Buying used 135i, Tips?

darkstar16 · 03-10-2011, 06:37 PM

Hello,
I'm considering buying a used 135i coupe and would like to know what things to watch out for when i test drive them such as noises or other problems 135's might be prone to.
Ive had buddies tell me about the fuel pump problems but need to know about other problems that might be the reason the car is being sold.
Most of the ones i am looking at are 2008-2009 with 30-50k miles.

Thank you for your help.

Mak135i · 03-10-2011, 08:25 PM

Get a CPO

Prof T · 03-11-2011, 04:01 AM

As long as it still has War. left you should be good to go. That would be worth a few extra $$$. Great car.

bluehi · 03-11-2011, 03:09 PM

Get it checked out by an independent shop. I bought my '08 back in November and had a pre-sale inspection done by a shop that specializes in (and races) BMWs. They gave it a thorough inspection and a complete run-down. It was cheap peace of mind.

Ash83 · 03-14-2011, 09:52 AM

Try to get a CPO or if not make 1000000% sure that this car is not flagged in BMW Database as tuner or good luck if you want to service it at BMW center for the remaining warranty time even for HPFP..

juan2 3 · 03-19-2011, 01:07 PM

CPO is the only way to go. I bought a 2008 CPO 135i well equipped with 14k miles four months ago for $24k. They all will have HPFP issues, my 535xi has 90k miles and has been great, just know that HPFP will be replaced at least once. Haggle, a lot of 1's at the dealers!

1speedbike · 03-19-2011, 02:07 PM

I think CPO BMWs get a longer warranty than even NEW car purchases. Definitely get CPO. The HPFP has a 10 year warranty now, plus there's a voluntary recall out for HPFP and fuel injectors. I just got mine fixed up, so make sure they do that before you pick it up. If you're out of warranty things might get expensive if you experience any problems down the road...

jkoral · 03-20-2011, 09:59 PM

Not many CPO 135s available, at least through bmwusa.com within 500 miles of my zip.

I'd love to find a 14K CPO 2008 for 24K, most of the '08s I see have twice the mileage for $29K.

I would buy a CPO if I could find a decent one (mileage, color, options).

Instead, for the same money, I'm looking at a private sale 135 with 15K vs. CPO 135 with ~40K. And the CPO lists for the same or a bit more money. Can't justify that. I'd rather have the low miles. (I think?)

Mak135i · 03-20-2011, 10:12 PM

Not having a warranty can get very expensive. The failures of injectors; waste gate,etc. do not seem to be mileage related. So, a low miles 08 may experience as many, or more, problems than a higher mileage one.
I have 2008 CPO with 49000 miles, and the 1st 42000 were very smooth sailing. But I know others have had major problems (noon HPFP related) with as little as 9000 miles.
I am in the market now for a M3. Having had my car for 2 years, no way I will buy without CPO.

jkoral · 03-21-2011, 01:12 AM

Thanks for the advice, duly noted. It's definitely a downside of buying a '08, you barely get 1 year of factory warranty left.

I found a perfect CPO car, unfortunately it's 3000 miles away, so it would cost me another $1500 to ship it.

But I see a local private party 2009 with only 3500 miles, so at least that would buy me 2 years of warranty (depending on delivery date).

Tough decision... wish there were more choices, but then the car would be as common as a 3-series, which seem to be everywhere.

03-10-2011, 06:37 PM	#1
darkstar16 Registered 2 Rep 1 Posts Drives: red Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Buying used 135i, Tips? Hello, I'm considering buying a used 135i coupe and would like to know what things to watch out for when i test drive them such as noises or other problems 135's might be prone to. Ive had buddies tell me about the fuel pump problems but need to know about other problems that might be the reason the car is being sold. Most of the ones i am looking at are 2008-2009 with 30-50k miles. Thank you for your help.
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03-10-2011, 08:25 PM	#2
Mak135i First Lieutenant 6 Rep 340 Posts Drives: 911 GTS, X3M Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (2)	Get a CPO __________________ 2019 911 GTS 2017 M4 CV 2017 Mini JCW
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03-11-2011, 04:01 AM	#3
Prof T COACH 2 Rep 285 Posts Drives: 2010 135 conv, 2009 M3 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: BMW iTrader: (0)	As long as it still has War. left you should be good to go. That would be worth a few extra $$$. Great car.
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03-11-2011, 03:09 PM	#4
bluehi Certifiable 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: '08 135i 'vert Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: PDX iTrader: (0)	Get it checked out by an independent shop. I bought my '08 back in November and had a pre-sale inspection done by a shop that specializes in (and races) BMWs. They gave it a thorough inspection and a complete run-down. It was cheap peace of mind.
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03-14-2011, 09:52 AM	#5
Ash83 Major 42 Rep 1,177 Posts Drives: 135i & RS5 (SOLD)/ 18 CTS-V Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (1)	Try to get a CPO or if not make 1000000% sure that this car is not flagged in BMW Database as tuner or good luck if you want to service it at BMW center for the remaining warranty time even for HPFP.. __________________ Alpine White, Coral RED , Glacier Silver Aluminum trim, M sport, 6MT, NAV, HiFi, USB-iPod, Bluetooth Performance: JB4\|BMW PE\|DP Cosmetics: BMW Sport Pedals\|Black Kidney Grill
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03-19-2011, 01:07 PM	#6
juan2 3 New Member 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Eugene, OR iTrader: (0)	CPO is the only way to go. I bought a 2008 CPO 135i well equipped with 14k miles four months ago for $24k. They all will have HPFP issues, my 535xi has 90k miles and has been great, just know that HPFP will be replaced at least once. Haggle, a lot of 1's at the dealers!
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03-19-2011, 02:07 PM	#7
1speedbike Brigadier General 736 Rep 3,274 Posts Drives: 2022 X4 M40i, 2008 135i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: MKE iTrader: (15)	I think CPO BMWs get a longer warranty than even NEW car purchases. Definitely get CPO. The HPFP has a 10 year warranty now, plus there's a voluntary recall out for HPFP and fuel injectors. I just got mine fixed up, so make sure they do that before you pick it up. If you're out of warranty things might get expensive if you experience any problems down the road... __________________ 2022 X4 M40i - 2008 135i - 2015 F700GS On Order - 2024 i4 M50 Scruffy's gonna die the way he lived... Mmhm.
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03-20-2011, 09:59 PM	#8
jkoral Lieutenant Colonel 1025 Rep 1,968 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 LBB 6MT Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MA iTrader: (7)	Not many CPO 135s available, at least through bmwusa.com within 500 miles of my zip. I'd love to find a 14K CPO 2008 for 24K, most of the '08s I see have twice the mileage for $29K. I would buy a CPO if I could find a decent one (mileage, color, options). Instead, for the same money, I'm looking at a private sale 135 with 15K vs. CPO 135 with ~40K. And the CPO lists for the same or a bit more money. Can't justify that. I'd rather have the low miles. (I think?)
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03-20-2011, 10:12 PM	#9
Mak135i First Lieutenant 6 Rep 340 Posts Drives: 911 GTS, X3M Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (2)	Not having a warranty can get very expensive. The failures of injectors; waste gate,etc. do not seem to be mileage related. So, a low miles 08 may experience as many, or more, problems than a higher mileage one. I have 2008 CPO with 49000 miles, and the 1st 42000 were very smooth sailing. But I know others have had major problems (noon HPFP related) with as little as 9000 miles. I am in the market now for a M3. Having had my car for 2 years, no way I will buy without CPO. __________________ 2019 911 GTS 2017 M4 CV 2017 Mini JCW
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03-21-2011, 01:12 AM	#10
jkoral Lieutenant Colonel 1025 Rep 1,968 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 LBB 6MT Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MA iTrader: (7)	Thanks for the advice, duly noted. It's definitely a downside of buying a '08, you barely get 1 year of factory warranty left. I found a perfect CPO car, unfortunately it's 3000 miles away, so it would cost me another $1500 to ship it. But I see a local private party 2009 with only 3500 miles, so at least that would buy me 2 years of warranty (depending on delivery date). Tough decision... wish there were more choices, but then the car would be as common as a 3-series, which seem to be everywhere.
	Appreciate 0 Quote