a big stack of records going back to original purchase. I happily paid the seller's asking price and considered it a bargain at the time, and I still do, as it has required very little work to date.

Very smart! I would have wanted records, but couldnt find an m sport manual elsewhere. REALLY wanted that m sport too. I bet you will find oil pan gasket in that stack. My baby's current illness thanks for sharing!!

[smeard]

Originally Posted by Dogeeseegod

I managed to get my 128i for just $10,400 with 49k on the clock. The only thing I wish it had was the sport package, but I am replacing those parts now anyway :P I got a great deal on it because the previous owner bought it for his son and his son hated the manual and he had some real trouble selling it because of the manual transmission Thank you Portland for being a bunch of wimps lol

honestly a great route if you are gonna upgrade everything anyway, non m sport is super appealing because lower price! I mean 49k miles for 10k!! I am jealousss. This was my third car (second I have bought with my own money, I am young but I love my cars!) and it was within budget, but 10k wouldve been a sigh of relief for sure.

[smeard]

Originally Posted by scoff

Bought a 2011 128i 6MT M-Sport from a dealer with 53k miles for 12.3k in December.

Wowww great find! Wish i saw that when i needed mine