Looking at a used 135i tomorrow, few questions

Tomorrow I’m going to go check out a 2010 135i 6 speed with 29k miles at a local dealer and I had a few questions. First what are some of the common problems? I know the fuel pumps have had issues but have since been recalled and now have a 10yr 100k warranty or so I’ve read. Anything else I should look out for? The car is black so hopefully I should be able to spot any body work pretty easy.

Also this one does not have the sport package. I was under the impression that all 135i’s came with it but I guess I’m wrong. Seats are the normal base model ones and I’m guessing it has the standard suspension too. Was the steering ratio any different between sport vs.non sport? Normally I’d be more picky but the price is pretty good.

I really have nothing to offer other than the fact that I like the 135i and I hate to see a thread go down with out any response. I don't think it should have any issues as it's still newer and has low miles. Good luck which ever way you go.

PseudoSport wrote: Also this one does not have the sport package. I was under the impression that all 135is’s came with it but I guess I’m wrong.

The 135is is a new model for 2013, AFAIK. If it's a 2010, you're looking at a 135i.

I just can't believe those things are 2 years old already. Where does the time go?

They've been on the market for over 5 years... just saying. :)

I'm watching this thread with interest, though I'm waiting for the prices to drop a bit further, myself.

what's the warranty?

Factory warranty is 4 year/50k so it still has a little left.

So I saw the car in person yesterday. It looked really clean and drove great but the car has been modified. It had different BMW wheels on it which I saw in the add and I’m ok with but someone installed an AFE dual air filter intake and a catback exhaust. I have no idea if the car has ever been tuned or if the downpipes were replaced. I’m pretty sure these mods will void the factory warranty but the dealer said they would look into returning the car to stock. I’m extremely cautious but if it came with a decent warranty I’d be a little less concerned.

Car is being sold at a Jeep dealer after being traded in on a Wrangler and they are asking 25K.

Check the build date on it, BMW still doesn't do the year ahead like the other manufacturors, so your warranty could be longer than you think.

I called BMW with the last 7 of the VIN. They said the warranty expires Jan 2014 or 50k miles whichever comes first. There is also the option of buying an extended factory BMW warranty when it runs out but I didn’t ask for any more details at this time.

Mods like that don't bother me, as long as it is expressed in the selling contract what their function will entail for warranty purposes from BMW. Oh and if they are swapping them out, be a prick and ask for the parts replaced for the agreed to price or no sale.

Quick update, I ended up buying the car after having a pre-purchase inspection done by a local shop. So far everything checked out ok. I noticed the front and rear bumpers had been painted and whoever sprayed it did a poor job. I could still see the rock chips under the paint and the rear bumper looks like it was done outside after it was rolled around on the ground. I'm guessing its a typical dealer quick respray.

As for the mods I started looking up what was on the car. Intake is defiantly an aFe but the diverter valves have also been swapped out for either forge or RISS Racing. Car still had the stock downpipes and all the hardware was original and untouched. Exhaust system looks like a Berk technology system which included an intermediate pipe with resonators which replaces 2 cats but the O2 sensors only monitor the front ones so the computer doesn’t care. So the car has some decent mods but not enough to support a stage 2 tune. Dealer ended up taking more money off the car and offering me more for my trade instead of installing stock parts.

Paperwork is all signed and I pick it up Sunday.

So where's the pictures then, hmm?

Congrats to the purchase!

Berk makes some nice hardware.

Swweeeeet!

Dealer pictures are crap but here's a link:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=02043&endYear=2014&modelCode1=135I&showcaseOwnerId=67199623&startYear=1981&makeCode1=BMW&sellerTypes=b&searchRadius=75&maxPrice=26000&mmt=%5BBMW%5B135I%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=336516907&listingIndex=4&Log=0

I'll take some better ones Sunday.

With mods like that, I wonder if the previous owner was a forum member somewhere (meaning it sounds like he/she was an enthusiast). You might be able to track down that car on bimmerforums.com or some other BMW forum. Not that you shouldn't buy it (I'd love to have a 135 or 335) but it would be nice to know if the PO was a good owner or someone who didn't take care of the car and then dumped it.

hmm, that's right up the road from my office.

Can't wait to steal the keys and take it for a spin.

In reply to PseudoSport:

That looks just about black enough .

Looks like a cool motor.

Be prepared for thermostat, water pump, ignition coils, oil filter housing seal,and front control arm bushing replacement.

The t-stat and water pump are a completely different design from the old stuff (electric), but still fail at the same (high) rate. Those are the only x35i problems I have seen so far.