Buying advice (M135i v F10 535i)
Discussion
So, the Audi is beginning to cost nearly £2k a year to run and the novelty of running such a ridiculous car for a daily is wearing off. Come MOT time, I will be looking for a new car and I think it's back to BMW.
Owned previously:
BMW 320i E36
BMW M3 E30 Roberto Ravaglia ( sooo close to buying
)
BMW 330i e46
BMW 535i E39
BMW 320i E91
Rangey P38 ( :P )
Anyway.
I have two options
Budget is £16000 approx + part ex £7250 approx= £23250.
Ideally don't want to spend more than £20k in total (i.e 5-20k barge style)
The requirements (yes I know it's a bit unusual
)
- big enough to ferry 3 kids and 2 adults occasionally
- 0-60 in less than 6 seconds (fast)
- tuneable
- tax no more than say £350-£400
- reliable in the sense that it won't lunch it's turbos and engine in the second week of ownership (320i E91)
- mpg = more than 30
- fairly big boot
- big BMW Individual spec to hold resale values
- not yummy to car theft rings (i.e not an M135i that is too new or even attractive to car theft rings)
- no older than 2010
The two cars I am looking at:
M135i Peformance Pack
Key features:
- PRE FACELIFT (not as desirable to theives due to age)
- Individual Anthracite headling (is that all?!
)
- PDC, Dakota pack, bi xenon, sun pack.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Strange one:
2014 BMW 535i F10... with what seems to be the F30 M wheel inside! Never seen that before.
- BMW Individual piano black trim ( a bit more desirability)
- M Sport Plus package
- Leather package
- Jet Black
- BMW Media Pro pack
- Electric Memory seats - heated
- PDC
- Connected Drive pack
- Auto lights
- Rain sensing wipers
- Bluetooth
Reasonable miles at 37,000.
But I can't seem to accept the £25 k asking price.. especially as the M135i is only £19000... which makes it around £12 k so I can buy on the spot.
Help please?
Please note I won't be buying a car until the MOT expires on the Audi in a few months (July)
Thanks
Edit:
535i link:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Owned previously:
BMW 320i E36
BMW M3 E30 Roberto Ravaglia ( sooo close to buying
)BMW 330i e46
BMW 535i E39
BMW 320i E91
Rangey P38 ( :P )
Anyway.
I have two options
Budget is £16000 approx + part ex £7250 approx= £23250.
Ideally don't want to spend more than £20k in total (i.e 5-20k barge style)
The requirements (yes I know it's a bit unusual
)- big enough to ferry 3 kids and 2 adults occasionally
- 0-60 in less than 6 seconds (fast)
- tuneable
- tax no more than say £350-£400
- reliable in the sense that it won't lunch it's turbos and engine in the second week of ownership (320i E91)
- mpg = more than 30
- fairly big boot
- big BMW Individual spec to hold resale values
- not yummy to car theft rings (i.e not an M135i that is too new or even attractive to car theft rings)
- no older than 2010
The two cars I am looking at:
M135i Peformance Pack
Key features:
- PRE FACELIFT (not as desirable to theives due to age)
- Individual Anthracite headling (is that all?!
)- PDC, Dakota pack, bi xenon, sun pack.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Strange one:
2014 BMW 535i F10... with what seems to be the F30 M wheel inside! Never seen that before.
- BMW Individual piano black trim ( a bit more desirability)
- M Sport Plus package
- Leather package
- Jet Black
- BMW Media Pro pack
- Electric Memory seats - heated
- PDC
- Connected Drive pack
- Auto lights
- Rain sensing wipers
- Bluetooth
Reasonable miles at 37,000.
But I can't seem to accept the £25 k asking price.. especially as the M135i is only £19000... which makes it around £12 k so I can buy on the spot.
Help please?
Please note I won't be buying a car until the MOT expires on the Audi in a few months (July)
Thanks
Edit:
535i link:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Will both of those do a realistic 30+ mpg?
Also with tax, why restrict to £300-400?
You're buying a £25k car and you are bothering about another £10 per month?
Sod the 30+ mpg and tax and get an M3.
You can save on your budget by £5k and use that for extra running costs.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
Also with tax, why restrict to £300-400?
You're buying a £25k car and you are bothering about another £10 per month?
Sod the 30+ mpg and tax and get an M3.
You can save on your budget by £5k and use that for extra running costs.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
Totally different cars with very different remits.
5 series is fantastic for long distance cruising and is a lovely place to spend time (the interior quality is head and shoulders ahead of the 1 series) but is quite a big old thing so not so good around town or for parking etc. Plenty of space for 5 though (I did regularly trips with 2 adults and 3 teenagers, all tall). I'd expect an F10 535i to depreciate like a stone over the next couple of years now the G30 is out.
135i is not going to cope well with ferrying 5, it's just not big enough. Better around town and more fun to drive than the 5 series though.
5 series is fantastic for long distance cruising and is a lovely place to spend time (the interior quality is head and shoulders ahead of the 1 series) but is quite a big old thing so not so good around town or for parking etc. Plenty of space for 5 though (I did regularly trips with 2 adults and 3 teenagers, all tall). I'd expect an F10 535i to depreciate like a stone over the next couple of years now the G30 is out.
135i is not going to cope well with ferrying 5, it's just not big enough. Better around town and more fun to drive than the 5 series though.
GreatGranny said:
Will both of those do a realistic 30+ mpg?
Also with tax, why restrict to £300-400?
You're buying a £25k car and you are bothering about another £10 per month?
Sod the 30+ mpg and tax and get an M3.
You can save on your budget by £5k and use that for extra running costs.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
The whole point is me cutting down on running costs while retaining the peformance.Also with tax, why restrict to £300-400?
You're buying a £25k car and you are bothering about another £10 per month?
Sod the 30+ mpg and tax and get an M3.
You can save on your budget by £5k and use that for extra running costs.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
£500+ tax, keeping the Audi running nicely , £600+ insurance is annoyingly high.
The M3 lets me have an exception because it's the real deal so I guess that's an option.
SWoll said:
Totally different cars with very different remits.
5 series is fantastic for long distance cruising and is a lovely place to spend time (the interior quality is head and shoulders ahead of the 1 series) but is quite a big old thing so not so good around town or for parking etc. Plenty of space for 5 though (I did regularly trips with 2 adults and 3 teenagers, all tall). I'd expect an F10 535i to depreciate like a stone over the next couple of years now the G30 is out.
135i is not going to cope well with ferrying 5, it's just not big enough. Better around town and more fun to drive than the 5 series though.
The car will mainly be driven:5 series is fantastic for long distance cruising and is a lovely place to spend time (the interior quality is head and shoulders ahead of the 1 series) but is quite a big old thing so not so good around town or for parking etc. Plenty of space for 5 though (I did regularly trips with 2 adults and 3 teenagers, all tall). I'd expect an F10 535i to depreciate like a stone over the next couple of years now the G30 is out.
135i is not going to cope well with ferrying 5, it's just not big enough. Better around town and more fun to drive than the 5 series though.
- to Brentwood every day from Watford unless work contract runs out. Diesels ruled out though, I prefer higher revving engines and less fatal emissions (me)
- to town centre every Saturday (15 min). (4 people)
- Ocassional drives to Hillingdon, and Brent. Even more occasionally, with (5 people)
I don't care much for interior plastics unless it feels Dacia like.
Needs to sound good. May treat to parts from Birds
2 big kids, 1 small kid (no child seats)
sleepera6 said:
SWoll said:
Totally different cars with very different remits.
5 series is fantastic for long distance cruising and is a lovely place to spend time (the interior quality is head and shoulders ahead of the 1 series) but is quite a big old thing so not so good around town or for parking etc. Plenty of space for 5 though (I did regularly trips with 2 adults and 3 teenagers, all tall). I'd expect an F10 535i to depreciate like a stone over the next couple of years now the G30 is out.
135i is not going to cope well with ferrying 5, it's just not big enough. Better around town and more fun to drive than the 5 series though.
The car will mainly be driven:5 series is fantastic for long distance cruising and is a lovely place to spend time (the interior quality is head and shoulders ahead of the 1 series) but is quite a big old thing so not so good around town or for parking etc. Plenty of space for 5 though (I did regularly trips with 2 adults and 3 teenagers, all tall). I'd expect an F10 535i to depreciate like a stone over the next couple of years now the G30 is out.
135i is not going to cope well with ferrying 5, it's just not big enough. Better around town and more fun to drive than the 5 series though.
- to Brentwood every day from Watford unless work contract runs out. Diesels ruled out though, I prefer higher revving engines and less fatal emissions (me)
- to town centre every Saturday (15 min). (4 people)
- Ocassional drives to Hillingdon, and Brent. Even more occasionally, with (5 people)
I don't care much for interior plastics unless it feels Dacia like.
Needs to sound good. May treat to parts from Birds
2 big kids, 1 small kid (no child seats)
5 series interior isn't just about the quality of the plastics (although they are better). Much nicer layout, comfort, roominess and refinement. It's in a totally different league to the 1 or 3 series in that regard. I reckon it could easily lose £10k over the next 2 years though...
Neither sound great as standard, and with the 5 series being better insulated you'll get even less of the exhaust note in the cabin.
Agreed with the 1 series with regards to size.
I don't think there is as much of a problem with 1 Series theft as there is other hot hatches, to my mind the LCI M135 is a better looking car than the pre facelift.
I do think its a bit small for 4 up though. I agree you should test one 4 up and see if you can live with it.
As a compromise, what about a 335 ? bigger car, same engine.. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
budget stretch: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Ref the M135 - if you get a car a bit later than that one (but still pre facelift) you get the nicer looking steering wheel. There was also an option that makes the dash look better - its called "Black Panel Display" - included in cars that have pro nav (its now standard on new cars). A couple of pics:
I don't think there is as much of a problem with 1 Series theft as there is other hot hatches, to my mind the LCI M135 is a better looking car than the pre facelift.
I do think its a bit small for 4 up though. I agree you should test one 4 up and see if you can live with it.
As a compromise, what about a 335 ? bigger car, same engine.. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
budget stretch: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Ref the M135 - if you get a car a bit later than that one (but still pre facelift) you get the nicer looking steering wheel. There was also an option that makes the dash look better - its called "Black Panel Display" - included in cars that have pro nav (its now standard on new cars). A couple of pics:
Crafty_ said:
Agreed with the 1 series with regards to size.
I don't think there is as much of a problem with 1 Series theft as there is other hot hatches, to my mind the LCI M135 is a better looking car than the pre facelift.
I do think its a bit small for 4 up though. I agree you should test one 4 up and see if you can live with it.
As a compromise, what about a 335 ? bigger car, same engine.. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
budget stretch: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Ref the M135 - if you get a car a bit later than that one (but still pre facelift) you get the nicer looking steering wheel. There was also an option that makes the dash look better - its called "Black Panel Display" - included in cars that have pro nav (its now standard on new cars). A couple of pics:
That dash does like look nice. The first one is so ugly!!I don't think there is as much of a problem with 1 Series theft as there is other hot hatches, to my mind the LCI M135 is a better looking car than the pre facelift.
I do think its a bit small for 4 up though. I agree you should test one 4 up and see if you can live with it.
As a compromise, what about a 335 ? bigger car, same engine.. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
budget stretch: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Ref the M135 - if you get a car a bit later than that one (but still pre facelift) you get the nicer looking steering wheel. There was also an option that makes the dash look better - its called "Black Panel Display" - included in cars that have pro nav (its now standard on new cars). A couple of pics:
Loving that 335... ActiveHybrid seems pointless though as that's the whole point i bought an IS 300h.
Going in a bit older for all the peformance... a safe bet?
http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/M/4.0/Sheffield/2012753-...
Available from Sytner Sheffield. I guess the values would be a bit more steady and it would be exciting... but 20mpg.. maybe we can make an exception
Not liking the red dash though!!!
Is that going to give the economy you want? it'd probably (hopefully) be cheaper than the Audi to run but may still be a bit costly? certainly more than a M135 (and I guess the 335 too?)
Yes black panel does look alot better. If still looking at pre facelifts keep in mind that early cars don't have bluetoooth streaming unless it has EBT (Enhanced Bluetooth). I believe anything with the new steering wheel will have it (without needing EBT option). EBT can be coded with Carly/bimmercode id you have a Kombi box.
Business sat nav became standard late 2015.
Pro Nav and adaptive dampers worth having.
Yes black panel does look alot better. If still looking at pre facelifts keep in mind that early cars don't have bluetoooth streaming unless it has EBT (Enhanced Bluetooth). I believe anything with the new steering wheel will have it (without needing EBT option). EBT can be coded with Carly/bimmercode id you have a Kombi box.
Business sat nav became standard late 2015.
Pro Nav and adaptive dampers worth having.
Crafty_ said:
Is that going to give the economy you want? it'd probably (hopefully) be cheaper than the Audi to run but may still be a bit costly? certainly more than a M135 (and I guess the 335 too?)
