Video: Stock 2011 vs. Modded 2009 BMW 135i

When I was researching model years on the BMW 135i, it came down to the 2011 or an older model (a much better price point). I still can't believe the cost of a new 2011 was over $40K. With that price, BMW had better gave the series a major facelift. From the engine (twin turbocharged to a single turbo), 7-speed transmission, exterior updates (body and lights) and I think the interior had some updates as well. In my opinion, if you plan to spend over $40K on a 1-series, you might as well spend an extra $5K to get an 2006-08 BMW M5.

Well, Hubs found this video online and after watching it, I was sold on getting an older 135i (2008-2010 model years). It's inspiring and dangerous. It makes me think of what I can buy with the extra money I'm saving. Wheels, perhaps?

Recent Purchases: Lights and Mirrors

Below are recent purchases for my car. The 1 series received a facelift in 2011 which included minor changes to the headlights and taillights. I'm still contemplating purchasing the headlights. It looks cool but I'm not sure if it's a need or a want.

New Purchases:

BMW E82 LCI LED Tail Lights - Price: $312.04

BMW 135i Smoke White LED Light Bar Side Marker Lights - Price: $38.95

BMW 10w Cree-IC Angel Eyes E82 LED Marker Light - Price: $56.95

BMW Factory Interior Rear View Mirror with Homelink - Price: $65.00

Retrofit Wire ES#161804 for Rear View Mirror - Price: $27.53

One of the options that didn't come standard with my car was BMW's Homelink (integrated garage door opener) on the interior rear view mirror. These factory mirrors are expensive but Hub's found a used one on eBay. I had to buy a retrofit wire to connect it to the car. So far the lights have arrived and I'm waiting for the mirror to ship. I can't wait to get them installed. 

Project Car: 2010 BMW 135i M-Sport

Typically people buy themselves iPads, iPhones, designer purses, hardware tools, etc during the Christmas holiday. I on the other hand buy cars. This is the second time I bought a car in December. The first time was in 2005 when I bought my first entry-level luxury car, a 2006 Lexus IS 350. That was probably the worst car buying decision I ever made because it ended up being a lemon (1st year second generation IS models suck). And worst, I bought it for more than I should have paid for it. MSRP was roughly $46K. Anyways, since then I've always bought used luxury cars with low miles.

My latest purchase was no exception. I needed another car since I was driving the heck out of Hub's second car. To the point it broke down on me, twice. The first time was after I left work and the car stalled on the on-ramp to a major freeway. The second time was a few days later and it stalled again but this time a few houses from our place. While I could have drove Hub's main car (a Honda Ridgeline), I'm not a truck driver. Men should drive trucks and women should drive anything but trucks.

Anyways, a few days before Christmas, we drove to LA to buy another car. I was set on a BMW 135i because 1) It was affordable and 2) I could mod it to a 1M. My budget was around $25K and we happened to find two cars in that range. The first one we found was in Montclair, CA and it was listed for $24,800. That one didn't work out because the front bumper had a bad paint job. The second one was located in Covina, CA and was listed for $25,900. Hubs was more excited than me when he saw the car as it had the M-Sport package. An hour and half later, I signed a bunch a papers and drove 1.5 hours back home.

Here's the current specs of the car:

2010 BMW 135i Coupe

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline 6-cylinder
Horsepower: 300 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque: 300 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm
Steptronic automatic, 6 speed transmission

Standard Equipment:

Dynamic stability control
Dynamic traction control
4-wheel disc brakes
Heated dual power mirrors/windshield washer jets
Automatic climate control
Cruise control
Rain sensing wipers
Tire pressure monitoring system
AM/FM stereo 
CD/MP3 player audio system
Auxiliary audio input
Xenon headlights with swivel 
Retractable headlight washers
iPod and USB adapter
M-Sport package (Aerodynamics kit, suspension, brakes, pedals, steering wheel, seats and door sills)

18-inch alloy wheels
215/40R18 front; 245/35R18 rear

Now comes the fun part...what do I mod first? Hubs has a couple of ideas but we're definitely going all out on performance. At least enough where the car can still pass smog. No straight pipes.