New 128i Owner

crowtrobot · 09-21-2015, 12:51 PM

Hi all!

Just picked up a 2011 128i 6MT with the sport package that had randomly appeared at a Chevy dealership that took it in on trade. Wasn't particularly in the market for a new car (older car is a 2006 mazda3 that is chugging along just fine after 140k mi), but after test-driving it and doing some research, it was too good to pass up. Love that NA straight six noise.

Will be DD'ing the car, so if anyone has any tips for keeping it in tip-top shape throughout the nasty upstate winters, I'm all ears.

Pics aren't too exciting, but I was too busy taking it around the backroads this weekend to bother with a proper photo-shoot

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Swimjim · 09-21-2015, 12:58 PM

i sometimes have snow to drive in. b/c of this, i run conti dws tires. you might want to consider something similar.

Esteban · 09-21-2015, 01:12 PM

Welcome to the forum crowtrobot and congrats on the new ride. Definitely a classic and the last of its kind. Hope you enjoy it and have good luck with it.

tock172 · 09-21-2015, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swimjim

i sometimes have snow to drive in. b/c of this, i run conti dws tires. you might want to consider something similar.

+1, I used to run Conti DWS on my 330i when I had to drive in the snow. Surprisingly capable tires for an all season.

bmw1racer · 09-21-2015, 01:31 PM

Congrats!

dailowill · 09-21-2015, 01:56 PM

Nice

Looks like my car back when it was stock.

I would check if all maintenance/recalls are up to date. I personally follow Mike Miller's recommendations "old school bmw maintenance schedule", but it may be too aggressive for some folks.

Like other's have said, I'd start thinking about winter soon and I'd personally go with winter tires since you guys get a lot of snow. The stock tires are pretty horrible in winter conditions.

crowtrobot · 09-21-2015, 03:21 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. Been looking around on CL and the FS forums here for some winters. Also, looking to tidy up the hood/bumper paint and get a clear bra put on to keep the salt/gravel from chipping at it. Hopefully will be able to use the lady-friend's CRV for most of the winter, but want to be prepared with my car as well.

Wanted to add that these forums here were immensely helpful before purchasing from the dealer. Hopefully after a bit of time with the car, I'll be able to contribute as much as I take away!

swagon · 09-21-2015, 03:28 PM

Enjoy that N/A I6 smoothness and aural pleasure. Welcome, and hoping to see your around

edisapimp · 09-21-2015, 05:53 PM

Congratulations. You can't beat the 128i for performance.

The Wind Breezes · 09-21-2015, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edisapimp

Congratulations. You can't beat the 128i for performance.

It's called a 135i.

128GP · 09-21-2015, 06:44 PM

How much did you pay, before fees and taxes?

Also, enjoy the 15 mpg!

mike@x-ph.com · 09-21-2015, 06:59 PM

Congrats!!

crowtrobot · 09-22-2015, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 128GP

How much did you pay, before fees and taxes?

Also, enjoy the 15 mpg!

Meh, had a '95 4runner for 5 years, 15 mpg is a god-send compared to that, and it didn't sound anywhere near as good!

$16.7k before fees and taxes. Not a steal, but not outrageous either. Shopped around in a 250 mi radius and only found one other comparable car w/o the sports package. Others either had double the mileage, or were being sold by sketchy sidelots.

RoundelM3 · 09-22-2015, 08:48 AM

OP,

My wife's 2011 128i M-Sport 6MT convertible is running quite well at 40K miles, although I recently had the MT and Diff fluids replaced, and also had to replace the Valvetronic eccentric shaft sensor (about $900 for parts/labor). Battery lasted 3 years (in TX weather), and also had the battery cable recall done. Aside from that, I added a Performance Exhaust the day it was delivered, and it's been a superb and fun car which she uses as her daily driver. I also added 18" wheels and Conti DW tires (not much snow here in NC), and even with the wider tires she gets 23 MPG in combined driving. We do engine oil changes every 7500 miles or annually at the latest. If your car has been and continues to be regularly maintained, you should have very few issues.

Fes128 · 09-22-2015, 09:16 AM

Cheers! It only gets better from here. With proper maintenance, of course.

Enjoy. I know I am.

128GP · 09-25-2015, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crowtrobot

Meh, had a '95 4runner for 5 years, 15 mpg is a god-send compared to that, and it didn't sound anywhere near as good!

$16.7k before fees and taxes. Not a steal, but not outrageous either. Shopped around in a 250 mi radius and only found one other comparable car w/o the sports package. Others either had double the mileage, or were being sold by sketchy sidelots.

how many miles?

Bimmer-Bob · 09-25-2015, 11:06 AM

Welcome to the club!

Olgeezer1 · 09-26-2015, 05:58 PM

Excellent find. Your searching showed you what a rare car you got. As many have said, the sport seats alone make that option mandatory. Thing is , there's not going to be anything like it from BMW again so how long do you want to keep it? Personally since I figure I can't replace this car, winter storage, not winter tires is the way to go. Long winters and lots of salt on the road ( at least where I live) will ruin a beautiful car long before its time. Otherwise, with proper maintenance your 128 should run almost indefinitely.

