New Member Need Advise for E87

[mickey_]

Hi There, I am new to this forum.

The reason that I have joined this forum is that I am taking my first step into the BMW arena after driving JDM cars for years.

My current legacy is going to retire soon and I am in the market to look out for a used 118i (E87) for daily commute to and from work.
On weekends I have a small JDM 2 seater to cruise around.

Before I jump to sign on the dotted line, I was hoping that seniors who have had experience with BMWs and/or the older 118i would share some tips as to what to look out for in a used vehicle.

I understand that a proper assessment would to bring the car to one of the site sponsor's workshop to have it professionally checked. However, before I even do that, I would like to get some advise on what to look out for before committing to this task.

As such I would like to ask the following:

1. Any know problems with the older E87? (I am looking for a 2008/09 car)
2. Things I would look out for are: Any service records (probably no as it will be a 5/6 year old car), no of owners, Mileage, Gearbox smoothness, Signs of accident, Brake pads left.
3. As this is a basic car, I would think that mileage, gearbox smoothness and engine are my main concerns.

Would appreciate if any seniors can shed some info for a newbie.

Thanks in advance!

 

[seanskye]

Re: New Member Need Advise for E87

Hi and welcome. Good choice if you have decided to go to a site sponsor to assess the ride beforehand. I didn't and spent a bit to change out wear and tear items.

Anyway, the most important thing is the mileage - make sure it is not tampered with. Usually this can be verified with proper servicing records which show what was done at what mileage. For example, if the last 80k servicing was done 2 years ago, then you ought to be suspicious. If no records, ask which workshop was it that serviced the car, and call up the workshop. Professional workshops do keep their own records.

I'm sure the site sponsors will be able to share far more with you than us. Good luck hunting!

 

[mickey_]

Re: New Member Need Advise for E87

Hi seanskye, many thanks for the quick response.

I think I would do that after identifying one in which I would wish to commit.

I would also think that mileage is a good indication and I would prefer to get one with a lower mileage. However, the E87 on the market is little now and mileage is rather on the high side (there is one with 80K and another 110+K). I wonder if the E87s have been exported?

You gave good advise. As I am looking for a 08/09 car, that would mean the car is 4/5 years old. Most probably I would check PML records for the 3 years and see if there are any irregularities as you have mentioned.

Out of curiosity, what are the "wear and tear" items that you need to change? (So that I can prepare for extra cash beside doing a complete servicing - oil, oil filter, air filter, gearbox oil, coolant, power steering oil, which would already cost much).

Many thanks in advance!

 

[JJ Kien]

Re: New Member Need Advise for E87

Hi,

Welcome, Welcome.....

 

[mickey_]

Re: New Member Need Advise for E87

Hi JJ Kien, many thanks!

Do you have any experience to share?

 

[Red_Bean_Bun]

Re: New Member Need Advise for E87

Welcome....

If its a PML car, ask for the service records to get a sense of the care by the previous owner. And also the parts changed as a result of wear and tear.

 

[ac323]

Re: New Member Need Advise for E87

Hi There, I am new to this forum.

The reason that I have joined this forum is that I am taking my first step into the BMW arena after driving JDM cars for years.

My current legacy is going to retire soon and I am in the market to look out for a used 118i (E87) for daily commute to and from work.
On weekends I have a small JDM 2 seater to cruise around.

Before I jump to sign on the dotted line, I was hoping that seniors who have had experience with BMWs and/or the older 118i would share some tips as to what to look out for in a used vehicle.

I understand that a proper assessment would to bring the car to one of the site sponsor's workshop to have it professionally checked. However, before I even do that, I would like to get some advise on what to look out for before committing to this task.

As such I would like to ask the following:

1. Any know problems with the older E87? (I am looking for a 2008/09 car)
2. Things I would look out for are: Any service records (probably no as it will be a 5/6 year old car), no of owners, Mileage, Gearbox smoothness, Signs of accident, Brake pads left.
3. As this is a basic car, I would think that mileage, gearbox smoothness and engine are my main concerns.

Would appreciate if any seniors can shed some info for a newbie.

Thanks in advance!

Hi Mickey,

welcome onboard............








cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeers

 

[mickey_]

Re: New Member Need Advise for E87

Thanks Red_Bean_Bun, shall definitely do that!

 

[mickey_]

Re: New Member Need Advise for E87

Hi ac323, thanks!

I noticed that your signature says "mod is the way to go" while red_bean-bun says "Stock is best".

I had my fair share of mods in the past. Getting old now and the only mod in the future would only be ICE... this one cannot escape...

 

[ac323]

Re: New Member Need Advise for E87

Hi ac323, thanks!

I noticed that your signature says "mod is the way to go" while red_bean-bun says "Stock is best".

I had my fair share of mods in the past. Getting old now and the only mod in the future would only be ICE... this one cannot escape...

Power.....Mod is Still the way to go...





cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeers

 

[seanskye]

Re: New Member Need Advise for E87

Hi seanskye, many thanks for the quick response.

I think I would do that after identifying one in which I would wish to commit.

I would also think that mileage is a good indication and I would prefer to get one with a lower mileage. However, the E87 on the market is little now and mileage is rather on the high side (there is one with 80K and another 110+K). I wonder if the E87s have been exported?

You gave good advise. As I am looking for a 08/09 car, that would mean the car is 4/5 years old. Most probably I would check PML records for the 3 years and see if there are any irregularities as you have mentioned.

Out of curiosity, what are the "wear and tear" items that you need to change? (So that I can prepare for extra cash beside doing a complete servicing - oil, oil filter, air filter, gearbox oil, coolant, power steering oil, which would already cost much).

Many thanks in advance!

Checking PML records is mainly to verify that the mileage has not been tampered with, and to check if there has been no serious accidents in the past. Minor accidents ok, but those that had undergone extensive repairs should be avoided. Not sure if PML will share full details of the servicing records, not necessary but if you do get it then its a bonus.

For my case, I had to change out brake rotors, brake pads, engine gaskets, seals, etc. on my own. Agent was sporting enough to cover warranty parts.

By the way, you can thank fellow forum members by simply clicking the "Thanks" button on the bottom left of each post. We love that function! Cheers!

 

[C3P0]

Re: New Member Need Advise for E87

Hi welcome Micky. For a moment I thought that one if our forummer has re-joined our forum....we call him Micky Mouse, or Mark.

 

[mickey_]

Re: New Member Need Advise for E87

Hi C3PO,

Thank you thank you. Unfortunately I am not that micky you mentioned.

Am still searching for my E87...

 

[wt_know]

Re: New Member Need Advise for E87

135/335/535/m3/m5 .. stock is the best

i hope to reach the stock phase someday

 

[mickey_]

Re: New Member Need Advise for E87

135/335/535/m3/m5 .. stock is the best

Thanks pal.

I only like cars with "no backside". I can't figure out why but this is my "fetish"...

Currently its the 118i....

 

[Baby1M]

Re: New Member Need Advise for E87

welcome mickey_, :wavey: