Any 128i buyers regret not getting a 135i?

[Tom K.]

I regret not ordering Sirius in my 128i but after nearly 3 years, I'm still perfectly content with the motor.

It seems like most manufacturers can squeeze 300hp or more out of a turboed 3 liter - but who else makes such a smooth inline NA engine these days? The 128i/328i rewards the involved driver, and 50~90 mph passing in 3rd is delightful.

An added bonus is the ability to safely run 87 octane if necessary. (BMW specs 89 minimum for the 135i.)

Tom

[Lucky1]

Love my car but if I were to do it over again I'm not sure I would have chosen the 128i over the 135i. Glad as heck I don't have an HPFP problem or wastegate problems or carbon buildup but I wonder if an extended warranty would solve the non-HPFP issues and give piece of mind for those concerned about long term ownership.

Recent events have made me question the 128i being much more reliable than the 135i outside of the HPFP so other than saving money not sure what the advantage is besides perhaps being a more involved MT drivers car. That said it was much easier to find a 128i optioned the way I wanted it than a 135i believe it or not.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Recent events have made me question the 128i being much more reliable than the 135i outside of the HPFP so other than saving money not sure what the advantage is besides perhaps being a more involved MT drivers car. That said it was much easier to find a 128i optioned the way I wanted it than a 135i believe it or not.

Also I have to say I was super disappointed to hear that the latest N54/N55 pump part number is still problematic. Makes me wonder if they'll ever fix this issue. Great car marred by a terrible defect.

[ralawren]

I don't have much new to add to the other postings. I purchased the 128i mostly due to price, but now feel much better about the decision. It is a little lonely at the back of the "C" group full of 135's and M3's, but I purchased R Comp tires and hope to be able to keep up !!!

I have the Sport Package, Premium, Heated Seats, Ipod Adapter and Steptronic.

I am pretty sure I am going to buy one when my lease is up and probably go with the same package, but with a manual transmission, Sirius radio and possibly Xenons.

But this car is just rock solid with the sport package and seats and is plenty fast for the highway and fun to drive at the driving schools.

[jkoral]

Thanks for all the replies. I still haven't made a decision, but it's good to hear other viewpoints on the subject.

It might come down to whether I can find the "right" used 135i or if it would be easier to just order a new 128i. I see a bunch of 2011 128s on the local lots and only a handful of 135s (and most not manual, even though some dealers are categorizing DCT = manual on their websites).

I'm sure I'll love a 128i, heck I drove a 318ti Sport for 13 years and I preferred it over the E46 we had also had at the time. I'm currently driving a 325xi Touring (manual) and will probably sell privately after hearing some of the trade in numbers I've been quoted.

[roo97ss]

if you're on the fence, as everyone said drive them.

my 135 was 1 yr old, 6700 miles, and about 4 grand LESS than a new 128 at the time. That was an easy trade off for me. Sure i've got 1 yr less warranty, but me personally i'll be out fo the car before warranty is up either way.

If your budget is 30k, it's a tough choice, if it's 24k and you're looking at a nearly new 128 vs a hi milage 135 that would be a 128 choice.

[Raine]

Originally Posted by Hops128i

well, if you're going to keep the car a long time, i think the 128i is the better choice. my sense it's cheaper all around to own: -cheaper insurance, -cheaper tires, -less frequent tire replacement, -less speeding tickets, -probably fewer mechanical issues down the line.

I do sometimes think about a 135i, but in the long run I want a lower cost of ownership so no regrets here.

+1

The N52 has proven to be very reliable. No long-term turbo issues, carbon build up, cheaper insurance (insurance is very expensive here), etc.

Plus it's already fast enough for DD. I wouldn't mind leasing a 135i though.

[JimD]

I've had my 128i vert since July 2009. I have never wished I bought the 135i. I drove a 135i coupe when I did performance center delivery. It was fun but not that different from my 128i. The torque of the 135i makes it less important to be in the right gear to get good acceleration but I don't want to make it easy to drive poorly.

A 15 second quarter mile car is not a slow car. A low 13 second quarter mile car is faster but what is the practical benefit? If you race it, the 135i is more competitive with current V8 muscle cars. But if you just drive it on the street, there is essentially no way to use the extra power legally. I get to extra legal speeds very nicely in my 128i.

I spent about the same amount of additional money to get a convertible. I can use that legally all the time here in SC.

Last point about power. My admittedly small Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV has a 185hp, 185 ft lb, 2.7L V6. I use it to tow U-Hauls largest enclosed trailer when I am moving my kids. I also use it to tow my 17 foot boat. My 128i has more hp, more torque, and less weight. How can it be underpowered to just move me and itself?

Jim

[bozola]

Joe

I remember you from the Ti list and always respected your comments. Having come from a Ti myself, I believe that you will thoroughly enjoy the power of the 128. But in all honestly you still miss the Ti toss-ability. A manual might have changed my mind.

In fact, I missed my Ti so much I bought one from my son..



Frederic.

Originally Posted by jkoral

Thanks for all the replies. I still haven't made a decision, but it's good to hear other viewpoints on the subject.

It might come down to whether I can find the "right" used 135i or if it would be easier to just order a new 128i. I see a bunch of 2011 128s on the local lots and only a handful of 135s (and most not manual, even though some dealers are categorizing DCT = manual on their websites).

I'm sure I'll love a 128i, heck I drove a 318ti Sport for 13 years and I preferred it over the E46 we had also had at the time. I'm currently driving a 325xi Touring (manual) and will probably sell privately after hearing some of the trade in numbers I've been quoted.

[texasmojo]

Coming from an evo I do not miss the turbo maintenance and all the special care needed for such a high maintenance car. Its a never ending quest for more power that will be a money pit. I do miss the speed though. The only thing I wish I had from the 135i is that front bumper. I was also hoping the n52 would have a good aftermarket, but that is not the case. I am satisfied with my 128i overall.

[Wakka]

No regrets about not getting th 135. I do however, wish that i had gotten serius radio and the ipod adapter. cuz is plenty fast, looks just as good if you get M-sport so i am happy.

[JDtheJD]

Ahhh the old 128 versus 135 question.
A few years back I lived in Germany and had the chance to get an ‘08 135 for just 600 dollars more than a ‘09 128 and below the $34,000 dollar budget I was using. Over the course of a weekend, I and my wife went back and forth between the two vehicles. At the time, there was no history on the cars so my research was based upon an analogical comparison of the Mini and Mini S. My SWAG, based upon this research, concluded that the Mini S was basically more fun, but not as reliable as the standard Mini, had higher insurance, and (to my surprise) the Mini S did not retain its value as well as the standard Mini.
On the other hand, the 135 is a fun car to drive, and for this reason alone I resolved that I was going to change the focus of my hobbies from home theater and travel to auto x and such. When I called to get the 135 I was informed that I was too slow and the car sale was pending. The next closest I35 in price was just above the $35K mark, and about $4K more than the 128. Although I was tempted, I decided that the budget controlled and bought the 128. True, it does not fill me with the enthusiasm the 135 would have provided me, but for me, the 128 has plenty of power, and has proved plenty reliable, with lots of comfort. Moreover, given where I am driving now (in and around DC) it is highly unlikely that I’d get anywhere any faster in the 135, at least not without a risk of getting a ticket, and having the 128 helps to temper that temptation substantially, though I am fairly certain, a speeding ticket is just a matter of time.

So to sum up, no regrets, but I certainly do not have the driving enthusiasm I THINK I would have had with the 135, which in short has been kind to my bottom line.

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by bozola

Joe

I remember you from the Ti list and always respected your comments. Having come from a Ti myself, I believe that you will thoroughly enjoy the power of the 128. But in all honestly you still miss the Ti toss-ability. A manual might have changed my mind.

In fact, I missed my Ti so much I bought one from my son..

Yes, I remember you as well Frederic. I saw your other thread ("Show your luv for NA 128") and recognized bozola. I finally sold my ti last year after I hadn't driven it more than 100 miles in 3 years. Nice picture of your 128 and your son's 318ti.

[Augenbrauezug]

Opposite perspective, coming from a 135i owner, I love my car but there is not a thing wrong with the 128. Sure it's great to have the power from the turbos, and the additional standard features, but as others have mentioned msport and xenons are necessary. Too be honest though, I don't use all the power my car has very often. Sure it's nice that it's there but the power from the 28s engine is more than adequet. I think it's more of an ego boost than anything having the twin turbos, I love giving it WOT once a day or so, just to put that grin on my face. There are times though when I wish I had opted for a 128 for the financial benefits. The 135 does burn up tires if not careful insurance is higher, and of course the car itself is more expensive. The only practical reason I like the 135 more is that I can very easily overtake someone without downshifting from 6th.

Like everyone said, drive both thoroughly, and see if you'll truly miss the minor exterior changes and turbos in a DD.

[Xyloft]

I only regret it when I'm autoXing and wish I had the bigger 135 brakes.

that said, my 128 is really a balanced little car and I still enjoy driving it. (48,000 miles since I bought her new).

but daily driving, road trips, pretty much everything it's perfect.

I actually did not want to even test drive the 135. I knew it was out of price range, but I also knew that I've bought out of my price range before. I didnt want to temp myself, so I never drove one.

[ABQBMW]

I love my 128. It does everything I want my car to do, and goes faster than is really practical given the speed traps here. I love it every time I drive it, and after 1 year, still look forward to driving it to work in the AM.

I like it so much, I am actually on a forum just to talk about it.

[strati1]

My 128 looks better then most 135s, go for it and enjoy one of the last NA coupes bmw will offer
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=498857

[bozola]

IMHO, you can't beat a 128 with the BMW PE.

[fwmcb]

No regrets here. The 128i is plenty quick.

[supraking]

It's a pretty simple decision, really. If you want a car that pulls harder, drop an extra $8k on the 135i. Because everything else about these cars is already the same or can be matched at a lower aftermarket cost. All you're paying for in the 135 is the engine, so if it's really worth that much more, then go for it. Dynamics and handling will be the same on both.

I love my 128i, and while I had a short period where I thought "man, I should have gone with the 135," I quickly settled into being happy and truly enjoying what I had. Power is nice but a car is about more than just acceleration.

Oh, and as was said, you can't go wrong with (probably) the last naturally-aspirated inline-6 engine BMW will ever make. They're being replaced with 2-liter turbos down the road.

[Kim Schwartz]

I have no regrets with the 128i. I tried a 135 and could not realisticly find any need for more than 4k rpms. I find it more entertaining to drive a slower car fast than a faster car slowly. With the 128i I can use all of the engine. However i did want the 135 suspension so I got the sport package with the 128i. That said, between my wife and I we also have a 2007 Z4 also with the sport suspension that is great on a track. The 128i is fine on a track but the Z4 is better.

[Raine]

Car revs smooth until redline.

Just need to keep RPMs above 2k and the car pulls.

Great car.