2009 125i coupe a good buy?
Discussion
I like them, mostly because they have the 3 litre N52 engine.
But for some reason in the 125i BMW detuned it to 218 PS, whereas the same engine in an E90 330i was rated at 258 PS or 265 PS in an E86 (Z4 Coupe).
But there are plenty of places that can recover the missing horses with a re-map - Evolve spring to mind.
If they have a potential problem it is the electric water pump which just stops working with no warning any time after 60K miles - and a replacement costs over £500 from BMW! But the same Pierburg pump can be bought for about half the price elsewhere.
But for some reason in the 125i BMW detuned it to 218 PS, whereas the same engine in an E90 330i was rated at 258 PS or 265 PS in an E86 (Z4 Coupe).
But there are plenty of places that can recover the missing horses with a re-map - Evolve spring to mind.
If they have a potential problem it is the electric water pump which just stops working with no warning any time after 60K miles - and a replacement costs over £500 from BMW! But the same Pierburg pump can be bought for about half the price elsewhere.
I've had one for 5 years now covering 85k in that time and it's been very reliable - only had to replace the rear brake calipers and get the ABS Rings replaced, everything else has been consumables. It is in the garage at the moment but I'd hardly blame it for getting a massive screw int he front tyre, and as I took the runflats off I can get it repaired properly 
It's a great car too, plenty of grunt even before the remap, entertaining on B roads, will do 35 - 40 mpg on the motorway and isn't too disastrous in town (budget on around 25 mpg) It's been that good I've put off replacing it for another year, as it is far too enjoyable.
It's a great car too, plenty of grunt even before the remap, entertaining on B roads, will do 35 - 40 mpg on the motorway and isn't too disastrous in town (budget on around 25 mpg) It's been that good I've put off replacing it for another year, as it is far too enjoyable.
I’m a big fan of the N52 engine; my 330 was the most reliable second hand car I’ve owned with only a VANOS actuator issue in three years (other than consumables).
A friend has a 125 what he bought recently with 157k on the clock. He’s had it a few months now and it’s been peachy so far. It’s got a ding in one wheel arch, but other than that it’s bloody tidy for a car with 157 now over 160k on the clock. He’s just done the NC500 and it didn’t miss a beat. Sounds pretty good too, a bit chunkier than my 330 which I guess is due to the shorter exhaust.
I think they’ve aged well design wise too.
A friend has a 125 what he bought recently with 157k on the clock. He’s had it a few months now and it’s been peachy so far. It’s got a ding in one wheel arch, but other than that it’s bloody tidy for a car with 157 now over 160k on the clock. He’s just done the NC500 and it didn’t miss a beat. Sounds pretty good too, a bit chunkier than my 330 which I guess is due to the shorter exhaust.
I think they’ve aged well design wise too.
It's good to see some positive feedback - I've had an E86 Z4 with the N52 engine for over 5 years and still love it!
I bought an E91 325i with the N52 last year, but wanted a bit more grunt so replaced it with an E90 330i earlier this year.
A 125i is probably the most recent BMW to have the N52 engine, which makes it special in it's own way (even if it does need a re-map)!
I bought an E91 325i with the N52 last year, but wanted a bit more grunt so replaced it with an E90 330i earlier this year.
A 125i is probably the most recent BMW to have the N52 engine, which makes it special in it's own way (even if it does need a re-map)!
naturalaspiration said:
Sadly this one doesn't have the 2.5L N52 but the troublesome 3.0L N53. This being said, once sorted the N53 is indeed a very good unit - easily upgraded to 130i.
125i's used the N52 until the bitter end. Not sure why but they did.Edited by naturalaspiration on Saturday 24th August 17:39
Bought my 2008 125i with 17k on the clock and now I’m on 104k. Had the remap done to “de restrict it” almost as soon as I got it so it makes 258bhp now.
Not needed anything major doing to be honest. Aside from brakes and tyres its had a new window motor, wheel bearing and bushes. Oh and need to replace the boot brake light as that’s gone, quite a common problem on the E82/88 models.
Genuinely still love driving it after nearly 5 years of ownership. The straight 6 is a peach of an engine, but I already knew that coming from E46 330.
Will be selling up in the new year but only to get something a bit newer and quicker with some more equipment fitted...an M140/240
Not needed anything major doing to be honest. Aside from brakes and tyres its had a new window motor, wheel bearing and bushes. Oh and need to replace the boot brake light as that’s gone, quite a common problem on the E82/88 models.
Genuinely still love driving it after nearly 5 years of ownership. The straight 6 is a peach of an engine, but I already knew that coming from E46 330.
Will be selling up in the new year but only to get something a bit newer and quicker with some more equipment fitted...an M140/240
Touring442 said:
naturalaspiration said:
Sadly this one doesn't have the 2.5L N52 but the troublesome 3.0L N53. This being said, once sorted the N53 is indeed a very good unit - easily upgraded to 130i.
125i's used the N52 until the bitter end. Not sure why but they did.Edited by naturalaspiration on Saturday 24th August 17:39
I bought one recently - late 2012 built 2013 registered N52 with 58K miles
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
It's early days but really like it and booked in on 5th Sept to have the throttle butterfly to accelerator pedal alignment sorted
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
It's early days but really like it and booked in on 5th Sept to have the throttle butterfly to accelerator pedal alignment sorted
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