M235i - should I?
Discussion
Hi,
I’m hoping for any insight on this car please:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024121372...
I was hoping - as the advert suggests - it was a FBMWSH car, unmolested, albeit with 104k miles.
As a late car in Estoril, it appeals. At the price I could get a local specialist to change all the fluids and filters, the plugs and the water pump pre-emptively, and hope to enjoy another 104k miles.
But all is not quite what it seems. It has two BMW services and an independent in the iDrive, and three more stamps (from a Mercedes commercial garage!) in a generic book. Last service was 2022. It has a front splitter, which I like, but I think that’s a clue to other modifications.
It also has BC coilovers. Are the standard shocks adjustable with the drive modes? Obviously the BCs aren’t. Does that give any issue with drive modes or fault codes?
Finally, it’s had problems with emissions at past MOTs. At the last service there’s a note that the cat was “refitted for MOT”. I can (and will) check it’s got a cat fitted now, but presumably if it was decatted it must have been remapped? I do not want a remapped car. Is there any way of checking, or reverting to the BMW map if it’s been played with? It seems to have the standard plastic boost pipes.
The only paper work with the car is the service book and the V5 and the dealer knows very little more about it. It is, however, in seemingly excellent cosmetic condition.
On the one hand it turns out it’s not quite what I was looking for. On the other, I like it, I like the BCs and the splitter, and I’ve got some headroom for a service to refresh it if all else checks out.
I’d be interested in responses to the above, thoughts, and any insights from an expert eye.
Thanks.
I’m hoping for any insight on this car please:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024121372...
I was hoping - as the advert suggests - it was a FBMWSH car, unmolested, albeit with 104k miles.
As a late car in Estoril, it appeals. At the price I could get a local specialist to change all the fluids and filters, the plugs and the water pump pre-emptively, and hope to enjoy another 104k miles.
But all is not quite what it seems. It has two BMW services and an independent in the iDrive, and three more stamps (from a Mercedes commercial garage!) in a generic book. Last service was 2022. It has a front splitter, which I like, but I think that’s a clue to other modifications.
It also has BC coilovers. Are the standard shocks adjustable with the drive modes? Obviously the BCs aren’t. Does that give any issue with drive modes or fault codes?
Finally, it’s had problems with emissions at past MOTs. At the last service there’s a note that the cat was “refitted for MOT”. I can (and will) check it’s got a cat fitted now, but presumably if it was decatted it must have been remapped? I do not want a remapped car. Is there any way of checking, or reverting to the BMW map if it’s been played with? It seems to have the standard plastic boost pipes.
The only paper work with the car is the service book and the V5 and the dealer knows very little more about it. It is, however, in seemingly excellent cosmetic condition.
On the one hand it turns out it’s not quite what I was looking for. On the other, I like it, I like the BCs and the splitter, and I’ve got some headroom for a service to refresh it if all else checks out.
I’d be interested in responses to the above, thoughts, and any insights from an expert eye.
Thanks.
t kicked out of it. It's at the very bottom end of the market, it's never going to be a perfect example but if it's ok mechanically and the bodywork is straight it could be a great car for the money. Personally, I'd always pay a bit more for a standard example with a more comprehensive history.
Edited by Chris Peacock on Monday 30th December 18:49
griffter said:
Thanks for input so far.
4 owners - in 8 years I guess that’s not untypical.
Coilovers are made by BC. I don’t know which model. They seem a bit of a “go to” brand; not terrible, but not Ohlins.
BCs are ok; if they're the standard BR range then they're quite good; but corrode badly and around £900; so a 'chuck away' price really4 owners - in 8 years I guess that’s not untypical.
Coilovers are made by BC. I don’t know which model. They seem a bit of a “go to” brand; not terrible, but not Ohlins.
KW V2s, ST XTA or Bilstein B16s would be a better choice. But each to their own
It could be a car that's worth a punt; but it'd have to be absolutely spot on mechanically for that IMO
I still stand by walking away; and as said above, find a standard example and make it your own, so to speak
As per the other comments, it doesn’t look great, but none of the M235i’s on Autotrader that are £10k or under do. You’ll need to up the budget if you want a tidy example.