09-21-2015, 12:51 PM	#1
crowtrobot First Lieutenant 366 Rep 317 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Philly iTrader: (1)	New 128i Owner Hi all! Just picked up a 2011 128i 6MT with the sport package that had randomly appeared at a Chevy dealership that took it in on trade. Wasn't particularly in the market for a new car (older car is a 2006 mazda3 that is chugging along just fine after 140k mi), but after test-driving it and doing some research, it was too good to pass up. Love that NA straight six noise. Will be DD'ing the car, so if anyone has any tips for keeping it in tip-top shape throughout the nasty upstate winters, I'm all ears. Pics aren't too exciting, but I was too busy taking it around the backroads this weekend to bother with a proper photo-shoot
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-21-2015, 12:58 PM	#2
Swimjim Private First Class 24 Rep 177 Posts Drives: 2008 128i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: TX iTrader: (1)	i sometimes have snow to drive in. b/c of this, i run conti dws tires. you might want to consider something similar.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-21-2015, 01:12 PM	#3
Esteban Major General 43607 Rep 7,224 Posts Drives: a slow car fast Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Welcome to the forum crowtrobot and congrats on the new ride. Definitely a classic and the last of its kind. Hope you enjoy it and have good luck with it. __________________
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09-21-2015, 01:31 PM	#5
bmw1racer bimmerphile, technogeek 998 Rep 3,784 Posts Drives: 2012 E82 6MT Sport Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 128i Coupe [0.00]	Congrats! __________________
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09-21-2015, 01:56 PM	#6
dailowill Lieutenant 121 Rep 505 Posts Drives: '15 M235i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: CT iTrader: (13)	Nice Looks like my car back when it was stock. I would check if all maintenance/recalls are up to date. I personally follow Mike Miller's recommendations "old school bmw maintenance schedule", but it may be too aggressive for some folks. Like other's have said, I'd start thinking about winter soon and I'd personally go with winter tires since you guys get a lot of snow. The stock tires are pretty horrible in winter conditions.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

09-21-2015, 03:21 PM	#7
crowtrobot First Lieutenant 366 Rep 317 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Philly iTrader: (1)	Thanks for the replies guys. Been looking around on CL and the FS forums here for some winters. Also, looking to tidy up the hood/bumper paint and get a clear bra put on to keep the salt/gravel from chipping at it. Hopefully will be able to use the lady-friend's CRV for most of the winter, but want to be prepared with my car as well. Wanted to add that these forums here were immensely helpful before purchasing from the dealer. Hopefully after a bit of time with the car, I'll be able to contribute as much as I take away!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-21-2015, 03:28 PM	#8
swagon Major General 13518 Rep 8,163 Posts Drives: F80 6MT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: . iTrader: (0)	Enjoy that N/A I6 smoothness and aural pleasure. Welcome, and hoping to see your around __________________
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09-21-2015, 05:53 PM	#9
edisapimp Civil Rights Activist 115 Rep 949 Posts Drives: E46 Sedan, E88 Vert Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	Congratulations. You can't beat the 128i for performance. __________________ E88 Crimson Red Vert MSport 6MT - Listing your mods in your signature is lame. BMS DCI/MHD E30 Flash!!/AA Sport FMIC/VRSF CP w Tial BOV/VRSF 3" DPs/550i clutch w SPEC SMFW/Apex EC-7s/Whiteline RSFB/E92 M3 FCAs/Bilstein B12 Pro Kit/VRSF inlets
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09-21-2015, 06:44 PM	#11
128GP First Lieutenant 40 Rep 323 Posts Drives: AW 328i 6sp RWD M Sport Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	How much did you pay, before fees and taxes? Also, enjoy the 15 mpg!
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09-21-2015, 06:59 PM	#12
mike@x-ph.com Joint Chiefs of Staff 24179 Rep 190,777 Posts Drives: 07-335/12-328/18-M4/21-M4CP Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (23)	Congrats!! __________________ Check out our current sale by clicking on this link! https://x-ph.com/sale/ Phone number 702-494-9435
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09-22-2015, 08:48 AM	#14
RoundelM3 Major General 1835 Rep 6,990 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clayton, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	OP, My wife's 2011 128i M-Sport 6MT convertible is running quite well at 40K miles, although I recently had the MT and Diff fluids replaced, and also had to replace the Valvetronic eccentric shaft sensor (about $900 for parts/labor). Battery lasted 3 years (in TX weather), and also had the battery cable recall done. Aside from that, I added a Performance Exhaust the day it was delivered, and it's been a superb and fun car which she uses as her daily driver. I also added 18" wheels and Conti DW tires (not much snow here in NC), and even with the wider tires she gets 23 MPG in combined driving. We do engine oil changes every 7500 miles or annually at the latest. If your car has been and continues to be regularly maintained, you should have very few issues. __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
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09-22-2015, 09:16 AM	#15
Fes128 Private First Class 29 Rep 117 Posts Drives: BMW 128i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Torrance, Ca iTrader: (0)	Cheers! It only gets better from here. With proper maintenance, of course. Enjoy. I know I am.
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09-25-2015, 11:06 AM	#17
Bimmer-Bob ! 693 Rep 3,266 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Anacortes, WA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2010 BMW 128i (E82) [9.25]	Welcome to the club! __________________ ____________________________ My Build Thread
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09-26-2015, 05:58 PM	#18
Olgeezer1 Lieutenant 183 Rep 505 Posts Drives: 2010 128i 6MT Sport Pkg. 18" Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 E82 128i N52 [0.00]	Excellent find. Your searching showed you what a rare car you got. As many have said, the sport seats alone make that option mandatory. Thing is , there's not going to be anything like it from BMW again so how long do you want to keep it? Personally since I figure I can't replace this car, winter storage, not winter tires is the way to go. Long winters and lots of salt on the road ( at least where I live) will ruin a beautiful car long before its time. Otherwise, with proper maintenance your 128 should run almost indefinitely.
	Appreciate 0 Quote