technical E82 125i used car advice

MR_Y · May 7, 2023

I was looking for a sporty hatchback as a toy to replace my EcoSport.
However, I see a few 2012-13 125i E82 coupes in the sub R250k bracket.
Granted, the 125i will feel a bit slower compared to the 120d and 135i up at the Reef.
However, I assume the 125i (3.0i) motor would be more reliable vs the turbo E82 models?
Sure, any 10 year sporty coupe will not give you 100% reliability, but is NA a better option in this case for the 125?
Not a hardcore track toy - just a sporty coupe that can get its bum out a little bit and will be used occasionally.
I am no mechanic, so will need to be maintained at a good aftermarket place (357, or similar).

Anyway, just looking for some advice from the OGs on this forum on the E82.

If there is already a thread covering this, apologies I could not find it when I searched.

SubLoaded · May 7, 2023

N52 is the goat. Change the electric waterpump, thermostat, vanos solenoids, VCG, OFHG, and enjoy it for what it is. You can expect "normal" NA maint after that.

MR_Y · May 8, 2023

BMW 1 Series 125i Coupe Auto for sale in Randburg - ID: 26896816

Used 2013 BMW 1 Series 125i Coupe Auto For Sale - R 219 900 - ID: 26896816

www.autotrader.co.za

Eust · May 8, 2023

Subloaded already mentioned the preventative stuff of the N52 so I'm giving some alternatives that I would look at:

BMW Z4 sDrive35i Auto for sale in Centurion - ID: 26951796

Used 2010 BMW Z4 sDrive35i Auto For Sale - R 180 900 - ID: 26951796

www.autotrader.co.za

BMW Z4 M Roadster for sale in Umhlanga - ID: 26517229

Used 2008 BMW Z4 M Roadster For Sale - R 209 990 - ID: 26517229

www.autotrader.co.za

If you can find a 3.0si E85 Z4, that would be a brilliant car as well.

Eust · May 8, 2023

MR_Y said:
BMW 1 Series 125i Coupe Auto for sale in Randburg - ID: 26896816

Used 2013 BMW 1 Series 125i Coupe Auto For Sale - R 219 900 - ID: 26896816

www.autotrader.co.za

I think reselling a non Msport is going to be tough, especially a 125i, as everyone wants the 120d or 135i Msport.

Riaad · May 8, 2023

Eust said:
BMW Z4 M Roadster for sale in Umhlanga - ID: 26517229

Used 2008 BMW Z4 M Roadster For Sale - R 209 990 - ID: 26517229

www.autotrader.co.za

If I'm not mistaken, this Z4m ran bearings, engine was then rebuilt.

(*or had some other issue which resulted in extensive mechanical repairs)

Eust · May 8, 2023

Yeah, I think an ///M will be a stretch as this is an outlier and must have had some issues at that price.
E85 3.0si is a solid bet or a well maintained E89.

modocrat · May 8, 2023

MR_Y said:
BMW 1 Series 125i Coupe Auto for sale in Randburg - ID: 26896816

Used 2013 BMW 1 Series 125i Coupe Auto For Sale - R 219 900 - ID: 26896816

www.autotrader.co.za

MSport or stick with the Eco-Sport

///M Individual · May 8, 2023

Eust said:
I think reselling a non Msport is going to be tough, especially a 125i, as everyone wants the 120d or 135i Msport.

I think a toy needs to be manual unless the wife only drives auto or some other reason.

Also although the 25i's and 30i's share the same N52 motor I have heard that it will be expensive to get the 25i to push out 30i power and with a toy. more power is always welcome.

I would personally look for the following (all probably hard to find in good nick, and more so in manual):
E87 130i
E90 LCi 330i
E93 330i (not sure if the weight from the convertible roof negates the power difference between 25i and 30i)
Z4 30si

MR_Y · May 8, 2023

modocrat said:
MSport or stick with the Eco-Sport

This car has been sitting at the dealer for a while. Being non m sport and being auto may be the issues.

Agree that manual would be first prize.

momo1 · May 8, 2023

MR_Y said:
I was looking for a sporty hatchback as a toy to replace my EcoSport.
However, I see a few 2012-13 125i E82 coupes in the sub R250k bracket.
Granted, the 125i will feel a bit slower compared to the 120d and 135i up at the Reef.
However, I assume the 125i (3.0i) motor would be more reliable vs the turbo E82 models?
Sure, any 10 year sporty coupe will not give you 100% reliability, but is NA a better option in this case for the 125?
Not a hardcore track toy - just a sporty coupe that can get its bum out a little bit and will be used occasionally.
I am no mechanic, so will need to be maintained at a good aftermarket place (357, or similar).

Anyway, just looking for some advice from the OGs on this forum on the E82.

If there is already a thread covering this, apologies I could not find it when I searched.

why not consider a Z4 3.0Si coupe?
same N52 engine with the full 195kw of power and not 160kw as per the E82 125i.
also a lot more fun and around the same price as a 125i .
a well maintained one is usually trouble free, number 1 preventative maintenance on N52 item would be to replace water pump and thermostat with all relative hoses.

FILV · May 8, 2023

IF you have a budget up to R250k and patient, you can probably find a newer shape Z4 that isn't falling apart.
Just need to check the N20 engine common issues:

2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Auto

Used BMW Z4 sDrive28i Auto for sale in Gauteng, car manufactured in 2012 (ID:8695208)

www.cars.co.za

BMW Z4 sDrive20i Auto for sale in Sandton - ID: 26727550

Used 2012 BMW Z4 sDrive20i Auto For Sale - R 229 950 - ID: 26727550

www.autotrader.co.za

BMW Z4 sDrive28i M Sport Auto for sale in Randburg - ID: 26868425

Used 2013 BMW Z4 sDrive28i M Sport Auto For Sale - R 249 900 - ID: 26868425

www.autotrader.co.za

BMW Z4 3.0i Auto for sale in Johannesburg - ID: 26343909

Used 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i Auto For Sale - R 199 900 - ID: 26343909

www.autotrader.co.za

How ever if looking at a an E82 id still go for a mapped 120D all day. Will get your bum out at 2000rpm, while the fuel gauge needle not budging at all, plus easy to resell or trade in.

///M Individual · May 8, 2023

FILV said:
BMW Z4 3.0i Auto for sale in Johannesburg - ID: 26343909

Used 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i Auto For Sale - R 199 900 - ID: 26343909

www.autotrader.co.za

This Z4 will be a winner if it checks out clean @MR_Y !

3.0i ✅
Manual ✅
Low mileage ✅
Drop top ✅

///M Individual · May 8, 2023

///M Individual said:
This Z4 will be a winner if it checks out clean @MR_Y !

3.0i ✅
Manual ✅
Low mileage ✅
Drop top ✅

Damn hold on take that back - thought the AUTO in description was wrong as it looked like a manual gearknob. Upon closer inspection I see its SMG ie. Trouble.

TBP88 · May 8, 2023

MR_Y said:
I was looking for a sporty hatchback as a toy to replace my EcoSport.
However, I see a few 2012-13 125i E82 coupes in the sub R250k bracket.
Granted, the 125i will feel a bit slower compared to the 120d and 135i up at the Reef.
However, I assume the 125i (3.0i) motor would be more reliable vs the turbo E82 models?
Sure, any 10 year sporty coupe will not give you 100% reliability, but is NA a better option in this case for the 125?
Not a hardcore track toy - just a sporty coupe that can get its bum out a little bit and will be used occasionally.
I am no mechanic, so will need to be maintained at a good aftermarket place (357, or similar).

Anyway, just looking for some advice from the OGs on this forum on the E82.

If there is already a thread covering this, apologies I could not find it when I searched.

Somebody else said it, try to find a manual Z4 3.0Si Coupe. Probably the best car you can get for sub R250k if you can sacrifice back seats. If you're willing to pay a chunk more, get a Z4M - a decent one should run around R350k.

Riaad · May 8, 2023

///M Individual said:
This Z4 will be a winner if it checks out clean @MR_Y !

3.0i ✅
Manual ❌ SMG
Low mileage ✅
Drop top ✅

I think at this price point, you can get something better.

MR_Y · May 8, 2023

Thanks for the feedback all.

One of the reasons for selling the Cayman was that I needed backseats to take my family along for the occasional spirited drive.

I need to reassess whether I still need that. If so, then an E82 makes sense.

Have a lot to think about.

///Avi · May 8, 2023

///M Individual said:
This Z4 will be a winner if it checks out clean @MR_Y !

3.0i ✅
Manual ✅
Low mileage ✅
Drop top ✅

This car is not a good Value proposition. Manual or SMG.

A Z4 E85/6 3.0si is well under the R200k mark and is a worthwhile consideration.

If you are set on a hatch, the Renault clios or Meganes usually plummet in value in the 2nd hand market. While not RWD they seem to be good fun.

The 125i at that price is not really worth the money really. R120k-150k may be compelling. It would be fairly reliable.

A 130i Manual is a great option to consider as well. I did see a low-ish mileage one for sale around R160k mark on FB marketplace.

AdiS · May 8, 2023

Back in the day I test drove a 125i (at the coast) and found it underwhelming and boring. It’s no sports car.. not in the slightest.

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FILV · May 9, 2023

Yeah i think the main requirements need to be identified here, as that can definitely help narrow down the search.

Being here at the reef, if you are looking for a fun car, i would definitely exclude any naturally aspirated car (unless an M car) which lets face it, at 250K or less aint going to happen.
I think you would have more fun in a mapped and clean F30 320i (170wkw +/-) than any 125i or Z4 3.0si here in Jhb.

Then strictly rear wheel drive? A decent front wheel drive like a Megane RS Cup? Audi TT? S3? (S-tronic worry though)