130i - what would you do?
Discussion
Morning all, I’ve owned a 130i m sport for around 17 years. It’s one of those cars I thought I’d never get rid of, but this last year it’s proved problematic in one unlikely area; headlights.
In a nutshell, I need a new one and it’s proving very tricky. I won’t go into it too much here but essentially it seems the bi xenon on the pre LCI was only available for a very short time period before the active headlight came in (which can’t be retrofitted without loom changes) and xenon’s were themselves an option which most didn’t order. They’re like hens teeth. Took me ages to track one down and that turned out to be a dud, so I don’t really want to go down that road again.
So, my options seems to be as follows:
1) WBAC (headlight currently working but for how long…)
2) Sell privately being honest with issue / spares or repairs
3) Stick it under a car cover in the too hard for now pile (don’t really have the room)
I’m gutted as I think it’s probably one of the better 130is out there (baring the headlight issue) - just 77k miles with FSH.
The car’s since been replaced and it doesn’t really owe me anything, but nevertheless a fabulous car scuppered by a headlight makes me a little sad.
So, what would you do?
In a nutshell, I need a new one and it’s proving very tricky. I won’t go into it too much here but essentially it seems the bi xenon on the pre LCI was only available for a very short time period before the active headlight came in (which can’t be retrofitted without loom changes) and xenon’s were themselves an option which most didn’t order. They’re like hens teeth. Took me ages to track one down and that turned out to be a dud, so I don’t really want to go down that road again.
So, my options seems to be as follows:
1) WBAC (headlight currently working but for how long…)
2) Sell privately being honest with issue / spares or repairs
3) Stick it under a car cover in the too hard for now pile (don’t really have the room)
I’m gutted as I think it’s probably one of the better 130is out there (baring the headlight issue) - just 77k miles with FSH.
The car’s since been replaced and it doesn’t really owe me anything, but nevertheless a fabulous car scuppered by a headlight makes me a little sad.
So, what would you do?
I loved my 130i LE for the short period I owned it and then had to sell it on...
IMO keep it; fix it and keep enjoying it - you'll regret selling it
Keep an eye on eBay for the parts; maybe contact Cotswolds BMW / Douglas Park BMW for quotes and see what they'll charge; and maybe research to see who's out there that could potentially fix/upgrade them for you
IMO keep it; fix it and keep enjoying it - you'll regret selling it
Keep an eye on eBay for the parts; maybe contact Cotswolds BMW / Douglas Park BMW for quotes and see what they'll charge; and maybe research to see who's out there that could potentially fix/upgrade them for you
Move it on. It's been replaced, lack of use will just lead to more challenges with NLA parts which is becoming common for this era
You've had your fun, now WBAC/motorway, maybe can get a couple of thousand
Look at it the other way, how much will you pay for the next MOT? Or does it become a headache paperweight
You've had your fun, now WBAC/motorway, maybe can get a couple of thousand
Look at it the other way, how much will you pay for the next MOT? Or does it become a headache paperweight
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