No 128i Love :(

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by JimD

As Stig suggested, the only way to minimize trolls is to ignore them. If we keep arguing 128s versus 135s then we shouldn't be surprised if they chime in.

I was a bit concerned about the n52 when I bought my 128i convertible. So I researched where else there were automotive engines where the pistons ride on the aluminum block. That hasn't been mentioned exactly in this thread but was a bigger concern to me than the composite aluminum/magnesium block. I found that BMW used linerless blocks in their larger 5 and 7 series before the 3 and 1 series. That was a little comforting and then I found linerless is what Porsche uses. I still kind of like the "old school" idea of a iron liner in the aluminum block but the linerless approach is not really all that new at this point and seems to work well.

My comment about injectors might have been off-base, when I was researching this we were also flipping between the California engine and the X5 n52, not the 330i. One of them had different injectors but it might have been the california engine (is it the n51?).

I agree about the e36 M3 being surprisingly similar to the 128i in specifications. One item I've noticed in a local autocross, however, is that it is geared differently. I can run almost the entire autocross in 2nd gear but the e36 guys run it in 3rd. Letting the engine spin more for a given mph seems to be common for M cars. It should help the acceleration but I believe the 128i and e36 M3 are also pretty close in 0-60 and 1/4 mile times.

Jim

The US spec e36 M3 was geared super aggressively. Combined with only having a 5 speed, it's fairly annoying on long highway trips... Especially if you like to cruise at high speed.

I like to average ~100-110 on the highway, so that was always the part of the e36 M3 that I liked the least when I had one as a DD. Long highway trips would have me sitting continuously at ~5000 rpm. It really needs a 6th gear!

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Obioban

The US spec e36 M3 was geared super aggressively. Combined with only having a 5 speed, it's fairly annoying on long highway trips... Especially if you like to cruise at high speed.

I like to average ~100-110 on the highway, so that was always the part of the e36 M3 that I liked the least when I had one as a DD. Long highway trips would have me sitting continuously at ~5000 rpm. It really needs a 6th gear!

Exactly. While top speed is usually a relatively meaningless statistic, 137mph is actually rather annoying in the sense that it makes the rest of your highway cruising significantly higher in rpm.

E36 M3 also had a few more torques, so that can ease sitting in third as well.

[AW128i]

I really don't understand why so many 135i owners "hate" on the 128i like it's the chump car or something. Sorry, that's the 328i as far as I'm concerned; i.e., the larger, heavier, and slower "every man" BMW . Anyway, I digress.

If you read the (admittedly few) reviews on the 128i, they all mention that the 128i is the "purest" non-M BMW still made and in terms of driving feel, chassis balance, power/chassis balance, etc., it's better than the 135i. Of course, this is in stock form, but anything else wouldn't be an apples-to-apples comparison. I think what it comes down to is that in stock form, the N54/N55 has enough HP/Tq to overwhelm the E8X chassis and suspension. Whereas, the 128i is powerful enough, but not too much, and so it can therefore be more easily pushed and exploited.

Having had a few turbocharged cars and a few hi-po N.A. cars, I can absolutely appreciate the flexible powerbands that come with attaching hair dryers to an exhaust manifold. But, there's something about the minute incremental feel that a smooth and free-revving N.A. engine brings to the table that is very satisfying. The N54 and N55 are great engines, but they still use forced induction and you can tell. Yes, BMW has done a great job of hiding the turbo(s), but you lose the incremental feel of N.A. when you introduce turbos.

Besides, it takes a lot more skill to drive a low-HP car fast than it does a high-HP car fast .

[TheSt|G]

^^^

Bingo. It was that harmony I was trying to highlight earlier.

[andrey_gta]

I think tuner companies should really jump on the 128i for the following mods:

Intake Manifold= as an alternative to DISA
Full exhaust= similar to Supersprint 125i ( i think adapting 135i OEM and Aftermarket catless midpipes is a must)

Has anyone used a Race shop or Tuner build any custom manifolds in their previous cars??


