"1 vs. 3" to "135 vs 128"

stu@motivemag · 02-20-2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklein11

In all honesty, I am not a fast car kind of guy. That's why I would probably be happy with the 128. Having said that, my definition of "fast as hell" is probably quite different from some of the other members in this forum. Most of you really know your stuff, and I have learned a lot from all of you. My G35 is by far, the fastest car I ever had. I had a 2002 BMW Z3 2.5I and I had a 2005 Lotus Elise as well. My G35 takes your head off when you hit the gas (no modifications). I have been spoiled by the G and most other cars seem sluggish in comparison. At least I know I can get the 135 if the test drive of the 128 doesn't do it for me.

Thanks again for all the responses and feedback.

Hi, I just registered but I've been checking in on this forum from time to time. I'm senior editor at motivemag.com and work with bryan at mwerks.com, who posts in here quite often. I just got back from the 1-series press launch in California and drove both cars. If you aren't a fast car lover, you'll be plenty happy with the 128i. I actually found it to be a bit more entertaining from everything but a pure power standpoint. The non-turbo engine actually feels a bit happier to rev and has a better exhaust note in my opinion. I drove a sport package car, and while the smaller wheels to a little sharpness out of the car's handling, it also made the ride slightly better. Like I said, the 128i really only loses out in acceleration. The 135i's turbos provide endless torque right into triple digits and the 128i really can't match that.

If I were in the market for this car, I'd definitely stick with the 128 and put the money I saved into suspension and a thicker rear sway bar. I'm with you, being more concerned with an involving car rather than a fast one. The 128 won't disappoint you.

mikeo · 02-20-2008, 02:38 PM

Welcome, Stu, I just finished sending you an email.

stu@motivemag · 02-20-2008, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeo

Welcome, Stu, I just finished sending you an email.

Thanks, Mike. If anyone has any specific questions about the car, feel free to e-mail me at stu@motivemag.com.

spudw · 02-20-2008, 02:51 PM

^ Wow! Thanks for your perspective. I think that's the first bonafide driving impression we've had for a 128i. And it confirms my suspicion that the 128i will be a very satisfying car in its own right. The hysteria is all around the 135i is understandable, but the smart $$ may be on the 128i...

mikeo · 02-20-2008, 02:53 PM

Spud, if I didn't live at high altitude it would have been hard to pass on the 128--it's a sleeper.

mikeo · 02-20-2008, 02:57 PM

To share my question to Stu and his answer:

Stu's answer:

"I'd be glad to, Mike. The sills definitely just said BMW. The ///M logos are limited to the steering wheel and shifter..."

Stu

My email to Stu:

Stu,

Would you be so kind as to confirm if the door sills on the 135i had the ///M logo or just BMW? Forgot to look last Sunday.

Thanks,
Mike
Santa Fe

larryn · 02-20-2008, 03:05 PM

Mike, I'm very much okay with not having ///M sills. I don't mind a trinket here and there, but it isn't an M car, and a door sill isn't something like a grippier shift knob or beefier steering wheel, that have M logos.

stu@motivemag · 02-20-2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryn

Mike, I'm very much okay with not having ///M sills. I don't mind a trinket here and there, but it isn't an M car, and a door sill isn't something like a grippier shift knob or beefier steering wheel, that have M logos.

If I were to buy a 128i I'd do everything possible to try and snag the 135i's steering wheel. My god it is a wonderful thing.

john970 · 02-20-2008, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeo

Spud, if I didn't live at high altitude it would have been hard to pass on the 128--it's a sleeper.

+1, but honestly I'd still prob. end up with the 135i.

larryn · 02-20-2008, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stu@motivemag

If I were to buy a 128i I'd do everything possible to try and snag the 135i's steering wheel. My god it is a wonderful thing.

I bought the M3 steering wheel for my old E46 330i, a few cars back. I loved that thing.

spudw · 02-20-2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeo

Spud, if I didn't live at high altitude it would have been hard to pass on the 128--it's a sleeper.

And were cost less of a consideration, I'd be all over the 135i... I don't mean to come across as "holier-than-thou" on the cost/benefit analysis, as I may very well go for the 135i myself...

Really looking forward to test driving one to feel the F18-like thrust.

E82tt6 · 02-20-2008, 05:06 PM

Thanks for the input Stu. Sounds like the OP should go for a 128.

ZilberGrau ZHP · 02-21-2008, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhereItsAt

The new G35 Sedan (2007/08) is a high 13 second car. .

I have a G35 (just traded in my 05 for an 08) and was originally thinking of getting the 135 as the replacement. But I needed more space for a daily driver. Later this year I will buy a weekend car, the 135 is calling my name the loudest!

LOL! I have a Z4MC and I am looking at the 135 to be my "weekday car"! Get the Z4MC for your weekend car- you wont regret one mile in it!!! Witht he huge discounts they give off of them you will have the best of all worlds.

RBS · 02-21-2008, 10:41 PM

I agree with getting the M-coupe. I did the BMW Ultimate Driving School and drove these in many different conditions and absolutely LOVE the car.

As far as weekend warriors go the M-coupe has my vote.

hector · 02-22-2008, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thud

The G35 / G37 has something infiniti calls "acceleration swell."...

nonlinear acceleration...

otherwise known i believe as "jerk" which in mathematical/physics terms would be expressed as the rate of change of acceleration and which indeed provides the enhanced sensation of acceleration that you describe.

