Buying a used BMW 125i/135i coupe & convertible (2008-2013)

BMW didn't get serious about selling convertibles until the 1980s when its 320i and 325i soft-tops appeared. After that, the emergence of a sports car (the Z3) and open-top versions of the 1 Series was never in doubt.

The 125i was announced in 2007, arriving several months later in Australia as a coupe or convertible. Surrounding the 125i were an array of other 1 Series variants, some of which had existed in our market for a while without generating much interest at all.

Earlier versions like the 116i and 120i used four-cylinder engines and battled hard in a market that expected BMWs to perform better than these cars did. That obvious dearth of performance was addressed by the E88 version with its 160kW inline six and turned to dust by the 135i with its blood-chilling 225kW, twin-turbo engine.

If price was paramount then a 125i in coupe form with manual transmission (listed at a very odd price of $54,401) offered value. It came with a basic complement of features including leather trim, a driver-only memory pack, heated mirrors, sensor-equipped headlights and wipers and a computer with multi-function wheel.

Thereafter came an options list that must have impressed even the most ardent admirer of BMW's 'wounded bull' approach to equipping cars. Should a buyer have chosen to tick every box on the 125i order form, they not only would have been waiting months for a completely unique car to be built they would also have boosted the invoice cost by around 60 percent.

The convertible version, which seems to exist only with automatic transmission, hit the market at a base price above $66,700 – or $82,610 for those who wanted their car with 135i levels of performance.

In auto form the 1 Series offered conventional override via the central selector or column-mounted paddles. The top was of course electrically-operated and claimed to furl and unfurl within 25 seconds.

The standard suspension was attuned more towards ride comfort that outright speed and the tyres look a bit skimpy. That could be down to clearance issues given that BMW opted for a slightly narrower rim front to rear for these cars. Tyres are intended to be run flat, so there is no spare.

Safety features common to the coupe and convertible include front and side-impact airbags for the driver and front passenger, traction and stability control, ABS and seatbelt pre-tensioners. The coupe added head-protection airbags but only the redesigned F20 Hatchback introduced in 2011 has a confirmed five-Star ANCAP rating for occupant protection.

Remember how Price William borrowed dad's Aston DB6 as his 'going away' wedding car and brother Harry departed for his reception in an electrified E Type? While not quite so classic, my mode of post-nuptial transport some years back was a white (of course) 125i soft-top that generated way more wedding-day kudos than any stretch-Hummer.

The little Bimmer was part of a hire fleet and, while well-maintained, had covered some distance; probably not all of it in sympathetic hands. Yet it still felt tight and rattle-free, the electrical gismos all worked and the roof – subjected to only a light shower during our tenure – didn't leak, creak or misbehave.

Shopping for a 125i or the more potent 135i version in today's market involves looking predominantly at cars that have travelled far fewer kilometres than might be typical for their age. Searching late in 2018 we found keenly-priced convertibles with good history that were showing just 40-70,000 kilometres after 10 years.

The under-stressed six is by nature a cruiser and needs a good shake to deliver what performance it has. Once into the productive rev range between 3500 and 6000rpm and with the variable valve timing and lift systems doing their bit the exhaust note starts to crackle and the car finally dispels any suspicion that you've picked up a 1.9-litre by mistake. Dual-VANOS, the variable valve timing system, was specified by the factory for both engines, but the Valvetronic variable lift system was offered only in the 125i.

Wind noise and buffeting with the top down and side-windows up is minimal but dropping all of the glass sends eddies of breeze through the cabin, with particular impact on those in the rear section. Top-up, these cars could be a coupe with no flapping or creaking evident.

The leather-finished seats – electrically adjustable in some – may be a little narrow for larger frames and the trim feels flimsy for a brand that elicits high expectations of quality.

We didn't try to drive for any distance with rear seat passengers, nor ask anyone to squirm into their spots with the roof in place. That looks to be a pretty brutal form of punishment, unless the person doing it is young and small.

The overall ambience of the 1 Series is let down by the dash; drab, conventional and cheaper in appearance than you would have expected when buying one of these new for up to $85,000.

Life does brighten however, when the multi-functional screen pops up from the dash-top and starts flashing all sorts of useful data in response to commands from the steering wheel control buttons.

We doubt that the satellite navigation function would by now be of much use but the screen will still keep the driver in touch with average speed, the outside temperature and how much fuel is being burned.

Providing you don't go exploring the adhesive limits of your 1 Series at a car-club 'track day' fuel consumption figures in a 125i will very likely stay on the frugal side of 10L/100km.

>> 1 Series cars are caught up in the Takata air-bag melee so ensure before you even test-drive a 125/135 that it has documents confirming the replacement bags have been fitted.

>> A recall in response to problems with broken retaining bolts in the VVT (Variable Valve Timing) system should have rectified any issues. However if the engine rattles at start-up, or there are warning lights on the dash or alert codes in the display screen be wary and ensure the car has a pre-purchase inspection by a BMW specialist.

>> The turbocharger in cars that have them can produce untoward noise, smoke and power loss. If the car trails white or grey smoke when the throttle is closed, find another one. Whining or suction noises from the engine bay are further indications of turbo illness.

>> When evaluating a convertible, ensure the top can be folded and raised without flexing, shuddering or catching. The target time is 25 seconds or less. Check the roof covering carefully for splits or marks indicating that sections of the top could be binding or catching. If you can, make sure the rear demister works.

>> Cars that have covered more than 80,000 kilometres and/or are close to a decade old will very likely be suffering worn suspension bushes, shock absorbers and sagging springs. If the nose sits significantly lower than the rear or unevenly, be wary. Depending on how a car has been driven, the disc rotors will need renewal at 60-100,000 kilometres.

>> Check the paddle shifters to ensure they select gears instantly. Sensor failures can leave the driver with no gears at all until the system is reset. 1 Series models with manual transmission are rare but be wary of notchy changes, buzzing through the gear-lever and clutch shudder .

Used vehicle grading for BMW 125i and 135i
Design & Function: 15/20
Safety: 15/20
Practicality: 11/20
Value for Money: 14/20
Wow Factor: 15/20
Score: 70/100

Also consider: Audi A5, Lexus IS250, Volkswagen EOS