Like Ned in Sport of Thrones, the vendor of at present’s Good Worth or No Cube BMW sees winter approaching and desires to organize. Meaning a 4WD rather than the Bimmer’s convertible prime. 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 successful many converts. It didn’t win in our voting, both, taking house an amazing 85 p.c No Cube loss for its un-Miata-ness.
Again within the 12 months 1968, pop legend Harry Nilsson plaintively crooned, “One is the loneliest quantity that you just’ll ever do.” Three Canine Night time took that track and made it standard 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 type of, and never solely is it a decade newer than the Toyota MR2 Spyder we thought-about final Friday, however it’s additionally extra practical. It affords 4 seats as a substitute 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 beneath 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 carry these to the U.S., the place they’d have needed to compete in opposition to the vastly higher VW GTI in a market that’s not all that eager on scorching hatches anymore. The coupe and convertible, nevertheless, appear like Shrinky-Dink variations of the three Sequence, and many individuals love these.
As we speak, BMW nonetheless sells the 1 Sequence as a hatch in markets exterior the States, however because of the 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 predict that’s a optimistic quantity.
The E8x line was designed through the Bangle period, and that’s evident within the automotive’s swayback decrease door edge and pulled taffy headlamp design. The remainder of the automotive has an actual E46 vibe, and a lot of the design’s extra flamboyant features are masked by this automotive’s black paint. That paint, by the way in which, appears to be in stable form and is well-paired with the intense silver Type 360 wheels. Atop all that may be a black canvas convertible roof that additionally appears to be in glorious situation.
It’s an identical 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 occasion piece, which is the shifter for the automotive’s Common Motors-sourced six-speed guide transmission.
That’s an uber-rare choice 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, automated local weather management, heated seats, and a push-button begin.
Based on the vendor, mechanically, the automotive is ideal. It has lately undergone a considerable spherical of vendor upkeep and repairs, masking a lot of the main ache factors. It’s not been a storage queen both, because it has finished 134,096 miles so 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 at present listed in California. We’ll must determine if that sways us in contemplating the automotive’s $12,000 asking value.
What’s your tackle this 128i asking for that sort of cabbage? Is {that a} truthful value for a uncommon and seemingly well-kept automotive sporting the blue and white Roundel? Or is that an excessive amount of for a mini Bimmer?
You determine!
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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