Reason to avoid an '08 128i?

[Monterra]

If the car doesn't have the sport package I think you'll be disappointed with the handling esp. coming from the Mini S. To me its THE must have option, aside from the manual tranny (which isn't an option) but you'd think it not the step cost the extra $ there are so few around. Finding both together will probably be a challenge but I think you should seek them out.

[emac08]

Originally Posted by DBFIU

There is a HUGE problem with factory 128i's. Someone keeps stealing the turbos before the cars even hit the lots...

FIND THEM!!

[mtla4]

Originally Posted by emac08

Then again no HPFP problems. Id rather have a mini than a 128I

[Xyloft]

i have 30k on my 128. 0 problems.

it's a quick (not fast) car, it's fun to drive, it's comfortable and gets reasonable gase mileage.

mine is a manual and it has the sport package.

i guess the realy question is: are you getting it as a high performance car? and if you are, what are you coming from?

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by Xyloft

i guess the realy question is: are you getting it as a high performance car? and if you are, what are you coming from?

This is key point, IMO, and one that often gets ignored. Performance is relative. For many buyers, the 128i could easily be the highest-performing car they've ever owned. I myself have only ever owned 4-cylinder cars, and none over 180 HP (the fastest was a VW Corrado G60). I'm currently driving a 318ti. The 128i is PLENTY of car for me. If I was one of these guys who took their car to multiple track days per season, yeah, the 135i would be a better choice.
One more thing - the idea of "performance" is largely time-dependent as well. At no point in history would a car with the 128i's specs be cosidered "slow." The fact that people here label it as such is pretty funny, especially considering the car is easily much faster than 80% of what is actually on the road.

[Evice]

My 128i is at 11.7k miles now. As all of the 128i owners said here, great car. rattles, but going to get it fixed soon. my right backside shadowline trim is making the ticking sound..weird. anywho

Make sure get M-Sport pkg, you will not regret it. Body kit, shift knob etc.. great pkg.

Also, good gas milage.. I am getting 30.2 mpg at 75-77 mph on highway.

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

This is key point, IMO, and one that often gets ignored. Performance is relative. For many buyers, the 128i could easily be the highest-performing car they've ever owned. I myself have only ever owned 4-cylinder cars, and none over 180 HP (the fastest was a VW Corrado G60). I'm currently driving a 318ti. The 128i is PLENTY of car for me. If I was one of these guys who took their car to multiple track days per season, yeah, the 135i would be a better choice.
One more thing - the idea of "performance" is largely time-dependent as well. At no point in history would a car with the 128i's specs be cosidered "slow." The fact that people here label it as such is pretty funny, especially considering the car is easily much faster than 80% of what is actually on the road.

^^ This. ^^

Surprised at the number of 135i owners who are apparently insecure about their purchase and feel threatened by someone who prefers the 128i. They're both fine automobiles. (And yes, I own a 135i, but it was a close decision for me.)

17000 miles isn't bad for a 2 year old car. CPO or not, you might want to have an independent mechanic eyeball it before purchasing.

[JimD]

Another way to consider the quickness of the 128i is to compare it to the M3s. The current E92 M3 is faster, very similar to a 135i and the E46 is clearly quicker than a 128i. But the e36 M3 is very close to the 128i in the quarter mile and a 128i is definitely quicker than a e30 M3. The e36 M3 has an earlier version of the 3 liter 6 so it makes sense it would be similar in speed potential.

Please do not think I am suggesting I think my 128i is equivalent in every way with a e36 M3, I am just trying to say it wasn't that long ago that the quickest BMWs had about the same acceleration capability as a 128i.

Jim

[bozola]

The 318Ti is The FUNNEST 133HP car ever built .Bar none..

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

This is key point, IMO, and one that often gets ignored. Performance is relative. For many buyers, the 128i could easily be the highest-performing car they've ever owned. I myself have only ever owned 4-cylinder cars, and none over 180 HP (the fastest was a VW Corrado G60). I'm currently driving a 318ti. The 128i is PLENTY of car for me. If I was one of these guys who took their car to multiple track days per season, yeah, the 135i would be a better choice.
One more thing - the idea of "performance" is largely time-dependent as well. At no point in history would a car with the 128i's specs be cosidered "slow." The fact that people here label it as such is pretty funny, especially considering the car is easily much faster than 80% of what is actually on the road.

[bozola]

I believe that the journey in the 128 can be very very fun.

Great car, 18k on mine, very minor issues.

