E82 125i preventative maintenance

[corvinus]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking at getting a 125i coupe (auto).

It will be my daily, so I'd like to get it running as smooth as possible with all preventative maintenance done at the start.

Assuming I find a model with 100-150k km on the clock and it has a service history, what are things I should fix/replace immediately?

A checklist would be great! I could mark each thing off with a mechanic.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

FYI: I tried getting a 120D... but those things are so hard to find in good condition. The 135i will also be slightly out of my budget long term.

 

[maleven-GP]

-Be prepared for 12.7l/100km consumption as a daily 🥵
-tapped cover gasket leaks, otherwise it's just the normal maintenance.. Solid engines these N52's
-it does feel a bit underpowered sometimes(I daily 330d)

 

[corvinus]

-Be prepared for 12.7l/100km consumption as a daily 🥵
-tapped cover gasket leaks, otherwise it's just the normal maintenance.. Solid engines these N52's
-it does feel a bit underpowered sometimes(I daily 330d)

Hi, thanks for the response!

Any chance consumption goes down if I drive slowly during the week 😅

Also is there anything in particular I should be on the lookout for when going to view/test driving one of these?

 

[Regal]

Not really. The decrease in small that you might as well floor it and enjoy the inline 6 noises!

 

[r0gue_shin0bi]

Agree with Regal, I have a decatted e82 125i and sending it daily vs driving slow honestly made very little difference in consumption - it's mainly the initial acceleration in my experience, especially in 1st gear, it gets quite heavy, any acceleration once you're rolling isn't as bad unless you're really giving it the beans

At its worst, my average daily consumption was 13.7l-14.2l/100km - at its best I got it down to around 9.7l-10.5l/100km - but I was pretty much driving only downhill and may as well have been driving a Balraj Qute - but on that note, traffic is just as bad in terms of consumption as flooring it because you pretty much only in 1st gear

But currently averaging around 12.5l-12.7l/100km and doing multiple pulls on the way in to work every morning

The honest truth for me was, if it's pretty much the same regardless, I might as well just have a good time, every time

edit: I didn't really have to do any preventative maintenance because the previous owner really did take fantastic care of this car - the only issue I had was with the transmission and that's because I ignored the warning signs and kept giving it the beans in the 2 weeks before it went into the shop to check it out - I was like 2 weeks from my regular service that I had already booked and figured it would be fine - it was not.

 

[corvinus]

Thanks for the info guys! I do get a small petrol allowance from work so it's not the end of the world. 😅

If anyone else has things I should add to my checklist for maintenance/servicing let me know. 🫡

Oh, and do I have to use run flats?

 

[maleven-GP]

Thanks for the info guys! I do get a small petrol allowance from work so it's not the end of the world. 😅

If anyone else has things I should add to my checklist for maintenance/servicing let me know. 🫡

Oh, and do I have to use run flats?

There's very little space for a spare wheel, maybe look at getting the biscuit if you decide to go with normal tyres..

 

[corvinus]

Hello again everyone. I've found a 2013 125i M-Sport model with 108k on the clock. What would be a fair price/ counter offer? The seller currently wants R210k.

 

[r0gue_shin0bi]

I think that's a not unreasonable - I've been told I got mine for quite cheap @ +- R150K with 142k km on the clock if that helps?😅

 

[maleven-GP]

Paid R220 for a 2011 vert with 85k km - two years ago