Newbie needs 135i advice

[SteveSAS]

Hi Guys,

I am new to this site and am contemplating buying a 135i from a dealer.

It is on an 09 plate in white and just wanted some expert info from you guys on differences in models.

From the pics it is badged on the bootlid as 135i M. I see the M badge is on steering wheel & gearstick. It has black wheels to contemplate the white body with nice looking tinted windows.
I notice from pics that I don't see the thin lip on the boot lid as I have on other cars & also no shark fin type aerial is on the rear of roof.
It has half leather & not full leather with over 85000 miles on clock and dealer wants £14500 for it.
Does this seem a bit high compared to others with lower mileage?

Thanks very much for any advice

[dtla1]

The M badge on the "boot" is not there from the factory and was added by a previous owner.

[Esteban]

You mentioned pics. Can you post the pics and share them with us? Is this car being advertised on a website? Can you provide a link to the website? More info helps us help you.

[keyowne]

Am from the uk, most people on here from american so they cant really give you advice unless there really into uk market, but i shopped around for 3 months before i bought mine, i paid 13,000, 52,000 miles 2008, full bmw service history, full leather from a dealer with 3 month warranty, so your car is expensive. Mines is Titanium silver, bear in mind the white ones do fetch a bit more in the uk but not that much.
I noticed there was a lot of 135i with that type of mileage, mainly because there harder to sell with such mileage on a performance car, my advice is to shop around and be patient for one with a lower mileage and price.

[SteveSAS]

[Esteban]

Glad that someone from your side of the pond chimed in.

[cbl117]

based on the pictures the

wheels are OEM but painted/powdercoated black
not sure about UK DOT requirements but looks like the headlights are aftermarket or the orange side lenses have been removed.
Side markers look aftermarket
Stock trunk spoiler is missing
The "M" badge is definitely not factory and should be removed.

Can't help you on pricing though

[mr.fabulous]

M badges on the steering wheel and shifter are standard M-Sport fodder. No experience with Nanking tires myself, but a bit of The Google finds they're from Taiwan. Huh. Personally, I'd be a bit wary of a car that would seem to have been previously owned by a younger guy (painted wheels and no trunk lip and silly M badge in back)... what other mods lurk underneath? Paint looks good, though.

[SteveSAS]

Thanks for advice.

Am I correct in thinking the 125i dosen't have the added lip on the boot lid?

Also is the 125i being NA engine more reliable at higher mileages?

Thanks

[keyowne]

125 is 70hp less. So basically it will be more reliable . It is not a 3 litre engine, and only has 4 cylinder compared to the flat 6 of the 135i, the flat 6 in the 135i is fantastic.
Try get one as close to standard as possible.
Full service history is needed with higher mileage.
If your going to do a lot of miles i would go for a lower mileage .

Putting an 1m badge on the 135 is stupid really.

[tock172]

Originally Posted by keyowne

125 is 70hp less. So basically it will be more reliable . It is not a 3 litre engine, and only has 4 cylinder compared to the flat 6 of the 135i, the flat 6 in the 135i is fantastic.
Try get one as close to standard as possible.
Full service history is needed with higher mileage.
If your going to do a lot of miles i would go for a lower mileage .

Putting an 1m badge on the 135 is stupid really.

Flat Six = Porsche, Longitudinal or Straight Six = BMW.

[keyowne]

Originally Posted by tock172

Flat Six = Porsche, Longitudinal or Straight Six = BMW.

Sh*t thats what i ment

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by keyowne

Putting an 1m badge on the 135 is stupid really.

I think we can all agree with this.

[Dylanize]

Originally Posted by cbl117

based on the pictures the

wheels are OEM but painted/powdercoated black
not sure about UK DOT requirements but looks like the headlights are aftermarket or the orange side lenses have been removed.

Euro cars don't have the stupid orange markers like we do, those are factory lights.

[cbl117]

Originally Posted by Dylanize

Euro cars don't have the stupid orange markers like we do, those are factory lights.

oh wow. I never knew that. Sorry to mislead you OP. Too bad we don't have those lights in the states!

[swagon]

It also looks lowered

[B.M.W.]

Just to Piggyback off of OP's post, how livable is the 135i?
I know it's the same size as a e46 M3, but is the interior crampt like a 350z or 5G Camaro?
I'm 6'4 170lbs for reference (195cm/78kg) and have a son who will end up in the backseat & a dog who's crate will be going in the trunk(boot).

Edit: My 08 335i sedan was totaled in a freak flood & I'm looking to replace it.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by B.M.W.

Just to Piggyback off of OP's post, how livable is the 135i?
I know it's the same size as a e46 M3, but is the interior crampt like a 350z or 5G Camaro?
I'm 6'4 170lbs for reference (195cm/78kg) and have a son who will end up in the backseat & a dog who's crate will be going in the trunk(boot).

Edit: My 08 335i sedan was totaled in a freak flood & I'm looking to replace it.

Front seats are roomy, back seats are not big. Trunk is pretty good size. Better go check it out.

[B.M.W.]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

Front seats are roomy, back seats are not big. Trunk is pretty good size. Better go check it out.

Car seat works in a 128i & I can easily fit in the front. I've lurked around here a bit & seen pictures of people hauling cars full of groceries, some ikea furniture & that sort.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by B.M.W.

Car seat works in a 128i & I can easily fit in the front. I've lurked around here a bit & seen pictures of people hauling cars full of groceries, some ikea furniture & that sort.

Back seats go down and you can get quite a bit in there. Hauled my Performance exhaust, which was in a pretty big box, to the exhaust shop with the back seats down. Did the same with the Performance suspension. Not as big as your 335i, but big enough for my needs.

[B.M.W.]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

Back seats go down and you can get quite a bit in there. Hauled my Performance exhaust, which was in a pretty big box, to the exhaust shop with the back seats down. Did the same with the Performance suspension. Not as big as your 335i, but big enough for my needs.

This is a game changer... thank you
Where do I sign to convert to 1ers only?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by B.M.W.

This is a game changer... thank you
Where do I sign to convert to 1ers only?

Just to let you know, cause not sure if you do, the 128i and the 135i are basically the same car, other than different engines. Other differences are in stock suspension, brakes, wheels and tires, etc.

So if the 128i works for you (size-wise), then the 135i will work as well.