My other half’s new daily; E88 BMW 125i cabriolet
Discussion
Having had a very uneventful 18 months with the cheapy 116, with enough nagging I managed to wear my other half down into swapping her car for another one, but this time with a proper engine. Initially I was focussed in a 130i, but there were limited pickings in budget. There was an E81 that had a good spec but needed some love (lacquer peel, bumper scuff and all wheels needed a refurb) but I missed out whilst fanning about. With limited 130’s knocking about, I started to include 125i’s in the search.
A little grey cab popped up and looked clean and got both of our attention. Being so different to her 116i it made it an easier sell (the idea of swapping a hatch for another hatch was a bit lost on her). It was for sale through a small dealer who has picked it up from an elderly neighbour (I thought was salesman flannel, but am not so sure now....). I arranged to see it before New Year’s Eve, but snow out any end to it. It was minus 4 where the car was and still covered in snow so not ideal conditions to check on a cab and make sure the roof is working etc.
Then lockdown 3.0 arrived....joy. After lots of pictures, a video and various conversations a deal was struck and I decided to take a punt and click and collect the car with the proviso of a refund if it was a turd. The MOT history was good and there were no hidden horrors on V Check.
It’s a 2009 125i M Sport in grey, black leather 82k on the clock and some Ok options; cruise, heated seats, folding mirrors, Bluetooth, auto dimming rear view mirror and a few other odds and sods. No xenons though.
We went to collect it last night, from the chaps house with the keys left in a plant pot!
It looked well enough when we arrived.
The drive home was uneventful; it didn’t break down or explode into a ball of flames.
I took it out for a drive this morning and the alignment is out (seller will pay for it) but other than a few rattles and creaks from the roof it seems fine. It’s not fast (a trip to P Toqrue is on the cards) but it sounds lovely, really nice and it’s smooth. I’ve not driven a car with run flats for nearly five years; my god they’re s
t. Awful things.
Took a few pictures whilst out today sorting the tax
Going back to my previous comments about the guy selling the car telling me that it was owner by an old chap as his last hurrah before giving up his license. I didn’t believe him at first, but when I tried to tax the car online it was exempt due to previously being registered someone with a blue badge. And then when I was rummaging around in the boot, I found a pack of tenna for men! So perhaps he was. Tax sorted at the post office.
Got home and made a mental list of stuff to do:
Steal some parts from the 116 (black grilles, red starter button, M Performance gear knob and gaitor).
Then tackle a few jobs;
Remove the old dealer sticker from the rear window
Fiddle with the bonnet bump stops because it was sitting a bit low
Fix the dash trim; the finish / cover has come away from the back piece
Fit the bits from the 116
Clean it; stuff like rage fuel filler was hanging
Debadge
Worn M Sport gear knob
Replaced with the M Performance one
I also swapped over the hand brake handles and gaiters too because I fitted a nice new one to the 116 when we got it.
It needs a proper detail, but it was cold and time wasn’t on my side so. I sprayed it with some fall out remover to remove the worst of the crap.
It was then washed and dried and given a coat of Sonax BSD. Scrubs up pretty well
It’s not perfect, but it’s nearly 12 years old. There are two slight parking dings which I’ll sort and a few scratches most of which will look better if not disappear with a machine polish.
Plans are...
Alignment (hopefully in the next few days)
New tyres when we sell the 116. Run flats are awful. I’m hoping it’ll ride a bit better.
Proper detail when the weather allows; clay, two stage paint correction, wax, proper roof clean and treatment
Wheel refurb (two have slight marks) others just look a bit old
New centre caps
Sort the exhaust trip (they’re minging....I’ll try some metal polish first)
Smooth air box lid to see if it makes a bit more noise
Fit a double din screen at some point for CarPlay (the factory Bluetooth feels, well old. Really old).
Fit the alcantara whee from the 116 (need to buy a new steering wheel trim)
Today didn’t go entirely to plan....I’ve managed to lick the fuel filler flap whilst cleaning it and now I can’t get in. I’m hoping that the little green pull cord will save me.
A little grey cab popped up and looked clean and got both of our attention. Being so different to her 116i it made it an easier sell (the idea of swapping a hatch for another hatch was a bit lost on her). It was for sale through a small dealer who has picked it up from an elderly neighbour (I thought was salesman flannel, but am not so sure now....). I arranged to see it before New Year’s Eve, but snow out any end to it. It was minus 4 where the car was and still covered in snow so not ideal conditions to check on a cab and make sure the roof is working etc.
Then lockdown 3.0 arrived....joy. After lots of pictures, a video and various conversations a deal was struck and I decided to take a punt and click and collect the car with the proviso of a refund if it was a turd. The MOT history was good and there were no hidden horrors on V Check.
It’s a 2009 125i M Sport in grey, black leather 82k on the clock and some Ok options; cruise, heated seats, folding mirrors, Bluetooth, auto dimming rear view mirror and a few other odds and sods. No xenons though.
We went to collect it last night, from the chaps house with the keys left in a plant pot!
It looked well enough when we arrived.
The drive home was uneventful; it didn’t break down or explode into a ball of flames.
I took it out for a drive this morning and the alignment is out (seller will pay for it) but other than a few rattles and creaks from the roof it seems fine. It’s not fast (a trip to P Toqrue is on the cards) but it sounds lovely, really nice and it’s smooth. I’ve not driven a car with run flats for nearly five years; my god they’re s
t. Awful things.Took a few pictures whilst out today sorting the tax
Going back to my previous comments about the guy selling the car telling me that it was owner by an old chap as his last hurrah before giving up his license. I didn’t believe him at first, but when I tried to tax the car online it was exempt due to previously being registered someone with a blue badge. And then when I was rummaging around in the boot, I found a pack of tenna for men! So perhaps he was. Tax sorted at the post office.
Got home and made a mental list of stuff to do:
Steal some parts from the 116 (black grilles, red starter button, M Performance gear knob and gaitor).
Then tackle a few jobs;
Remove the old dealer sticker from the rear window
Fiddle with the bonnet bump stops because it was sitting a bit low
Fix the dash trim; the finish / cover has come away from the back piece
Fit the bits from the 116
Clean it; stuff like rage fuel filler was hanging
Debadge
Worn M Sport gear knob
Replaced with the M Performance one
I also swapped over the hand brake handles and gaiters too because I fitted a nice new one to the 116 when we got it.
It needs a proper detail, but it was cold and time wasn’t on my side so. I sprayed it with some fall out remover to remove the worst of the crap.
It was then washed and dried and given a coat of Sonax BSD. Scrubs up pretty well
It’s not perfect, but it’s nearly 12 years old. There are two slight parking dings which I’ll sort and a few scratches most of which will look better if not disappear with a machine polish.
Plans are...
Alignment (hopefully in the next few days)
New tyres when we sell the 116. Run flats are awful. I’m hoping it’ll ride a bit better.
Proper detail when the weather allows; clay, two stage paint correction, wax, proper roof clean and treatment
Wheel refurb (two have slight marks) others just look a bit old
New centre caps
Sort the exhaust trip (they’re minging....I’ll try some metal polish first)
Smooth air box lid to see if it makes a bit more noise
Fit a double din screen at some point for CarPlay (the factory Bluetooth feels, well old. Really old).
Fit the alcantara whee from the 116 (need to buy a new steering wheel trim)
Today didn’t go entirely to plan....I’ve managed to lick the fuel filler flap whilst cleaning it and now I can’t get in. I’m hoping that the little green pull cord will save me.
Brett748 said:
I had a job as a trade plate drive when I was on furlough and drove a 118i convertible. The engine was crap but it drove absolutely brilliantly, with a six cylinder it must be a great car.
It’ll be nicer to drive when the alignment is down and the run flats are off. It feels like they’re filled with concrete. 
I’ve forgotten how bad they can be on our crappy roads. fastbikes76 said:
Cracking little car that, I’m sure you will be fettling away constantly as if it were yours, something all us blokes seem guilty of ! 
Thanks. It’s a lovely engine the N52 (even in detuned form). I’ve been daft enough to drop the roof a couple of times (tad chilly
). Definitely need to track down a wind deflector. She’s made up with it which is brilliant. Will hopefully buy me a bit of time if anything goes wrong in the short term. Fingers crossed nothing more than me locking the filler flap!
Looks a tidy example OP. Currently running the winter tyres on my 130i which are runflats and there's no way I could put up with them all year round!
I'm sure a set of proper tyres will transform the way it drives straight away - awful decision by BMW to supply runflats from new, with the 6-pot models especially IMO.
I'm sure a set of proper tyres will transform the way it drives straight away - awful decision by BMW to supply runflats from new, with the 6-pot models especially IMO.
I took the tailpipes off my 125i to polish them up - they are a bit weird - sort of half polished half satin coating - solvol and a buffing pad went straight thro to copper so I painted them gloss black instead
Nice little cab - will ride much better when the run craps have gone - mine certainly did
Following
Nice little cab - will ride much better when the run craps have gone - mine certainly did
Following
Max M4X WW said:
Really like these, good colour and the correct wheels too.
The black grilles though.. I think they were better suited to the 116i
Ha ha, I know black grilles are not the done thing on PH, but I have a massive hatred of chrome on cars.The black grilles though.. I think they were better suited to the 116i
The wheels are lovely and as a cleaning nerd, they’re brilliant because there’s not much to them. Loads easier to clean than the wheels on my M140i.
Court_S said:
I’ve been daft enough to drop the roof a couple of times (tad chilly
). Definitely need to track down a wind deflector. Am I allowed to say I still have a wind deflector in carry case if you are interested?
XR said:
Court_S said:
I’ve been daft enough to drop the roof a couple of times (tad chilly
). Definitely need to track down a wind deflector. Am I allowed to say I still have a wind deflector in carry case if you are interested?
