Flogging the 135 or 128 - which is more fun?

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by Artmasterx

I have a 128i manual and love it. I also test drove a 135i manual and drove an auto 135i at the performance center delivery.

I will say that it would be nice to have 30-50 more Ft-lbf of torque, but you certainly don't NEED it. Around town 2nd gear will get you going as fast as you need to go quickly, and 3rd gear on the highway will do the same.

The main place you will probably notice differences in everyday driving are:
1. shifting more (already mentioned)
2. having to keep the RPMs high when you want to accelerate (this is where more torque would be nice... but downshifting is fun anyway)
3. passing at highway speed (e.g. 50-70 mph). You can still do it fast, but you must be in the right gear.
4. 6th gear is weak. It's fine for minor speed changes on the highway with traffic, but don't expect much more.
5. 5th gear is fine at basic highway speed maneuvering
6. 4th gear will get you in an out of lanes as quick as you need at highway speed (Autobahn probably excluded)

I agree with all of your comments except for #4. For 75 mph cruising, I find 6th gear to be quite responsive as the engine is right at the torque peak of 2750 RPM. Naturally for slower speeds (ca. 55 mph) in traffic requiring frequent speed adjustment, 5th is the proper gear.

And yes, while more torque isn't absolutely necessary, even another 20 ft. lbs. would be very welcome - especially in my heavy cabrio.
Tom

[dbtheo]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

And yes, while more torque isn't absolutely necessary, even another 20 ft. lbs. would be very welcome - especially in my heavy cabrio.
Tom

actually imo an ideal car would be a 130i with the 255 hp engine & 225tq. That would best the best comprise for the car.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by dbtheo

actually imo an ideal car would be a 130i with the 255 hp engine & 225tq. That would best the best comprise for the car.

Eggzactly. I'm still trying to understand why a 130i isn't available in the U.S. while they continue to provide the 255 hp motor in the Z4 3.0si.

Tom

[HeyMoe53]

Just to reply to those who offered congrats--I am retiring at the end of this school year, after 34 years as a high school teacher and coach. I have three part-time gigs I will still enjoy. I will keep coaching HS tennis, I am a tennis pro in the summer, and I referee college tennis matches in the Big 10 and elsewhere.

I do a fair amount of driving, so wouln't a 1-Series be a good choice for someone who drives a lot, and likes to drive?

Again, thanks to all.

[Artmasterx]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

I agree with all of your comments except for #4. For 75 mph cruising, I find 6th gear to be quite responsive as the engine is right at the torque peak of 2750 RPM. Naturally for slower speeds (ca. 55 mph) in traffic requiring frequent speed adjustment, 5th is the proper gear.

And yes, while more torque isn't absolutely necessary, even another 20 ft. lbs. would be very welcome - especially in my heavy cabrio.
Tom

I would agree with that.

Also, many of us 128i owners are fruitlessly hoping for a reasonably priced way to change our engines into the 255hp engine of the 06 330 and z4... almost certainly a pipe dream though.

I think other have said it would require changes such as intake manifold, cams, and ECU tuning. That may not be true (I personally have no idea), but it certainly would not come cheap.

[gtaday51]

Originally Posted by HeyMoe53

I do a fair amount of driving, so wouln't a 1-Series be a good choice for someone who drives a lot, and likes to drive?

In one word...yes.

[xbook]

I think flogging the dolphin is more fun

[Perfect128]

I drove several 135's and 128's in auto and manual before deciding on the 128. I've never looked back. In over 10k miles, my 128 is quicker and smoother than the day I bought it. I really love winding out the most classic NA 6 on the planet. The 135 is an awesome beast, but for my daily commute, the 128 is even somewhat untapped.

I punched it yesterday in Sport mode to clear some congestion on the entrance ramp, and I was up to 100 by mistake before I knew it. In a 135 it would have been 120+.

Even with an auto, my 128 weighs in at 3280 lbs and is a quick responsive drivers car. I can imagine the manual would be even more fun once you get out of rush hour traffic.

[JHZR2]

I just got back from a test drive, and highlighted my notes in another thread. I drove a 135 coupe and then a 128 vert (it was my choice on order to drive, and bth were AT unfortunately).

The 135i was able to be driven more gently in neighborhoods, but was too fast when you hit it. The 128 felt underpowered (though it is NOT the case, my 318i feels more responsive and quicker than the 128), and it had to do more to get it moving as one would like even in neighborhoods.

I'd imagine that with an MT, the 135i would be about the same, and the 128i would be about perfect... but the car is heavy, and so it needs a bit of oomph.

Its really tough...