2013 BMW 125i 6 on the floor (N52)
Discussion
Introduction
I don't normally do "Readers Cars" threads on my cars - I tend to do a "tell me about" thread in a relevant section then an ownership thread after it in the same section.
I don't change cars very often and the last time I part ex'd a car was back in 1994 - I tend to buy a car and keep it and if I need or want something different I buy another car - current fleet is 7 cars right now (I won't mention the 4 motorcycles)
So back to topic
The story started back in January "her" SLK230 decided to develop a fault where it braked one of the wheels in a corner without driver intervention - it was no longer "fun" to drive. The thread on the SLK is Here - Clicky
I needed something quickly as a daily driver and cutting a long story short I ended up with a Skoda Rapid 1.2 TSi in a great spec (from my perspective) thread Here - Clicky
The idea around the Skoda was to buy something sensible - low VED - good on fuel to offset my fuel, tyre and maintenance costs on the classic car - and it wasn't a diesel (I don't like them - sorry - I just don't) - you could say it was a "mid life crisis" car for someone who already had a classic car, a V8 barge, a 2 seat convertible and various silly track/restoration project cars in the garage.
I think this a classic right?
The Skoda was a fantastic little car - great on fuel - comfy for me - well equipped and I really liked it, best of all it was white and didn't look dirty unless you used it for rallycross - I've too many black or dark coloured cars and to be back in a self cleaning white one was wonderful.............
Downside was Mrs BC hated it - when I say hate I mean really really hated it - to her it seemed like the person she'd been living with for 28 years had suddenly turned into someone else - I honestly thought for a while that our relationship had broken down over a car. Aside from the fact it was white, a Skoda and sounded pants she apparently could not get comfortable in it - the seat squab cut off the circulation in her legs - the head rest was fixed and in the wrong place and she fidgeted every 30 secs on every journey and the whining from that side of the car was dreadful. She then complained for days after that her back hurt and it was the bloody cars fault.
The number of emails she sent me (in the 6 mths I had the skoda) with links to alternative cars that she liked was horrific - I actually marked her email address as spam to stop her clogging up my inbox.
We had a lot of long chats around the "skoda issue" and after 6 mths I finally cracked under the pressure and started looking for a replacement.
Mrs BC was absolutely clear on her requirements - It had to be black with black leather - it had to be "not a Skoda" - it had to have a nice sound (so needs to be a six pot) and not be sensible - apparently I can have a "sensible" car when I'm retired.
So what to look for - I have always liked the "hot wash" 1 series coupe so I started looking for a 135i in coupe flavour - I'm not scared of miles and I do all my own maintenance so running costs are kept low compared to dealer servicing - I prefer a 1 owner car and I'd like no sunroof, factory nav if possible and it must be manual but I can compromise on what I want but it has to meet Mrs BC's requirements.
After a month or so of looking and travelling round to view various 135i's I got very frustrated - lots of 4,5 & 6 owner cars with seats that have been chewed by a dog and patchy service history - I did find one that was really nice and had 3 owners but the dealership wasn't interested in the Skoda as a part ex and suggested WBAC - that gave me a shock - I was gonna lose a few grand on this change.......
So 135i coupes were hard to find in condition that meets my requirements - I cast my net a little wider and started looking at 125i coupes and here it actually became harder - most of the 125i's didn't come with full leather.
Finally a couple of weekends ago I found one that seemed to fit the criteria and after speaking to the dealership on the Saturday (Mrs BC was working) I arranged to go and see it on the Sunday
Got down quite late on Sunday afternoon there it was
Interior
So late 2012 build, registered 2013, black with black leather, no sunroof, Factory Nav - PDC on the rear, 1 Owner and 58K miles with Full BMW service history.
I looked round it whilst Mrs BC sat in the passenger seat - 20 mins of inspection and I was happy it was a straight clean and nice example - Mrs BC declared the seats to be comfortable and I should buy it
The decision was confirmed after a test drive where Mrs BC stayed at the dealers (she wanted to hear what it sounded like as I drove it out on the test drive) It got approval for "sound"
So having agreed a price for the Skoda that hurt (a lot) and agreed a date to exchange on the 2nd Aug all I needed to do was Bank transfer the balance - sort out insurance cover and VED during last week.
And her she is parked on the drive
The journey home was bliss - the passenger side occupant didn't move at all and the silence was wonderful
So what next
I need to get a bit of paint done as getting it out of the forecourt position the garage driver managed to scrape the front on a white Audi and paint transfer was the wrong way - rather than drive back to get it repaired we came to a compromise on the prices and I'll get it done locally - there is one tiny dent on the drivers side rear wheel arch so I'll get that done at the same time.
It needs a good claybar and polish followed by a decent coat of wax
It has a mixture of 3 different tyres on 4 wheels - all runflats at various states of wear so they are getting removed and a set of non run flats will go on
The wheels aren't kerbed but there is some paint bubbling around the centre caps so they might get a refurb while the tyres are off - not keen on the silver - might go for a gun metal colour.
And lastly at 218 bhp from a 3000 cc 24V N52 engine - the performance is flat as a witches tit after 5000 rpm so that "issue" needs to be corrected
I don't normally do "Readers Cars" threads on my cars - I tend to do a "tell me about" thread in a relevant section then an ownership thread after it in the same section.
I don't change cars very often and the last time I part ex'd a car was back in 1994 - I tend to buy a car and keep it and if I need or want something different I buy another car - current fleet is 7 cars right now (I won't mention the 4 motorcycles)
So back to topic
The story started back in January "her" SLK230 decided to develop a fault where it braked one of the wheels in a corner without driver intervention - it was no longer "fun" to drive. The thread on the SLK is Here - Clicky
I needed something quickly as a daily driver and cutting a long story short I ended up with a Skoda Rapid 1.2 TSi in a great spec (from my perspective) thread Here - Clicky
The idea around the Skoda was to buy something sensible - low VED - good on fuel to offset my fuel, tyre and maintenance costs on the classic car - and it wasn't a diesel (I don't like them - sorry - I just don't) - you could say it was a "mid life crisis" car for someone who already had a classic car, a V8 barge, a 2 seat convertible and various silly track/restoration project cars in the garage.
I think this a classic right?
The Skoda was a fantastic little car - great on fuel - comfy for me - well equipped and I really liked it, best of all it was white and didn't look dirty unless you used it for rallycross - I've too many black or dark coloured cars and to be back in a self cleaning white one was wonderful.............
Downside was Mrs BC hated it - when I say hate I mean really really hated it - to her it seemed like the person she'd been living with for 28 years had suddenly turned into someone else - I honestly thought for a while that our relationship had broken down over a car. Aside from the fact it was white, a Skoda and sounded pants she apparently could not get comfortable in it - the seat squab cut off the circulation in her legs - the head rest was fixed and in the wrong place and she fidgeted every 30 secs on every journey and the whining from that side of the car was dreadful. She then complained for days after that her back hurt and it was the bloody cars fault.
The number of emails she sent me (in the 6 mths I had the skoda) with links to alternative cars that she liked was horrific - I actually marked her email address as spam to stop her clogging up my inbox.
We had a lot of long chats around the "skoda issue" and after 6 mths I finally cracked under the pressure and started looking for a replacement.
Mrs BC was absolutely clear on her requirements - It had to be black with black leather - it had to be "not a Skoda" - it had to have a nice sound (so needs to be a six pot) and not be sensible - apparently I can have a "sensible" car when I'm retired.
So what to look for - I have always liked the "hot wash" 1 series coupe so I started looking for a 135i in coupe flavour - I'm not scared of miles and I do all my own maintenance so running costs are kept low compared to dealer servicing - I prefer a 1 owner car and I'd like no sunroof, factory nav if possible and it must be manual but I can compromise on what I want but it has to meet Mrs BC's requirements.
After a month or so of looking and travelling round to view various 135i's I got very frustrated - lots of 4,5 & 6 owner cars with seats that have been chewed by a dog and patchy service history - I did find one that was really nice and had 3 owners but the dealership wasn't interested in the Skoda as a part ex and suggested WBAC - that gave me a shock - I was gonna lose a few grand on this change.......
So 135i coupes were hard to find in condition that meets my requirements - I cast my net a little wider and started looking at 125i coupes and here it actually became harder - most of the 125i's didn't come with full leather.
Finally a couple of weekends ago I found one that seemed to fit the criteria and after speaking to the dealership on the Saturday (Mrs BC was working) I arranged to go and see it on the Sunday
Got down quite late on Sunday afternoon there it was
Interior
So late 2012 build, registered 2013, black with black leather, no sunroof, Factory Nav - PDC on the rear, 1 Owner and 58K miles with Full BMW service history.
I looked round it whilst Mrs BC sat in the passenger seat - 20 mins of inspection and I was happy it was a straight clean and nice example - Mrs BC declared the seats to be comfortable and I should buy it
The decision was confirmed after a test drive where Mrs BC stayed at the dealers (she wanted to hear what it sounded like as I drove it out on the test drive) It got approval for "sound"
So having agreed a price for the Skoda that hurt (a lot) and agreed a date to exchange on the 2nd Aug all I needed to do was Bank transfer the balance - sort out insurance cover and VED during last week.
And her she is parked on the drive
The journey home was bliss - the passenger side occupant didn't move at all and the silence was wonderful
So what next
I need to get a bit of paint done as getting it out of the forecourt position the garage driver managed to scrape the front on a white Audi and paint transfer was the wrong way - rather than drive back to get it repaired we came to a compromise on the prices and I'll get it done locally - there is one tiny dent on the drivers side rear wheel arch so I'll get that done at the same time.
It needs a good claybar and polish followed by a decent coat of wax
It has a mixture of 3 different tyres on 4 wheels - all runflats at various states of wear so they are getting removed and a set of non run flats will go on
The wheels aren't kerbed but there is some paint bubbling around the centre caps so they might get a refurb while the tyres are off - not keen on the silver - might go for a gun metal colour.
And lastly at 218 bhp from a 3000 cc 24V N52 engine - the performance is flat as a witches tit after 5000 rpm so that "issue" needs to be corrected
Looks good. 
Given these have an N52 it will sound good and the MPerformance exhaust and intake will really open the sound up further.
Given they’re detuned as standard, I’m sure I read that these remap extremely well too. Might have been Ecotune who I saw post about it, I’ll have a look.
Before: 204.5bhp and 205.7lbft
After: 265.9bhp and 243lbft
It was posted by Ecotune and that was from just a remap.
Given these have an N52 it will sound good and the MPerformance exhaust and intake will really open the sound up further.
Given they’re detuned as standard, I’m sure I read that these remap extremely well too. Might have been Ecotune who I saw post about it, I’ll have a look.
- Edit*
Before: 204.5bhp and 205.7lbft
After: 265.9bhp and 243lbft
It was posted by Ecotune and that was from just a remap.
Edited by RS Grant on Sunday 4th August 13:03
RS Grant said:
Looks good.
Given these have an N52 it will sound good and the MPerformance exhaust and intake will really open the sound up further.
Given they’re detuned as standard, I’m sure I read that these remap extremely well too. Might have been Ecotune who I saw post about it, I’ll have a look.
Before: 204.5bhp and 205.7lbft
After: 265.9bhp and 243lbft
It was posted by Ecotune and that was from just a remap.
Thank You - N52 was carried right up to 2013 on the coupe - wanted to avoid direct injection N53 Given these have an N52 it will sound good and the MPerformance exhaust and intake will really open the sound up further.
Given they’re detuned as standard, I’m sure I read that these remap extremely well too. Might have been Ecotune who I saw post about it, I’ll have a look.
- Edit*
Before: 204.5bhp and 205.7lbft
After: 265.9bhp and 243lbft
It was posted by Ecotune and that was from just a remap.
The picture - That's what I like to see a before and after on the same dyno - the before and after don't really matter - it's the difference that matters
Paul S4 said:
Very nice car....is that a cool 7 series lurking in the background....
Yep - "The Tug" (it's a fantastic tow car) 1999 4.4 V8 E38 in SWB non sport flavour 5 speed auto and black with black leather - owned it since 2006 when it replaced the last Senator 3.0 24V I'd owned.
Thread on it Here - Clicky
I don't tend to chop and change cars - just buy what I need for whatever purpose and keep them for what seems like forever
The LC I've owned since 2000
Edited by B'stard Child on Sunday 4th August 13:15
rm163603 said:
Congrats!
Thanksrm163603 said:
I'm a serial 1 series owner having had a 130i and now in a 135i coupe.
Yeah the 135i was the preferred choice but it was bloody hard to find a nice one I'm not keen on the looks of the hatch - so a 130i was out straight away but it will be nice if I can have 130i performance in a 125i Coupe
rm163603 said:
In some ways the n52 is nicer than the N54 twin turbo.
The throttle response is really nice.
It's seems really nice on initial impressions - I heard a lot of criticism of the steering but so far I can't fault itThe throttle response is really nice.
rm163603 said:
Definitely get those tyres swapped for non run flats, the ride will be much nicer.
Just researching replacement tyres now B'stard Child said:
Just researching replacement tyres now
I'm on Michelin pilot super sports (same wheels you have) I run 225 front and 245 rear. I believe they are the same as fitted to the m135i. I got the star rated BMW version but I don't think it matters much.
Front is a tad wider than standard as I couldn't find 215 fronts but they are within the range for the rim size and are still a little stretched looking just not quite as much as the 215s
When I had my 130 I ran 225 all round and I loved the way it handled. Seems odd but it worked really well.
