Like Ned in Sport of Thrones, the vendor of right now’s Good Worth 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 dealing with 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 dwelling 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 simply’ll ever do.” Three Canine Evening took that music and made it standard with the crowds, operating all of it the best way 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 person.
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, but it surely’s additionally extra purposeful. It gives 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 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 correctly selected to not convey these to the U.S., the place they’d have needed to compete towards the vastly higher VW GTI in a market that’s not all that eager on scorching hatches anymore. The coupe and convertible, nonetheless, appear to be Shrinky-Dink variations of the three Sequence, and plenty of individuals love these.
In the present day, 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 is not 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 predict 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 points are masked by this automobile’s black paint. That paint, by the best way, seems to be in strong form and is well-paired with the intense silver Fashion 360 wheels. Atop all that may 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 get together piece, which is the shifter for the automobile’s Basic Motors-sourced six-speed handbook transmission.
That’s an uber-rare choice on these automobiles, making this a little bit of a standout. The whole lot else right here is geared toward consolation and comfort, with energy home windows and locks, computerized local weather management, heated seats, and a push-button begin.
In keeping with the vendor, mechanically, the automobile is ideal. It has lately undergone a considerable spherical of seller 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 house owners.
A clear title tops off this little Bimmer’s excessive factors, and the vendor makes the added boast that that is the one handbook 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} truthful value for a uncommon and seemingly well-kept automobile 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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