Like Ned in Sport of Thrones, the vendor of right this moment’s Good Value or No Cube BMW sees winter approaching and desires to organize. Which means a 4WD instead of the Bimmer’s convertible high. Let’s see if we’re ready for its asking value.
A 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder is a tricky promote to a crowd that thinks the reply is at all times a Miata. That was the problem going through the vendor of the ‘Mister Two’ we checked out final Friday, and at a $11,495 asking, it wasn’t profitable many converts. It didn’t win in our voting, both, taking residence an awesome 85 p.c No Cube loss for its un-Miata-ness.
Again within the yr 1968, pop legend Harry Nilsson plaintively crooned, “One is the loneliest quantity that you simply’ll ever do.” Three Canine Evening took that track and made it fashionable with the crowds, operating all of it the way in which as much as quantity 5 on the Billboard Scorching 100. Being ‘One’ could have as soon as been a tragic sack’s lament, however that didn’t cease BMW from constructing a full line of 1 Sequence automobiles, and these are enjoyable for every body.
This 2011 BMW 128i convertible is a kind of, and never solely is it a decade newer than the Toyota MR2 Spyder we thought of final Friday, however it’s additionally extra useful. It provides 4 seats as an alternative of two, has extra baggage house, and, with 228 horsepower on faucet from its 3.0-liter N52 straight six, it has nearly 100 extra ponies underneath the hood.
BMW launched the coupe (E82) and convertible (E88) editions of the 1 Sequence as an homage to the 02 line of automobiles from the late ’60s and early ’70s. These automobiles share a platform with a line of three and five-door hatchbacks, however BMW properly selected to not convey these to the U.S., the place they might have needed to compete in opposition to the vastly higher VW GTI in a market that’s not all that eager on sizzling hatches anymore. The coupe and convertible, nonetheless, seem like Shrinky-Dink variations of the three Sequence, and many individuals love these.
At present, BMW nonetheless sells the 1 Sequence as a hatch in markets exterior the States, however as a result of firm’s shift in naming conference, the coupe model (the convertible isn’t any extra) has been spun off by itself and is now branded as a 2.
Our convertible is a 1, and we’re going to present it the once-over to see if we expect that’s a constructive quantity.
The E8x line was designed throughout the Bangle period, and that’s evident within the automobile’s swayback decrease door edge and pulled taffy headlamp design. The remainder of the automobile has an actual E46 vibe, and a lot of the design’s extra flamboyant elements are masked by this automobile’s black paint. That paint, by the way in which, seems to be in strong form and is well-paired with the brilliant silver Type 360 wheels. Atop all that could be a black canvas convertible roof that additionally seems to be in wonderful situation.
It’s the same story within the cabin, with no obvious points with the upholstery, trim, or switchgear. It’s in right here the place you’ll discover this E88’s social gathering piece, which is the shifter for the automobile’s Normal Motors-sourced six-speed guide transmission.
That’s an uber-rare possibility on these automobiles, making this a little bit of a standout. Every part else right here is aimed toward consolation and comfort, with energy home windows and locks, computerized local weather management, heated seats, and a push-button begin.
In line with the vendor, mechanically, the automobile is ideal. It has not too long ago undergone a considerable spherical of supplier upkeep and repairs, masking a lot of the main ache factors. It’s not been a storage queen both, because it has performed 134,096 miles thus far, racked up by its two homeowners.
A clear title tops off this little Bimmer’s excessive factors, and the vendor makes the added boast that that is the one guide 128i presently listed in California. We’ll must resolve if that sways us in contemplating the automobile’s $12,000 asking value.
What’s your tackle this 128i asking for that type of cabbage? Is {that a} honest value for a uncommon and seemingly well-kept automobile sporting the blue and white Roundel? Or is that an excessive amount of for a mini Bimmer?
You resolve!
San Francisco Bay Space, California, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
H/T to Don R. for the hookup!
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