I think the rear rims on the coupe are slightly wider than the 130 though so my tyre guy wouldn't fit 225s to the 135.
Not sure if you planning any mods but I'd definitely recommend the m3 front control arms and tension struts (basically the front wishbones but they are in 2 pieces)
You can buy the TRW versions much cheaper and they are literally the OEM parts with the BMW logo ground off.
The only downside to non run flats is that the steering can loose some sharpness as the bushes on the front are tuned to take into account the stiff sidewall that the rft's have.
You also gain some negative camber.
Also rear subframe bush inserts are worth doing and are cheap and easy.
I'm jealous carbon black looks amazing!
rm163603 said:
B'stard Child said:
Just researching replacement tyres now
I'm on Michelin pilot super sports (same wheels you have) I run 225 front and 245 rear. I believe they are the same as fitted to the m135i. I got the star rated BMW version but I don't think it matters much.
Front is a tad wider than standard as I couldn't find 215 fronts but they are within the range for the rim size and are still a little stretched looking just not quite as much as the 215s
When I had my 130 I ran 225 all round and I loved the way it handled. Seems odd but it worked really well.
I think the rear rims on the coupe are slightly wider than the 130 though so my tyre guy wouldn't fit 225s to the 135.
Not sure if you planning any mods but I'd definitely recommend the m3 front control arms and tension struts (basically the front wishbones but they are in 2 pieces)
You can buy the TRW versions much cheaper and they are literally the OEM parts with the BMW logo ground off.
The only downside to non run flats is that the steering can loose some sharpness as the bushes on the front are tuned to take into account the stiff sidewall that the rft's have.
You also gain some negative camber.
Also rear subframe bush inserts are worth doing and are cheap and easy.
I'm jealous carbon black looks amazing!
I've never left a car I've owned as std (with the exception of the Skoda) but they tend to evolve as time goes on
B'stard Child said:
Great info thank you
I've never left a car I've owned as std (with the exception of the Skoda) but they tend to evolve as time goes on
Same here! I really like these cars as there is plenty you can do with OEM parts (M3 mainly).I've never left a car I've owned as std (with the exception of the Skoda) but they tend to evolve as time goes on
Like you I keep things for a long time and much of the fun is tinkering and making it work to my taste.
The one thing I really dislike on these cars is the 'square' gear knob. I swapped mine for an E46 sport version with the chrome ring around the base. Not expensive and feels much nicer.
Sorry I am a bad influence!
rm163603 said:
B'stard Child said:
Great info thank you
I've never left a car I've owned as std (with the exception of the Skoda) but they tend to evolve as time goes on
Same here! I really like these cars as there is plenty you can do with OEM parts (M3 mainly).I've never left a car I've owned as std (with the exception of the Skoda) but they tend to evolve as time goes on
Like you I keep things for a long time and much of the fun is tinkering and making it work to my taste.
rm163603 said:
The one thing I really dislike on these cars is the 'square' gear knob. I swapped mine for an E46 sport version with the chrome ring around the base. Not expensive and feels much nicer.
Sorry I am a bad influence!
You are a bad influence - I couldn't put my finger on what I didn't like about the gear change - I'd put it down to going back to a proper RWD box rather than a linkage/cable FWD - it seems more likely it's probably gear knob shape Sorry I am a bad influence!
B'stard Child said:
You are a bad influence - I couldn't put my finger on what I didn't like about the gear change - I'd put it down to going back to a proper RWD box rather than a linkage/cable FWD - it seems more likely it's probably gear knob shape
Sorry! Another quick and easy (and cheap) thing that makes the change a little crisper is to swap the rear transmission mounts to E46 M3 versions. These are the little bobbin type rubber mounts that support the back of the box. Anyway back to topic - got the full spec out of BMW
Model Code E82
Colour Carbon-schwarz
Engine N52K
production date 30-0ct-2012
Extras/OE Equipment
PDC Rear
Voice Control
Prep Mobile Phone Business
Music Interface smart phone
USB/audio interface
M Sports Suspension
M Leather Wheel
M Sports Package
Sports Seats
Fog Lights
Rain Sensor
Rear headrests folding
Smoker Package
M Aerodynamics Package
High gloss shadowline
Headlining Anthacite
Navigation package business
Model Code E82
Colour Carbon-schwarz
Engine N52K
production date 30-0ct-2012
Extras/OE Equipment
PDC Rear
Voice Control
Prep Mobile Phone Business
Music Interface smart phone
USB/audio interface
M Sports Suspension
M Leather Wheel
M Sports Package
Sports Seats
Fog Lights
Rain Sensor
Rear headrests folding
Smoker Package
M Aerodynamics Package
High gloss shadowline
Headlining Anthacite
Navigation package business
aka_kerrly said:
Thats a spot on purchase. The 1 series coupe is by far the best looking 1 series with a marginally smaller footprint than the older e46 3 series coupe.