Can you drop me a line please re the deflector. You’re account doesn’t allow them. Cheers
Cheers for the comments chaps.
It looks like the battery is poorly. The car is a tad slow to start sometimes and I’ve now had the yellow battery light on twice whilst fiddling with it whilst the ignition is on. I accessed the hidden menu to check the voltage and it’s showing 11.8. It forgot the time on Saturday too.
New AGM battery ordered from Tayna which will be here tomorrow. A genuine BMW was £165 delivered from Cotswold, but I’ve bought an Exide one for £98 delivered. I’ll get that fitted tomorrow and registered to the car and will then keep an eye on it. If the slow starting contained I’ll check the engine ground and then failing that it’s a new starter motor. I’m hoping is the battery, it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s died having been sat for a wee while plus the car has done a fair few short trips.
Today, I battled with the bulbs....1985 called and wanted their crappy yellow halogens back. I fitted some Osram Night Breaker laser bulbs to the dipped and main beam and swapped over the side lights too.
Whilst remixing the air box for access, I fitted my Mishimoto intake pipe too.
I’ll pop out in it later today to see if it sounds much different. It want that expensive with an eBay discount code.
Once the battery is sorted (hopefully) I’ll do a bit of coding with Carly. We both miss the digital speedo, so I’ll add that and change the key to eject with a long push of the button etc.
The new steering wheel trim for the wheel from the 116 will be here this week, so I’ll get the alcantara wheel fitted to the 125i over the coming days.
It’s booked in for an alignment on Wednesday. As soon as the updated V5 arrives for the old car having removed her private plate, I’ll get the 116 advertised and as soon as that sells, I’ll get some new tyres for this.
It looks like the battery is poorly. The car is a tad slow to start sometimes and I’ve now had the yellow battery light on twice whilst fiddling with it whilst the ignition is on. I accessed the hidden menu to check the voltage and it’s showing 11.8. It forgot the time on Saturday too.
New AGM battery ordered from Tayna which will be here tomorrow. A genuine BMW was £165 delivered from Cotswold, but I’ve bought an Exide one for £98 delivered. I’ll get that fitted tomorrow and registered to the car and will then keep an eye on it. If the slow starting contained I’ll check the engine ground and then failing that it’s a new starter motor. I’m hoping is the battery, it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s died having been sat for a wee while plus the car has done a fair few short trips.
Today, I battled with the bulbs....1985 called and wanted their crappy yellow halogens back. I fitted some Osram Night Breaker laser bulbs to the dipped and main beam and swapped over the side lights too.
Whilst remixing the air box for access, I fitted my Mishimoto intake pipe too.
I’ll pop out in it later today to see if it sounds much different. It want that expensive with an eBay discount code.
Once the battery is sorted (hopefully) I’ll do a bit of coding with Carly. We both miss the digital speedo, so I’ll add that and change the key to eject with a long push of the button etc.
The new steering wheel trim for the wheel from the 116 will be here this week, so I’ll get the alcantara wheel fitted to the 125i over the coming days.
It’s booked in for an alignment on Wednesday. As soon as the updated V5 arrives for the old car having removed her private plate, I’ll get the 116 advertised and as soon as that sells, I’ll get some new tyres for this.
Court_S said:
Whilst remixing the air box for access, I fitted my Mishimoto intake pipe too.
I’ll pop out in it later today to see if it sounds much different. It want that expensive with an eBay discount code.
I fitted one of those on my 125iI’ll pop out in it later today to see if it sounds much different. It want that expensive with an eBay discount code.
There is a very slight but subtle difference inside the car - you get a slight increase in howl/induction sound after 3000 rpm
However Mrs BC's finely tuned ears noticed the difference outside the car when I picked her up from work just after fitting it
(There is a nice straight road for the last bit leading to her workplace and I normally buzz it a little - she was waiting outside) She said it sounded different/nice and what had I done to it - I just said resonator delete and that was enough for her not to ask any more after all that means part removed not part replaced B'stard Child said:
I fitted one of those on my 125i
There is a very slight but subtle difference inside the car - you get a slight increase in howl/induction sound after 3000 rpm
However Mrs BC's finely tuned ears noticed the difference outside the car when I picked her up from work just after fitting it (There is a nice straight road for the last bit leading to her workplace and I normally buzz it a little - she was waiting outside) She said it sounded different/nice and what had I done to it - I just said resonator delete and that was enough for her not to ask any more after all that means part removed not part replaced
Hopefully we’ll get more of that noise with the roof down! For less than £40, it can’t hurt and didn’t really take me much longer when I was removing the airbox to fit the bulbs.There is a very slight but subtle difference inside the car - you get a slight increase in howl/induction sound after 3000 rpm
However Mrs BC's finely tuned ears noticed the difference outside the car when I picked her up from work just after fitting it
(There is a nice straight road for the last bit leading to her workplace and I normally buzz it a little - she was waiting outside) She said it sounded different/nice and what had I done to it - I just said resonator delete and that was enough for her not to ask any more after all that means part removed not part replaced Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff