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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      10-27-2017, 11:10 PM   #1
muddtt
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128i vert vs Z4?

Was thinking about either a 128i vert or an older Z4. Any thoughts on the matter. I've owned a 135i vert in the past. Wanted something similar, but more dependable.
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      10-28-2017, 01:31 AM   #2
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Convertible z4m
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      10-28-2017, 12:07 PM   #3
muddtt
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Convertible z4m
wish that was in my budget.
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      10-28-2017, 12:08 PM   #4
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Z4 si for sure

128i is good but different purpose
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      10-29-2017, 02:10 AM   #5
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isn't the z4 si a n54? if so, as nice as it is, I wouldn't be choosing it over a 135i for reliability...

Do you want a proper roadster, or do you need four seats?

The z4 (here anyway) is the more expensive option, but is more of a headturner than an e88. From what I hear, the z4 is more of a bastard to work on than a 1er.

If you don't need 4 seats, I'd go a z4 or Boxter S. If you have a family, the 128i will be your choice.

... if you want the fastest speed in a straight line for the least money, a FBO 135i is hard to beat.
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      10-29-2017, 07:32 AM   #6
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      10-31-2017, 11:47 AM   #7
muddtt
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Originally Posted by xQx View Post
isn't the z4 si a n54? if so, as nice as it is, I wouldn't be choosing it over a 135i for reliability...

Do you want a proper roadster, or do you need four seats?

The z4 (here anyway) is the more expensive option, but is more of a headturner than an e88. From what I hear, the z4 is more of a bastard to work on than a 1er.

If you don't need 4 seats, I'd go a z4 or Boxter S. If you have a family, the 128i will be your choice.

... if you want the fastest speed in a straight line for the least money, a FBO 135i is hard to beat.
married, but no kids. I had a 135i (n54) before so I know what its capable of...but its a ticking time bomb of problems. I thought the z4 engine bay looked pretty wide open the last time I saw one in person. Hopefully its not that hard to work on if I go that direction.
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      10-31-2017, 06:19 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by muddtt View Post
married, but no kids. I had a 135i (n54) before so I know what its capable of...but its a ticking time bomb of problems. I thought the z4 engine bay looked pretty wide open the last time I saw one in person. Hopefully its not that hard to work on if I go that direction.
I'm married with children, so my search for sports convertibles was limited to ones with 4 seats... hence I own a FBO 135i and covet a z4

Personally I think the N54 gets a bad wrap, but I've only owned it for a year and tuned the shit out of mine - so evidence might not be on my side. I'd take it over the N55 because of my preference for performance over reliability.

My experience with the Z4 is only what I've read on the z4 forums - and I've made assumptions by the fact that the N54 is so easily tuneable, but so rarely tuned in the Z4 platform compared to that of the 135i and 335i. From what I've read, everything *should* be the same, but everything isn't quite the same and it's just a bit more difficult on the z4 platform.

My best example is the Fuel-it bucket-less stage 2 - installation for us is remove an access panel under the pack seat and swap the pump. In a z4 you need to drop the petrol tank. ... and when someone raised this in the z4 forums, the response was along the lines of "hahaha, what do you expect, you've got a Z4. I'd have expected you'd need to remove the roof first!"

I'm sure for regular maintenance it'd be same-same; and the smaller engines would have more space under the hood. But if you're looking for a platform to modify (and you may very well not be) - just expect to always be paying for the fact that you chose a smaller, more pure 'sports' chassis.

All that said - There is something very sexy about a 2-seat roadster. If you're doing lots of miles, get a 3er. But if you're after a fun sports car - I've never heard anyone say their sports car is "Too small", "Too Powerful", "Too connected to the road" or "Too nimble". We all sometimes say to ourselves "damn, I wish this ride wasn't so harsh" or "that last modification really did make this thing too loud or too twitchy" - but rarely to other people

The summary is that in descending order of 'pureness' and 'sexy' it's Z4, M3 vert, 1er vert, 3er vert; but in descending order of practicality it'd be 3er/M3, 1er vert, Z4.

You loose a whole lot of practicality by getting only two seats, and you don't necessarily pick up a lot of speed or handling. The z4 is actually not a lot smaller or lighter than a 1er convertible - but it is soo much more sexy & connected to the road.

The standard advice applies: Take both for a test drive, and see if one stands out above the other.

For most people, 2-seats or 4-seats is an either/or mandatory requirement - - so they're not often cross-shopped.
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      11-01-2017, 10:35 AM   #9
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Wow thanks for that long comparison. For me I don't think of the extra seats in the 135 as much more than more storage space. I think in the years I had the 135 I put people in the back seats twice.

Guess I'll just have to go test a few Z4's and make some hard decisions.
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      11-06-2017, 08:57 AM   #10
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One of these is a sports car, the other is simply a drop-head coupe.

A Z4 with 3.0i will be a more entertaining drive (plus it looks better, to me..)
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      11-07-2017, 12:43 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xQx View Post

All that said - There is something very sexy about a 2-seat roadster. If you're doing lots of miles, get a 3er. But if you're after a fun sports car - I've never heard anyone say their sports car is "Too small", "Too Powerful", "Too connected to the road" or "Too nimble". We all sometimes say to ourselves "damn, I wish this ride wasn't so harsh" or "that last modification really did make this thing too loud or too twitchy" - but rarely to other people

The summary is that in descending order of 'pureness' and 'sexy' it's Z4, M3 vert, 1er vert, 3er vert; but in descending order of practicality it'd be 3er/M3, 1er vert, Z4.

You loose a whole lot of practicality by getting only two seats, and you don't necessarily pick up a lot of speed or handling. The z4 is actually not a lot smaller or lighter than a 1er convertible - but it is soo much more sexy & connected to the road.

The standard advice applies: Take both for a test drive, and see if one stands out above the other.

For most people, 2-seats or 4-seats is an either/or mandatory requirement - - so they're not often cross-shopped.
I can definitely concur with the above. I recently went from an '03 Z4 2.5i that I really loved when purchased about eight years ago into an '11 128i. I really liked the Zed, however over time the ride became harsh (due to added coil overs), there was certainly a lack of storage, and it rode lower. That being said, I really am enjoying the 1er cabrio. The N52 has more pep than the M54 in the Z and the ride is comfortable. As a plus, I can drive the 1er to work through traffic and feel as if it is seen by other motorists easier than the Z.
Good luck with the decision!
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