Buying a compact BMW
Discussion
Good morning all,
I am planning to dispose of my cheap run around R53 Mini soon as I need something slightly more practical, but I hate the idea of a boring car to commute in every day. I only do 25 miles a day through twisty lanes and B roads and love the pull and whine of the Mini. My wife tells me I should have something "nicer" too...
I want to buy a compact coupe/saloon and had narrowed it down to a 1 series, of course a 1M would be a dream but I don't want something too precious, the Mini was my first cheap car in several years and it is so nice not worrying too much about it!
I had settled on something like a 135i (E82), but have always loved the E46 M3 so am finding myself tempted again by a higher mileage model that is reflected in prices. Basically I need someone to confirm that this is a stupid idea and an E82 is the way to go
A couple of years ago I was against higher mileage vehicles but have since bought 2 vehicles with around 150k on the clock and have been pleasantly surprised at how good they have been, so this is not too much of a concern to me now, though I have no idea about weak areas on these BMW's.
Any thoughts and input welcomed.
TC
I am planning to dispose of my cheap run around R53 Mini soon as I need something slightly more practical, but I hate the idea of a boring car to commute in every day. I only do 25 miles a day through twisty lanes and B roads and love the pull and whine of the Mini. My wife tells me I should have something "nicer" too...
I want to buy a compact coupe/saloon and had narrowed it down to a 1 series, of course a 1M would be a dream but I don't want something too precious, the Mini was my first cheap car in several years and it is so nice not worrying too much about it!
I had settled on something like a 135i (E82), but have always loved the E46 M3 so am finding myself tempted again by a higher mileage model that is reflected in prices. Basically I need someone to confirm that this is a stupid idea and an E82 is the way to go
A couple of years ago I was against higher mileage vehicles but have since bought 2 vehicles with around 150k on the clock and have been pleasantly surprised at how good they have been, so this is not too much of a concern to me now, though I have no idea about weak areas on these BMW's.
Any thoughts and input welcomed.
TC
Would an E87 130i fit the bill, or would that be older than you'd want?
They have the N52 engine which seems to be pretty bulletproof going by the four I have had, with mileages ranging from 54K to 139K. The only weaknesses seem to be electric water pumps dying and oil leaks from the cam-cover and oil filter housing gaskets.
If you want a bit newer an E82 125i could be an option. It has the same N52 engine but needs a remap to make 130i power.
The M135i uses the N54 engine I think, which can have issues with the turbos and fuel injectors.
An E46 M3 will be in a different league for maintenance costs, not least because every other Service they need the valve clearances checked and adjusted if required using shims, and of course all the consumables attract the M Tax! I've got the same S54 engine in my Z4MC and it is really special particularly when you get up towards the 8,000rpm red-line, but I don't think I'd want to use one as a daily.
Good luck anyway.
They have the N52 engine which seems to be pretty bulletproof going by the four I have had, with mileages ranging from 54K to 139K. The only weaknesses seem to be electric water pumps dying and oil leaks from the cam-cover and oil filter housing gaskets.
If you want a bit newer an E82 125i could be an option. It has the same N52 engine but needs a remap to make 130i power.
The M135i uses the N54 engine I think, which can have issues with the turbos and fuel injectors.
An E46 M3 will be in a different league for maintenance costs, not least because every other Service they need the valve clearances checked and adjusted if required using shims, and of course all the consumables attract the M Tax! I've got the same S54 engine in my Z4MC and it is really special particularly when you get up towards the 8,000rpm red-line, but I don't think I'd want to use one as a daily.
Good luck anyway.
Thanks for the replies, exactly what I was after.
The 125i is an interesting option, not sure if I would regret not having the more powerful 135i though as they are heavy little things.
If it were a newer vehicle I'd go and test a couple at a dealer, but may have to try and find some local used options to try to compare.
The 125i is an interesting option, not sure if I would regret not having the more powerful 135i though as they are heavy little things.
If it were a newer vehicle I'd go and test a couple at a dealer, but may have to try and find some local used options to try to compare.
The early 135i has the N54 which can be hateful old shrew but the later ones got the N55 which till has its issues but there seem to be less of them.
I really like the E82, I think it’s a good good little car. The one thing that I’d be cautious off with a 135i is the previous owner; they’re easy to extract extra power from and I’d want to know that it’s been treated and cared for well.
I really like the E82, I think it’s a good good little car. The one thing that I’d be cautious off with a 135i is the previous owner; they’re easy to extract extra power from and I’d want to know that it’s been treated and cared for well.
Good point on the previous owner front, probably a prime model to have been abused as well!
I'm still catching up with BMW engines etc, never been into them before except the E46 M3 for some reason! I hear equal pros and cons for the N54 and N55 from what I have read online.
Oh- and a manual is a must for me
How is the E82 with regards to rust in general?
I'm still catching up with BMW engines etc, never been into them before except the E46 M3 for some reason! I hear equal pros and cons for the N54 and N55 from what I have read online.
Oh- and a manual is a must for me
How is the E82 with regards to rust in general?
Edited by topcat1 on Tuesday 10th October 23:15
topcat1 said:
Good point on the previous owner front, probably a prime model to have been abused as well!
I'm still catching up with BMW engines etc, never been into them before except the E46 M3 for some reason! I hear equal pros and cons for the M54 and M55 from what I have read online.
Oh- and a manual is a must for me
How is the E82 with regards to rust in general?
The body should be good re rust. The rear sub frames on this era BMW seem to get a bit crusty.I'm still catching up with BMW engines etc, never been into them before except the E46 M3 for some reason! I hear equal pros and cons for the M54 and M55 from what I have read online.
Oh- and a manual is a must for me
How is the E82 with regards to rust in general?
As Sam says E82s don't seem to suffer much from rusty panels, just crusty parts underneath.
A mapped 125i should feel too sluggish - I've got the same engine in my 2005 330i and it can certainly get a move on when I'm in the mood.
The problem with trying a 125i and 135i is that you're then only going to want a 135i!
A mapped 125i should feel too sluggish - I've got the same engine in my 2005 330i and it can certainly get a move on when I'm in the mood.
The problem with trying a 125i and 135i is that you're then only going to want a 135i!
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