Looking at an used DD.

"404 - User No Longer Available" (toni-cipriani)
08/05/2016 at 12:44 • Filed to: BMW, F30, 328i

After much kicking and screaming dragging my left brain out of the door, I might go and look at a new-to-me DD replacement for my Solstice (she’s staying on as a summer car).

2012 328i, RWD with a 6 speed manual, gray on red interior, Sport Line, 41k kms on the clock.

Anything I should look out for in particular? Just off my head is the CarProof, any uneven paint colours, stress the suspension in corners, and if anybody smoked in it.

DISCUSSION (23)

Nibby > 404 - User No Longer Available
08/05/2016 at 12:46

Make sure the indicator stalk is working cause all that dust in 4 years can weigh it down

GeneralSnus > 404 - User No Longer Available
08/05/2016 at 12:51

The true enthusiast model, and a nice color. I like it

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > 404 - User No Longer Available
08/05/2016 at 13:01

Heliochrome85 has a 328i M-Sport and he is quite fond of it.

TFritch works on them and probably has differing opinions.

Both are on here, but TFritch is more active.

404 - User No Longer Available > GeneralSnus
08/05/2016 at 13:01

Yeah, complete with the red interior. I would’ve preferred the black metallic though. I did find one with that combo, but that one is much more expensive listed, complete with $8k worth of damage on the Carproof...

GeneralSnus > 404 - User No Longer Available
08/05/2016 at 13:03

how much warranty is left on it? Ive heard with newer BMWs its nice to have that as a safety net for as long as possible

Future next gen S2000 owner > 404 - User No Longer Available
08/05/2016 at 13:06

Tires, brakes, consumable type stuff.

404 - User No Longer Available > GeneralSnus
08/05/2016 at 13:08

This one not from a BMW dealer, but it is “certified” from a dealer sort of like Carmax. That other one with the damage that cost more is a CPO though. Both cases I’ll put a conditional sale and take it to my own mechanic for a final check, just to be sure.

404 - User No Longer Available > Future next gen S2000 owner
08/05/2016 at 13:10

Good call. I was sort of planning taking it to my own mechanic and redoing all the fluids anyways should I buy it.

GeneralSnus > 404 - User No Longer Available
08/05/2016 at 13:17

Yikes, depending on how long youre thinking of owning it youd probably want some decent warranty coverage. If you want something you can buy used off warranty and not worry as much about, your only choices are acura ILX, TSX or infiniti g37. Maybe splurge and get a chevy ss.

404 - User No Longer Available > GeneralSnus
08/05/2016 at 13:22

No front wheel drive, so entire Acura line is out. Besides... leasing a new ILX is actually cheaper than a Civic right now, so no point getting that. G37 can’t really find a manual one around here, we only have the G37X. Chevy SS isn’t sold in Canada. My other option is a used 2015 ATS, but the only one I found, I might as well lease a new one.

GE90man > 404 - User No Longer Available
08/05/2016 at 13:30

mmmmm, me likey. good choice!

AM3R shamefully returns > 404 - User No Longer Available
08/05/2016 at 13:42

Hear me out, if buying used i’d go with the 335i, simply because the N55 engine used in them has been around for longer, and was a more reliable version of the N54, which has been around since 2007. The reliability is much more known, and overall isn't too bad.

GeneralSnus > 404 - User No Longer Available
08/05/2016 at 13:45

No but ATS stick you have to get the 2.0T which is kinda overpriced for what youre getting. And yeah the g37x isnt idea.

404 - User No Longer Available > AM3R shamefully returns
08/05/2016 at 13:48

Kind of hard to come by actually. Up here in Canada it’s hard enough already to find a RWD manual one, everything is almost exclusively xDrive and auto. There was one I saw earlier, but a whopping $10k more, and it was gone 2 days after it was posted. Heck even an earlier 328i with $9K worth of damage was gone shortly after, and other dealers are marking up all their manual inventory...

And the bigger thing is, it’s going to be almost exclusively city driven, so I don’t think the straight-6 would be a good fit fuel economy wise...

404 - User No Longer Available > GeneralSnus
08/05/2016 at 13:53

328i is also 2.0T... and ATS being a GM I’m sure everything is negotiable. Plus I have a GM card from yesteryear that may have some cashback left on it.

AM3R shamefully returns > 404 - User No Longer Available
08/05/2016 at 13:56

Ah I see. Well this is still a fantastic car, and a very nice color combo. If all checks out jump on it! And I know first hand just how difficult it is to find 6mt RWD. Took forever to find a manual 335i coupe down here. Settled on the color but now I love it.

GeneralSnus > 404 - User No Longer Available
08/05/2016 at 14:22

Actually yeah the ATS is a more powerful 2.0 too, but the BMW has much better brand image and interior probably. Problem is its not much more reliable.

404 - User No Longer Available > GeneralSnus
08/05/2016 at 14:29

More powerful, but was told the manual on the ATS somewhat fails to put the power down. I haven’t tried it first hand so can’t say for sure.

404 - User No Longer Available > AM3R shamefully returns
08/05/2016 at 14:48

Yeah I’m sort of “settling” for the colour as well. I don’t dislike it, it’s actually the same colour as my Solstice, but that’s sort of the reason I don’t want it lol. The red interior is also pretty rare on the used market.

Also I did some quick research, seems the N20 is pretty reliable so far as well, dating back to 2011, and only one recall on the power brakes. The Bimmer guys say it really is just an N55 with 2 cylinders lopped off.

Matt Le Chat > 404 - User No Longer Available
08/05/2016 at 15:00

Looks great-Love the 6speed. Check it with a paint meter :)

404 - User No Longer Available > Matt Le Chat
08/05/2016 at 15:10

Unfortunately I don’t have one of those... and I was told one that could be trusted can be upwards of $10k+.

Matt Le Chat > 404 - User No Longer Available
08/05/2016 at 16:58

I disagree. I’ve been able to spot if cars were hit even when they had a clean car fax many times with that trusty little guy and mine did not cost $10k

Matt Le Chat > Matt Le Chat
08/05/2016 at 17:22

Just wanted to clarify here so I don’t come off snobby or something. Just wanted to say that even a basic paint meter cab be a useful tool and I used to be a buyer for a dealership and I used one. That being said it’s not something everyone has and if you trust the seller it is not a nessesary thing, just an extra layer of protection and can be useful when looking to buy cars. Love the car you picked and I hope you really enjoy it