Should I buy this WBC 135i?

E

ecKARd

///Member
Hi everyone,

I'm playing with the idea of getting a 35i and came across this uhm "bargain" at WBC : Cheap 135i

Now I know buying a WBC is always gonna be a risk, and I'm fine taking on a project and making a financial mistake, but I don't want to lose ALL my money!

Any input on this specific car? Especially regarding the diagnostics report? And unknown service history?

Thanks!
 
R!Yo

R!Yo

Staff - Social Media
Staff member
I'm sure you're aware this is an N54? So, if you do have the mental health to take this on, knowingly, I'd say go for it! (Just kidding about the mental health :ROFLMAO:)

Have the VIN run at BMW (Vash at BMW Midrand will assist) - this might not give you much info or might give you plenty.

Also check out the Dekra report, it's not exactly a wealth of info but the basics are there. i.e. they picked up an oil leak / sweat on the engine / gearbox.

6MT is a nice option too! If you do take the plunge, Good luck!
 
E

ecKARd

///Member
Thanks! I was more hoping for a "enjoy!" rather than a "good luck" 😅

Quickly went to have a look at the car. Well due for a service! Absolutely everything! The pads are down to the metal an the rear, making nice groves in the disc as well!

Biggest concern was a tic on cold start, went away after about 3min of idle. And a high frequency rattle on the driver side in the engine bay. Either injectors or perhaps the WG? Will need a pro to have a look with me before I can commit.

On the other hand, take it for R120k, spend the 30-40k on all the N54 must do's and have a sorted car for R160k? Instead of buying a R170k car and still possibly have to do work.
 
Riaad

Riaad

Events Organiser
ecKARd said:
On the other hand, take it for R120k, spend the 30-40k on all the N54 must do's and have a sorted car for R160k? Instead of buying a R170k car and still possibly have to do work.
Click to expand...
30k is basically annual maintenance cost on a n54 :ROFLMAO: ...Rather pay more and get something with some sort of maintenance record...otherwise the N54 tax will be real!
 
tman

tman

Well-known member
ecKARd said:
Thanks! I was more hoping for a "enjoy!" rather than a "good luck"

Quickly went to have a look at the car. Well due for a service! Absolutely everything! The pads are down to the metal an the rear, making nice groves in the disc as well!

Biggest concern was a tic on cold start, went away after about 3min of idle. And a high frequency rattle on the driver side in the engine bay. Either injectors or perhaps the WG? Will need a pro to have a look with me before I can commit.

On the other hand, take it for R120k, spend the 30-40k on all the N54 must do's and have a sorted car for R160k? Instead of buying a R170k car and still possibly have to do work.
Click to expand...
R40k?

What are you planning to do? A minor service?

Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk
 
TMP TOYS

TMP TOYS

///Member
ecKARd said:
Thanks! I was more hoping for a "enjoy!" rather than a "good luck"

Quickly went to have a look at the car. Well due for a service! Absolutely everything! The pads are down to the metal an the rear, making nice groves in the disc as well!

Biggest concern was a tic on cold start, went away after about 3min of idle. And a high frequency rattle on the driver side in the engine bay. Either injectors or perhaps the WG? Will need a pro to have a look with me before I can commit.

On the other hand, take it for R120k, spend the 30-40k on all the N54 must do's and have a sorted car for R160k? Instead of buying a R170k car and still possibly have to do work.
Click to expand...

Also, if if everything at face value is down to minimum, imagine what else is due for service/repairs behind the scenes.

Walk away and look for a cleaner example.
 
KPM3_30

KPM3_30

Moderator
Staff member
You would need to acquaint yourself with N54 maintenance before diving in.

Just some of the normal issues will set you back an easy R80k+, imagine how much more for hidden gremlins....
 
TurboLlew

TurboLlew

Honorary ///Member
Ahhh if I had R5 for every person who saw a WBC car and then did that rationalisation of "just buy it + Rxxx = sorted car". If this car was one of those candidates, it wouldn't be on the floor (and the better ones don't even make it onto the floor, going to dealers directly)

The current owner of my F10 M5 bought one from WBC... ended up selling it as-is and paying a huge premium for mine... The community (in its extended form beyond this forum) is awash with similar stories.

SOOOO don't do it IMHO! There are great 135s and manuals that do come up for sale. One of the fanatics recently sold one for a song by comparison! (You could have gotten a clean 6MT car for exactly your equation above). Ironically that car didn't sell particularly quickly because of N54 fear alone. I would factor that in as well. A neglected N54/x35 is as bad if not worse than a neglected M in terms of the financial nightmare that could unfold.
 
TBP88

TBP88

Well-known member
I honestly don't get the hype. Save a few bucks, get a 125i, do the basic mods. Sure you won't have 500+ hp like a 135i does, but it looks the same, can have plenty of power (probably 300hp levels is doable) and is far, far cheaper... (plus NA>* :p)
 
maleven-GP

maleven-GP

Well-known member
TBP88 said:
I honestly don't get the hype. Save a few bucks, get a 125i, do the basic mods. Sure you won't have 500+ hp like a 135i does, but it looks the same, can have plenty of power (probably 300hp levels is doable) and is far, far cheaper... (plus NA>* :p)
Click to expand...

Sold 335i N54 in 2021, bought e88 125i couldn't be happier.. Not as fast, but I daily a 330d 🤷🏽‍♂️🤣
 
M

Mr Bavaria

Member
Howzit

I bought my X5 F15 30d through we buy cars.
Before I signed I made them take the car to Ross Ducan for a thorough inspection...based on his inspection etc I was happy to proceed.

Speak to your salesman and see if he is willing to take the car to a mechanic that you trust.

Unfortunately a lot of guys are going to we buy cars because dealers are ripping us off and that's a fact.

When I was shopping for my X5 we buy cars had an extremely clean X5 competition for about 700k....about two weeks later saw the exact same car at a dealership in Sandton for 900k....don't know how the dealer in question can justify a 200k markup.

Back to the topic at hand...happy hunting for the 135i....also look at the cabin...steering wheel,buttons,seats etc...says a lot in terms of how the car was looked after...after all you can find a low mileage 135i that is rotten compared to a high mileage 135i.
 
R!Yo

R!Yo

Staff - Social Media
Staff member
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