Its GOLD:"The Gold Reflective Film is an aerospace material capable of reflecting 78% of all radiant heat "
We should wrap DISA Intake in this:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=228547



Seller: http://store.cdoc.com/reflect-a-gold.aspx

[Obioban]

IMO more effective and cheaper to coat your headers.

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by Obioban

IMO more effective to coat your headers.

But not all will get headers.
I have to think twice since i have no Secondary cats, and full cat-less is a financial burden come emission test time

[Obioban]

Thought process behind doing mids before headers?

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by Obioban

Thought process behind doing mids before headers?

Got offered to buy used Custom exhaust. 3inch straight pipe from exhaust manifolds into 135i muffler

Was good deal, very happy with some extra low end gains and sound
Also never thought about Headers, not sure if I will ever consider buying them

[JimD]

I looked up some 0-60 and 1/4 mile times for e36 M3 and 128i. For the e36, a 1995 was listed as 6.1/14.4 and 5.4/13.8. The only 128i coupe independent test I found was from Car and Driver of 5.8/14.5. That is very similar to the 1995 but not the other time, I think it was a 1998 or 1999. Those were 3.2l motors with more torque so it make sense that this plus the gearing would make the e36 a little faster.

I find this article interesting on the subject of handling modifications:

http://www.bimmer-mag.com/issues/101...machine?page=3

I do not plan to do all this anytime soon. My next step is to replace the stock runflats with non-run flat tires, probably Contis, maybe PS2s, with the fronts the same size as the stock rear tires. I might also remove the alignment pin and have an alignment to get a little (maybe half degree) negative camber.

Jim

[jb2178]

Originally Posted by JimD

I do not plan to do all this anytime soon. My next step is to replace the stock runflats with non-run flat tires, probably Contis, maybe PS2s, with the fronts the same size as the stock rear tires. I might also remove the alignment pin and have an alignment to get a little (maybe half degree) negative camber.

Do the E93 front sway bar with your tires, it's only $200 and a very nice small mod. Not sure about the convertible models but I'd assume everything swaps. The sway bar and non run-flats is the only thing I've done to my baby - if you have the staggered wheels (7inch fronts and 7.5 rears) you can run 225/45s on the front and 235/45s on the rear, I went star specs for autocrossing but I think it helped my handling a lot. Even with just the stock sport suspension it feels a lot more planted - less floaty and better turn in with less body roll.

[mikal7]

Andrey, +1 on the custom intake manifold!

I have a turbo rx7, and I could've bought a 135i no problem either, but the 128i just felt right.

I did wish it was tuned differently so that it revved higher, but for daily driving it makes sense.

For me what it came down to was an 09 yaris four door (complete beater duty) or an rx8 r3 (what I actually wanted), and in the end the 128i CPO just made the most practical sense. Maybe I'm getting older...

Really if you get a proper clutch pack LSD (os giken makes one ) with a short ratio like a 4.10 (oem is 3.23 right?) it will transform the car.

Along with all the suspension mods/tires available so that time of 5.8 on runflats is impressive.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by JimD

I looked up some 0-60 and 1/4 mile times for e36 M3 and 128i. For the e36, a 1995 was listed as 6.1/14.4 and 5.4/13.8. The only 128i coupe independent test I found was from Car and Driver of 5.8/14.5. That is very similar to the 1995 but not the other time, I think it was a 1998 or 1999. Those were 3.2l motors with more torque so it make sense that this plus the gearing would make the e36 a little faster.

I find this article interesting on the subject of handling modifications:

http://www.bimmer-mag.com/issues/101...machine?page=3

I do not plan to do all this anytime soon. My next step is to replace the stock runflats with non-run flat tires, probably Contis, maybe PS2s, with the fronts the same size as the stock rear tires. I might also remove the alignment pin and have an alignment to get a little (maybe half degree) negative camber.

Jim

That's a really fantastic article and speaks volumes when one of the foremost experts on suspension picks the 128i for his personal car.

On your second point, just get the PS2s. There is no contest between them and the Contis, and tires impact every single aspect of driving. Handling, turning, comfort, acceleration, stability, ambient noise, etc are all determined by tire choice. Only area to never cheap out on.