Yes black panel does look alot better. If still looking at pre facelifts keep in mind that early cars don't have bluetoooth streaming unless it has EBT (Enhanced Bluetooth). I believe anything with the new steering wheel will have it (without needing EBT option). EBT can be coded with Carly/bimmercode id you have a Kombi box.
Business sat nav became standard late 2015.
Pro Nav and adaptive dampers worth having.
I'm not too bothered about mpg if I am honest, my Range rover does like 12 mpg? Yes black panel does look alot better. If still looking at pre facelifts keep in mind that early cars don't have bluetoooth streaming unless it has EBT (Enhanced Bluetooth). I believe anything with the new steering wheel will have it (without needing EBT option). EBT can be coded with Carly/bimmercode id you have a Kombi box.
Business sat nav became standard late 2015.
Pro Nav and adaptive dampers worth having.
And the Audi does around 13-14 mpg.The 335i, I'm guessing the red line is exciting? it must be the fastest usable car on the road. However, when the F30 leaves production it's going to depreciate like a stone.
Insurance will probably be quite high on an M3 and 335i, but tax will obviously be a lot cheaper..
If you have a 335i/M135i/535i (Not d) how do you find living with it? Excitement levels?
I think it's a case of heart over head on the M3.....
I've got an LCI M135.
Its not an M car is the first thing to consider. The "Mlite" tag seems to be a good way to describe it in that it has attributes of its bigger brothers but isn't quite 100% there.
Biggest thing is no LSD (some people will tell you it desperately needs one, but I've little issue with traction personally - YMMV). Sounds good (gets a bit addictive that..). BMW will sell you a plate type LSD, Quaife do a unit (and I think wavetrac too). BMW one is an entire new unit, Quaife is on exchange as they have to cut the crown wheel off the original.
The trade off is its relatively cheap to run and buy compared to an M.
Its plenty quick enough but will also cruise along nicely, 60-70mph will get you 35mpg.
Problems - not many. The exhaust tips corrode, alternatives are available. Auto gearboxes do sometimes whine in 2nd and reverse - it doesn't seem to actually cause a failure, but something to look out for.
If you want an M car, then get the M3. If you can accept something that gets some way toward that and might be better at being a "normal" car at lower cost then its worth looking at a 1 series.
Its not an M car is the first thing to consider. The "Mlite" tag seems to be a good way to describe it in that it has attributes of its bigger brothers but isn't quite 100% there.
Biggest thing is no LSD (some people will tell you it desperately needs one, but I've little issue with traction personally - YMMV). Sounds good (gets a bit addictive that..). BMW will sell you a plate type LSD, Quaife do a unit (and I think wavetrac too). BMW one is an entire new unit, Quaife is on exchange as they have to cut the crown wheel off the original.
The trade off is its relatively cheap to run and buy compared to an M.
Its plenty quick enough but will also cruise along nicely, 60-70mph will get you 35mpg.
Problems - not many. The exhaust tips corrode, alternatives are available. Auto gearboxes do sometimes whine in 2nd and reverse - it doesn't seem to actually cause a failure, but something to look out for.
If you want an M car, then get the M3. If you can accept something that gets some way toward that and might be better at being a "normal" car at lower cost then its worth looking at a 1 series.
Taking Crafty's advice, I might bite the bullet and go for a high spec LCI M135i.
What are everyone's thoughts on this Alpine White example? The spec list looks immense.. and its a 65 plate! From BMW!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Edit: 3 door.
What are everyone's thoughts on this Alpine White example? The spec list looks immense.. and its a 65 plate! From BMW!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Edit: 3 door.
Wow, 80 miles a day in a petrol for starters would be a total no go for me.
Secondly, sod doing that in a 1 series, then ramming it full of people all the other time.
That sounds like no fun at all, along with freefall levels of depreciation.
That many people in a 3 series would be a squeeze. The sheer mileage and time in the car I would be looking at a 5, or maybe even a slightly older 7, with a great spec so it's a nice place to be.
And a big diesel.
Or an XFR estate to go totally leftfield., if I could get one.
Secondly, sod doing that in a 1 series, then ramming it full of people all the other time.
That sounds like no fun at all, along with freefall levels of depreciation.
That many people in a 3 series would be a squeeze. The sheer mileage and time in the car I would be looking at a 5, or maybe even a slightly older 7, with a great spec so it's a nice place to be.
And a big diesel.
Or an XFR estate to go totally leftfield., if I could get one.
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