Winding Road Comparison: 128i winner over 370Z, Mustang GT, and Genesis Coupe!

[M2]

Originally Posted by 1erich

Just not true according to magazine comparo's. 135i and 370 are about dead even.

Nothing a Dinan Stage 2 flash couldn't fix.

[themyst]

Originally Posted by M2

Nothing a Dinan Stage 2 flash couldn't fix.

Nothing a $350 JB3 can't fix for far less money.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by guardianangel3290

Ever driven a 370z?
it feels slow as f**k! There is no power at all below 6000 rpm's.

Yes I have.
And I just ordered my 135i.
The 370Z is VERY fast and very poweful.

It delivers it's power differently than the 135i, but it's all there still.
The 128i is a sweet machine, but given the same driver the 370 will win accel tests.

[BMW86]

I own a 135i and I have driven the 370z. Of the cars mentioned in the review I would choose the 370z any day of the week. Period.

Not taking anything away from the 128i, the 370z is just on another level. Well done to Nissan for making such a great car. I'm very impressed.

[cagekicker]

go bimmer!

[themyst]

Originally Posted by BMW86

I own a 135i and I have driven the 370z. Of the cars mentioned in the review I would choose the 370z any day of the week. Period.

Not taking anything away from the 128i, the 370z is just on another level. Well done to Nissan for making such a great car. I'm very impressed.

They're smoking crack. I would NOT buy a 128i for anything. Plenty of other STOCK cars you can get that are as fun to drive in the 128's price range without sacrificing utility. (EVO, Mazdaspeed3, S2000). Hell you don't lose too much dropping down to a Civic Si in terms of the fun-to-drive factor. Call it what you want, but nothing beats blasting a straightaway at WOT as fast as the car lets you go! Compare a stripper 135i to a 370z please. At least that's more fair.

[RPM90]

I've always said that the 128/328 3.0 is an awesome and smooth engine that's willing to rev and pull. It's excellent for everyday fun.
The Z engine isn't as refined, but it revs just fine.
This article seems to hard to try and diminish the Z's bit, especially compared to the 128i.
But, the overall time to speed doesn't lie. What there is, is that the 128i "seems" or "feels" as fast due to how smooth and happy to rev it is, and that's what I love about the engine too. But, the Z is fast, 135i fast. You think you're going one speed until you look at the speedo and realize you're way over the ticket please zone.

I couldn't figure out what options were on that 128i. I'm guessing it was simply sport pkg. given the "as tested" price. But, it was off by a couple hundred, and their base price is also off by $200.
I hate it when they compare cars and don't list the mechanical spec's and mechanical options. Having or not having a sport pkg. makes difference.

One more thing, I disagree with the review. Maybe the Z they drove had a poor example of the manual trans. I found the shifting to be quite nice and smooth in the Z, with a very nice defined gate. Overall, the BMW manual from the 1 and 3 feels very soft in shif feel, too soft, to the point where sometimes you wonder, "did it do into gear or not?" Yes, it does always go into gear, it won't fail you. But, I prefer a better defined gate. So, there personal preference that goes with these reviews too.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by themyst

They're smoking crack. I would NOT buy a 128i for anything. Plenty of other STOCK cars you can get that are as fun to drive in the 128's price range without sacrificing utility. (EVO, Mazdaspeed3, S2000). Hell you don't lose too much dropping down to a Civic Si in terms of the fun-to-drive factor. Call it what you want, but nothing beats blasting a straightaway at WOT as fast as the car lets you go! Compare a stripper 135i to a 370z please. At least that's more fair.

You're comparing a Civic Si to a 128i for fun?
First, I do like nicely done FWD, and Honda makes some of the best.
However, the Civic Si can't match the sport feel of a nicely done RWD.
And, you Si doesn't come close to the ride quality, build quality, or materials quality of a 128i. And, your Si isn't much faster than a 128i if at all at WOT on a straightaway.
You've got a 135i, right? Well, a 128i sport drives nearly identical to your 135i, and the 128i will probably have a wee bit better front end bite and feel due to having a better front to rear weight balance, as it's lighter in the front.

I do agree that a 135i is the more true comparison to the Z and GT.
But then, it just goes to show you how sweet the 128i truly is, and that's really what this article points out.

[Robert]

I saw the Gensis on the road and it looked good I admit. The 370z is too much of a rehash of 350z. So many times I got excited and thought I saw one but then realize it's a 350z. There's no misplaced identity with the clown car and the pork belly side profile =) Man, then there's the Porsche Panaroma... what is that thing! The z3 is ahead of its time. I noticed so many body cues on that car which I see in new releases now. No wonder it was hated so much.

[ethermal]

Nice article, I have a 128i sport package I wouldn't give up my 128i up for any other car on the road (except maybe the 135 but I could never justify the additional $15K the 128i is that good)

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by ethermal

Nice article, I have a 128i sport package I wouldn't give up my 128i up for any other car on the road (except maybe the 135 but I could never justify the additional $15K the 128i is that good)

Wow, that much more in Canada?
If that were the choice in the US, I'm sure a LOT of people would choose the 128i over the 135i, I know I would.

All you're missing in the 128i is the raw power of the TT engine, but as you know, you've got all the refinement and capability and handling of the 135i.

[Ender_]

Originally Posted by ethermal

Nice article, I have a 128i sport package I wouldn't give up my 128i up for any other car on the road (except maybe the 135 but I could never justify the additional $15K the 128i is that good)

There's actually "only" $7800 difference between the 128 and 135, that's base to base. And if you add the options that come standard on the 135 its probably only $3k-$4k difference.

[lib]

Originally Posted by themyst

Call it what you want, but nothing beats blasting a straightaway at WOT as fast as the car lets you go!

For some people that's true but that's not what this review was about.

If straight-line WOT is all that matters you don't buy a 128i, 135i, 370, etc - you buy a Mustang, Camaro, etc.

[Tallest]

so 128i beats 370Z, while 370Z recently beat the new Z4 in CAR magazine. I'm really puzzled. I think the 370z is just a better car, very strange.... and I like the bimmer as much as the next man here, result seems a bit too subjective.

[Monterra]

Originally Posted by themyst

They're smoking crack. I would NOT buy a 128i for anything. Plenty of other STOCK cars you can get that are as fun to drive in the 128's price range without sacrificing utility. (EVO, Mazdaspeed3, S2000). Hell you don't lose too much dropping down to a Civic Si in terms of the fun-to-drive factor. Call it what you want, but nothing beats blasting a straightaway at WOT as fast as the car lets you go! Compare a stripper 135i to a 370z please. At least that's more fair.

I would bet a lot $ that you haven't driven a 128 manual with a sport suspension. Although if straight line acceleration is your thing why not the new Camaro? Bendy roads are where the most DRIVING fun can be had but Queens doesn't have too many of those I guess.
The Civic Si is a nice sporty ride for the $ but other than value proposition (and versatility and space of the 4dr version) really none if its attributes can match the 128. I'd buy a GTI over the Si's torqueless wonder of a motor.
S2000 doesn't sacrifice utility huh? I'm 5'8" and I felt like I was in a undersized coffin.
Car and Driver did that comparison you want, 135i finished 2nd to the Z mostly due to the Zs dexterity around the track as I recall.:

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...arison_test__1

This was a street/dd perspective test and the outcome didn't surprise me.
I'm sure the trooper will understand your means of fun when you get pulled over doing a buck twenty.

[Garduna]

Good article. I'm certain that teh 128i won this bout due to it getting the sports package and that lets face it, it's the best for day to day drive compared to the rest. It's so much more refined. Now if this was a race track bout for those 4 cars, I'm SURE the results would be a lot different.

[themyst]

Originally Posted by RPM90

You're comparing a Civic Si to a 128i for fun?
First, I do like nicely done FWD, and Honda makes some of the best.
However, the Civic Si can't match the sport feel of a nicely done RWD.
And, you Si doesn't come close to the ride quality, build quality, or materials quality of a 128i. And, your Si isn't much faster than a 128i if at all at WOT on a straightaway.
You've got a 135i, right? Well, a 128i sport drives nearly identical to your 135i, and the 128i will probably have a wee bit better front end bite and feel due to having a better front to rear weight balance, as it's lighter in the front.

I do agree that a 135i is the more true comparison to the Z and GT.
But then, it just goes to show you how sweet the 128i truly is, and that's really what this article points out.

You forget the 128i comes with 17" wheels and you need to add the sport package to get that "identical" handling to the 135. I really suppose in daily driving, that 2% difference in weight distribution will make a world of difference, which would be offset by the 17 inchers the 128 comes with. Tack on the options, you have a mediocre performing NA 6cyl that has no grunt. Of course a 20k Civic Si will not come anywhere near a BMW in terms of build quality. I wasn't comparing build quality, I was comparing the fun-to-drive factor.

FYI, the Civic Si is SLOWER than a 128, by quite a bit I may add. It's a high 14 second car @ 95-96 MPH. I believe the 128s should do mid 14s around 98-99. You may want to do a bit more research before going on the defensive. FYI I've driven a 128 vert on a test drive (steptronic though) and extended time with a 08 328. Both were absolute slugs in comparison.

And to all the others who ask why I didn't go muscle? The 135 has the total package. Build quality, daily drivable suspension, cheap mod upgrade path, powertrain smoothness and the BMW label.

[Robert]

I hope the gensis can be had for less than 30k. I would not pay 30k for a korean car. Sorry I can't do it.

[Caspita]

This video is pretty old, so I apologize if it's a repost.

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[M2]

Originally Posted by themyst

Nothing a $350 JB3 can't fix for far less money.

is that before or after the warranty is voided. to each his own...

[Monterra]

So you test drove a 128 that's 320lbs. heavier and a full second slower to 60 (with the step on 16s most likely) and that's what your informed assesments were based on? I'm still waiting to hear how the S2000 doesn't sacrifice utility, one too many Smirnoff Ices maybe?...whatever your comments here have made little to no sense whatsoever. For the record your Si is a low 15s car.

[andrew777]

Part of the reason why I bought a 135 over a 370z is because nobody would dare compare a 135 to any box with wheels made by hyundai. The other reason is that I absolutely love the way the bmw looks and drives. I'm one of the few people who actually prefers the look of the 1 series to that of the 3.