Is a 128i a quick car?

[wolfe]

Originally Posted by MikeinAlexandria

Sure. I took a look at that setting on one of the modules, and compared the 128 to a 1M, M3 and 335i. All four cars had different settings. But what was a glaring difference, the 1M and M3 use a single entry, vs. the other cars which have more variables. I changed my 128 setting to that of the 1M. It makes the steering feel a little heavier, and definitely tighter at speed on the highway. The catch is when parking, you need to muscle the wheel a little bit. But it does work.

Thanks Mike. Do you think this is in any way related to the closer ratio of the 1M and M3, or just to the level of power assistance?

I'm thinking you can't just swap in a 1M steering rack because the steering angle sensor will be miscalibrated. Did you see anything in there that could correspond to this?

Appreciate the help, thank you.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

Do you not get "different strokes for different folks?" He said he was bored in the car - posting a video review and a bunch of magazine stats doesn't refute his subjective experience.

Some people can't see past numbers.

[dorkdog]

Originally Posted by NYC6

.
I also question your statement that pulling .9G's isn't as looked at as closely as 0-60 times. I venture to say the vast majority do put it near the top of things checked by potential buyers. Again, 0-60 is only one of the criteria used by most to make a purchase.

Amongst members of a forum such as this, I agree; in 'general public' terms I shudder to think of what the average person thinks a 'skid pad' is... but most folks relate to a 0-60 time. I'll bet even my (conservative, granted) dealer knows the 0-60 time for a 128i but I bet he can't quote me a 'g' number.

[Fahadm]

In my opinion the 128i isn't really a slow car. It still has more than enough power for DD and that's whats important. But I got to admit, I love the extra power the 135i has :P

[shodanusmc]

Extra power of the 135 with a tune!

[roo97ss]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

Extra power of the 135 with a tune!

amen to that. the extra power of the 135 without any mods is not worth the headaches the n54 brings. I'd have gone 128 myself if there was no way to tune the 135.

[MikeinAlexandria]

Originally Posted by wolfe

Thanks Mike. Do you think this is in any way related to the closer ratio of the 1M and M3, or just to the level of power assistance?

I'm thinking you can't just swap in a 1M steering rack because the steering angle sensor will be miscalibrated. Did you see anything in there that could correspond to this?

Appreciate the help, thank you.

BMW's INPA application can be used to recalibrate the steering sensors. But I think all the coding did was alter the level of assistance, specifically reducing it. I like the feel, it took a little getting used to but it definitely works.

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by MikeinAlexandria

BMW's INPA application can be used to recalibrate the steering sensors. But I think all the coding did was alter the level of assistance, specifically reducing it. I like the feel, it took a little getting used to but it definitely works.

Did you do this coding yourself using INPA? Or pay to have it done? I haven't heard anything about coding the level of steering assistance before...

[1speedbike]

^^ I've been a creep and following the above convo between you guys since it started. I love the steering feel with my M3 control arms, but I feel like it could be just a tad heavier. Even if the steering ratio isn't changed, it's not bad how it is. The steering is tight, but it could be tighter, and I think it would feel good with the control arms. I know on my Mini loaner one time, I pressed the "sport" button and the steering was tighter than on my car in a second flat! It felt great, even though the same feedback wasn't there, and must be a similar mechanism. Any DIY or explanation of how you did what you did would be IMMENSELY helpful, Mike

[MikeinAlexandria]

There are two codes in one of the modules for the power steering assist. On 3 series sedans, all entries in each code are turned on (so they have a full range of variable power assist). On the 1M and M3 there was only one entry and on my car just a couple. I removed all but the one entry in each code, matching the 1M. The closest in feel would be leaving a MINI in sport mode all the time. I used NCSExpert to do this and did not recalibrate the steering angle sensor.

[P1]

Whether I reach 60 miles per hour in 5 seconds versus 6 or 7 doesn't matter to me.

[BrokenVert]

Well this thread went downhill very quickly as expected...

For the record a Lamborghini Miura SV does the 0-60 sprint in 6.1 seconds.

Lets just mull on that for a moment. What is the fastest version produced of the first modern supercar goes from a standstill to highway speed in the same amount of time as a 128.

Besides the fact that I would drop my 1er like a stone if someone offered me a Miura for it, how can anyone say that thats slow? Its not slow, its still quicker than 90% of the vehicles on the road today, including my other car, my 302 Mountaineer.

Maybe coming from a truck (a fast truck but still a truck) gives me a different perspective on it. Maybe I know im spoiled because my dad's heavily worked 440 Interceptor and my uncles worked Chevelle SS would have trouble keeping up my 135. But does that make them shit cars? Of course not.



How can you say you arent spoiled too? Speedy youre spot on when you say that. You guys are all talking like current teenagers, the people who only know a world with cell phones and internet. So you really want to be like that?

Learn to appreciate the titans whose shoulders you stand on.

But what a world do we live in that a car that can smoke just about everything out of 1968 on the strip is considered slow now? Thats kinda cool actually and its the point that Jim made in the OP that all of you seem to have missed.

[JimD]

To those who want to replicate the coding changes MikeinAlexandria discusses, you need to visit another website, b m w c o d i n g.com, with the spaces removed, to get a more complete idea of what is involved. Mike posts the changes to allow me to lower the top of my vert with the key fob. I like that enough I plan to buy the cable (about $100) to connect the OBDII port of my car to my laptop. You also need the software he mentions and will probably want other things but fortunately they can be downloaded free over the internet. It doesn't look bad but I haven't tried it yet. What you do seems like you write a section of the coding of the car onto the laptop, change the settings you want to change, and then load that revised coding into the car. The software writes the coding as an ASCII file you can modify with a word processor. All the descriptions are in German, however, and they are cryptic. One of the free programs translates, however. An important first step is to make a copy of the unmodified coding just in case you mess something up and have to go back. For those of us used to working with large commercial programs with help screens and other aides, this seems like it could be error prone but as long as you can always go backward you should not hurt your car. Guys who want to get things done, like Mike, will try changing a code and see what happens. It will be awhile before I do that but I understand how in theory it is OK to do.

Jim

[MikeinAlexandria]

Jim,
If you send me your email address, I can forward the cable source to you, and and possibly email you all the software you need.

[wolfe]

Thanks Mike, any chance you could email me the info too please? I tried PM'ing you but I don't see the option. I don't know if you can PM me and I can reply or something like that.

[JimD]

Wolfe,

If you click on Mike's name then "view public profile" you will get a box where you can send him a PM.

Jim

[Black Prinz]

Originally Posted by NYC6

Change? I dont think so. You're aware that that article is one mans editorial on 0-60, and an interweb one at that.

And interestingly enough so is yours and mine.

Originally Posted by NYC6

The rest of the world and wriiten magazines and car manufacturers use 0-60(0-100kph) in all their literature. Why? Because its an important piece of data. Its not the only thing obviously but it gives a good indication of acceleration from a stand stll. Traction, Tq, weight to power ratio among other things can be gleened from a good 0-60. If you choose to dismiss, fine with me. I will, along with most perf car guys continue to use it as one of the criteria in forming an opionion on a vehicle.

Correction: “Because its an established and accepted piece of data”

0-60, 0-80, 0-100 mph/kph/parsec doesn’t matter as long as the testing method is consistent and repeatable with a small margin for variance.

By that token the Camry SE V6 has some serious performance cred. Especially in the stoplight/stop sign wars of urban NY.

This discussion reminds me of:

Colonel Sandurz: Prepare ship for light speed.
Dark Helmet: No, no, no, light speed is too slow.
Colonel Sandurz: Light speed, too slow?
Dark Helmet: Yes, we're gonna have to go right to ludicrous speed.

Dark Helmet: What's the matter, Colonel Sandurz? CHICKEN?

[Fahadm]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

Extra power of the 135 with a tune!

Amen.

[Motohip]

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

^^ I've been a creep and following the above convo between you guys since it started. I love the steering feel with my M3 control arms, but I feel like it could be just a tad heavier. Even if the steering ratio isn't changed, it's not bad how it is. The steering is tight, but it could be tighter, and I think it would feel good with the control arms. I know on my Mini loaner one time, I pressed the "sport" button and the steering was tighter than on my car in a second flat! It felt great, even though the same feedback wasn't there, and must be a similar mechanism. Any DIY or explanation of how you did what you did would be IMMENSELY helpful, Mike

That makes me want a sport button in my car.

[Jim90046]

Originally Posted by tawheed

Speed is speed, there's always something faster and something slower. I owned 39 vehicles prior to my 135i from Porsches to Audis to Hondas. What I've realized is the "feel" of a car is much more important than the raw numbers. My 1986 911 3.2 Targa was not "fast" by the standards of today but it felt incredible to drive, special in a sense.

If you enjoy the way your car feels and makes you feel, you've got the right car.

Amen brother !

[thepriceisright]

I've had my 128 for almost a month now. I wish I had ponied up for the 135.

I put a rather substantial down payment, uh, down so I've actually entertained trading it in for a 135 and eating the depreciation.