The E46 3 series coupe was on the initial list as I quite like the shape - I'd like it in M3 flavour but then it would clash with the LC and they are getting on a bit - house rule is daily requires no welding just normal maintenance so it was on the edge of my optionsaka_kerrly said:
Has to be said the situation with the Skoda an the Mrs seems madness.
I think I've engineered a badge snob partner over the years - I'm not sure how much of the "comfort" issues was real but having been together 28 years I gave up trying to keep the Skoda - it's like driving with a whining diff or a really noisy exhaust everywhere - initially you can put up with it but eventually it grinds you down with the constant noise Many years ago she initially did not like the 99 740 as a replacement for the 92 Senator 24V as she felt 7 years newer and it had nothing more than the Senator did - however it was black with black leather so "comfortable"
The 125i hasn't got a number of nice features that the Skoda had - I can see her bite her tongue rather than mention it - it's quite nice that she is having to keep quiet.........
She puts up with my car/motorcycle fleet and as long her SLK gets eventually repaired and brought back into use for spring/summer/autumn usage - She can't drive - she has tried but has confidence issues so gets chauffeured everywhere by me which is fine cos i like driving.
That's a nice buy. You can do a 130i brake upgrade if you fancy too. 
I like the pro nav on these cars a lot. I've found the one in my 3er has worked well over fair chunks of Europe so far. The reason I bought an E91 was because my old E46 daily was just getting too rusty. I'd had the sills welded once, and that was enough. Strangely I did something similar recently too. I bought a 330d since I thought a diesel would be good for big miles. HATED it. Couldn't stand it, and it went within a month. Oops.
N52s don't seem to break either, bar the water pump, so you should be good with this one as a long term owner.
I like the pro nav on these cars a lot. I've found the one in my 3er has worked well over fair chunks of Europe so far. The reason I bought an E91 was because my old E46 daily was just getting too rusty. I'd had the sills welded once, and that was enough. Strangely I did something similar recently too. I bought a 330d since I thought a diesel would be good for big miles. HATED it. Couldn't stand it, and it went within a month. Oops.
N52s don't seem to break either, bar the water pump, so you should be good with this one as a long term owner.
JakeT said:
That's a nice buy. You can do a 130i brake upgrade if you fancy too.
On the list JakeT said:
I like the pro nav on these cars a lot. I've found the one in my 3er has worked well over fair chunks of Europe so far.
Seems fine so far I don't really use nav much but it's a nice to have as my old tomtom is way past it's best JakeT said:
The reason I bought an E91 was because my old E46 daily was just getting too rusty. I'd had the sills welded once, and that was enough.
I have a portamig and an old opel fetish - I like welding stuff but not the daily is the rule as i it needs welding it becomes a project car and I have enough of those alreadyJakeT said:
Strangely I did something similar recently too. I bought a 330d since I thought a diesel would be good for big miles. HATED it. Couldn't stand it, and it went within a month. Oops.
I'd be the same - it's why I bought the Skud - small petrol engine with a snail - silly good mpg and £30 a year VED - I'd have hated a diesel - driven enough over the years to know they just don't mix with my driving styleJakeT said:
N52s don't seem to break either, bar the water pump, so you should be good with this one as a long term owner.
Yeah I know about the electric water pump issues - seems like an 80K mileage replacement essentialLooks nice that. I think the 1 coupe has aged pretty well.
The N52 is a lovely engine (had it in my 330) and makes a lovely noise. I had the M Performance Carbon airbox which added a lovely rasp near the redline. I wouldn’t pay full price fir it, but if you can find one for sensible cash. I managed to escape the water pump issue.
P Torque are another name that I've come across for remapping these. I’m badgering a mate with one to get his sorted out. His makes a pretty good noise on a stock exhaust, loader than my 330 which I guess is due to a shorter exhaust.
Are you going to remove the CDV?
The N52 is a lovely engine (had it in my 330) and makes a lovely noise. I had the M Performance Carbon airbox which added a lovely rasp near the redline. I wouldn’t pay full price fir it, but if you can find one for sensible cash. I managed to escape the water pump issue.
P Torque are another name that I've come across for remapping these. I’m badgering a mate with one to get his sorted out. His makes a pretty good noise on a stock exhaust, loader than my 330 which I guess is due to a shorter exhaust.
Are you going to remove the CDV?
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff