Should I or Shouldn't I?

"GeorgeyBoy" (georgeyboy) 01/07/2014 at 00:04 • Filed to: None

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Been eyeing a 1 series for a while. I like the reliability of the 128i compared to the 135i. This would just be a DD. It's hard finding an affordable one in my price range of about $16k.

This one came up.

2010 128i, Automatic, 45k miles, clean title.

They are asking $15,750.

Pretty basic on the inside, no I drive. Should I be interested? I rarely see them pop up around me.

offroadkarter > GeorgeyBoy 01/07/2014 at 00:18

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the 135's can be wicked fast, I'd rather have one of those and dump it when the warranty is up.

GeorgeyBoy > offroadkarter 01/07/2014 at 00:33

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You're talking mid to upper $20k now. I really don't want to spend that much, If I did it wouldn't be a 1 series.

Sure I would prefer the turbos, but I'm looking for reliability and efficiency.

LappingLuke > GeorgeyBoy 01/07/2014 at 00:38

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I think your 16k could be better spent than on a newish base BMW.

GeorgeyBoy > LappingLuke 01/07/2014 at 00:42

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Opinions then? I'm open to anything. Rear wheel drive under 50k miles preferably. Efficient.

offroadkarter > GeorgeyBoy 01/07/2014 at 00:49

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If your looking for reliability and efficiency, a BMW is not what you want, lets be honest

SpeedSix > GeorgeyBoy 01/07/2014 at 00:53

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BMW 2002s in good condition go for around the same price. Definitely lighter, rarer, and probably more enjoyable than a 128i. The support is decent, I believe.

GeorgeyBoy > offroadkarter 01/07/2014 at 00:55

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Relative to the 135i I was referring to. BMW reliability doesn't really scare me considering I have a car just as unreliable and expensive to own. I just don't want to be replacing turbos down the road, a N/A BMW will sit better with me.

SpeedSix > GeorgeyBoy 01/07/2014 at 00:57

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For $16k or so I think you can find either an early 2nd-generation Mercedes-Benz CLK coupe with a V6 or a late 1st-generation CLK convertible with a V8.

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > GeorgeyBoy 01/07/2014 at 01:02

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My new north Cali transplant friend has a black one with a chip and exhaust and loves it to death.

SpeedSix > GeorgeyBoy 01/07/2014 at 01:04

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If you can afford the fuel bills, you could go for a Mercedes-Benz R107 450SL or C107 450SLC. The SL was the two-door roadster with available hardtop while the C107 was an extended 2+2 hardtop-only version. The 4.5L V8 engine is quite reliable from what I hear too.

Good condition ones go for around $16k as well.

Singhjr96 > GeorgeyBoy 01/07/2014 at 01:11

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I would want too so bad, but it's probably not worth it. Look for a Volvo s60, or another bmw. Pretty affordable, and reliable.

GeorgeyBoy > SpeedSix 01/07/2014 at 01:14

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I wouldn't say its DD material for me. Need something newer, safer, and something I wouldn't be afraid to take down salted roads.

GeorgeyBoy > SpeedSix 01/07/2014 at 01:16

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Cool car, but not what I need right now. DD ing that, with almost weekly 200 miles trips, I couldn't.

GeorgeyBoy > Singhjr96 01/07/2014 at 01:17

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No, I can't do front wheel drive. My beaters fwd and that's plenty more than I need.

Singhjr96 > GeorgeyBoy 01/07/2014 at 01:20

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G35 or G37? sedan or coupe. Only other thing I can think of. About the same price or even less, but they're also known for their high maintenance costs and gas cost, just like the bmw.

GeorgeyBoy > Singhjr96 01/07/2014 at 01:25

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I always keep my eye out for them. The sedans look butt ugly in my opinion. I can't usually find a newish low miles one in a price range I feel comfortable in.

