Like Ned in Sport of Thrones, the vendor of at present’s Good Worth or No Cube BMW sees winter approaching and needs to arrange. Which means 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 troublesome 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 residence an amazing 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 just’ll ever do.” Three Canine Night time took that tune and made it common with the crowds, operating all of it the way in which as much as quantity 5 on the Billboard Sizzling 100. Being ‘One’ might have as soon as been a tragic sack’s lament, however that didn’t cease BMW from constructing a full line of 1 Collection vehicles, and these are enjoyable for every one.
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 practical. It presents 4 seats as an alternative of two, has extra baggage area, and, with 228 horsepower on faucet from its 3.0-liter N52 straight six, it has virtually 100 extra ponies beneath the hood.
BMW launched the coupe (E82) and convertible (E88) editions of the 1 Collection as an homage to the 02 line of vehicles from the late ’60s and early ’70s. These vehicles share a platform with a line of three and five-door hatchbacks, however BMW correctly 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 sizzling hatches anymore. The coupe and convertible, nonetheless, appear like Shrinky-Dink variations of the three Collection, and plenty of folks love these.
At present, BMW nonetheless sells the 1 Collection as a hatch in markets outdoors 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 provide it the once-over to see if we expect that’s a constructive 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 many of the design’s extra flamboyant facets are masked by this automotive’s black paint. That paint, by the way in which, seems to be in stable form and is well-paired with the intense silver Fashion 360 wheels. Atop all that could be a black canvas convertible roof that additionally seems to be in wonderful 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 get together piece, which is the shifter for the automotive’s Normal Motors-sourced six-speed guide transmission.
That’s an uber-rare choice on these vehicles, making this a little bit of a standout. All the pieces 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 just lately undergone a considerable spherical of seller upkeep and repairs, masking many of the main ache factors. It’s not been a storage queen both, because it has performed 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 presently listed in California. We’ll should resolve if that sways us in contemplating the automotive’s $12,000 asking value.
What’s your tackle this 128i asking for that type of cabbage? Is {that a} truthful value for a uncommon and seemingly well-kept automotive carrying 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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