[mikal7]

stig, any photos of your car??

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by mikal7

Andrey, +1 on the custom intake manifold!

I have a turbo rx7, and I could've bought a 135i no problem either, but the 128i just felt right.

I did wish it was tuned differently so that it revved higher, but for daily driving it makes sense.

For me what it came down to was an 09 yaris four door (complete beater duty) or an rx8 r3 (what I actually wanted), and in the end the 128i CPO just made the most practical sense. Maybe I'm getting older...

Really if you get a proper clutch pack LSD (os giken makes one ) with a short ratio like a 4.10 (oem is 3.23 right?) it will transform the car.

Along with all the suspension mods/tires available so that time of 5.8 on runflats is impressive.

130i has 3.46, (100km/h is something like 2500rpm ish) both wavetrak and quaife make a 3.73:1 and that is SUPER short for our cars, would be pretty awesome. Just pricey lol

No need to get a clutch over helical, the only thing you'd notice is the clunking lol.

[dorkdog]

Originally Posted by NYC6

Refrain from comments like this childish quip you do on a nearly daily basis.
"Well, when you car breaks less it's hard to have tons of threads complaining about the engine putting us into limp mode. "

You're the 'leader' in starting shit wars.
You do it regarding automatics v manuals, sport package v non sport, 128 v 135. You just have to always be the instigator.

Amidst all this I read the name as 'The Stig' so that is part of inSTIGator isn't it? That's the only thing useful I get out of these kinds of posts and exchanges where it's like "That's 30 seconds I'll never get back"

Getting back to the issue at hand, I find it less traumatic to admit that I am not as smart, rich, or probably as good looking (and certainly not as well-hung, obviously) as many of the 135 owners are, and quite honestly I'm good with that because I'll get out my guitar and play any one of you under the table in a heartbeat. That's where my bollocks lie; not here. If I'm gonna drop a couple large on something it's gonna have strings attached, not horses.

I am all for a 128i forum because I'm sick of hearing about all the crap I could do if I had a 135. JB this and PPK, Dinan and all that mean nothing to me. I have nothing against the 135; I have nothing against the Prius or the Sedona or my wife's Santa Fe. None of them is for me is all.

The ironic thing is that this board was a large part of the decision I made to get a 128 rather than a 3 series or 135.

I'm here to learn and share information about the car I drive, or wear (love the sport seats) to work every day. It may not be a 'real' BMW, as has been implied, but I don't even care about that. It says BMW on it, and this is where other folks that have them post, so this is where I am.

Before I became a BMW owner, many years ago (1983 320i MT) I wondered what it would do to me, and whether it would turn me into a pompous ass who hides behind an expensive car. I was pleased to find that I did not change at all because of the car I drove and dismissed it as a stereotype. Now, I have a 128i and find that the pompousness is right here, on this forum, and here I am right in the middle of it, likely viewed as pompous myself for the way I type this now.

So yes, 128/135 separate forums. Completely different cars, completely different priorities and maintenance needs. In many cases (but not all, there are some 135 owners who stand up for us 128 owners) I think completely different personalities as well.

[andrey_gta]

Wavetrack is cheaper LSD and for a few e90 guys it takes yood abuse.

For tires, why PS2 over PSS , and those over Conti DW. How do star spec compare for a DD.??

That article has some holes regarding wheel size choice and other stuff. Good place to start. 128i with all M3 /1M bits and qn LSD...nice

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

Wavetrack is cheaper LSD and for a few e90 guys it takes yood abuse.

For tires, why PS2 over PSS , and those over Conti DW. How do star spec compare for a DD.??

That article has some holes regarding wheel size choice and other stuff. Good place to start. 128i with all M3 /1M bits and qn LSD...nice

I prefer the PSSs to the PS2s overall, but the PS2s are more comfortable and quieter than the PSSs.

Conti DWs and star specs are MUCH louder and harsher than the PSSs, with no grip advantage.

