Update 1/17/19: This 135i is listed as sold at $18,000.
A few months ago I took a look at one of the best affordable driving packages from BMW in recent times – the E82 135i. The model I looked at was rare for a few reasons; clean, original 135is with a 6-speed manual are fairly hard to find, and on top of that the particular example was outfit in Alpine White and with the M-Sport package, plus it had the even more infrequently seen beige Boston leather interior. It was also fairly loaded and had lower mileage – all in all, a hard package to replicate.
Well, I’ve come pretty close today. In some ways, this car may actually be a bit more desirable. Let me explain why:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2012 BMW 135i M-Sport on eBay
Year: 2012
Model: 135i M-Sport
VIN: WBAUC9C51CVM12789
Engine: 3.0 liter turbocharged inline-6
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 49,800 mi
Price: No Reserve Auction
2012 BMW 135i 6 SPEED MANUAL. 49k HIGHWAY ORIGINAL MILES. This is one of, if not, the most well taken care of 135i’s around. This car does not have a single flaw. Stock ALL ITS LIFE and comes with M PERFORMANCE FACTORY EXHAUST (yes it does burble nice 🙂 ) Flawless interior and exterior. Suspension feels brand new. Not a rock chip in sight, not a crease in the leather. Steering wheel completely flawless as well. No curb rash. No CEL’s or any service lights, all service up to date. No leaks or flaws WHATSOEVER!!! Brakes done around 2k miles ago and the tires have about 80-90% I should say. Clutch is in amazing condition and feels new. The paint is still glistening. Runs and drives smoother than butter. If you’re in the market for a gorgeous STOCK, MANUAL 135i , this is the car for you. It’s simply a beauty and a charm to look at. All this car needs is a new owner who will love and care for it like it’s already been taken care of. Bid with confidence !!! Scoop this baby for the right price before spring !
Off the block, the color combination is neither as rare nor, arguably, as desirable as the Alpine/Beige leather. Presented in Titanium Silver Metallic (354) over (somewhat oddly) black Sensatec (KASW), this one isn’t as exotic but is still quite classic. Like the last it’s got the P337A M-Sport package, which is more appearance in this case. But importantly it’s the same N55/6-speed manual setup with all the goodies that came in the 135i package as I described in the last post. Condition is equal to the last example and the car looks quite fresh despite being nearly seven years old; likely the result of a loving owner and lower miles. Highlights of this one versus the last are lower mileage and some maintenance records, including brakes and more recent top-dollar Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Other notables? This car has a set of factory rear mudflaps, which are hugely controversial in the E82 community. However, owning one with stone-blasted flanks and having sought a used set of fronts from Europe, they’re a desirable item on their own and are NLA from BMW. If you see a set of factory rears, let me know! The seller also includes the original documentation for the car, which is nice to see. They also claim it’s got the BMW Performance exhaust, but that has polished tips – this looks like the standard 135i Sport exhaust. It’s also been debadged – assuming its had no rear-end damage, since it’s claimed to have a clean title.
But there are two main trumps on this car versus the last. First, unlike the Alpine White one, this model was fairly basic. It has the important 135i stuff and the M-Sport package tacked on, but the seller went for the perhaps more durable synthetic Sensatec (which was the base material) instead of leather. With heavily bolstered seats, even thin drivers cautiously entering and exiting our E82 have left their mark on the driver’s seat. The other reason to like this one is the lack of the iDrive. While some may want that system, I would wager most looking for the Ultimate Driving Machine in the used market are happy to forgo the old tech. But the best part of this car is that it’s offered at no reserve. As a result, we really get an idea of what a clean, original and lower mile example will trade for. The Alpine White example is still on the market with consistent price drops – at last check it was down to ~$23,000. Since that’s still within reach of both M3s and the M235i, I think it’ll sit a bit longer. Today’s Titanium Silver is already up to $17,300 at time of writing with two days to go. If I’m honest, I’ll be surprised if it breaks 20K, but it may come close. These are truly great driving cars and I think will be potential collector material in the future. This is certainly one of the better ones out there right now.
-Carter
A couple of thoughts:
1) It’s my understanding that all 135i’s came with the M-Sport package, which is sport seats, 18″ tires, shocks & springs, and maybe brakes (an a ton of unnecessary badging).
2) With nearly 50K miles, it’s due for shocks and probably other rubber bits.
3) And this is the important part, if they installed Michelin PSS, it’s going to ride VERY soft. Not grandfather’s Buick soft, but you do lose some of that sharpness in the steering and it will bounce and float a lot more. BMW put in very soft bushings to accommodate for the harshness of the runflats. The solution is generally to install the 1M/M3 bits, which have firmer bushings. Upgrading the shocks & springs at that time is also a popular option.
@E88Guy:
The 135i came with most of what typically would comprise a “M-Sport” package as standard – the big BMW-branded brakes, 18″ wheels, sport exhaust, multi-function steering wheel, M-branded shifter, M-Sport suspension, body kit, etc was all standard on all 135is. However, the actual “M-Sport” designation package for the 135i only came with the black headliner and Style 261 split 5-spoke wheels you see here. My 135i does not have the M-Sport package, so it has the Style 264 (solid 5-spoke) wheels and a gray headliner. I’ve got the original catalog at home and verify the information. The wheels are generally the easiest way to tell the M-Sport from the standard 135i. Sport seats were also supposedly as standard, but I’ve seen 135is equipped without them. Re:mileage – mine just hit 100,000 last month and is on the original suspension. It still feels very tight. Mine is also on Continental Extreme something something somethings, but they are non-run flats, and again the car is pretty tight and direct. My M3 rides on PSSs and, if anything, it’s too stiff (though they’re 19s). Just a thought. I definitely wouldn’t make our 135i any harder for the roads around me, but I guess if you live in an area with very smooth roads maybe that’s an option.
Here’s the option breakdown on my ’09 135i:
Vehicle options
S1CAA Selection of COP relevant vehicles
S249A Multifunction f steering wheel
S2SMA BMW LA wheel, star spoke 264
S2VBA Tire pressure display
S321A Exterior parts in vehicle color
S403A Glass roof, electrical
S441A Smoker package
S468A Ski bag
S473A Armrest front
S481A Sports seat
S494A Seat heating driver/passenger
S4MGA Int. mouldings aluminium glacier-silver
S502A Headlight cleaning system
S521A Rain sensor
S522A Xenon Light
S524A Adaptive Headlights
S534A Automatic air conditioning
S540A Cruise control
S570A Reinforced power supply
S645A BMW US Radio
S663A Radio BMW Professional
S676A HiFi speaker system
S693A Preparation BMW satellite radio
S697A Area-Code 1 for DVD
S6FLA USB/Audio interface
S704A M Sports suspension
S710A M leather steering wheel
S760A High gloss shadow line
S823A Hot-climate version
S840A High speed synchronisation
S845A Acoustic belt warning
S850A Dummy-SALAPA
S853A Language version English
S876A Radio frequency 315 MHz
S8SCA Telematics access request,country-spec.
S8SPA Control unit COP
S925A Dummy-SALAPA
Carter,
Thanks for the info. My assumption that all 135i’s were also M-Sports was from 1addicts.
Your experience with non RFT’s is much different than mine. On my wife’s E70 (M-Sport), I went from the stock Bridgestone Dueler HT/Sport (RFT) to the Continental Sport DW. The only change was that it felt a little dead on-center. Otherwise, it was the same vehicle.
On my E88, however, it was very different when I went to the MPSS. It felt floaty and the steering was still BMW, but not as good as it was with the Bridgestone RFT’s. It’s a little more vague when I point it, and the rear-end is all over the place. Granted, I’m a few hundred pounds more than the coupe, but it shouldn’t be that big of a difference in feel.
My plan is: M3 Control arms front & rear, ST-X coilovers, Bimmerworld solid RFSB’s. All to accommodate for the fact that I won’t run RFT’s.
Interesting E88guy! Hey, speaking of – here’s a E88 135i with non-Sport seats: https://providence.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2013-bmw-1-series-135i/6752642900.html
Non-M-Sport, but again with the bulk of Sport options:
S1CAA Selection of COP relevant vehicles
S249A Multifunction f steering wheel
S2FAA BMW LA wheel, V Spoke 372
S2TCA Sport transmission w/ dual-plate clutch
S2VBA Tire pressure display
S2XAA Sport steering wheel with shift paddles
S319A Integrated universal remote control
S321A Exterior parts in vehicle color
S322A Comfort access
S346A Chrome Line exterieur
S423A Floor mats, velours
S430A Interior/outside mirror with auto dip
S431A Interior mirror with automatic-dip
S441A Smoker package
S442A Cup holder
S459A Seat adjuster, electric, with memory
S473A Armrest front
S488A Lumbar support, driver and passenger
S494A Seat heating driver/passenger
S4A3A Fine-wood trim walnut light
S4NAA Interior mirror with digital compass
S4NEA Blow-by heater
S4UTA Load-through hatch with int. trans. sack
S502A Headlight cleaning system
S521A Rain sensor
S522A Xenon Light
S524A Adaptive Headlights
S534A Automatic air conditioning
S540A Cruise control
S563A Light package
S570A Reinforced power supply
S609A Navigation system Professional
S615A Expanded BMW Online Information
S620A Voice control
S639A Preparation f mobile phone cpl. USA/CDN
S645A BMW US Radio
S655A Satellite tuner
S688A Harman/Kardon Surround Sound system
S697A Area-Code 1 for DVD
S6AAA BMW TeleServices
S6ABA Control for Teleservices
S6FLA USB/Audio interface
S6NFA Music interface for Smartphone
S6NRA Apps
S6UHA Traffic Information
S6VCA Control for Combox
S704A M Sports suspension
S823A Hot-climate version
S840A High speed synchronisation
S845A Acoustic belt warning
S850A Dummy-SALAPA
S853A Language version English
S876A Radio frequency 315 MHz
S8SCA Telematics access request,country-spec.
S8SPA Control unit COP
S8TNA Daytime run.lights adjus.via light menu
S925A Dummy-SALAPA