E87 130i - buying advice / service questions

[DanDanDaan]

Hi all,

I am going to look at an '06 130i in the next few days - sub 60k miles but the service history seems very patchy.

break down is -

2009 - 25k - Oil, micro-filter.

2010 - 38k - Oil, micro-filter, spark plugs.

2012 - 53k - Brake fluid, oil, micro-filter.

This doesn't seem like a lot, but having read up all I can about 'conditional servicing' I am now very confused.

Are there likely to be big problems arising from the sparse servicing or will it be fine if I just insist on 12 months MOT and the oil and micro-filter being sorted?

Thanks for any help.

[Gruber]

I'd be put off by 25k / 3yrs before first service.

Buy this one instead - it was mine, it drives well, has a genuine FSH and the chaps selling it are great.

http://www.birdsgarage.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-1-serie...

[bracken78]

What is the gap between the first service and when the car was first registered?

[DanDanDaan]

First registered 02/2006
First service is 01/2009,
- nearly a three year gap, which confuses me massively. If it was leased or PCP etc then surely the terms would include having it serviced according to manufacturer? Otherwise someone has paid around 28-30k for a car and ignored servicing.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Check with BMW to see if there's a service that's been done but not recorded?

They don't need much servicing though tbh, although I would've expected at least an oil service in the 1st 3 years. If the car's in good condition though I wouldn't be too worried.

Our 120D was bought at 55k 3 years ago and has done 30k since with only the odd service item.

[DanDanDaan]

Rang the number - £1 for them to tell me no one is available to take my call. I'll try later and hope for a result.

[DavidLScott]

Mine was in the dealers every few months because of the stupid servicing schedule on the 264bhp engines.
Once one bit was serviced, another light lit up.
It seems there are different periods for every component and it drove me mad.
I would have thought there would have been a lot more services after the first service, which could possibly be correct but the later ones look like they may have doubled up if another one was imminent. You can see what is due in the computer display and that might give an idea.

I have now got a good old 231bhp 3.0 that only needs services every 15k ish.

PS The 130 is a fantastic car though - had mine for 4 years and about 20k miles.

[ginger steve]

I would hold out and get one with FSH. As stated they do have a frustrating amount of minor service intervals and as such I can imagine people consider missing out on a few. Purchased one for my partner earlier in the year and it's a good car in a lazy cruiser sort of way.

I wouldn't be looking at paying more than £7.5k for a mint 07 with 60k miles and FSH.

[driver67]

ginger steve said:

I would hold out and get one with FSH. As stated they do have a frustrating amount of minor service intervals and as such I can imagine people consider missing out on a few. Purchased one for my partner earlier in the year and it's a good car in a lazy cruiser sort of way.

I wouldn't be looking at paying more than £7.5k for a mint 07 with 60k miles and FSH.

Lol, Lazy cruiser. First time i've heard a 130i described in such a way

OP, stick your question on babybmw.net

[DavidLScott]

And I would suggest Ginger Steve doesn't say that on babybmw.net.
Not sure where you get the 'lazy cruiser' idea from as it is a pretty rapid car but it depends how you drive it I suppose.

[nickfrog]

A rapid car can be a lazy cruiser too sometimes. And I totally agree the 130i can be exactly that if one prefers to rely on its glorious throttle response and impossibly wide rev range.