500 Mile Review - 128i Cv

[colonel1961]

After 24 days and 500 miles on the odometer, I offer the following evaluation of the 128i Cv, in no particular order.

Mileage: 18.1 – driving it within the ‘break-in rules’, but aggressively.

Engine: Lacks a little at low RPMs, but starts to move out at 3k.

Braking: Excellent. Only hit them hard one time, but there were no issues.

Radio: (Standard) Very good – from both a quality and volume perspective. iPod interface is still puzzling, as it won’t display my songs, but it appears to be my first generation player, not the radio’s fault.

Seats: (Premium package): Extremely comfortable and infinitely adjustable. I think they did a better job on the lumbar support than on my recent 325i.

Heated seats: Awesome. If you have back pain, I highly recommend them.

Cv operation: Flawless. Appears to work up to about 25mph. One button rolls all the windows back up.

Blind spots: With the top up, there are some real issues in the quarters – be careful.

Exhaust Note: Warm and wonderful, without being too loud.

Trunk: Small. I could barely lock my wife in there - and she kept getting out with that glow-in-the-dark thingy.

HVAC: I miss the fresh air temperature selection on the center vent as on previous models. Otherwise, the heater heats, the a/c is ice-cold and the fan is strong.

Rims: Standard Cv rims look great (IMHO) but are a pain in the rear to get clean.

Ride: A fine mix of comfort and acknowledgment that you are riding in a small (SWB!) sports car.

Handling: Possibly the best part of the car. It stays with you, lets you have some say, i.e., not overly corrective, and is properly responsive.

Cabin storage: Very much limited. The glove box and the center console are very small, leaving little room to hide/secure valuables, e.g., iPod, cash.

Miscellaneous: Still a ton of comments and it looks better each day. Have yet to see another one on the road – which is kinda cool!

:headbang:

[Larry_Legend]

Did you fix the iPod issue? I tried out my friend's ipod in a 5 series and none of his tags would show up, but the songs played fine. I think it might have been his lousy ipod since it was an older nano and went through the washer and dryer...

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by Larry_Legend

Did you fix the iPod issue? I tried out my friend's ipod in a 5 series and none of his tags would show up, but the songs played fine. I think it might have been his lousy ipod since it was an older nano and went through the washer and dryer...

The sound is very good - just a display issue - most are reporting that their playlists appear in the radio display.

Also, the iPod doesn't charge when playing, so I have to switch back and forth between listening and charging, using two different cables.

[Crowley]

Good info .. thanks !

Crowley

[runfun1]

I wish I could say mine is at 500 miles.. I will break through the break in period on the way home from work today and i have only had it 10 days.. But.. I love it

[Dan203]

Originally Posted by colonel1961

Also, the iPod doesn't charge when playing, so I have to switch back and forth between listening and charging, using two different cables.

Really? That sucks! My current 3rd party iPod adapter in my PT Cruiser charges and plays through the same cable. I just assumed that the BMW option would do the same.

Dan

[60Driver]

Originally Posted by colonel1961

=Radio: (Standard) Very good – from both a quality and volume perspective. iPod interface is still puzzling, as it won’t display my songs, but it appears to be my first generation player, not the radio’s fault.

According to the website, only 'selected iPod models' are supported. So it should charge if your iPod is supported. Maybe you can borrow an iPod just to be sure?

Attachment 5702Attachment 5701

Originally Posted by colonel1961

=Trunk: Small. I could barely lock my wife in there - and she kept getting out with that glow-in-the-dark thingy.
:headbang:

Try cuffing her hands behind her back first. That always works for me. I mean my wife. I mean... :eyebulge:

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by 60Driver

According to the website, only 'selected iPod models' are supported. So it should charge if your iPod is supported. Maybe you can borrow an iPod just to be sure?

Attachment 5702Attachment 5701



Try cuffing her hands behind her back first. That always works for me. I mean my wife. I mean... :eyebulge:

Yes, she is a big fan of handcuffs - I'll give that a shot.

Oh, and I'll try a newer version of the iPod, too...

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by Crowley

Good info .. thanks !

Crowley

Thanks - can't wait to review it at 1,200 miles and have some real fun.

Addendum:

Steering wheel: great size - like an old MOMO.

[ansun]

24 days for 500 miles...???

What took you so long?!?

[backtoreality15]

Trunk: Small. I could barely lock my wife in there - and she kept getting out with that glow-in-the-dark thingy.

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by Ansun

24 days for 500 miles...???

What took you so long?!?

I work from home, so no commute; live very close to magnificant driving terrain and have another vehicle that needs its time in the sun...

:biggrin: