BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

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      08-01-2009, 11:19 PM   #23
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Never considered the 125i, bought a BMW because of the N54.
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      08-01-2009, 11:52 PM   #24
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Once I went turbo I couldn't go back to N/A. 300hp/tq easy/cheap tunes avg 25miles to the gallon.. Hell to the yes....
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      08-02-2009, 04:12 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dragon1761 View Post
Also because of speed limit, i tend to have a lead foot.
A 128i (w/ZSP) will go just as fast as a 135i; it just takes us a few more seconds to get there.

Quote:
Originally Posted by dragon1761 View Post
BMW didn't just slap on 2 turbo's and then passed it off for owners to worry. The engine itself uses the "old" 3.0 inline6, but it's been beefed up to handle the extra mechanical loads of turbo charging.
The N54 has nothing in common with the M54, other than materials and displacement. It shares the same block-and-bedplate design as theN52.
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      08-02-2009, 04:21 PM   #26
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I had no interest in the 128...
-brakes not up to the task(I track)
-I wanted more power
-The 135 looks better on top of it
-I didn't feel like spending a ton of money to make the car (better)
If there was only a 128 I would have bought an EVO/STI or CPO M3/S4
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      08-02-2009, 06:07 PM   #27
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I went with the 135i because I figured that if I was going to be in the 30K+ range I might as well get the best performing car I could afford and not regret holding back, as I plan to drive this car for years to come.

That being said, if the 135i didn't exist I would have happily bought the 128i.
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      08-02-2009, 07:34 PM   #28
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A different point of view here....

I currently own an Audi S4 - 340 HP - that I have tracked numerous times.....I am 48 years old, so perhaps that is a factor here, but let me say that at this point I have less interest in raw power than in being able to rev out an engine to get maximum performance out of a car. I have a 128 on order - Msport package. I have driven both cars, and because of the acceleration on My S4 - the 135 did not do that much for me. In some ways the extra power is a bit of a crutch. It made the manual feel a bit "automatic" in that you don't have to downshift to get thrust. After a while - the pure acceleration fun wears off, and what you look for is a car that is as light as possible, with great handling, that still meets whatever needs you have for practicality.
On the track, the drivers I admire the most are those in the lower power cars who can maintain momentum in the corners and challenge the higher HP cars. There is something about being able to run a machine at full throttle that is really exciting. The 128 lets you do that more often that the 135!
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      08-02-2009, 09:55 PM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mad Dragon View Post
A 128i (w/ZSP) will go just as fast as a 135i; it just takes us a few more seconds to get there.

The N54 has nothing in common with the M54, other than materials and displacement. It shares the same block-and-bedplate design as theN52.
Seems you quoted the wrong person.

The question of the TT N54 and what engine it's "based" on, has been discussed very often on the net.
However, the N54 is not the same block as the N52. If they were the same block, then you have to ignore the fact that the 2 engines use different materials and have different bore and stroke.

The N54 TT shares block materials and bore and stroke of the M54.
BMW didn't simply put turbo's onto the N52, and BMW must know why.
I think that's why a lot of publications have said that the TT is "based" more so on the M54, not that it's the same block.
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      08-02-2009, 10:39 PM   #30
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The N54 is an aluminum version of the N52; the construction of the blocks is virtually identical. There's no argument here; I've had all 3 engines apart.

N52: open deck, 2-piece block, electric water pump
N54: open deck, 2-piece block, electric water pump
M54: closed deck, one-piece block, belt-driven water pump
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      08-03-2009, 12:58 AM   #31
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i chose the 135 for the twin turbo and m aero kit.
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      08-03-2009, 02:43 PM   #32
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$$$$

Unfortunately. Must have goodies pushed the 135i out of our range. Add to that the big difference in insurance, and we just couldn't justify it.

That said, I have told my dealership to never give us a 135 loaner. The 128 is fast fast fast, but the 135 is nirvana. I would just become depressed.

I'm paying $280/6 mo. with State Farm for my 128i...
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      08-03-2009, 04:06 PM   #33
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We have both

Per my signature. My wife is not into HP/torque etc. I am. I love both cars. Manual transmission always been a must for me. Not her. We are both happy with our choices.
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      08-03-2009, 08:22 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AudiS4 View Post
I currently own an Audi S4 - 340 HP - that I have tracked numerous times.....I am 48 years old, so perhaps that is a factor here, but let me say that at this point I have less interest in raw power than in being able to rev out an engine to get maximum performance out of a car. I have a 128 on order - Msport package. I have driven both cars, and because of the acceleration on My S4 - the 135 did not do that much for me. In some ways the extra power is a bit of a crutch. It made the manual feel a bit "automatic" in that you don't have to downshift to get thrust. After a while - the pure acceleration fun wears off, and what you look for is a car that is as light as possible, with great handling, that still meets whatever needs you have for practicality.
On the track, the drivers I admire the most are those in the lower power cars who can maintain momentum in the corners and challenge the higher HP cars. There is something about being able to run a machine at full throttle that is really exciting. The 128 lets you do that more often that the 135!
Doesn't the S4 weigh near 4000 lbs? The 135i is quite a bit faster than the S4 from what I understand.
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      08-03-2009, 08:29 PM   #35
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Maybe - but It did not feel like it when I drove it. Both can go from 60 to 120 and back in a pretty short amount of time on the highway
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      08-03-2009, 09:02 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mad Dragon View Post
The N54 is an aluminum version of the N52; the construction of the blocks is virtually identical. There's no argument here; I've had all 3 engines apart.

N52: open deck, 2-piece block, electric water pump
N54: open deck, 2-piece block, electric water pump
M54: closed deck, one-piece block, belt-driven water pump
I think you're missing the overall point.
I'm not disagreeing about the point you're making, as it is true.

Still, the 2 engines have enough differences to conclude that the N54 is not simply an aluminum version of the N52.
This TT engine is more a combination of the old engine and the new engine.
It is not the same engine with just turbo's put on, as you're implying, but never directly saying.

The materials are not the same, bore and stroke not the same.
I believe the cylinder linings are not the same.
Then, the top end is completely different.

To say, or imply, that the turbo engine is the same as the N52, except for being made of aluminum is incorrect. Also, I'm speaking of the entire engine as well, not just the block.
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      08-04-2009, 07:44 PM   #37
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I chose the 128i for several reasons. Turbos create heat, heat kills engines. The extra HP is NOT worth it. I mean really, most of the time you have to stay within the speed limits. Through my 35+ years of experence in sports car ownership and racing. I know the damage turbos can cause if they are not spun at high RPM's My 930 Porsche turbu burnt valves and cracked head studs. $16,000.00 for repairs on a car that had only 15,000.00 miles.
The 128i has pleanty of get up and go fro my needs. If I want to go fast I get into my Porsche 911 NON turbo car and fly!
I think it is all a matter of taste, my 128i is my daily driver. I run it hard and am pleased with the performance and speed. If I lived in Germany and had the autoban I would consider a 135.
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      08-04-2009, 11:05 PM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kb2dhg View Post
I chose the 128i for several reasons. Turbos create heat, heat kills engines. The extra HP is NOT worth it.
Seen plenty of Turbo cars running round with barely any issues after 10 years and many km's. Modern Turbo cars are fine...

Extra HP is everything for me - never even looked at BMW's till the N54 came along...
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      08-05-2009, 07:02 AM   #39
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I bought the 128i:
1 - because my wife said I can't have another car with as much HP as my modded Subi did.
2 - the insurance was cheaper
3 - the reliability factor. I have read alot of posts on here and the complaints that I read are 95% about something going wrong with their 135i.

I do live in Germany right now and drive from PHV Heidelberg to Mannheim every day for work. Two stretchs of road i can really get on it, and find myself doing it more then I should be. Other then the ability of the 135I to get there quicker, 155mph is pretty dang fast in my 128i and it gets there pretty quick on its own. To be honest the only car to have passed me at those speeds is an SL500. Not that I think I can race for top speed against anyone, I just go that fast because I can do it legally and its a rush!

If money wasn't the concern and my wife didn't care i would probably have gone with this AC Schnitzer tuned 135i that used to be in K-town. $46k for it though. But from what I was reading it had a LOT of packages and an upgraded exhaust and turbo from AC with well over 300hp and torque. Also no speed limiter either. The body kit was sharp too. All factory warranty as well.

So to sum it up....other then occasionally missing the blinding ripping power of my old subie, i've been happy with my purchase. I look forward to the drift school my wife got me for my birthday in Sept!
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      08-06-2009, 12:51 AM   #40
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135i looked like a better value to me: once you add in all the options, the price advantage of 128 is nearly non-existent. Plus I really like M aero kit, Xenons, 300hp...
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      08-06-2009, 04:00 PM   #41
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i'm torn on the choices as well...i do want to eventually track the 1 series but don't want to run into over heating issues. I do also respect and like seeing lower HP cars tearing it up on the track to the likes higher HP cars. I read a few posts about the HPFP problems so that does worry me. My future choices ( have to see if the VW R20 gets here first ) is an 128i w/M Sport pkg, xenons, navi or bare bones 135i. 230hp is a lot maybe 10 years ago but nowadays it seems like the minumum for entry level luxury cars.
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      08-06-2009, 04:08 PM   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CrazyIvan View Post
135i looked like a better value to me: once you add in all the options, the price advantage of 128 is nearly non-existent. Plus I really like M aero kit, Xenons, 300hp...
I thought the same thing - I was originally planning to get a 128i because I liked the engine, and thought it was plenty powerful for me (I had test-driven the 135i and thought it was great, too, but seriously didn't think I needed all the crazy power of the N54.) I was planning on installing the BMW performance suspension, upgraded brakes, wheels, and the like. Be kind of neat to have a a unique vehicle, I thought. But when I did the math, it was just cheaper to get a 135i with all that standard.

That said, the N52 engine is a fantastic one, and I do not think anyone is 'settling' by getting a 128i.
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      08-06-2009, 04:09 PM   #43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by krillin_boi View Post
230hp is a lot maybe 10 years ago but nowadays it seems like the minumum for entry level luxury cars.
The way things are going, 230 may be the maximum HP for entry-level luxury cars in 10 years.
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      08-06-2009, 04:50 PM   #44
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