Like Ned in Sport of Thrones, the vendor of as we speak’s Good Worth or No Cube BMW sees winter approaching and desires to arrange. Meaning a 4WD instead of the Bimmer’s convertible prime. Let’s see if we’re ready for its asking worth.
A 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder is a tricky promote to a crowd that thinks the reply is all the time 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 profitable 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 in style with the crowds, working 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 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-about final Friday, however it’s additionally extra purposeful. It provides 4 seats as an alternative 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 underneath the hood.
BMW launched the coupe (E82) and convertible (E88) editions of the 1 Sequence 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 properly selected to not convey these to the U.S., the place they might have needed to compete towards the vastly higher VW GTI in a market that’s not all that eager on sizzling hatches anymore. The coupe and convertible, nonetheless, appear to be Shrinky-Dink variations of the three Sequence, and many individuals love these.
In the present day, BMW nonetheless sells the 1 Sequence as a hatch in markets outdoors the States, however as a result of 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 present it the once-over to see if we expect that’s a optimistic quantity.
The E8x line was designed through 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 many of the design’s extra flamboyant elements are masked by this automobile’s black paint. That paint, by the best way, appears to be in stable form and is well-paired with the brilliant silver Model 360 wheels. Atop all that may be a black canvas convertible roof that additionally appears to be in wonderful situation.
It’s an analogous 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 automobile’s Common Motors-sourced six-speed guide transmission.
That’s an uber-rare choice on these vehicles, making this a little bit of a standout. Every little thing 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 response to the vendor, mechanically, the automobile is ideal. It has lately undergone a considerable spherical of supplier upkeep and repairs, overlaying many of the main ache factors. It’s not been a storage queen both, because it has achieved 134,096 miles up to now, 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 the moment listed in California. We’ll should determine if that sways us in contemplating the automobile’s $12,000 asking worth.
What’s your tackle this 128i asking for that type of cabbage? Is {that a} truthful worth for a uncommon and seemingly well-kept automobile 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!
Assist me out with NPOND. Hit me up at [email protected] and ship me a fixed-price tip. Bear in mind to incorporate your Kinja deal with.