SpeedSix > GeorgeyBoy 01/07/2014 at 01:32

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For up to $12k, you can get a great condition last-year (2005) Lexus IS300 with an 3.0L inline six with a 5 speed manual, which leaves $4-5k for a good condition Volvo 245 Turbo or Saab 900 Turbo, though non-turbo models of the Volvo and Saab are more reliable.

marshknute > GeorgeyBoy 01/07/2014 at 01:37

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ABSOLUTELY NOT . Nothing is more expensive than a cheap BMW. I learned that the hard way with my E46 330xi. I ended up spending $3800 on repairs in the first two months of ownership, and sold the car 5 months later after getting another repair quote for $3100. The 1-Series has far more technology to go wrong than my E46 had.

A friend of mine had a brand new base spec 2010 128i manual, and it was in for maintenance 6 times in just 3 months. If these POS's can't even work properly straight out of the factory, I shutter to think what kinds of horror stories they will provide with some history on the odometer.

GeorgeyBoy > marshknute 01/07/2014 at 01:45

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What was the problem with his if you don't mind me asking?

I put about $3k of work into my current car within a year of owning it. Lincoln covered about $1200 of it. Im expecting to put another $1k into it pretty soon. I enjoy doing most of the work myself, price you pay for luxury cars.

Singhjr96 > GeorgeyBoy 01/07/2014 at 01:47

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I agree I don't like the sedans. I'm a coupe guy. I thought you might like it cause it's pretty practical. Coupes a little less practical because it's harder to get into the backseat. It is really spacious though, even in the coupes.

Brian Silvestro > GeorgeyBoy 01/07/2014 at 06:58

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You can lease a brand new one for pretty cheap...

BKRM3 > GeorgeyBoy 01/07/2014 at 07:43

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No! Hold out for a 6MT or you'll be kicking yourself. The 1 series is hardly rare, don't settle for an auto. (If you've convinced yourself that you WANT an auto, well...I just don't know how to respond to that)

Party-vi > GeorgeyBoy 01/07/2014 at 08:05

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That's a fair price, but why not get a nicer E46? It would be easy enough to find a well taken care of 330Ci for $8k or $9k. You'll see up to 28mpg on highway trips and after '02 they come standard with the sport package and HK stereo.

Party-vi > SpeedSix 01/07/2014 at 08:07

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Make sure it's after 1985. Pre-1985 models had an unreliable single-row timing chain that stretched like a rubber band. 1985 and onward had a double-row timing chain that was reliable. They're underrated as SL's go and have pretty much bottomed out in the market.

Sinanigans > GeorgeyBoy 01/07/2014 at 09:58

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Don't deny yourself the absolute tactile pleasure of a manual BMW...

marshknute > GeorgeyBoy 01/07/2014 at 10:54

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One was for a windshield wiper motor that would turn on/off irregardless of the control stalk. The second visit was for an engine coil failure that caused cylinder #6 to misfire and rattle the fillings out of his teeth. The last 4 visits were for the same problem: an inexplicable leak somewhere in the electrical system kept causing the battery to go dead. BMW's technicians couldn't identify the issue, and the car was ultimately returned and refunded under CT's lemon law.

Perhaps both of us got unlucky with bad eggs, but I'm unconvinced that BMWs' high maintenance costs are "the price to pay for luxury cars." They're just unreliable and poorly built according to both Consumer Reports and personal/acquaintance experience. Hell, MINI has consistently held the title for the least reliable automobile manufacturer.

If the allure of a BMW is too high to pass up, follow the acronym: Buy More Warranty. You will use it, and you'll be thankful for spending the extra money on a CPO.

GeorgeyBoy > Brian Silvestro 01/07/2014 at 11:48

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Lease?!? What do I look like?

LappingLuke > GeorgeyBoy 01/07/2014 at 12:22

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Honestly I'm a bit biased but I'll do my best. If I had a mere 10k (obviously more gets you a better car) I'd get a really well taken care of E36 M3. Compared to the 128i its still pretty efficient, probably more fun to drive, probably easier to work on and probably better looking. E46 M3s can be found for 16k but they might need some work to be just right. An STI might fit in that budget if you're good. Lots of Corvettes fit in that budget and aren't really horrible on gas when you think about it. Hopefully that's of some help. Hopefully I at least got you thinking about some older better value used cars even if I didn't name something that fits your needs perfectly

Brian Silvestro > GeorgeyBoy 01/07/2014 at 12:24

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George Castanza.