[alvitdk]

Originally Posted by dorkdog

Amidst all this I read the name as 'The Stig' so that is part of inSTIGator isn't it? That's the only thing useful I get out of these kinds of posts and exchanges where it's like "That's 30 seconds I'll never get back"

Getting back to the issue at hand, I find it less traumatic to admit that I am not as smart, rich, or probably as good looking (and certainly not as well-hung, obviously) as many of the 135 owners are, and quite honestly I'm good with that because I'll get out my guitar and play any one of you under the table in a heartbeat. That's where my bollocks lie; not here. If I'm gonna drop a couple large on something it's gonna have strings attached, not horses.

I am all for a 128i forum because I'm sick of hearing about all the crap I could do if I had a 135. JB this and PPK, Dinan and all that mean nothing to me. I have nothing against the 135; I have nothing against the Prius or the Sedona or my wife's Santa Fe. None of them is for me is all.

The ironic thing is that this board was a large part of the decision I made to get a 128 rather than a 3 series or 135.

I'm here to learn and share information about the car I drive, or wear (love the sport seats) to work every day. It may not be a 'real' BMW, as has been implied, but I don't even care about that. It says BMW on it, and this is where other folks that have them post, so this is where I am.

Before I became a BMW owner, many years ago (1983 320i MT) I wondered what it would do to me, and whether it would turn me into a pompous ass who hides behind an expensive car. I was pleased to find that I did not change at all because of the car I drove and dismissed it as a stereotype. Now, I have a 128i and find that the pompousness is right here, on this forum, and here I am right in the middle of it, likely viewed as pompous myself for the way I type this now.

So yes, 128/135 separate forums. Completely different cars, completely different priorities and maintenance needs. In many cases (but not all, there are some 135 owners who stand up for us 128 owners) I think completely different personalities as well.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

That article has some holes regarding wheel size choice and other stuff. Good place to start. 128i with all M3 /1M bits and qn LSD...nice

19s are going a bit far. You are starting to get some serious rotational inertia and the tires have significantly reduced flex.

On the article, I loved this section:

Kline wanted to see how well he could make the 1 Series handle, and he was especially keen to see what could be done with the 128i. At 3,208 lbs., it’s the lightest BMW sold today, weighing 165 lbs. less than the 135i and carrying 120 fewer pounds over its front axle.

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

Wavetrack is cheaper LSD and for a few e90 guys it takes yood abuse.

For tires, why PS2 over PSS , and those over Conti DW. How do star spec compare for a DD.??

That article has some holes regarding wheel size choice and other stuff. Good place to start. 128i with all M3 /1M bits and qn LSD...nice

Star Specs are nice, grippy tires, but they are quite a bit louder than the PS3's, which I think are much more refined overall. I would argue that the Star Specs are maybe slightly stickier than the PS3's, at least cold, but they're also softer and seem to wear much quicker. I've never tried the PS2's.

[JimD]

I'll post my tire logic in case anybody is interested. I am down to three choices and I need to make the decision effectively now. I will have them installed at a local independent place that I need to give a shot at matching tire racks price. If they can't, I'll have them shipped there and they will install.

I want the fronts the same size as the backs so I can rotate. Not for serious track duty but just for daily driving. My fronts have 5mm tread left but the back are worn out, 2mm left. I also want to reduce the understeer on the track. 225/45/17 will fit on my 7 inch wide front wheels according to tire rack so that is my plan for size, 4 tires all the same size but on 7 inch wide rims on front and 7.5 inch rims on back.

The tires I am considering are the Continental Extreme Contact DW and DWS and the Michelin Pilot Super Sport (not PS2 like I said earlier). Tire racks ratings are 8.6, 8.4, and 9.2. Tread wear are 340, 540, and 300. Cost is $516, $500, and $708 (for a set of 4 without shipping). I think any of these will be significantly better than my run flats. The high treadwear of the DWS is really tempting. I don't really need the all weather capability but once a year it might be handy (but I have a SUV). The Contis are obviously a bargain for a highly rated tire and the owners say good things about them. But the PSS is all around a better tire and beats the Contis in every way except on snow versus the DWS. I should probably just not cheap out (again) and get the PSS. (I don't consider the 128i a "cheap out", I got what I wanted.)

Jim