Just picked up my new car

[Kafer]

Just picked up my new to me 2009 128i 6MT with sports pack, premium pack and premium sound package. I'm coming from a 2011 328i x-drive.



The reason why I traded in is because I found the 328i too big and too boring for my tastes. Don't get me wrong, it is a superb car, but the combination of x-drive, the raised suspension and the lack of anything "sporty" about the car made for a boring drive. The 328i had a big thin steering wheel, a tall shifter, softish suspension, no exhaust sound, etc, etc.... some of these things might seem a bit trivial, but for me they are the things that put a bit of a gin on my face from time to time.

The 128 starts up with a deep grumble, has a nice fat steering wheel and a nice short shifter. Through the rev range, the car sings to you through the exhaust and engine note. The 328, being more luxury minded, is more isolated from all that good stuff. I'm very surprised by the exhaust, it's much louder than my 328, enough so that I want to check if it has the Performance Exhaust installed. Does anyone know what to check for?

When it comes to driving, the two cars are night and day. The 328xi is a car who's four wheels are planted on the road no matter what. Drop the clutch or pin it around a corner and the all-season tires will squeal a bit, but they will never break loose. The body however, will roll, pitch and dive a lot more than the 128i. I can see why people say that the sports package is essential to any E90 or E82.

My one complaint about the 128 so far is the lack of grip. I'm not sure if I just need to learn how to drive it or if it has to do with the new set of Dunlop SP Sports, but it sure seems like this car cannot put it's power down very well nor can it corner without DSC kicking in early to prevent significant oversteer. The DSC will always kick in if I give it any sort of throttle input through a corner. Even banking through on and off ramps with a constant throttle, the DSC will intervene. And this is going at a similar speeds that I would have gone in my 328. Keep in mind that this is my first true RWD car so it could very well be that I just have to learn how to drive it.

In any case, I am very happy with my trade and look forward to driving it everyday.

Now the biggest challenge for me will be winter driving...

[JasonCSU]

Nice car and welcome!

[meg180]

congrats on the new ride!

[m_thompson]

Originally Posted by Kafer

The reason why I traded in is because I found the 328i too big and too boring for my tastes.

Now the biggest challenge for me will be winter driving...

That is the same reason I bought a 128i after driving 3-series for decades.

Winter tires will make a huge difference. I bought a tire/wheel set from the Tire Rack. No problems in the snow at all.

[doublevanosrc]

Nice color and wheels.

[Greenkirby21]

If you want better grip you could go with wider tires. If you have sport suspension u will have no problem running 135i sizes of 225 front and 245 rear

Assuming you have rims that support this

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

If you want better grip you could go with wider tires. If you have sport suspension u will have no problem running 135i sizes of 225 front and 245 rear

Assuming you have rims that support this

He's in Canada, I'm pretty sure the 2009 128i /w sports pack up here came with the 18" 225/245 setup that the 135i. I know my 2008 did. So if he got the factory rims with the car he should be able to support it. This is one of the various differences between the car here and stateside (amongst other things the moonroof wasn't standard either).

I've never had any issues with the DSC coming on during a corner but then again I almost always drive in DTC mode. Can you describe how you are manipulating the throttle in the corner? What speed, gear and RPM are you doing at the point when DSC kicks in? I could be wrong but in a RWD car if you are coming hard into a corner already in a low gear you really aren't supposed to be adding a lot of throttle input mid-corner (or decreasing throttle input either!) or you'll know what its like to be sideways without DSC.

What size are your tires and was your previous AWD car stick or auto? Wonder if the tires just need to be broken in if they are new/

[Dackelone]

Welcome!

+1 on buying a dedicated snow tire set.

[Fox128i]

Welcome aboard!

[Kafer]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

He's in Canada, I'm pretty sure the 2009 128i /w sports pack up here came with the 18" 225/245 setup that the 135i. I know my 2008 did. So if he got the factory rims with the car he should be able to support it. This is one of the various differences between the car here and stateside (amongst other things the moonroof wasn't standard either).

I've never had any issues with the DSC coming on during a corner but then again I almost always drive in DTC mode. Can you describe how you are manipulating the throttle in the corner? What speed, gear and RPM are you doing at the point when DSC kicks in? I could be wrong but in a RWD car if you are coming hard into a corner already in a low gear you really aren't supposed to be adding a lot of throttle input mid-corner (or decreasing throttle input either!) or you'll know what its like to be sideways without DSC.

What size are your tires and was your previous AWD car stick or auto? Wonder if the tires just need to be broken in if they are new/

Thanks for the welcome everyone!

Correct, I have the factory 18" 225/245 setup with brand new Dunlop SP Sports. I figured out a big part of the problem which was the tire pressure. The dealer inflated them to 42 PSI each! Any sort of bump would seriously upset the car. It's a lot better now that I have them at 32 front and 36 rear.

By manipulating the throttle I simply mean trying to increase the throttle would kick off the DSC in many situations. But after adjusting the pressure and I guess breaking in the new tires a bit, it's greatly improved. If fact it's amazing!!

I'm definitely getting winter tires, but still we get a decent amount of snow and ice here in Ottawa, so it will be interesting!

[ken1137]

Welcome and congrats! From another former 3 series owner

[tritonx]

Congratulation.

Don't worry about the winter, if you know how to drive a snowmobile it will be a breeze. I have been through 2 winter in my 128i, and 5 in a RWD, it is one of the few things that makes me enjoy the cold season, as long as you have a garage to keep it warm and clean...

[roo97ss]

Originally Posted by Kafer

Thanks for the welcome everyone!

Correct, I have the factory 18" 225/245 setup with brand new Dunlop SP Sports. I figured out a big part of the problem which was the tire pressure. The dealer inflated them to 42 PSI each! Any sort of bump would seriously upset the car. It's a lot better now that I have them at 32 front and 36 rear.

By manipulating the throttle I simply mean trying to increase the throttle would kick off the DSC in many situations. But after adjusting the pressure and I guess breaking in the new tires a bit, it's greatly improved. If fact it's amazing!!

I'm definitely getting winter tires, but still we get a decent amount of snow and ice here in Ottawa, so it will be interesting!

As someone mentioned, i always run the car in DTC mode, which allows a reasonable amount of slippage before the overly intrusive stability control shuts it all down. It's still not ideal, but its much better than full on.