If that’s the budget you’re working with, have you considered an M135i? Theres 29 of them up for £10k or under on Autotrader, compared to just 9 M235i’s
If that’s the budget you’re working with, have you considered an M135i? Theres 29 of them up for £10k or under on Autotrader, compared to just 9 M235i’s
It's definitely not 'unmolested' lol
As someone with a LCI top spec manual M240i, it's a buyers market, I tried selling mine for £18,000 in 2022 and I didn't get a single phone call in 2 months, my car was also standard at the time.
I decided to just not sell it and modify it to my liking as I knew I wouldn't get what I want for it.
My advice would be to go for one with a good spec, heated seats, HK audio and pro nav at a minimum and don't buy from a trader. A rare car like a manual M235i/40i should be from a private seller as they're so rare.
As someone with a LCI top spec manual M240i, it's a buyers market, I tried selling mine for £18,000 in 2022 and I didn't get a single phone call in 2 months, my car was also standard at the time.
I decided to just not sell it and modify it to my liking as I knew I wouldn't get what I want for it.
My advice would be to go for one with a good spec, heated seats, HK audio and pro nav at a minimum and don't buy from a trader. A rare car like a manual M235i/40i should be from a private seller as they're so rare.
So, sincere thanks for the input above. I have bought the car! Let me explain:
It presents extremely well. The bodywork is in fantastic condition, let alone for 8 years and 100,000 miles. It has had a PDR to the n/s front wing (I spotted this when the dealer hadn’t) but no evidence of removal or paint. All other panels are excellent, again no evidence of bodywork or paint anywhere. I can’t even find any stone chips. No missing trim, arch liners, spats or anything. It’s all there. I’ve viewed and owned enough cars to know how much of this stuff tends to get damaged or go missing over time. This one’s good.
The interior is also extremely well kept. Some odd surface wear on the silver trim on the driver’s door and the centre console, but no discernible wear at all to the bolsters or even the piping. Remarkable.
It’s had new discs and pads all round in the last 2000 miles and four new Michelin PS5s. Money has been spent. It must also have had a new screen as there is no evidence of the damage noted in previous MOTs.
When I returned to view and drive the car I was let loose on my own. I know the local roads and took it on a favourite route for 40 mins. Absolutely fine, no vices or oddities. The suspension worked very well on all sorts of surfaces. Coilovers remember. I then asked if we could put it on the ramp to have a look underneath. Yes they said, of course. So I had a good look. Undertrays? Check. Jacking points/no jacking damage? Check. General state of good repair? Check. No apparent oil leaks, nothing untoward at all. Cat? Check. Exhaust looks oe.
So I got a good feeling. It’s clearly been looked after. Cars don’t survive or drive like this when they’ve been neglected. We got down to the numbers.
It was up for £9995 remember, and we did a deal with £1000 part exchange (book, and works for me) a full engine service, air and pollen filters, brake fluid change, water pump and coolant. As you may know the water pump is £500 on these and was something I wanted for peace of mind. I reckon that’s £1000 of work at retail prices. Include the brakes, tyres and coilovers and I’ve got a well sorted, refreshed car for something around £7000 (man maths at play).
I’m 99% sure the splitter is M Sport and I love the slightly lowered look. These are both a bonus to me. I love the colour and on balance I would want the manual gearbox. Suddenly there are far fewer cars on the market to compare. Each to their own but tints, funny badges, cheap tyres and remaps put me right off.
So there you have it. I really appreciate the input to this thread, and I took it all into consideration. But on balance, in the metal, I think this car checks out. And the spec and features match my tastes very very well.
In fact on the spec I’m probably a bit odd. I’ve always tended to like earlier iterations and less complexity. I actually prefer the configuration of the N55 to the B58, for example. I also don’t lament missing heated seats (which you’re right it doesn’t have), comfort access, sunroof etc. at this age those are just things to go wrong. I would have liked Pro nav, but I’ll probably change the screen anyway to get CarPlay.
The one mistake I did make was assuming it would have cruise control. I didn’t even check! I can fit the buttons but if there’s anyone here that can help with coding I’d be very grateful!
It presents extremely well. The bodywork is in fantastic condition, let alone for 8 years and 100,000 miles. It has had a PDR to the n/s front wing (I spotted this when the dealer hadn’t) but no evidence of removal or paint. All other panels are excellent, again no evidence of bodywork or paint anywhere. I can’t even find any stone chips. No missing trim, arch liners, spats or anything. It’s all there. I’ve viewed and owned enough cars to know how much of this stuff tends to get damaged or go missing over time. This one’s good.
