BMW 125i E88 Cabriolet
Discussion
Hello everyone. I thought I might as well show my latest purchase. (I'm currently working at the IMSA Sebring 12hr race with another 5 hours left to go so plenty of time on my hands!)
Having driven a diesel Audi for the last year I decided that I would like a soft top for the summer. Having had a few 6 cylinder BMW's in the past I've always missed the smoothness of their engines and the sound! I'm always browsing marketplace etc and this caught my eye.
I'd seen in the morning and messaged the seller. I took the afternoon off work and drove over to see it. All seemed well and the seller kindly followed me home and then I dropped him back. I wanted to get the car sat on the drive ready for when my girlfriend got home. The look of annoyance on her face was priceless
The car is a 2010 model and in great condition. It came with a fresh MOT and a history folder full of all the previous work carried out on the car. You know that feeling you get when buying a car and you can just tell it has been cared for.
The previous owner had also retro fitted cruise control and completed a recent rocker cover gasket change. Although I've never owned a 6 cylinder BMW that hasn't had an oil leak of some sort!
The car is very tidy but the driver side door seems to have had paint at some point. The lacquer is starting to show signs of aging. I will go over the car with my DA polisher and that should breathe a bit more life into it.
My plans are to get it booked in for a remap once I know its mechanically sound. As most people know now, the 125i engine is just a detuned version of the 130i engine. I will also be deleting the rear silencer and keeping the central resonator. I can't wait to hear it with the roof down! I might add carplay if I can be bothered. The sound system is awful in this and I really notice it after being spoilt with the Bose system in my other car.
I will also be removing the clutch delay valve at some point as you really notice the clunky shifts from 1st to 2nd. Other than that I just plan on enjoying the car for the summer.
I only paid 4k for the car and with the mileage sitting at 107k I feel like it was a bit of a bargain. There aren't many for sale and this was definitely the cheapest around. I think it would sell for a fair bit more in the height of summer.
Here are a few pics from the sellers advert and one on my drive.
I just need to slim the collection down now as between me and my girlfriend we have a RHD Karmann Ghia, a mk1 Audi TT 225 cabriolet, an Abarth 500 and my boring daily Audi A1 2.0 Tdi.
Thanks for reading.
Having driven a diesel Audi for the last year I decided that I would like a soft top for the summer. Having had a few 6 cylinder BMW's in the past I've always missed the smoothness of their engines and the sound! I'm always browsing marketplace etc and this caught my eye.
I'd seen in the morning and messaged the seller. I took the afternoon off work and drove over to see it. All seemed well and the seller kindly followed me home and then I dropped him back. I wanted to get the car sat on the drive ready for when my girlfriend got home. The look of annoyance on her face was priceless
The car is a 2010 model and in great condition. It came with a fresh MOT and a history folder full of all the previous work carried out on the car. You know that feeling you get when buying a car and you can just tell it has been cared for.
The previous owner had also retro fitted cruise control and completed a recent rocker cover gasket change. Although I've never owned a 6 cylinder BMW that hasn't had an oil leak of some sort!
The car is very tidy but the driver side door seems to have had paint at some point. The lacquer is starting to show signs of aging. I will go over the car with my DA polisher and that should breathe a bit more life into it.
My plans are to get it booked in for a remap once I know its mechanically sound. As most people know now, the 125i engine is just a detuned version of the 130i engine. I will also be deleting the rear silencer and keeping the central resonator. I can't wait to hear it with the roof down! I might add carplay if I can be bothered. The sound system is awful in this and I really notice it after being spoilt with the Bose system in my other car.
I will also be removing the clutch delay valve at some point as you really notice the clunky shifts from 1st to 2nd. Other than that I just plan on enjoying the car for the summer.
I only paid 4k for the car and with the mileage sitting at 107k I feel like it was a bit of a bargain. There aren't many for sale and this was definitely the cheapest around. I think it would sell for a fair bit more in the height of summer.
Here are a few pics from the sellers advert and one on my drive.
I just need to slim the collection down now as between me and my girlfriend we have a RHD Karmann Ghia, a mk1 Audi TT 225 cabriolet, an Abarth 500 and my boring daily Audi A1 2.0 Tdi.
Thanks for reading.
That looks really clean, and while I'm not a fan of black wheels (or white cars) it's a striking contrast!
Those N52 engines are fantastic. I'm on my 4th now, two Z4s, a 325i and now a 330i, but as well as the cam-cover gasket they can leak from the oil filter housing gasket - as my current one did.
Good to see you are planning on the remap to get back to 130i power, but bear in mind the 130i (and 123d for some reason) had bigger front brakes than the 125i.
I've heard a 3 litre Z4 with a back-box delete and if yours sounds anything like that did you're going to need a stereo upgrade if you want to ever hear it!
Enjoy.
Those N52 engines are fantastic. I'm on my 4th now, two Z4s, a 325i and now a 330i, but as well as the cam-cover gasket they can leak from the oil filter housing gasket - as my current one did.
Good to see you are planning on the remap to get back to 130i power, but bear in mind the 130i (and 123d for some reason) had bigger front brakes than the 125i.
I've heard a 3 litre Z4 with a back-box delete and if yours sounds anything like that did you're going to need a stereo upgrade if you want to ever hear it!
Enjoy.
Loos great; these are an absolute bargain too. My wife had one for a couple of years and I loved it if I’m honest; it drive well and sounded great, bring a bit to really hear the engine with the roof down.
The remap makes a huge difference; my 130i ownership crossed with the 125i and the difference in performance was massively noticeable. I also added 130i sized front rotors to which was just the bigger discs and the associated calliper carriers.
The CDV removal is a good choice too. Whilst there, also pop on some E46 M3 gearbox mounts, replaced the white shifter bush and change the gearbox oil. That all made a huge difference to all of my manual BMW’s. It still won’t be a Honda S2000 shift, but it’ll be loads better.
The remap makes a huge difference; my 130i ownership crossed with the 125i and the difference in performance was massively noticeable. I also added 130i sized front rotors to which was just the bigger discs and the associated calliper carriers.
The CDV removal is a good choice too. Whilst there, also pop on some E46 M3 gearbox mounts, replaced the white shifter bush and change the gearbox oil. That all made a huge difference to all of my manual BMW’s. It still won’t be a Honda S2000 shift, but it’ll be loads better.
You bugger I was looking at that on Facebook a few weeks back. Was a great price and looked honest car . But then when I went back to it it had gone.
I’ve literally just bought another one this week, a similar spec vermillion red m sport 125i manual. Just ordered some 4 pots for it and will be remapping and using one of my 130i diffs for an LSD. I’m tempted to fit the millet exhaust off my 130i on to it too, will need a slight hanger mod but fits.
I just have to now sale my two other recent purchases, a 130i SE and a 130i LE
|https://thumbsnap.com/FWeHxvjk[/url]
I’ve literally just bought another one this week, a similar spec vermillion red m sport 125i manual. Just ordered some 4 pots for it and will be remapping and using one of my 130i diffs for an LSD. I’m tempted to fit the millet exhaust off my 130i on to it too, will need a slight hanger mod but fits.
I just have to now sale my two other recent purchases, a 130i SE and a 130i LE
|https://thumbsnap.com/FWeHxvjk[/url]I’ve done a few more bits. Added the red leather and an android Headunit. Having no Bluetooth for phone connection was annoying.
Also had a backbox delete. Probably a bit too loud for my liking so I might do the mod to the standard backbox and see what that is like.
I’ve also added a few more bits of black trim. Not sure if it’s too chavvy now but I like it.
It will be for sale soon as I’m looking at getting an F type.
Also had a backbox delete. Probably a bit too loud for my liking so I might do the mod to the standard backbox and see what that is like.
I’ve also added a few more bits of black trim. Not sure if it’s too chavvy now but I like it.
It will be for sale soon as I’m looking at getting an F type.
Mad Maximus said:
Silver wheels and that’s a lovely combo with the red leather. These are a truly lovely car.
Are the backseats usable?
My wife had one as a daily for a couple of year and the back seats are very usable for kids. They’re quite upright though so probably not that great for adults. With the roof up, it’s pretty dark in the back with massive C pillars.Are the backseats usable?
Court_S said:
My wife had one as a daily for a couple of year and the back seats are very usable for kids. They’re quite upright though so probably not that great for adults. With the roof up, it’s pretty dark in the back with massive C pillars.
My parents had an E88 (120d sadly) and even at nearing 6-foot I could fit comfortably in the back, although it was always a much happier experience with the roof down. The C-pillar issue is a tradeoff with any convertible really, particularly a 4-seater soft-top.These are great cars though, I've had a 125i Coupe for nearing 2.5 years now and still absolutely love it- it has cost me a fair bit to run (a local independent thinking they can charge main dealer prices hasn't helped...) but there's still nothing in the same price bracket (or even double it) I'd rather drive. I've driven quite a few cars with the B58/ZF8 which is the natural next-step, but I'd still take the N52 attached to a 6spd manual over one.
All that said I am reaching that natural point where I'm getting an itch for a new car, and funnily enough an F-Type (Coupe) has been on my radar... sadly I think it may be a touch too impractical for me as the only car I have access to.
Sofa said:
Court_S said:
My wife had one as a daily for a couple of year and the back seats are very usable for kids. They’re quite upright though so probably not that great for adults. With the roof up, it’s pretty dark in the back with massive C pillars.
My parents had an E88 (120d sadly) and even at nearing 6-foot I could fit comfortably in the back, although it was always a much happier experience with the roof down. The C-pillar issue is a tradeoff with any convertible really, particularly a 4-seater soft-top.These are great cars though, I've had a 125i Coupe for nearing 2.5 years now and still absolutely love it- it has cost me a fair bit to run (a local independent thinking they can charge main dealer prices hasn't helped...) but there's still nothing in the same price bracket (or even double it) I'd rather drive. I've driven quite a few cars with the B58/ZF8 which is the natural next-step, but I'd still take the N52 attached to a 6spd manual over one.
All that said I am reaching that natural point where I'm getting an itch for a new car, and funnily enough an F-Type (Coupe) has been on my radar... sadly I think it may be a touch too impractical for me as the only car I have access to.
But I can't get excited about any lardy Jaguar - a Z4M made more sense for me!
Sofa said:
Court_S said:
My wife had one as a daily for a couple of year and the back seats are very usable for kids. They’re quite upright though so probably not that great for adults. With the roof up, it’s pretty dark in the back with massive C pillars.
My parents had an E88 (120d sadly) and even at nearing 6-foot I could fit comfortably in the back, although it was always a much happier experience with the roof down. The C-pillar issue is a tradeoff with any convertible really, particularly a 4-seater soft-top.These are great cars though, I've had a 125i Coupe for nearing 2.5 years now and still absolutely love it- it has cost me a fair bit to run (a local independent thinking they can charge main dealer prices hasn't helped...) but there's still nothing in the same price bracket (or even double it) I'd rather drive. I've driven quite a few cars with the B58/ZF8 which is the natural next-step, but I'd still take the N52 attached to a 6spd manual over one.
All that said I am reaching that natural point where I'm getting an itch for a new car, and funnily enough an F-Type (Coupe) has been on my radar... sadly I think it may be a touch too impractical for me as the only car I have access to.
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