Opinion on 125i coupe purchase

[ASH]

Hi guys

Been looking at a changing the 325i coupe, seen a white 2011 125i Auto Coupe M-Sport with 71000km retailing for R249K, I qualify for
discounted pricing so probably looking at R215K-R225K if I purchase.

Has not much optional features, just stock 18"s rims, sunroof, PDC rear, paddle shift, hands-free & smash & grab tint.

Always liked the car, only down side I can see is the lack of electronic climate control, and the cheap plastic on the front console where the aircon controls are (this is a 1series after all) and rear leg room.

I drove it and it gave me a good feel, ticks all the right boxes driving wise, look its no 135i rocket, but I'm happy with what it offers. I'm not going to be driving everyday, as it is mostly for my wife.

I will miss the 325i and its creature comforts though........

Some questions:-

Are there any issues with this model? Does the pricing of between R215K-R225K look acceptable or excessive? Is there any difference in fuel consumption between the 125i and 325i, I know the 125i has a 3.0L engine and the 325i E92 a 2.5L engine, although the 125i is slightly lighter than the 325.

Any feedback will be welcomed?

 

[SL0P0K3 2002ti]

as far as i know their pretty fun little car's my aunt has a 125 convertible and she loves it dont know bout the price or fuel economy

 

[ASH]

Thanks SLOPOK3 2002ti.

Wow only one comment...............:nonono:

Forum members are very helpful these days................:fencelook:

 

[SKYF]

125i - 3.0L I6 Motor
Very balanced car, hve not heard of any issues.
If you can, try and get a MT, will be more valuable longer term.

These motorscan be economical if driven properly, should see 600kms on a tank easily,generally these cars are not high on maitenance, without motorplan.

I suggest you test drive one, and make your decision

 

[Divio]

+1 on Manual, drove a 125i Auto, was nice, great Soundtrack!

but still felt it needed a 3 pedal.

:=):

 

[Bavs108]

Drove an auto last year some time and really enjoyed it for the short time that I got to drive it. Found it much nippier than a 325i. Interior as you say is a bit bland in comparison though, but then again I think it's well built compared to its competitors and it looks the business:thumbs:

 

[Mrcloc]

For the price you can get an older 135i with the same km. Worth a look.

Also, why not try the dark side - 120d coupe - what a car!

And +1 on the manual. The 1 coupe is bought for driving fun, not for interior quality, size, etc.

But all of those spanners aside - 125i is awesome!

 

[Derrick125]

325i Coupe is an allround better car!
This will be a step down for you I think.

Why not 135i?

 

[ASH]

I'm looking for a bit of piece of mind, a lot of used 135i have had software and mods done, I'm looking for a stock car with no mods
and its mostly for the wife to use so all the extra power is not really needed.

I know the 325i is better all round feature wise, but I think driving wise the 125i offers more fun, which is what I am looking for (something which feels more E46ish or better) & not E90/92ish. Also the appeal of having Motorplan until 2016, is great, as I'm currently out of M/plan with the 325i.

325i Coupe is an allround better car!
This will be a step down for you I think.

Why not 135i?

 

[BrandonF1]

125i is not light on fuel. BMW 6 cylinder is always a good idea. For most practical 120d coupe, for most fun 135i, for inbetween 125i...

 

[herr bmw]

looked at a 1 series coupe,no rear leg room,so my son couldnt sit in the back,my choice would be the 325i coupe,much better car all round:thumbs:

 

[notionza]

I had a 125i Coupe minimal spec with an MT. I loved that car to death. It's the reason why I bought the 1M. It's a really fun car that will not disappoint around the twisties and has just enough power and sound to egg you on. One thing to note is that I did have the sport pack and I noticed the steering was super heavy :thumbs:

To give you an idea I went from the 125i Coupe to an E93 335i thinking I would have more fun in it. I really enjoyed the extra speed especially when chipped but I always felt a little cold and started to miss the playful aspect of such a small car.

 

[Xeqtr]

Hi guys

Been looking at a changing the 325i coupe, seen a white 2011 125i Auto Coupe M-Sport with 71000km retailing for R249K, I qualify for
discounted pricing so probably looking at R215K-R225K if I purchase.

Has not much optional features, just stock 18"s rims, sunroof, PDC rear, paddle shift, hands-free & smash & grab tint.

Always liked the car, only down side I can see is the lack of electronic climate control, and the cheap plastic on the front console where the aircon controls are (this is a 1series after all) and rear leg room.

I drove it and it gave me a good feel, ticks all the right boxes driving wise, look its no 135i rocket, but I'm happy with what it offers. I'm not going to be driving everyday, as it is mostly for my wife.

I will miss the 325i and its creature comforts though........

Some questions:-

Are there any issues with this model? Does the pricing of between R215K-R225K look acceptable or excessive? Is there any difference in fuel consumption between the 125i and 325i, I know the 125i has a 3.0L engine and the 325i E92 a 2.5L engine, although the 125i is slightly lighter than the 325.

Any feedback will be welcomed?

Hey dude,

I think that is a good price, my mother bought a white 2011 125i M-Sport, Manual for 320k at the beginning of this year with 25000km's on the clock so I think for an example at 220k with 75000kms and still maintainance plan isnt bad at all...

As far as the comments on the engine goes, i drive a 330i, and it was really disappointing when I drove her 125i, it felt dead, and left me with the same feeling as when i test drove the 120i. No response from the throttle, well not enough, and just no oomph... it climbs steadily up the rev range, but no obvious power range kicks in. It just felt like from a 3.0L engine, BMW was holding back, felt like she couldnt breath!! Aaah i get so frustrated just talking about it...

Good little fun car nonetheless. It is a BMW coupe after all.

---

For the price you can get an older 135i with the same km. Worth a look.

Also, why not try the dark side - 120d coupe - what a car!

And +1 on the manual. The 1 coupe is bought for driving fun, not for interior quality, size, etc.

But all of those spanners aside - 125i is awesome!

MrCloc,

The difference here is that the 135i would be out of plan, or just about running out of plan, and the 125i still with a few years left...

I cant comment on the reliability and risk of a 135i out of motorplan, but i can only imagine its fliiiippppen expensive to maintain, and/or if something breaks, you gonna cry...

 

[ASH]

Thanks for the feedback, yep I did pick up a bit of restrain on it when I drove it, felt restricted by the ECU, and can deliver more and doesn't really breathe fully like the 330i motor even though both are 3L. Like I said its mostly for the wife and therefore how fast it is, isn't a concern.

:thumbs:

Hi guys

Been looking at a changing the 325i coupe, seen a white 2011 125i Auto Coupe M-Sport with 71000km retailing for R249K, I qualify for
discounted pricing so probably looking at R215K-R225K if I purchase.

Has not much optional features, just stock 18"s rims, sunroof, PDC rear, paddle shift, hands-free & smash & grab tint.

Always liked the car, only down side I can see is the lack of electronic climate control, and the cheap plastic on the front console where the aircon controls are (this is a 1series after all) and rear leg room.

I drove it and it gave me a good feel, ticks all the right boxes driving wise, look its no 135i rocket, but I'm happy with what it offers. I'm not going to be driving everyday, as it is mostly for my wife.

I will miss the 325i and its creature comforts though........

Some questions:-

Are there any issues with this model? Does the pricing of between R215K-R225K look acceptable or excessive? Is there any difference in fuel consumption between the 125i and 325i, I know the 125i has a 3.0L engine and the 325i E92 a 2.5L engine, although the 125i is slightly lighter than the 325.

Any feedback will be welcomed?

Hey dude,

I think that is a good price, my mother bought a white 2011 125i M-Sport, Manual for 320k at the beginning of this year with 25000km's on the clock so I think for an example at 220k with 75000kms and still maintainance plan isnt bad at all...

As far as the comments on the engine goes, i drive a 330i, and it was really disappointing when I drove her 125i, it felt dead, and left me with the same feeling as when i test drove the 120i. No response from the throttle, well not enough, and just no oomph... it climbs steadily up the rev range, but no obvious power range kicks in. It just felt like from a 3.0L engine, BMW was holding back, felt like she couldnt breath!! Aaah i get so frustrated just talking about it...

Good little fun car nonetheless. It is a BMW coupe after all.

---

For the price you can get an older 135i with the same km. Worth a look.

Also, why not try the dark side - 120d coupe - what a car!

And +1 on the manual. The 1 coupe is bought for driving fun, not for interior quality, size, etc.

But all of those spanners aside - 125i is awesome!

MrCloc,

The difference here is that the 135i would be out of plan, or just about running out of plan, and the 125i still with a few years left...

I cant comment on the reliability and risk of a 135i out of motorplan, but i can only imagine its fliiiippppen expensive to maintain, and/or if something breaks, you gonna cry...

---

---

Yeah, that's exactly what I'm trying to avoid.....I could hunt for a 135i, I'll probably find one with high mileage and near end of
plan, will enjoy for a year and then sweat when it is out off plan.

Out of plan I'd take my chances on tried and tested n/a straight 6 power. 325i given me good reliability since I bought it, & that was
out of plan on 101 000km now on 147 000kms.

 

[Xeqtr]

Out of plan I'd take my chances on tried and tested n/a straight 6 power. 325i given me good reliability since I bought it, & that was
out of plan on 101 000km now on 147 000kms.

Yeah i think the 3.0L in the 125i doesnt breathe as well as the 330i because of the intake manifold difference and some other small things i cant quite remember, although if it had my 330i motor in it, it would be incredible in that little light thing... prob too close to the 135i thats why they limited it hahaha. (135i guys gonna flame me)

I have been out of plan on my 330i ever since i bought her, and I maintain my car meticulously, I even forced BMW to service her early her last service just cause i wanted her serviced hahaha.

I think any BMW, N/A or Forced induction, if maintained well, and looked after, will last forever. The mentality we have with the high performance turbo charged BMW's and //M's, is that we would rather assume that the previous owner thrashed it without warm up and cool down and skipped on the maintenance etc... In a way its a good thing, but BMW's these days throw warning signals and fancy lights when services etc are due. So I would think/hope that the previous owner maintained the car as required.

I would love a 135i, I cant afford new, that's just mental money for me right now, but if i did get a used one, the turbos would be sent in for a refurb straight away, and I would replace all piping, and gaskets with shiny new ones... with the intentions of possibly forging the motor farther down the line, although that might be overkill.:joy:

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

The 125i is a fantastic car. The 6 cylinder soundtrack is better than that on the 135i (I have had both so I can attest to it). The 3.0l motor isnt a slouch but it isnt quick either.
I took a e90 330i on and he could only get maybe a car ahead of me to 160 or so.
The fuel consumption on my N55 135i though is about the same, if not lower than in the 125i. I used to average about +-12l/100kms on that car. I was so chuffed when I went on a Midnight run I saw 11.3l/100km's that I even took a pic. Little did I know that I could achieve better consumption with my 135i up here.
I would also go manual as the auto box is a bit sluggish with that car, even though I had the paddleshift etc.
All in all its a great car with an addictive soundtrack. I wish it had the 190kw of the 130i though, would have made it just that much better.

 

[Xeqtr]

The 125i is a fantastic car. The 6 cylinder soundtrack is better than that on the 135i (I have had both so I can attest to it). The 3.0l motor isnt a slouch but it isnt quick either.
I took a e90 330i on and he could only get maybe a car ahead of me to 160 or so.
The fuel consumption on my N55 135i though is about the same, if not lower than in the 125i. I used to average about +-12l/100kms on that car. I was so chuffed when I went on a Midnight run I saw 11.3l/100km's that I even took a pic. Little did I know that I could achieve better consumption with my 135i up here.
I would also go manual as the auto box is a bit sluggish with that car, even though I had the paddleshift etc.
All in all its a great car with an addictive soundtrack. I wish it had the 190kw of the 130i though, would have made it just that much better.

I agree with you it isnt much slower than the 330i, but because it lacks that oomph, it feels so much slower. I love it though i really do!

I like to take the 125i out for a drive when im in the mood for a chilled cruise...

 

[ASH]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

:bravo:

 

[notionza]

Just beware of 120D's. Got my ass handed to me by one while I was in the 125. :flyfun:

 

[Nikhil]

Just beware of 120D's. Got my ass handed to me by one while I was in the 125. :flyfun:

its because you dont have Jb4 in the 125 :fencelook: