WTB: E82 128i Manual 12kish Budget

[AndyW]

Originally Posted by Thunderguts

It's more the fact that it can go without any warning and leave you stranded. That's not a big deal if I'm commuting to work, but if it lets go while I'm out on a country drive, the towing charge will literally cost more than a new pump and thermostat. I'm sure that 95% of N51/N52 pumps could last 100k miles, but after that, I'd start to worry about the stranding factor. If I bought a car with 122k miles and it hasn't been replaced, I'm replacing it ASAP.

That's the key...if you have a policy of proactively replacing equipment on your machine that is on borrowed time, you never get stranded and can replace it on *your* time. I do that with ALL my machines. Only really been stranded once (because I *didn't* follow my own advice...lol)....and with AAA, that's not an issue either.

Originally Posted by Thunderguts

...but I'd want to see some video and high-res pictures of the undercarriage.

Pretty sure that's what most of the internet is used for....(ba dum dum)

[jcrane82]

Originally Posted by yostuhfoo

It could also be optioned better with Black, Red, or Brown seats as opposed to Beige but that is easy enough to swap out.

I would take Beige in real leather over black SensaTec. I agree though, Beige is not my first color choice at all.

[jcrane82]

Just found this as well...

https://www.prestonbmw.com/inventory...up9c51avf46240

2010 128i ///M Sport, Alpine white with Coral Red Leather. Good price too. N51 though.

[odiford]

Wow two MSports popping up for under 10k! Crazy! Jwal so long as you are okay with a SULEV motor I would pounce on one of those quickly.

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by Thunderguts

Unfortunately that's on the other side of the country for him. Then again, for a car that rare and a price that low, it might be worth the $1500 to transport it.

Pay my airfare and I'll drive it back. I'd love to coast to coast roadtrip a 128.

[jcrane82]

My last two cars were bought site unseen and drove over 1200 miles home. Makes for a great trip with a friend!

[background]

What's the disadvantage of N51? The same power rating as N52, plus 3-stage intake manifold. Thanks.

Originally Posted by odiford

Wow two MSports popping up for under 10k! Crazy! Jwal so long as you are okay with a SULEV motor I would pounce on one of those quickly.

[yostuhfoo]

All of these white MSports popping up for sale... now i'm tempted! haha

[Jwal]

Hey everyone, those are the two cars that I was referring to in my post yesterday.
The California car has over 2k in fees and fluff in the out the door price. Salesperson told me they have already installed a 1000 dollar low-jack system that is added to the price of the car. Not really interested in having that, let alone paying for it.
The Ohio car seems good, but I don't feel like the N51 is going to be a good option in the long term. The warranty on those otherwise expensive components is 15 years or 150k miles. Once that has expired, the car would be very costly to maintain. It also has a lower compression ratio, and requires more expensive custom tuning to get the benefit of the 3 stage manifold. The standard N52 can use a stock BMW tune for much lower cost.

I'm sure someone will really like these cars, and I would buy the California one, but those fees added to shipping or paying to drive it back ruin what would be a good deal. The Ohio car is essentially the same price, but with the N51 and the sunroof it's not ideal for me. The M-Sport package is nice, but its really not necessary for me.

I guess I'm being too picky, but this thread has more or less morphed into advice on buying an e82 for anyone interested, so I would like to keep it going haha. Any other people looking on here? Welcome to opinions tell me I'm wrong and a dummy for not jumping on either of these cars haha. Thanks!

[jcrane82]

Originally Posted by background

What's the disadvantage of N51? The same power rating as N52, plus 3-stage intake manifold. Thanks.

The N52 has higher tuning potential than the N51, since the N51 has lower compression pistons. Also the N51 will be slightly heavier due to the extra catalysts.

[415]

Originally Posted by Jwal

Hey everyone, those are the two cars that I was referring to in my post yesterday.
The California car has over 2k in fees and fluff in the out the door price. Salesperson told me they have already installed a 1000 dollar low-jack system that is added to the price of the car. Not really interested in having that, let alone paying for it.
The Ohio car seems good, but I don't feel like the N51 is going to be a good option in the long term. The warranty on those otherwise expensive components is 15 years or 150k miles. Once that has expired, the car would be very costly to maintain. It also has a lower compression ratio, and requires more expensive custom tuning to get the benefit of the 3 stage manifold. The standard N52 can use a stock BMW tune for much lower cost.

I'm sure someone will really like these cars, and I would buy the California one, but those fees added to shipping or paying to drive it back ruin what would be a good deal. The Ohio car is essentially the same price, but with the N51 and the sunroof it's not ideal for me. The M-Sport package is nice, but its really not necessary for me.

I guess I'm being too picky, but this thread has more or less morphed into advice on buying an e82 for anyone interested, so I would like to keep it going haha. Any other people looking on here? Welcome to opinions tell me I'm wrong and a dummy for not jumping on either of these cars haha. Thanks!

Shipping shouldn’t be no more than 1500.

[odiford]

Originally Posted by background

What's the disadvantage of N51? The same power rating as N52, plus 3-stage intake manifold. Thanks.

Jwal summed it up pretty well already but basically the lower compression, a few different parts here and there, and extra catalytic converters. I believe the fuel pump is also located in such a way that you have to remove the tank to service it? Something along those lines. I avoided them when I was shopping because I generally try to stray away from quirky variants.

[$iriu$black]

Originally Posted by Jwal

Hey everyone, those are the two cars that I was referring to in my post yesterday.
The California car has over 2k in fees and fluff in the out the door price. Salesperson told me they have already installed a 1000 dollar low-jack system that is added to the price of the car. Not really interested in having that, let alone paying for it.
The Ohio car seems good, but I don't feel like the N51 is going to be a good option in the long term. The warranty on those otherwise expensive components is 15 years or 150k miles. Once that has expired, the car would be very costly to maintain. It also has a lower compression ratio, and requires more expensive custom tuning to get the benefit of the 3 stage manifold. The standard N52 can use a stock BMW tune for much lower cost.

I'm sure someone will really like these cars, and I would buy the California one, but those fees added to shipping or paying to drive it back ruin what would be a good deal. The Ohio car is essentially the same price, but with the N51 and the sunroof it's not ideal for me. The M-Sport package is nice, but its really not necessary for me.

I guess I'm being too picky, but this thread has more or less morphed into advice on buying an e82 for anyone interested, so I would like to keep it going haha. Any other people looking on here? Welcome to opinions tell me I'm wrong and a dummy for not jumping on either of these cars haha. Thanks!

I totally respect your decision to not get any one of those two amazing cars listed. As they say, your money, your call. No one here can sway you to buy anything if you don’t “feel it.” You get my drift.

I’ll say this, though. I drive a 128i with the N51 engine. Sure, it’s probably the “slowest and lamest” version due to environmental concerns and all that shenanigans (which I don’t mind at all), but for me, the engines are practically the same performance-wise. I track my N51 car, hard, since I started doing events two years ago and i have not had any issues w the engine. Sure, I may get a bit more oomph from it if I had the option to tune it w the regular BMW tune or even a custom N51 tune, but even without I think it’s robust enough to get a lot of fun from. IIRC, you don’t plan on tracking yours so either way you go, you won’t be disappointed. Don’t let the N51 vs N52 debate scare you. I’m not an armchair expert and admit that I do not know much about engines nor worked on mine further than changing plugs and coils so be warned. Don’t over think it but do stick to your guns on what you can live w or without.

[hxzero]

Originally Posted by 415

Shipping shouldn’t be no more than 1500.

Appreciate the wisdom that this thread is creating, I'm in a similar search to Jwal (good luck with the hunt!)

Was wondering if you have experience on this detail, how would one go about finding a broker for interstate delivery? Asking one of these sketchy looking dealers in CA would worry me.

[Metta121]

I am loving this thread. I am not surprised folks are snatching up 1 Series. I bought a 2010 128i (N51) in the fall of 2013. For three years, I showered the car with all sorts of BMW accessories: BMW Performance Exhaust, BMW Performance Wheels (Style 269), Stainless Steel Pedals, Pearlescent Chrome Brake Handle, Dashboard Storage Tray Box, Blackline Taillights, Mud flaps, and etc. After three years of ownership, I traded the Bimmer for a SUV. I didn't regret the decision, but I missed the feeling of driving a coupe. Fast forward to 2019, I wanted a smaller, second vehicle. I remembered how much I enjoyed driving the 1 Series, so my search began.

When I traded the 128i back in 2016, I knew the dealership had unloaded it via the Manheim Car Auction in PA. A dealer in PA bought it and sold it locally. I had tried to buy it back then, but they wanted $4K above what they gave at auction. Well, during my search for my next 1 Series, I decided to check the PA dealership's website. My previous 128i was back on the market! Three days later, I flew from NC to PA and drove the car home. All the accessories were still in place, and it only had 12K additional miles.

This thread definitely has me thinking I made the right choice about buying the car a second time. So, best of luck with your search!

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by Metta121

Well, during my search for my next 1 Series, I decided to check the PA dealership's website. My previous 128i was back on the market! Three days later, I flew from NC to PA and drove the car home. All the accessories were still in place, and it only had 12K additional miles.

This thread definitely has me thinking I made the right choice about buying the car a second time. So, best of luck with your search!

That is true love!! Amazing story. Wish I could buy my original Ti/Koral/ Sport 128i back....but it went to a salvage yard. Don't let your kids drive your favorite car!!!!

[background]

Thanks. Interesting to find out N51 has longer power train warranty. Does it mean BMW thinks it is more reliable?

Originally Posted by jcrane82

The N52 has higher tuning potential than the N51, since the N51 has lower compression pistons. Also the N51 will be slightly heavier due to the extra catalysts.

[drivejojo]

Originally Posted by background

Thanks. Interesting to find out N51 has longer power train warranty. Does it mean BMW thinks it is more reliable?

It is a federal emissions warranty, which is why it is longer.

[chopstik]

Not sure if these ads are still active because I see the car I bought 3 years ago listed but maybe you can give them a shot?

http://usedfromus.com/bmw-ads/388911...nce-tires.html

[Jwal]

Thanks! I replied so I'll see if I get a response

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

Pay my airfare and I'll drive it back. I'd love to coast to coast roadtrip a 128.

I've done the US coast-to-coast twice and Europe once in mine. It's a great road-trip ride!

[drivejojo]

I ended up getting that white/red M Sport from Ohio. I won’t pick it up for about a week, but very excited. The N51 doesn’t bother me or scare me. My wife has a 2008 128i convertible with the N51 and it has been great (knock on wood). That is the color combo I wanted, and though I prefer the N52 and no roof, these are getting harder to find. Best of luck to those still searching.