BMW 128i tire question

[summer15]

Will the 16 inch winter wheels and tires from the E90 328i fit the E82 128i? According to the operating manuals the standard 16" winter tire sizes are identical so they almost certainly will. Yes, it is easy to check physically but my winters are in storage.

I am new to this forum. I have been a BMW owner since 1972, having had a 2002, E21, E30, E36, E46, and E90. I just bought a used (certified pre-owned) 2013 128i Msport. The E90 is not worn out but I could not pass up the opportunity to acquire one of the last of the N52s. It is just a wonderful, wonderful motor.

I bought all of my previous BMWs new and kept them for one model cycle, 7-10 years, and ran up 250,000 kms or so on each. All were in good mechanical shape when I traded them in (the 2002 and E21 were rust prone). The E90 has less than 120,000 kms on it because I drive a lot less now but I was beginning to wonder what I would do for my next car.

As it happened, a 1 configured exactly as I would have ordered one new showed up so I snapped it up. It meets all of my key musts; no turbo, no i-drive, rear wheel drive, manual transmission, sport package. These are firm requirements that preclude any future new BMWs. So as it stands now, after more than 40 years, the 128i will be my last BMW.

The only drawback of the 128i is that it is maybe the 2nd least attractive BMW in history (remember the 318ti?) but I will probably get used to it.

Thanks,

[Tuxedo]

Originally Posted by summer15

Will the 16 inch winter wheels and tires from the E90 328i fit the E82 128i? According to the operating manuals the standard 16" winter tire sizes are identical so they almost certainly will. Yes, it is easy to check physically but my winters are in storage.

The only drawback of the 128i is that it is maybe the 2nd least attractive BMW in history (remember the 318ti?) but I will probably get used to it.

I e90 > e82 16" should be no problem for winter even though the e82 never had 16" the e88 and e90 both came standard with BMW style 360 rims.

Looks I agree the 1er is a bit dowdy but imo channels enough of a modern e30 vert that I still love it.

[HeyMoe53]

I agree with the tire fitment.

No, the 1er isn't the most "beautiful" BMW. I prefer to think in terms of "utilitarian."

Plus, I buy 'em to drive 'em, not as much to look at them.

I'm sure that my next BMW will have a turbo; it is the way it is going. But, if I can't get a stick I will look elsewhere.

[moosey]

For what it's worth, I run a 16" wheel setup on my 128i in the winter.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by summer15

The only drawback of the 128i is that it is maybe the 2nd least attractive BMW in history (remember the 318ti?) but I will probably get used to it.

The 1er hatchback sold in Europe is pretty ugly, especially with those squinty (> [][] <) headlights.

Originally Posted by HeyMoe53

I'm sure that my next BMW will have a turbo; it is the way it is going. But, if I can't get a stick I will look elsewhere.

If you want a stick, you'll most likely have to order it: I had to order my 1er with a stick, since finding one on a dealership lot was impossible.

[bozola]

I have a 128 and 2 Ti's. I love the way they look.. But then again, I also have a z3 coupe. Now I am thinking GT. I love ugly BMWs.

Welcome to the 1 series forum

[Pissoff]

16" wheels came on the 128i. If you didn't get the sport pkg. you got 16" wheels stock with 205-55-16's all the way around.

[Slow128i]

http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/bmw/156


If those are the rims you are referring to, they will fit. I ran them this past winter with no problems at all, no rubbing nothing, the offset is off a bit but it was not a problem with my car. IMO it did not look half bad considering the rims, looked quite beefy oddly enough. My car also has sport package.

[summer15]

Thanks to everyone for their helpful replies. I wanted to confirm that I do not have to buy new wheels and tires before next October.

I bought the car for its mechanical design but it already looks better to my eye the more I see it. There are a few 1's around in my area but not many.

[HeyMoe53]

bmw1racer--I'm on my second 128 M-sport. Both were sticks, and both were ordered.

Finding a new BMW with a stick on the lot just doesn't happen.

A driver has five inputs into driving--steering wheel, accelerator, brake, clutch, and stick shift. Having an auto takes away 40% of those inputs.

[MA128]

I completely agree with Moe. I'm on my second 128 MT and probably my last BMW unless they significantly improve the current driving experience / value proposition.

[Booey1979]

Originally Posted by summer15

Thanks to everyone for their helpful replies. I wanted to confirm that I do not have to buy new wheels and tires before next October.

I bought the car for its mechanical design but it already looks better to my eye the more I see it. There are a few 1's around in my area but not many.

This is your last BMW, it's my first :-).

Love the small foot print, 4 seat layout, rwd, 50:50 handling. And pretty complaint ride. Really a great car. It has some bad angles, but most cars have bad sides.

[summer15]

Originally Posted by Booey1979

This is your last BMW, it's my first :-).

Love the small foot print, 4 seat layout, rwd, 50:50 handling. And pretty complaint ride. Really a great car. It has some bad angles, but most cars have bad sides.

I hope that your future experience with BMWs is as happy as mine has been over the years. Of all the BMWs I have owned, my memory of the first, a 1972 BMW2002 is still the fondest of all. It proves (to me at least) that brute power is not the be all and end all of driving pleasure; the 2002 only had 100hp and its power to weight ratio did not compare to today's cars. Every 3 series has gotten bigger and heavier with each iteration. I am hoping that the 128i will take me back in time a little.

Good luck.