WhereItsAt · 02-22-2008, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZE4EMCE

LOL! I have a Z4MC and I am looking at the 135 to be my "weekday car"! Get the Z4MC for your weekend car- you wont regret one mile in it!!! Witht he huge discounts they give off of them you will have the best of all worlds.

Do you expect the discounts from this past fall to be had this coming fall? If so, than I absolutely will. My borther-in-law has a 2002 M roadster and a 2006 M coupe. I really like the coupe!

TazioNYC · 02-22-2008, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklein11

In all honesty, I am not a fast car kind of guy. That's why I would probably be happy with the 128. Having said that, my definition of "fast as hell" is probably quite different from some of the other members in this forum. Most of you really know your stuff, and I have learned a lot from all of you. My G35 is by far, the fastest car I ever had. I had a 2002 BMW Z3 2.5I and I had a 2005 Lotus Elise as well. My G35 takes your head off when you hit the gas (no modifications). I have been spoiled by the G and most other cars seem sluggish in comparison. At least I know I can get the 135 if the test drive of the 128 doesn't do it for me.

Thanks again for all the responses and feedback.

The Infiniti feels faster than a Lotus Elise?

aklein11 · 02-22-2008, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TazioNYC

The Infiniti feels faster than a Lotus Elise?

From a dead stop - when you hit the gas - absolutely!

mbell75 · 02-23-2008, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklein11

My G35 takes your head off when you hit the gas (no modifications). I have been spoiled by the G and most other cars seem sluggish in comparison. At least I know I can get the 135 if the test drive of the 128 doesn't do it for me.

hmmm, what other cars are you driving? My girlfriend has an 07 G35 and its ok. 0-60 in the mid 5s and a 14 second quarter mile are far from one of the fastest cars I have ever driven. If a 306hp/268tq G35 is "taking your head off when you hit the gas", by all means dont EVER drive a Corvette Z06 or anything that says HEMI on it. Wouldnt want you blown out the back of the car from the force :biggrin:

RBS · 02-25-2008, 01:58 AM

meh... I can walk all over a G35 all day in my Legacy GT.

02-20-2008, 02:38 PM	#24
mikeo Santa Fe Concorso 103 Rep 2,984 Posts Drives: '11 M-sport 328i, '13 X1 28i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Santa Fe, NM iTrader: (3)	Welcome, Stu, I just finished sending you an email. __________________ Santa Fe Concorso - The Southwest's Premier Automotive Gathering.
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02-20-2008, 02:51 PM	#26
spudw Major 70 Rep 1,305 Posts Drives: 2009 128i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	^ Wow! Thanks for your perspective. I think that's the first bonafide driving impression we've had for a 128i. And it confirms my suspicion that the 128i will be a very satisfying car in its own right. The hysteria is all around the 135i is understandable, but the smart $$ may be on the 128i... __________________ 2009 BMW 128i ~ Jet Black ~ Sport Package ~ Sunroof ~ USB Integration ~ Delivered on October 14, 2009
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02-20-2008, 02:53 PM	#27
mikeo Santa Fe Concorso 103 Rep 2,984 Posts Drives: '11 M-sport 328i, '13 X1 28i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Santa Fe, NM iTrader: (3)	Spud, if I didn't live at high altitude it would have been hard to pass on the 128--it's a sleeper. __________________ Santa Fe Concorso - The Southwest's Premier Automotive Gathering.
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02-20-2008, 02:57 PM	#28
mikeo Santa Fe Concorso 103 Rep 2,984 Posts Drives: '11 M-sport 328i, '13 X1 28i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Santa Fe, NM iTrader: (3)	To share my question to Stu and his answer: Stu's answer: "I'd be glad to, Mike. The sills definitely just said BMW. The ///M logos are limited to the steering wheel and shifter..." Stu My email to Stu: Stu, Would you be so kind as to confirm if the door sills on the 135i had the ///M logo or just BMW? Forgot to look last Sunday. Thanks, Mike Santa Fe __________________ Santa Fe Concorso - The Southwest's Premier Automotive Gathering.
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02-20-2008, 03:05 PM	#29
larryn Lieutenant General 2146 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	Mike, I'm very much okay with not having ///M sills. I don't mind a trinket here and there, but it isn't an M car, and a door sill isn't something like a grippier shift knob or beefier steering wheel, that have M logos.
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02-20-2008, 05:06 PM	#34
E82tt6 Colonel 103 Rep 2,626 Posts Drives: '08 Black Saphire Z4 MC Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the input Stu. Sounds like the OP should go for a 128. __________________ '08 Black Saphire/Black Z4 M Coupe RIP Gretta: Blue Water/Lemon 135i. Died to save me. -ChuckV
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02-21-2008, 10:41 PM	#36
RBS RBS Parts 1 Rep 22 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	I agree with getting the M-coupe. I did the BMW Ultimate Driving School and drove these in many different conditions and absolutely LOVE the car. As far as weekend warriors go the M-coupe has my vote. __________________ Want a front lip, deck lid spoiler, or maybe some eyelids or grill? RBS is here to provide you with what you want when you want it.
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02-25-2008, 01:58 AM	#42
RBS RBS Parts 1 Rep 22 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	meh... I can walk all over a G35 all day in my Legacy GT. __________________ Want a front lip, deck lid spoiler, or maybe some eyelids or grill? RBS is here to provide you with what you want when you want it.
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