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Viewing 135i Approved used advice

585 Views 14 Replies 4 Participants Last post by rjwojcik, Feb 9, 2016

s.m.456

Discussion Starter · Feb 5, 2016

Hi everyone!

I'm off to look at a 135I coupe tomorrow on hold for me at a BMW dealer, a long round trip planned.

Whilst I'm not alien to cars I am not familiar with BMW and have only previously been looking at 130i's but this 135i came up for sale with a good spec and what I think is a fair price.

The approved used route gives me a bit more confidence in the condition of the car with the added security of a warranty etc..

But... what should I be looking out for with these models in particular? Despite a relatively solid looking service history will there be tell-tale signs that will warn me of an abused example.

The car in question has circa 60K miles with 4 previous owners, I thinking a clutch may be on the horizon?

Also what can I expect to get out of BMW on the haggling front? any advice here would be great. First time purchasing a car from a dealer, I've had the same Corolla T-Sport from Uni 3+ years!

I have read that going for a finance route will yield better bargaining power, just settle it within the 14 days cooling off period...

Enough rabbling from me!

Thanks in advance for your help

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

marco_polo

· #2 · Feb 5, 2016

N54 or N55? :?

s.m.456

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 5, 2016

N54 I assume? Twin Turbo.

marco_polo

· #4 · Feb 5, 2016

Do you have the VIN?

s.m.456

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 5, 2016

Yup, here we go:

VF18663

marco_polo

· #6 · Feb 5, 2016

Born in Leipzig on 8th of April, 2008. Blue with a Beige dash?

Pro Nav with BMW Online, PDC, Cruise Control, USB port, Xenon's, etc. Nice spec.

Definitely an N54 twin turbo. Common N54 faults are turbo wastegate failures (ouch), injectors (not cheap) and High Pressure Fuel Pump (aka HPFP). Make sure there aren't any tinkling sounds from the turbos, misfires, or long cranking before the warranty expires. I'd extend the warranty personally, no matter what the cost.

Clutches and gearboxes should be fine though, to answer your earlier Q.

s.m.456

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 5, 2016

Wow thanks for that!

I was thinking about haggling for the extended warranty and maybe trying for the service inclusive to be a bit cheeky.

I have read a lot about the speakers being a bit lacking, would it cost much for the alpine upgrade?

marco_polo

· #8 · Feb 5, 2016

You should have a years warranty with BMW AUC, they'll offer to extend it around the time it's up.

An Alpine upgrade should fit, I'd expect to pay around £400?? Ask Cotswold BMW for a current forum price.

KFC_KID

· #9 · Feb 5, 2016

I'm guessing your looking at BMW approved as you can purchase via a finance offer? Rather than buy it knowing it has a warrenty, your best to know that the common issues have already been dealt with. If it's a BMW approved car, they should have record of this :thumbs:

:thumbs:

rjwojcik

· #10 · Feb 5, 2016

KFC_KID said:
I'm guessing your looking at BMW approved as you can purchase via a finance offer? Rather than buy it knowing it has a warrenty, your best to know that the common issues have already been dealt with. If it's a BMW approved car, they should have record of this

You don't fancy this mans car, do you? It's a special (in a good way), even featured in a magazine article. It is a big reason why I now have one.

Good luck with the viewing anyway.

s.m.456

Discussion Starter · #11 · Feb 5, 2016

Hmm does that mean it's an ex-press car?

KFC_KID

· #12 · Feb 5, 2016

No.

He referring to my one that's for sale on the forum, it was featured in a BMW magazine a few years back. If your a cash buyer then it's defo worth considering.

Thanks
Greg

rjwojcik

· #13 · Feb 9, 2016

How was the viewing?

s.m.456

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 9, 2016

I'm picking it up on Saturday!

rjwojcik

· #15 · Feb 9, 2016

Nice one, don't forget the pics...

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

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