BMW 128i vs 328i

wtzouris · 12-08-2009, 10:13 PM

Lighten up everybody, the kid wants a 128i, his parents can afford it. Put yourself in that position!! Would you be thinking sensibly? I would go with the 128i because it is very rare and a lot of fun over the ubiquitous 328i.

But this kid has to learn about the joys of driving a manual.. especially with the N52 engine..... it makes you a better driver.

There is a 128i for sale at Orange County BMW (Harriman, NY) for $27.9k with 22k miles on it (It was my car), but it is a 6 Speed Manual.
Ignore the written description, it is a Monaco Blue (Dark Blue) with Taupe Leatherette interior.

Good Luck

BlackFlash · 12-08-2009, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Doesn't mean it ain't fun though.

haha, and that's why I seem desperate to do it lately...

JasonCSU · 12-08-2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wtzouris

But this kid has to learn about the joys of driving a manual.. especially with the N52 engine..... it makes you a better driver.

I certainly agree with that.

BlackFlash · 12-08-2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW328_

Well kind of... I have 10k saved. I already have spot for a job when I get the car. about 250$ on weekends.And I also sell stuff on ebay for friends and get 100$ average per month . My dad doesn't live with me, so my mom talked to him to split it with her. I was hoping to get a used 128i... but I can't find any. Any idea when there will be more available? UNDER 30k

Why not look for a 2009 MY demo? I wouldn't be so worried about a demo 128 having the crap hauled out of it like a 135.

Yvette · 12-09-2009, 01:57 AM

if you were to get 328, i would get 135 instead,
and if you enjoy tiptronic, I would get 6spd manual.... TRUST ME

smpeck · 12-09-2009, 07:29 AM

having owned an '07 328i coupe and an '08 135i - i recommend the 328i. wish i still had it.

imported_mega · 12-09-2009, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smpeck

having owned an '07 328i coupe and an '08 135i - i recommend the 328i. wish i still had it.

dear god why?

They are really boring cars, they feel big, huge compared to the 1 series, no power at all, and if you get the auto, those gm auto's suck bad, nothing like the good ones in the n54 cars

lopealle · 12-09-2009, 07:39 AM

keep your open something will pop up

escobar929 · 12-09-2009, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nordique14

how about saving for college so you do not graduate with a pile of loans to pay back? You really do not want to get into $20k of debt at the age of 16.

+1

get a mini cooper, they are bout $20k new. they are awesome to drive, it has the BMW quality and feel to it and its no where near as expensive

50shadesofhockenheim · 12-09-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackFlash

Why not look for a 2009 MY demo? I wouldn't be so worried about a demo 128 having the crap hauled out of it like a 135.

What's a 2009 MY demo. To the people that have a manual car... do you ever get into your car and wish you had an automatic?

IS+1 · 12-09-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW328_

To the people that have a manual car... do you ever get into your car and wish you had an automatic?

Never.

JasonCSU · 12-09-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW328_

To the people that have a manual car... do you ever get into your car and wish you had an automatic?

Absolutely not. I recently had a 335 loaner with the auto, and I missed the 6MT the entire time. That being said, the automatic in the 335 was probably the best automatic transmission I have ever used. It's by no means a bad transmission, but autos are not my cup of tea.

50shadesofhockenheim · 12-09-2009, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

Absolutely not. I recently had a 335 loaner with the auto, and I missed the 6MT the entire time. That being said, the automatic in the 335 was probably the best automatic transmission I have ever used. It's by no means a bad transmission, but autos are not my cup of tea.

Don't you have to replace the clutch after a while? Also, how long would it take to learn to use manual. My friend tried teaching me on his POS 2001 VW gti - ricer

The most trouble I had was making the car move using the clutch from standing still. Shifting up was easy but not down.. Does it bother you to have to use two feet to brake?

SlicktopTTZ · 12-09-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW328_

Don't you have to replace the clutch after a while? Also, how long would it take to learn to use manual. My friend tried teaching me on his POS 2001 VW gti - ricer

The most trouble I had was making the car move using the clutch from standing still. Shifting up was easy but not down.. Does it bother you to have to use two feet to brake?

Why would you use two feet to brake? You only press the clutch to change gears or go into neutral, you don't press it while you are slowing down. Also, learning to drive stick is like learning to walk, once you get used to it you don't even have to think about it. Get the 128 6mt, the 328 will feel slow very quickly, and the auto will further isolate you from the car. Plus it is always handy to be able to drive a manual vehicle, same principles apply to any clutch operated vehicle such as a motorcycle or semi truck. You will only have to replace the clutch if you rub all the disk material off, which won't happen if you drive properly.

50shadesofhockenheim · 12-09-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlicktopTTZ

Why would you use two feet to brake? You only press the clutch to change gears or go into neutral, you don't press it while you are slowing down. Also, learning to drive stick is like learning to walk, once you get used to it you don't even have to think about it. Get the 128 6mt, the 328 will feel slow very quickly, and the auto will further isolate you from the car. Plus it is always handy to be able to drive a manual vehicle, same principles apply to any clutch operated vehicle such as a motorcycle or semi truck. You will only have to replace the clutch if you rub all the disk material off, which won't happen if you drive properly.

Oh, I didn't know that about the braking.. I was told to use both feet.

cagekicker · 12-09-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ulrichd

You are too young to drive an automatic. You can do that later when you have let yourself go

so true!

Nicky G · 12-09-2009, 06:57 PM

Dude I learned to drive stick on a 1983 Volvo 240DL station wagon. And the gearbox and clutch in that thing was hosed from the time I got it. And yet I STILL fell in love with manual from that car (ah how I miss it). I have not driven an automatic since, nor will I ever, period. The 6mt in my 135i is by far and away the most smooth, sick, awesome manual transmission I have ever touched, period. Do yourself a favor and learn how to DRIVE, now, while you're young!

Automatic = riding in a car

Manual = driving a car

Once it "clicks" (which is really pretty quickly), you will NEVER look back, and it will blow your mind how connected you feel to your automobile. There is nothing like it. Well, except for flying helicopters, which is kind of like driving manual, times ten.

50shadesofhockenheim · 12-09-2009, 06:59 PM

does everyone here drive manual. And If anyone knows someone that selling a 128i within 50 miles of zip 33434 please tell me. License in 43 days

bmwsam · 12-09-2009, 07:14 PM

I've driven both and I must say that I love my 128i. The 328i felt significantly slower to me especially when accelerating. I too tried to find a previously owned one but the car had only been out for a year so that didn't happen. I'm very happy with my 128i and I highly suggest that you get either the sport or M-sport package, you won't regret it! The choice between an AT and a 6MT is a personal choice based on your lifestyle but I was taught how to drive a manual when I was 16 and have never wanted to own an automatic since. Good luck with your choice!

jabwind51 · 12-09-2009, 07:27 PM

^^^we have very similar cars

BMW328: this m sport 1 series is my first manual car and it's amazing. the gearbox is fantastic--even better than e46 m3's manuals i have driven (i owned an SMG e46 m3), and i like it better than a e92 m3 gearbox.

time to learn? i drove an old honda civic stick 2-3 times. really botched those drives...i feel bad about that clutch...still didn't feel great after those test drives. two years later, 3-4 times in an audi s4 and felt pretty good. (week after that, european delivery so i definitely needed the practice!)

as soon as i left bmw welt, in my own car, it just clicked. it can take as short as you want if you read/listen a lot about how everything works before hand. but as a young kid, now is the best time more than ever to learn manual. by the time you get older, it might be a rare and even more expensive option...

50shadesofhockenheim · 12-09-2009, 07:33 PM

Isn't the automatic faster?

Nicky G · 12-09-2009, 09:05 PM

Nope, not by the numbers I've seen. But trust me, it's not about that anyway. When you really figure out how to drive stick, nothing at all beats that feeling of downshifting to give yourself an extra burst of power as you want to blast around someone. It's about being in control.

12-08-2009, 10:13 PM	#23
wtzouris Private First Class 4 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 2014 328d xDrive Sports Wagon Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New York, NY iTrader: (0)	Lighten up everybody, the kid wants a 128i, his parents can afford it. Put yourself in that position!! Would you be thinking sensibly? I would go with the 128i because it is very rare and a lot of fun over the ubiquitous 328i. But this kid has to learn about the joys of driving a manual.. especially with the N52 engine..... it makes you a better driver. There is a 128i for sale at Orange County BMW (Harriman, NY) for $27.9k with 22k miles on it (It was my car), but it is a 6 Speed Manual. Ignore the written description, it is a Monaco Blue (Dark Blue) with Taupe Leatherette interior. Good Luck
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2009, 01:57 AM	#27
Yvette Major General 761 Rep 7,408 Posts Drives: M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (19)	if you were to get 328, i would get 135 instead, and if you enjoy tiptronic, I would get 6spd manual.... TRUST ME
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2009, 07:29 AM	#28
smpeck Private First Class 14 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 2012 328i Coupe (E92) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	having owned an '07 328i coupe and an '08 135i - i recommend the 328i. wish i still had it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2009, 07:39 AM	#30
lopealle Resident Black Guy 251 Rep 2,302 Posts Drives: Lion Join Date: May 2009 Location: Federal Way, WA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 M5 [10.00]	keep your open something will pop up
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2009, 06:57 PM	#39
Nicky G Private First Class 13 Rep 197 Posts Drives: 2010 135i (M Sport, Premium) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Baltimore, MD USA iTrader: (1)	Dude I learned to drive stick on a 1983 Volvo 240DL station wagon. And the gearbox and clutch in that thing was hosed from the time I got it. And yet I STILL fell in love with manual from that car (ah how I miss it). I have not driven an automatic since, nor will I ever, period. The 6mt in my 135i is by far and away the most smooth, sick, awesome manual transmission I have ever touched, period. Do yourself a favor and learn how to DRIVE, now, while you're young! Automatic = riding in a car Manual = driving a car Once it "clicks" (which is really pretty quickly), you will NEVER look back, and it will blow your mind how connected you feel to your automobile. There is nothing like it. Well, except for flying helicopters, which is kind of like driving manual, times ten.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2009, 06:59 PM	#40
50shadesofhockenheim Colonel 2158 Rep 2,318 Posts Drives: 2005 Toyota Prius Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: boca raton, fl iTrader: (6)	does everyone here drive manual. And If anyone knows someone that selling a 128i within 50 miles of zip 33434 please tell me. License in 43 days
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2009, 07:14 PM	#41
bmwsam First Lieutenant 10 Rep 358 Posts Drives: 135i M-Sport Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 135i [0.00]	I've driven both and I must say that I love my 128i. The 328i felt significantly slower to me especially when accelerating. I too tried to find a previously owned one but the car had only been out for a year so that didn't happen. I'm very happy with my 128i and I highly suggest that you get either the sport or M-sport package, you won't regret it! The choice between an AT and a 6MT is a personal choice based on your lifestyle but I was taught how to drive a manual when I was 16 and have never wanted to own an automatic since. Good luck with your choice! __________________ 128i M-Sport: Le Mans Blue/Black Interior 6MT, Premium Hi-Fi, Ipod/USB, BMW CCA Member: Central California Chapter
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2009, 07:27 PM	#42
jabwind51 Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 224 Posts Drives: '10 BMW 130is, '97 BMW M3/4/5 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	^^^we have very similar cars BMW328: this m sport 1 series is my first manual car and it's amazing. the gearbox is fantastic--even better than e46 m3's manuals i have driven (i owned an SMG e46 m3), and i like it better than a e92 m3 gearbox. time to learn? i drove an old honda civic stick 2-3 times. really botched those drives...i feel bad about that clutch...still didn't feel great after those test drives. two years later, 3-4 times in an audi s4 and felt pretty good. (week after that, european delivery so i definitely needed the practice!) as soon as i left bmw welt, in my own car, it just clicked. it can take as short as you want if you read/listen a lot about how everything works before hand. but as a young kid, now is the best time more than ever to learn manual. by the time you get older, it might be a rare and even more expensive option...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2009, 07:33 PM	#43
50shadesofhockenheim Colonel 2158 Rep 2,318 Posts Drives: 2005 Toyota Prius Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: boca raton, fl iTrader: (6)	Isn't the automatic faster?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2009, 09:05 PM	#44
Nicky G Private First Class 13 Rep 197 Posts Drives: 2010 135i (M Sport, Premium) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Baltimore, MD USA iTrader: (1)	Nope, not by the numbers I've seen. But trust me, it's not about that anyway. When you really figure out how to drive stick, nothing at all beats that feeling of downshifting to give yourself an extra burst of power as you want to blast around someone. It's about being in control.
	Appreciate 0 Quote