New Owner - 2011 AW 128i M-Sport

[Cosmoslux]

New owner here. Had an e36 M3 from 2000 to 2013 and then tried the e34 world with a 95 540i M-Sport. Wanted to get back to that feeling with some modern conveniences and found a great 128i and could not be happier.

This car really is a modern e36 and the pinnacle of the BMW formula imo. The M-Sport suspension is great and will be perfect once I dial out some understeer and swap out the soft subframe bushings.

Going to start with the suspension by adding M3 control arms, camber plates (Dinan), subframe bushing inserts, and Pilot Super Sports (215/45/17F and 225/45/17 rear). Will see how that goes and probably dive deeper in with M3 subframe bushings, new sways, shocks, etc. My goal is to mimic my e36's balance as much as possible and keep things tuned for the street.

Also on the list is the performance exhaust as this car is just too quiet even with the windows down. Down the line I might add a 3 clutch LSD to complete the feel of things from the e36; however, I might get used to the feeling of the open diff and let the electronics (ediff) keep things from getting too out of hand.

I am psyched to find a forum like this with real enthusiasts and tons of useful info. It reminds me of the early days of bimmerforums. I'm completely sold on the 128i and am already looking for another one. Passed on too many e30 M3's for <$14k back in the day and I don't think people realize what the have with these. If anyone is getting rid of a nice MT M-Sport 128i PM me.

Here is a pic of it on the day I brought it home:

[E91WAG3N]

Welcome! Couldn't agree more with your comparison to the e36 m3, it's exactly why I love mine.

[Gangplank]

Welcome to 1Addicts! There is a lot of information on the site. Sometimes you have to search and dig around. I find google searches are good and useful.

Interested in how your suspension upgrades come out.

[ChrisAW1M]

Congrats and welcome to 1ADDICTS

[Gray_Panther]

Congratulations on a rare 128i and welcome to the club!

[FrostyDC4]

Congrats man. 6MT cars are hard to find and I am kinda passively looking for a 6MT 128i as well.

[Esteban]

Congrats man! I hear a 6-speed manual and the 128i are a winning combination. Also, I have the Performance exhaust on my 135i and can't say enough good things about it. Get it. And welcome to the club. BTW, love Alpine White on the 1er.

[Cosmoslux]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Congrats man! I hear a 6-speed manual and the 128i are a winning combination. Also, I have the Performance exhaust on my 135i and can't say enough good things about it. Get it. And welcome to the club. BTW, love Alpine White on the 1er.

It really is a great combo. Turbos and DCT are faster for sure and have their own unique appeal, but I love the simple fun of a NA with a manual.

[onenutt]

I was driving a 128i Auto but sold it and picked up the same car with a 6MT. I even got the same year (08) and colour (Sedona Red). Really enjoy the manual!

[Cosmoslux]

This one is nice. Same car as mine but in silver. Nice to see that there are more floating around.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...odelCode1=128I

[DarkWing6]

Congrats! Nice car. Welcome to the just got a 128i club.

[desertman123]

One of us. ONE OF US.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by desertman123

One of us. ONE OF US.

Gooble gobble?

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by Cosmoslux

This one is nice. Same car as mine but in silver. Nice to see that there are more floating around.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...odelCode1=128I

Just took a look on carguru . com and it shows 39 128i coupes w/ 6MT. Some w/ higher mileage are really inexpensive. Interesting.

[WDE82]

If you're concerned with the audio experience, then I recommend an intake. My AFE intake sounds amazing inside the car. I snagged it off eBay for $200 used (normally $500). Minimal noise below 3k RPM, but after that it sounds really nice. It's a good cutoff because if I'm driving slowly with passengers who may not like it, I can keep it from being loud.

A side benefit of the intake is that filter maintenance is much easier. The stock box must be completely removed to service the filter (bet you didn't notice this yet). With the AFE intake (or BMW Euro style) you can service just by removing the top cover. The whole thing took less than an hour to install and that was in the dark outside with a flashlight in my mouth.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-afe-part...1-81012-b~afe/

[CAYY]

Awesome! It really is great how much support and information there is here. I've purchased mine 2 months ago and cannot stop reading this forum as well! The 128i with manual is indeed a great find, it's excellent it gets such love here!

[WDE82]

Originally Posted by CAYY

Awesome! It really is great how much support and information there is here. I've purchased mine 2 months ago and cannot stop reading this forum as well! The 128i with manual is indeed a great find, it's excellent it gets such love here!

If you stay for a few years, I think you'll see the knowledge base grow a TON in terms of care, maintenance, and mods. The early years of production is all people who bought under warranty or who don't work on their cars anymore (nothing wrong with that). But it'll slowly come to newer people like us to create new content for mods and maintenance.

[Cosmoslux]

Thanks! I'll certainly look into this.

Originally Posted by WDE82

If you're concerned with the audio experience, then I recommend an intake. My AFE intake sounds amazing inside the car. I snagged it off eBay for $200 used (normally $500). Minimal noise below 3k RPM, but after that it sounds really nice. It's a good cutoff because if I'm driving slowly with passengers who may not like it, I can keep it from being loud.

A side benefit of the intake is that filter maintenance is much easier. The stock box must be completely removed to service the filter (bet you didn't notice this yet). With the AFE intake (or BMW Euro style) you can service just by removing the top cover. The whole thing took less than an hour to install and that was in the dark outside with a flashlight in my mouth.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-afe-part...1-81012-b~afe/

[BlackLizard]

Congrats and welcome!

[NorthernDancer]

Congrats on new car. As you well know, HP wise 128 & E36 M3 are very close. I really love my car, 08 128, 6MT, sp pkg. Only mods are Michelin PSS and BMW P Exhaust.
Just noticed San Francisco; you'll appreciate the 3 second brake preventing roll back.

[Matticus91]

Welcome! Great looking car, you're gonna love it!

[LuisBoston]

I recognize Chestnut Street! - Good to see another one in the neighborhood. You might spot mine there some weekends.

Originally Posted by Cosmoslux

New owner here. Had an e36 M3 from 2000 to 2013 and then tried the e34 world with a 95 540i M-Sport. Wanted to get back to that feeling with some modern conveniences and found a great 128i and could not be happier.

This car really is a modern e36 and the pinnacle of the BMW formula imo. The M-Sport suspension is great and will be perfect once I dial out some understeer and swap out the soft subframe bushings.

Going to start with the suspension by adding M3 control arms, camber plates (Dinan), subframe bushing inserts, and Pilot Super Sports (215/45/17F and 225/45/17 rear). Will see how that goes and probably dive deeper in with M3 subframe bushings, new sways, shocks, etc. My goal is to mimic my e36's balance as much as possible and keep things tuned for the street.

Also on the list is the performance exhaust as this car is just too quiet even with the windows down. Down the line I might add a 3 clutch LSD to complete the feel of things from the e36; however, I might get used to the feeling of the open diff and let the electronics (ediff) keep things from getting too out of hand.

I am psyched to find a forum like this with real enthusiasts and tons of useful info. It reminds me of the early days of bimmerforums. I'm completely sold on the 128i and am already looking for another one. Passed on too many e30 M3's for <$14k back in the day and I don't think people realize what the have with these. If anyone is getting rid of a nice MT M-Sport 128i PM me.

Here is a pic of it on the day I brought it home: