New Owner: 2009 128i

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Jason G

This is far and away the best car I have owned and just as fun and more enjoyable/comfortable on the freeway as the Miatas and S2000 I've owned over the past 11 years.

Although I really like the light blue interior, the floor mats get dirty very quickly. I wonder if going to black floor mats would be too much of a contrast?

Get the black all season floor mats.
I installed them when I got my 135i and haven't put the standard mats in since then. The all seasons hold water and dirt, and clean up very easily, and they look good too.
I believe they come in gray and tan as well, at least they do for most other BMW models.

[Séve]

Congrats on your purchase! I would definitely do the short shift kit; it totally transformed the shifting. Just be sure to call dealerships around you or your mechanic to make sure they know it is not nearly as difficult as installing the 135i ssk. It should be no more than an hour job. I was quoted by multiple dealerships a few hours labor until one dealership finally researched the install.

Enjoy your ride!

[davidk]

Jason, I bought and installed the BMW SSK. I do not have any experience with any of the non-BMW after market shifters. The kit includes a new shift handle and boot, but since I preferred the handle and boot my car was originally equipped with, I bought only the shifter itself and a new bushing.

David

[Satalite]

Congrats!

[jkoral]

Someone on the miata forum wrote:

>> BMWs share shifters across different models. There is likely
>> a <$100 factory shifter from anothre model that bolts in with
>> 30 minutes of work that will shorten the throws significantly.

That has certainly been the case with many models (I swapped out the shift levers/selector rods in my E36/5 and E46 with other BMW parts and they were under ~80 IIRC). Check out the "Budget Short Shift Kits" at the top of http://www.understeer.com/onlinestore-shifters.shtml

...but I haven't seen/heard of folks doing this with the 1-series.

Especially since there a factory BMW Performance short shift kit ($200 at United BMW), and the bulk of the "kit" is the $100 knob and $50 boot (which can be bought separately).

I have the BMW Performance SSK and I love it (even though the throws are not as ridiculously short as I had in my E36/5 after "mixing/matching" BMW parts).

[Jason G]

It's worth noting that this car is almost perfect from the factory, but what enthusiast and occasional autocrosser wouldn't want more rubber, less understeer, more hp/tq, shorter shift throws and visually appealing accessories? The costs can add up in a hurry, that's for sure.

[derekL]

Great to see another 128i on the forums!

[Garduna]

Welcome to the club

[doublevanosrc]

Nice car but i still can't believe BMW doesn't put a temperature gauge in it.

[Jason G]

Thanks again! Curious, does the 135 or 335 come with a temp gauge? It really is annoying not having one.

[Greenkirby21]

Originally Posted by Jason G

Thanks again! Curious, does the 135 or 335 come with a temp gauge? It really is annoying not having one.

I believe both do, the 128i just doesn't for some reason : (.

[Kcc]

Gratz and welcome!

Kcc

[amancuso]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

I believe both do, the 128i just doesn't for some reason : (.

Nope, they don't either, but they do have an oil temp gauge.

[3liter1]

Originally Posted by jkoral

Someone on the miata forum wrote:

>> BMWs share shifters across different models. There is likely
>> a <$100 factory shifter from anothre model that bolts in with
>> 30 minutes of work that will shorten the throws significantly.

That has certainly been the case with many models (I swapped out the shift levers/selector rods in my E36/5 and E46 with other BMW parts and they were under ~80 IIRC). Check out the "Budget Short Shift Kits" at the top of http://www.understeer.com/onlinestore-shifters.shtml

...but I haven't seen/heard of folks doing this with the 1-series.

Especially since there a factory BMW Performance short shift kit ($200 at United BMW), and the bulk of the "kit" is the $100 knob and $50 boot (which can be bought separately).

I have the BMW Performance SSK and I love it (even though the throws are not as ridiculously short as I had in my E36/5 after "mixing/matching" BMW parts).

GREAT ADVICE - I am speaking to a BMW parts guy right now, and i can get (just ordered) the lever only for $75. I agree the knob and the existing boot ar just fine !