[m_thompson]

Originally Posted by mtla4

Then again no HPFP problems. Id rather have a mini than a 128I

That depends if the MINI is an S or not...

[bluejaypanther]

Originally Posted by bozola

I believe that the journey in the 128 can be very very fun.

Great car, 18k on mine, very minor issues.

I didn't mean to imply the 128i wasn't fun, or even that its less fun. I just though it was strange to consider the two cars equivalent based off of top speed, especially when that metric is so irrelevant in a country without the autobahn, or equivalent.

There is an undeniable added 'thrill ride' experience that you get with the N54, and not the N52. If that doesn't interest you, sure, pocket the extra few grand and take the car with better gas mileage. Having tried both, I can easily see how you could enjoy the E82 without absurd acceleration. But it's silly to dismiss the N54's value on the basis of where the electronic governer is set.

[Evice]

When you do a hard pull on N52 vs N54... N54 just pulls with constant feeling.. N52 is much more exciting as you rev. up the engine you pull more more more more more more more.. I personally like it... I like NAs in general.

[Lucky1]

There's a little known (on this forum anyway) ticking issue with the N52 engine which may require replacement of some engine components:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=320299

There is a link there to E90post where the 325/328 N52 crowd have had work done to their cars. Since there are alot more 3 series owners with N52's under the hood there's more information from them.

[JimD]

I had forgotten about that and I agree it is significant. If purchasing an early 08 from the dealer, I would want the "improved" parts installed before agreeing to the sale. If you had to pay for camshaft and lifter replacement later, it would be expensive.

Jim

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by JimD

I had forgotten about that and I agree it is significant. If purchasing an early 08 from the dealer, I would want the "improved" parts installed before agreeing to the sale. If you had to pay for camshaft and lifter replacement later, it would be expensive.
Jim

Buying from a dealer, his '08 will have the CPO warranty - 2 yrs/50,000 miles after the original warranty expires.
Plus I suspect the ticking issue affects a very small percentage of NA 3 liters. it hasn't occurred in 22,000 miles on mine and it hasn't been reported on this board with great frequency.

Tom

[hatepotholez]

Originally Posted by lib

There are a few easily fixed problems that might pop up (3rd brake light cover cracking, tail light electronics, etc) but they are all covered under the CPO warranty.

Unfortunately this is incorrect, CPO does not cover the third brake light cracking. I should know, they denied me even after I called BMWNA

[vertebra]

a few things to consider. 1) The 128i is pretty quick. That being said its very hard to want to drive one after driving a 135i. If your the type of guy that bought a Cooper instead of a Cooper S you should have no regrets. Im "stuck" in a 2013 325i loaner and I am longing to feel my turbos again. 2) Being a CPO is great but is usually going to be reflected in the price. If that car was put into service in 07 that means your warranty will be up sometime this year. You might find a better deal on a nonCPO and buy the extended warranty. I think it lasts for 7 years.


Posted from 1addicts.com App for Android

[Satalite]

I purchased the 128 because it's a fun car to drive, was well in my price range and I used some of the extra savings in some "mods"

This was my second BMW coming from a 99' 323i and the straight six is a great engine! No issues with ticking or really any for that matter. I purchased mine in '09 and have 27k on the ODO!

[jsmonet]

Originally Posted by m_thompson

My 128i has the same top speed as a 135i. Why do I need an N54?

Because turbos are fun ^_^

[the1andonly]

Originally Posted by BSUCardinalfan

Hey, I'm new here. I decided a while back that a 1 series was going to replace my Mini Cooper S when the time came.

I have found a CPO 128i with 17,000 miles on it. It is a 2008 MT car. Are there any issues with the first year 128s that I should avoid, and wait until I can find a reasonably priced CPO 2009 car?

How much are you buying it for? Ill sell you my exact spec 128i 2012 with 15,000 for the same amount. And it has 2 years left on the BMW warranty!! deal of the century...mine is in MINT condition BTW and a manual...and has BMW performance exhaust and a set of winter tires and wheels!

YOU CAN GET A 4 YEAR NEWER CAR FOR SAME PRICE!! PM ME ASAP

[631twentyeighteye]

There is no reason to avoid an 08 128i. n52's are extremely reliable motors, with just needing routine maintenace(oil, air filter, plugs). If it's gonna be a DD and you drive alot(i've driven almost 15k on mine in 7 months) then i'd say a 128. If it's a 2nd car, 135i.