Where are the 6MT's?

[BradF]

After weighing lots of options (including a new F-car) I've decided I really want a 128i, 6MT, Sport Package; the MT being the must-have. I've been looking for three months now. There are plenty of private seller and CPO 128i's around, but virtually all have the Steptronic.

I went to a dealer last weekend that just hours earlier had posted a CPO with a manual (and sport) on their website. When I arrived the car was on a test drive, and two others were waiting to see it; the SA told me that they could very quickly sell that car at least 10 times over, and that they very often get calls requesting E82's with 6MT -- (oddly) more requests are for the 128 than the 135.

An acquaintance works at a bay area dealership, and when asked if they would keep an eye out for a 128i 6MT as a lease return to be CPO'ed, he said, "get in line". What are my chances of finding one? He replied, "go rub a lamp, or maybe find a private party seller on the internet".

There is exactly one 128i coupe 6MT on eBay as I write this (and just a few more 135’s), and an Auto Trader search will find more – but low mileage newer 6MT cars (if available) are at asking prices that seem to push the bounds of reason. Do a national search on BMW's CPO car locater, and you'll find just 3 CPO 128i 6MT's and only 1 with sport. M Sport? Forget it. But there are hundreds of E82's with the Steptronic.

I had an '08 328i, 6MT with Sport that took forever to get rid of because 95% of the potential buyers couldn't drive a stick and/or HAD to have an auto which is why I thought that finding a 128i 6MT would be simple and inexpensive. As it happens, I'm wrong. E82 with a 6MT is a very sought after combination to begin with, and there were far fewer configured without the Steptronic making the search for a low mileage, late model car close to impossible. As a side note I did find a new loaded 2013 E82, 6MT, MSport on a lot somewhere in NC (opposite coast) and even if I was interested the dealership says they won't move much on price ($42k). Still - way, way more than I want to spend.

It's surprising that the E82 seems to have developed somewhat of a cult following, especially when equipped with a 6MT.

Is this a "flash-in-the-pan", or will the E82 6MT continue to be in high demand for the foreseeable future. Keep looking, or move on to other options?

[inFamousKicks]

A lot of people who originally bought 128s new, were people typically not in the market for 6MT, let alone the sport package.

They're pretty hard to find. If you're patient and don't mind looking into purchasing out of state, you should be able to come up with a good find.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by BradF

they very often get calls requesting E82's with 6MT -- (oddly) more requests are for the 128 than the 135.

Maybe because the 128i is the last of the normally aspirated engines we'll ever see from BMW....?

[Kgolf31]

It is just a rare option.

I was lucky to find a 128i, Manual, with M Sport Package and no Sunroof....talk about a unicorn.

[jb2178]

Most were special ordered and are probably still being enjoyed by their owners on a daily basis. I remember when I had to order mine, they searched the entire east coast and there were 2 available 128i's with manual, one had the cold weather package and the other was no options so I had to order mine how I wanted it. Best choice obviously besides the wait.

[Bigiggs]

Wait, you were in the market to purchase a Ferrari (F-car)? But instead you are looking for a 128i manual


"After weighing lots of options (including a new F-car)"

[TwinTurboXI]

I know this is on the other side of the county, but you did say you were looking at a car in carolina.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1044525

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by Bigiggs

Wait, you were in the market to purchase a Ferrari (F-car)? But instead you are looking for a 128i manual


"After weighing lots of options (including a new F-car)"

F-Gen Chassis.

AKA F30, F10...etc

[Bigiggs]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

F-Gen Chassis.

AKA F30, F10...etc

This makes more senese! I am used to reading P-car=Porsche; hence my interpretation.

[Nemco]

Quite a few listed on Autotrader, 51 128i's with stick shift if you drill down the choices:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...Code1=BMW&mmt=[BMW[128I[]][]]&modelCode1=128I&searchRadius=0&showcaseOwnerId=94 837&sortBy=distanceASC&startYear=1981&transmission Code=MAN&transmissionCodes=MAN&vehicleStyleCodes=C OUPE&Log=0

[Gray_Panther]

When I bought my 128i I told the dealer it had to be 6MT. He did a east coast search and there were only five available new. Luckily I found specd to my interest and went for it rather than waiting and having one ordered with all the options I wanted. (No sport seats)

I keep my eye on manual 128's from time to time and they are rare to come by. Good luck with your search!

[BradF]

@Nemco -

Thanks for the Auto Trader link. Yes, the list has 51 cars (128i, 6MT).

Because I want something with lower miles, I've selected to see cars with less than 30,000 miles. The list then shrinks to 10 cars - three of these are new (of those 3, 2 are actually Steptronic cars). This leaves 7 cars nationwide. Since I'm a bit picky, I also want Sport Package (which isn't critical), but of these 7 cars only 1 has the Sport Package. That's 1 6MT with Sport on Auto Trader nationwide. eBay is the same.

I realize that if I'm serious, I need to broaden my criteria (higher miles, no sport package perhaps), but my preference was to find a later car (perhaps a CPO) and not too many miles. Given that production stopped only 1 year ago, I'm surprised that this is so difficult.

Today I drove a 228i and M235i (both with sport and 6MT). These are great cars to be sure, but I just can't get over the compromised steering feel. If I hadn't been coming from cars dating back to an e36, perhaps I wouldn't care so much. The steering issue has been debated to death and I'm not bashing BMW - the new cars still feel nice, but BMW's hydraulic steering was just special. I'm sure BMW know what they're doing as they're largely catering to a younger crowd who often get more excited about smartphones than cars, and not old guys like me.

[Nemco]

Perhaps consider including the 135i in your search - the power is there if you want it, but doesn't overwhelm the driving experience, and more are likely available with a stick.

And don't compromise on the sport package, it's essential for the seats alone. Don't give in! It's a great thing to know what you want, and if you're willing to jump through some hoops, all you need is one match.

Here's a wildcard - CarMax. Just picked up a 135is there to replace my 135i (long story) last week. Very pleasant buying experience.

http://www.carmax.com/search?ANa=283...results%20page

[Hops128i]

yeah, there just not a lot of them, when i bought mine new in 2010, i remember searching several months.

If i were to buy a used one now, i'd consider a manual non-sport, and upgrade the suspension and bushings, but then, the sport seats are really nice.

[Olgeezer1]

Well, excellent choice. The car's a jewel and equally hard to find. I have dealer auction access plus all the retail sources and it took 6 mos. of daily searching for a 6MT/ msport. I wouldn't compromise on the Sport Pkg. Be flexible on the year if the miles aren't out of line and there's a good service history. This is a pretty reliable car. Pay anything even close to reasonable- last chance for a car of this type.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by BradF

more requests are for the 128 than the 135.

That's probably because the 128i is less expensive than the 135i and people think they are getting more bang for their buck. I see more 128i's on the street than I do 135i's. You'll always see more of the less powerful, hence less expensive, engined version of a particular model on the road, like more V6 mustangs than V8 mustangs. Also, more people care about better gas mileage than more horsepower.

[IEDEI]

it's not hard to find 128s with a 6MT. just look around a bit outside of ebay...

oh and the salespeople are just giving you total BS with the 'get in line' thing....and you bought it!

[Suhb]

I drove 2 hours out of state to get mine. You just need to widen your search area and be patient.

[JimD]

I ordered mine and waited (in 2009). My only options are walnut interior and sports package. The sports seats are very nice and the suspension is better too.

[the1andonly]

Im shocked reading this thread. There is a mint used Jet Black low miles perfectly cared for manual 128i right in the for sale section.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1044525

[6MT_Addict]

Yeah I know how you feel. I spent 14 months looking for the right car before I got my E82. As has been said before the 135i is more likely to have what you are looking for as far as 6MT and sport. They are a rate breed though compared to the E9x 6MT

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

Also, more people care about better gas mileage than more horsepower.

Uh, no.

I didn't buy my 128i for its gas mileage.