The interior is also extremely well kept. Some odd surface wear on the silver trim on the driver’s door and the centre console, but no discernible wear at all to the bolsters or even the piping. Remarkable.
It’s had new discs and pads all round in the last 2000 miles and four new Michelin PS5s. Money has been spent. It must also have had a new screen as there is no evidence of the damage noted in previous MOTs.
When I returned to view and drive the car I was let loose on my own. I know the local roads and took it on a favourite route for 40 mins. Absolutely fine, no vices or oddities. The suspension worked very well on all sorts of surfaces. Coilovers remember. I then asked if we could put it on the ramp to have a look underneath. Yes they said, of course. So I had a good look. Undertrays? Check. Jacking points/no jacking damage? Check. General state of good repair? Check. No apparent oil leaks, nothing untoward at all. Cat? Check. Exhaust looks oe.
So I got a good feeling. It’s clearly been looked after. Cars don’t survive or drive like this when they’ve been neglected. We got down to the numbers.
It was up for £9995 remember, and we did a deal with £1000 part exchange (book, and works for me) a full engine service, air and pollen filters, brake fluid change, water pump and coolant. As you may know the water pump is £500 on these and was something I wanted for peace of mind. I reckon that’s £1000 of work at retail prices. Include the brakes, tyres and coilovers and I’ve got a well sorted, refreshed car for something around £7000 (man maths at play).
I’m 99% sure the splitter is M Sport and I love the slightly lowered look. These are both a bonus to me. I love the colour and on balance I would want the manual gearbox. Suddenly there are far fewer cars on the market to compare. Each to their own but tints, funny badges, cheap tyres and remaps put me right off.
So there you have it. I really appreciate the input to this thread, and I took it all into consideration. But on balance, in the metal, I think this car checks out. And the spec and features match my tastes very very well.
In fact on the spec I’m probably a bit odd. I’ve always tended to like earlier iterations and less complexity. I actually prefer the configuration of the N55 to the B58, for example. I also don’t lament missing heated seats (which you’re right it doesn’t have), comfort access, sunroof etc. at this age those are just things to go wrong. I would have liked Pro nav, but I’ll probably change the screen anyway to get CarPlay.
The one mistake I did make was assuming it would have cruise control. I didn’t even check! I can fit the buttons but if there’s anyone here that can help with coding I’d be very grateful!
Brave after the advise on here. Hope it works out for you, and btw, love the man maths.
Anyway, regarding the coding, get a cable from phone to obd, then download the bimmercode app, there is a cost to sign up, can't remember if it's about £50 or £70, that should sort out your coding issues.
Anyway, regarding the coding, get a cable from phone to obd, then download the bimmercode app, there is a cost to sign up, can't remember if it's about £50 or £70, that should sort out your coding issues.
griffter said:
So, sincere thanks for the input above. I have bought the car! Let me explain:
<snip>
So there you have it. I really appreciate the input to this thread, and I took it all into consideration. But on balance, in the metal, I think this car checks out. And the spec and features match my tastes very very well.
On the basis of the advert as what I had to look at - I'd have walked<snip>
So there you have it. I really appreciate the input to this thread, and I took it all into consideration. But on balance, in the metal, I think this car checks out. And the spec and features match my tastes very very well.
On the basis of your comments above I think you've probably bought well - I'd want to ditch the splitter and convert it back to std suspension but if it rides well enough for you to be happy then all good.
nordboy said:
Brave after the advise on here. Hope it works out for you, and btw, love the man maths.
Anyway, regarding the coding, get a cable from phone to obd, then download the bimmercode app, there is a cost to sign up, can't remember if it's about £50 or £70, that should sort out your coding issues.
Thank you. I’ve messaged the bimmercode people to check I can code cruise to it. Although yesterday I did about 180 miles on the motorway and actually found the limit function works very well. Better if the road is anything but clear in fact. Anyway, regarding the coding, get a cable from phone to obd, then download the bimmercode app, there is a cost to sign up, can't remember if it's about £50 or £70, that should sort out your coding issues.
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