Any 128i buyers regret not getting a 135i?

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by smellthebeans

truth be known......I also own a 2006 Cayenne S and oddly enough it can carry as much speed though a corner as the 1er...Hands down the best grand touring vehicle I have ever driven (strike that the loaner Panamera 4S was better). A definite keeper even if the maintenance approaches E60 M5 range. It carries 5 Pax plus luggage down the autobahn at 90-110 up and down hills & does not break a sweat.

@ Bob its going to retire to the SA area in November 2013

But I still prefer the 1er because ripping off a good heel toe cant be beat.

No doubt the current crop of high-end "performance SUV's" are technically very impressive. And I've seen a few of them in my neighborhood and don't doubt that they are faster than my 128i. But I wouldn't consider them to be common and, strangely, they always seem to be driven very conservatively. My point is only that, despite the plethora of high-performance vehicles in the marketplace, the average vehicle on the road performs less well than the 128i, by a wide margin. And even among the higher performing vehicles, many don't offer the more bare-bones, visceral experience that one can get in a 128i (at a fraction of the cost, I might add).

Anyway, enjoy the retirement in San Antonio. It's a nice town (I'm in Alamo Heights, if you know it). I'll be long gone by the time you get here - moving to San Diego for a year at the end of this year, and after that, who knows?

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by smellthebeans

truth be known......I also own a 2006 Cayenne S and oddly enough it can carry as much speed though a corner as the 1er...Hands down the best grand touring vehicle I have ever driven (strike that the loaner Panamera 4S was better). A definite keeper even if the maintenance approaches E60 M5 range. It carries 5 Pax plus luggage down the autobahn at 90-110 up and down hills & does not break a sweat.

@ Bob its going to retire to the SA area in November 2013

But I still prefer the 1er because ripping off a good heel toe cant be beat.

You know the Cayenne comes in manual too right?

[smellthebeans]

yes... 6MT is almost exclusively with the V6, unless you can find a GTS. Much preferred due to issues with the Asin sourced 6 speed automatic valve body. It seems "Big Sally's" thirst for repairs, tires, and fuel consume planned mods for the 1er.

Wifey wants an automatic....I would rather be happy than right.

Bimmer Bob: the Cayenne is NOT faster than the 1er until you get to around 100Mph, where it will slowly walk away from the 128i. Especially, on a slight uphill grade. Ich liebe Deutsche autobahn fahrting! I dont plan to retire although I am almost eligible. Big Sally will no longer be charging across Europe and like a retired thoroughbred breezing down I10 or up 281 to Marble Falls for pie or transporting the kids.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by smellthebeans

yes... 6MT is almost exclusively with the V6, unless you can find a GTS. Much preferred due to issues with the Asin sourced 6 speed automatic valve body. It seems "Big Sally's" thirst for repairs, tires, and fuel consume planned mods for the 1er.

I've always had a big soft spot for the Cayenne(I think because it can actually offroad pretty competently) and as a result always wanted to try one with the manual.

[dwc]

1st a 2009 128i and now a 2009 CPO 135i with about 20K miles on it. Both great cars. Both plenty fast enough in the states. The extra 60+hp in the 135i will put a smile on your face, but so will shifting the 128i through the curves. You're lucky to have either vehicle.

[NYC6]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

For the wildly exciting tale of my forum name, I started watching Top Gear in 2003 or 2004 before many in the US watched it. Forum name was to more easily facilitate discussion between fellow enthusiasts of the show, which it did well. Also got the license plate at the same time for the same reason at car meets and such. Riveting tale I know.

If I had thoughts that I was some variety of steller superstar driver who needed a bespoke performance machine I wouldn't be in the 128i or 135i. Both are soft from that perspective.



Maybe if you worked on reading, you would see I was responding to someone else asking about the DISA valves. But please, continue to inject yourself stupidly into this thread.



Not according to reputable people actually weighing them. And that is a 2008 128i that had the sunroof standard, I personally went without for even more weight savings.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take-road-test



I wasn't comparing the 128 to the GT3, I was further responding to your idiotic post previously that turbo cars like the GT2 and such are always the best choice because they have more power.

Given equal suspension and tire upgrades, the lighter car will be the more nimble one.

And yes, your wonderful "Brembos" on the track. Ignoring the fact that they fail utterly when subjected to track driving. Crumbling pistons and melted rings, count me jealous of your great brakes.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

So, the only connection to you and stig is the fact that you're just a wannabe "tamed racing driver" got it. Even a plate, thats not riveting, its quite sad.

The 135 is a good bit, less soft than the 128 when talking track times, even accounting your 128's extra 'nimbleness'. Real racers use another useful term, weight to power ratio. Most would easily give up the 121 lbs to get 70hp/100 ft lbs. Track times show that easily. Even on the skid pad, slalom and track times the measly weight savings on the NA car gets you nothing, other than the unimportant, my car is 'lighter than yours' mantra you spout. Thats to be expected from you though, thats all you have to hang your hat on.

I come up with(BMW's own figures) a weight difference of 121 lbs between comparable 128/135 manual coupes and only 55lbs between auto coupes. A far cry from your imagined 230+ lbs.
http://www.bmw128i.com/specifications/

Where do you see me say turbo cars are always the best choice in this post? I didnt. Just more BS from kiddie speed racer stiggy.
My post...."'Turbos are spoiling proper drivers cars'? A nonsensical statement usually made by those who couldnt pony up the extra for the F/I cars. The owners of Ferrari F40's, GT2's, GTR's any many other world beater turbo cars laugh at your ridiculous statements. You keep on posing stiggy, most see through your BS."

Did you even read that thread on the OEM Brembos? Its a 17 page thread with very few people, who for the most part have dedicated track 135's and had a few issues. You being a tamed racing driver should know that during severe racing sometimes even good parts fail due to extreme heat and abuse. Improper cooling is the major culprit of a few failures here. But obviously you know nothing about real world racing. You just watch the stig on the tv(long before most others have) and invision your fantasy world with you as stig. Bravo.

I've read quite a few 128 owners have upgraded to 135 brakes, never heard of one 135 driver swapping out the Brembos for 128 ones. Every review written by the mags testing the 135 praises its brakes.
Are there better brakes than the 135's? Yup, but they're pretty damn good for street, limited track use and HD track work if cooling ducts are installed along with proper pads, fluid . You dont know that and I'm not surprised at all.

So keep talking about turbos ruining everything in performance autos today and embrace your nimble car.

addition- I was just doing some reading on the 128i to learn more about this nimble machine. The car isnt listed on the Official Nurburgring times list. The benchmark, holy grail track for high performance cars. Interesting that a stig plated car hasnt run the Ring officially.
http://www.fastestlaps.com/tracks/nordschleife.html

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

moving to San Diego for a year at the end of this year, and after that, who knows?

This is a bit premature, but welcome to SoCal...

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

This is a bit premature, but welcome to SoCal...

Thanks, I'm looking forward to it. I've lived there before at various points in my life (Huntington Beach, Long Beach, and San Clemente).

[tritonx]

I don't regret my 128i because my next car will be a E36 LS1. Have anyone have swapped an LsX in a E82 yet ?

We always want more power, that said, the 128i is plenty enough to get in trouble quickly. But some of us never have enough.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by tritonx

the 128i is plenty enough to get in trouble quickly.

You said it.

The cari gets up to speed so effortlessly and with very little fanfare... You don't even get the sensation that you're going fast until you look at the speedo and notice your way over the limit.

[Fox128i]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

You don't even get the sensation that you're going fast until you look at the speedo and notice your way over the limit.

I resemble that remark. More than once I might add.

[bozola]

I wish the Stig and NYC6 would stick to topic....

I have NO regrets about my 128.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by Fox128i

I resemble that remark. More than once I might add.

Same here... Tempting fate.

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

US market only gets the 128i and 135i. Well, and the 1M was sold here, of course. And we will get the 135is, if you want to count that as a separate model.

ahhh fair enough.. not fair saying 'least powerful' when it's out of two...

feel bad for the rest of the world where people buy absolutely trash slow 4cyl 1ers... with non xenon headlights, stock bodykit, 16" wheels, no sunroof, non powered seats......

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by bozola

I wish the Stig and NYC6 would stick to topic....

I have NO regrets about my 128.

No problem, I'll drop it. It's like playing chess with a pigeon anyways.

Originally Posted by flinchy

ahhh fair enough.. not fair saying 'least powerful' when it's out of two...

feel bad for the rest of the world where people buy absolutely trash slow 4cyl 1ers... with non xenon headlights, stock bodykit, 16" wheels, no sunroof, non powered seats......

I actually specifically looked for no sunroof or power seats.

[raceman]

Actually I'm proud on right choice.
With good friend tuner an couple of thousand invested, I elevated NATURAL ASPIRATED engine (and that's what makes positive difference) to 295 HP and pretty close performance (still 135 is marginally faster, but nothing to regret the choice).
On the other hand, reliability, sound, feel and real BMW nature of NA engine is what makes BIG point for me.
No chance that I would change my tuned 125/128 for wicked turbo.
Yes, I put Performance front brakes (not big $$$) insted of standard ones and car brakes like crazy.

[coda72]

295 hp? That's impressive, want to do a write up on how you achieved this?

[NYC6]

Originally Posted by raceman

Actually I'm proud on right choice.
With good friend tuner an couple of thousand invested, I elevated NATURAL ASPIRATED engine (and that's what makes positive difference) to 295 HP and pretty close performance (still 135 is marginally faster, but nothing to regret the choice).
On the other hand, reliability, sound, feel and real BMW nature of NA engine is what makes BIG point for me.
No chance that I would change my tuned 125/128 for wicked turbo.
Yes, I put Performance front brakes (not big $$$) insted of standard ones and car brakes like crazy.

Thats great. A huge increase from stock. Thats a heck of a tuner you got there. Is he well know in the tuning community? What are the TQ numbers on your car? Can you post up a dyno? We would all to see it. Dont know why cars in the US dont even come close to these numbers.

[alvitdk]

Originally Posted by coda72

295 hp? That's impressive, want to do a write up on how you achieved this?

+1

[Fox128i]

Originally Posted by alvitdk

+1

Ditto! Very impressive numbers.

[the1andonly]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

You know the Cayenne comes in manual too right?

This has to be the most hideous interior Ive ever seen in a vehicle...and the color is AWEFUL!

[Guam135i]

I have both an 08 128i cabriolet and a 135i coupe. They are different in so many ways but just like kids I love them both, no difference.