Who's keepin the 1...?

[aaront]

No other car has ever made me so damn happy. I still get gitty whenever I push the start button.

[RWD4Life]

Originally Posted by the1andonly

The fence between a 128 and135? If its any help...I bought a BRAND NEW low options zero miles 2012 for $29200 and its absolutely awesome...black on black , tinted windows, just added a BMW performance exhaust and it get compliments daily...my friend with a 335 is jealous it's so nice looking...

BUT here is my one piece of advice...if you get the 128, absolutely ABSOLUTELY get it in manual, it's a totally different car...test drive a manual 128 vs auto 135 and you'll see the clear choice...

The 135 is a great car, the 128 is a great car...

Thanks but your very last sentence puts me right back on the fence

[the1andonly]

Originally Posted by RWD4Life

Thanks but your very last sentence puts me right back on the fence

Great car under $30,000 or great car over $40,000 = no brainier

[JTBMW1]

Definitely keeping the 128i. It's our first BMW and with the 3 being way too big, the 1 is a perfect size for us and plenty sporty. Although the acceleration is only average, with the M suspension package and 18 inch wheels the handling is the best of any car I have ever driven. I plan to buy the lease out in 2014.

[jb2178]

I love my 46,000 mile 4 year old 128i. I'm also on the verge of paying it off and then it will be mine forever - no car payment while owning a great car is going to be outstanding.

[JimD]

I plan on keeping my 128i vert for a long time. It has "been mine" since day 1, no loan. I normally keep cars 8-10 years and unless I run into a lot of problems, I will do the same with my 128. I keep up on new cars and I cannot think of one I would rather have. I think I like Boxters but occasionally it's really nice to have a back seat. I like the looks of the old Z3M but I don't think I'd like to live with maintenance on an older M car. And I would have a space issue with it too. Bigger BMWs are not sport enough.

This may not make sense to you guys but my 128i reminds me of my first car, a 1966 mustang which also had an inline 6 of about the same size. The 66 was a dog in acceleration compared to my 128i but was a lot of fun. With a manual, the 128i is not "average" in acceleration, it is quicker than most vehicles. It's easily as fast as the 66 with a V8. Plenty enough for me to have fun.

As BMW converts to all turbos I think NA 6s will be in demand. That won't make me sell but may be a factor to consider.

Jim

[JasonCSU]

I was always planning on keeping my 135 for quite a while, and if I do decicde to pick up something else, it will probably be in addition to the 135. I like what I've seen with the upcoming 4 series and M3/M4, but they will probably be well out of my price range. It will be interesting to see what the 2 series, M2, and potential Z3 will be like. Even with all of these upcoming new car options, there are still a lot of great used car options I would entertain.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by TMR013

4 years, and only minimal issues. Of course had all the requisite recalls and S/B's, tailights, HPFP, seat belt tensioner, but none of them ever gave me a problem.

Same here. The only random issue I experienced was a failed power window regulator.

[BrokenVert]

Itll be a trip. But im committed to keeping at this point. Hit 80K miles the other day, the engine feels brand new after the turbo/wastegate warranty repair.

[mtnboy]

Ok, Bought my '08 with 12K for 50% of new retail, so my buy in cost is relatively minimal.

Figure daily driver until it is not reliable or we have to drive electric cars. Then all the redundant stuff gets pulled out for weight and she becomes a track beast.

Then when I am 85 and she is 42, I miss the last turn on the last section of the PCH and we crash and burn like a viking funeral pyer. We are then pulled out to sea by the rising tide off into legend.

[RWD4Life]

Originally Posted by mtnboy

Ok, Bought my '08 with 12K for 50% of new retail, so my buy in cost is relatively minimal.

Figure daily driver until it is not reliable or we have to drive electric cars. Then all the redundant stuff gets pulled out for weight and she becomes a track beast.

Then when I am 85 and she is 42, I miss the last turn on the last section of the PCH and we crash and burn like a viking funeral pyer. We are then pulled out to sea by the rising tide off into legend.

Epic. Magnificent. What else?

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

Same here. The only random issue I experienced was a failed power window regulator.

That's pretty good for an '08.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by RWD4Life

That's pretty good for an '08.

It does have just under 28k miles on it, so that could be why I suppose.

[RWD4Life]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

It does have just under 28k miles on it, so that could be why I suppose.

So which one is actually the DD?

[IndyMike]

Well, if the 1 M had not gotten in the way I was prepared to keep the LMB/Lemon 135i for a very, very long time.

I don't see anything on the horizon that will eclipse the 128, 135 or 1 M in terms of size, weight, and driving dynamics that I pinpoint in a vehicle.

I prefer manual transmissions, and without equivocation the kit in the one series is easily the best of any BMW I've ever experienced which goes back to the E30 318is I cut my BMW teeth on.

And call me nuts, but I think the einser is the best looking of any of the current offerings by this marque.

Yeah, the stock oners snout and mug give it a bulldog look front on (which I like because it's distinctive), but its side, 3/4 and directly from behind view are way too boss looking.

Then add to this pack of already wild and rambunctious dogs the air curtains, wider fenders, rims, meats and quads of the 1 M and you now have a rabip, salivating pit bull romping around with a pin pulled grenade in its mouth.

So, yeah, with God's good grace I fully intend to keep this vehicle until I'm either raptured out of here or I'm pushing up daisies.

[RWD4Life]

Based on what everyone is saying I should get a 128 manual rather than a 135 DCT?

[631twentyeighteye]

If you want a slower yet purist car and feel, yes. If you want raw power and speed with the same handling get a 135i.

[the1andonly]

Originally Posted by 631twentyeighteye

If you want a slower yet purist car and feel, yes. If you want raw power and speed with the same handling get a 135i.

In my experience the manual 128 feels much better/faster off the line than the auto 135, has that instant power and snap only a manual can deliver...on the other hand, the manual 135, now that felt like raw power!

Out of the three...in my opinion, the auto 135 was the least enjoyable to drive...and ironically the most expensive...

[ulrichd]

Just paid mine off and I will enjoy not having a car payment for a while. I can't afford a new Cayman and the Audi R4 Coupe was cancelled so nothing is really tempting me.

[Louder]

Originally Posted by RWD4Life

Based on what everyone is saying I should get a 128 manual rather than a 135 DCT?

You should test drive the two options to discover which one best fits your needs.

I went with the 135i, let me say, torque is very addicting. Good Luck!

[RWD4Life]

Originally Posted by Louder

You should test drive the two options to discover which one best fits your needs.

I went with the 135i, let me say, torque is very addicting. Good Luck!

I tried both of them and still very much undecided. I love the 135 M Sport for its raw power but I'm worried about its long term reliability. I love the 128 M Sport because its legendary NA in-line 6 but I don't want to go through the hassle of selling my 17" wheels and picking-up 18", plus the AT in the 128 is just a slush box. I've driven MT all my life but I recently got to a point where I just want to get into my car and drive off without making any extra efforts... I know I'm being super lazy but I'm not sure MT is worth it anymore given the few occasions I'll be able to have fun with it...Ugh can't make up my friggin' mind!

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by RWD4Life

So which one is actually the DD?

I don't have any one of them set as a daily driver, so it really depends on the day, the weather, and what mood I'm in. All three are equally fun to drive in their own way.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by RWD4Life

I've driven MT all my life but I recently got to a point where I just want to get into my car and drive off without making any extra efforts...

Oh come on, how is shifting that wonderful MT "extra effort?"

It's that effort that makes driving a BMW rewarding.