128i love

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by maupineda

300???? Still to be proven, isn't it? I have read your build thread and no Dyno, is it? So saying you have 300 hp N52 is a bold statement.

I've had other 300hp BMWs at a similar weight. Sure, it's all butt dyno currently but I feel confident. Proper dyno will be up when I finally have time.

Originally Posted by mikal7

lol if you were all about performance you would have bought an M car. The BMW turbo engines are terrible on the track. Direct injection and turbo is a terrible combo and it falls flat on it's face after 5400rpm, that's if it stays out of limp mode long enough to do a clean lap. It's a complete pos that motor. I'll take an NA port injection inline 6 that BMW is known for, if I wanted boost I would have bought a Japanese car. An evo X is 100x faster than any 1 series. It gets worse city gas mileage bc it's port injection, I put 70,000km on my 128i last year, averaged 27mpg- I don't think that's bad- the 128i is a momentum car, u have to buy it manual to enjoy it, u hold gears and simply fly through turns at wot. You can't do that in a 135i, it's not fun. The loaner automatic 128i they have you is obviously going to suck.

From an owner of many M cars, bingo.

[631twentyeighteye]

I'm just going to copy and paste that when people ask why i like my 128 so much.

[themellly]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Seeing as you were talking about MPG and everyone responded as such, I'm not sure why you think we are the confused ones.

I didn't get a 135i because I don't want a car that is 250lbs heavier

I was talking about the 128's crappy MPG (lets just say the car was probably broken) that I experienced with the car they gave me and I was asking why people decided to go with a 128.. all the answers were got was "i dont mind the MPG" i get it.. but that doesn't tell me why u got a 128. ALSO.. lets not get carried away a 135 only weighs 100 pounds more, and I cant seem to understand how you got ur car to 300hp without either a supercharger or turbos. But everyone has there own opinions and thats all i was looking for so thank you for ur answer.

Originally Posted by mikal7

lol if you were all about performance you would have bought an M car. The BMW turbo engines are terrible on the track. Direct injection and turbo is a terrible combo and it falls flat on it's face after 5400rpm, that's if it stays out of limp mode long enough to do a clean lap. It's a complete pos that motor. I'll take an NA port injection inline 6 that BMW is known for, if I wanted boost I would have bought a Japanese car. An evo X is 100x faster than any 1 series. It gets worse city gas mileage bc it's port injection, I put 70,000km on my 128i last year, averaged 27mpg- I don't think that's bad- the 128i is a momentum car, u have to buy it manual to enjoy it, u hold gears and simply fly through turns at wot. You can't do that in a 135i, it's not fun. The loaner automatic 128i they have you is obviously going to suck.

If i was about performance I would have bought an M car? No, not true. First I had a budget.. second and most importantly I wanted a 1 series.. third I could have bought an m3 but the differentials are HORRIBLE. Also if you think BMW turbos are horrible.. what would buying an M car do?.. its still BMW turbos. I agree the loaner I got does suck but you my friend are incredibly wrong about a 135 not being a momentum car, I can do with my car whatever you can do in yours.

[Nixolas]

Originally Posted by themellly

..second and most importantly I wanted a 1 series.. third I could have bought an m3 but the differentials are HORRIBLE...

Are you saying that the 1M doesn't exist or it isn't classified as an M car?

[themellly]

Originally Posted by Nixolas

Are you saying that the 1M doesn't exist or it isn't classified as an M car?

They are a limited. At the time I was buying a car they didn't have any. And also every single one of them had a dealer mark up of about 20-25 thousand so even if there were any I wouldn't pay that much for it.

[andrey_gta]

@themellly, I think your question is as follows.
How do we justify 128i ownership with a car that on average gets 5-8 MPG better than 135i, but lack all the go fast stuff?

For many it is price (various countries really price the 135i high).
For others it is anti turbo sentiment for their own reason.
Legacy of pure NA I6 from BMW, connection to past or last breed of engine
Reliability, less to go wrong.
Others will say weight.
Saved funds to mod the car with preferred brakes choice or suspension.
Some will also say that it fits their driving skill level/comfort.
Finally, some of us love the idea to max out a slightly lighter car at near 300* hp power using headers, intake manifold, intake and software


*300 hp is yet to be proven in USA/NA, current developments in e90 post have a contravercial thread with a maxed out 328i. Euro guys did it, one using race ECU with race bolt on, another one using bolt on and a custom tune

[themellly]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

@themellly, I think your question is as follows.
How do we justify 128i ownership with a car that on average gets 5-8 MPG better than 135i, but lack all the go fast stuff?

Well basically yes.. The price difference and the reliabily I understand.. I only asked because its not so much of a huge price difference. It would be ridiculous to ask why someone choose a 128 over an m5 or whatever else. However a 128 does not get better mpg then a 135 which is overall the reason why I asked in the first place. Basically the whole point was to get people's opinions. Even though I can't agree with some of the things I know which are true and which are not. Both great cars but everyone will prefer one over the other.. Which ever way it turns out.

[Nixolas]

Originally Posted by themellly

Well basically yes.. The price difference and the reliabily I understand.. I only asked because its not so much of a huge price difference. It would be ridiculous to ask why someone choose a 128 over an m5 or whatever else. However a 128 does not get better mpg then a 135 which is overall the reason why I asked in the first place. Basically the whole point was to get people's opinions. Even though I can't agree with some of the things I know which are true and which are not. Both great cars but everyone will prefer one over the other.. Which ever way it turns out.

If anything, the gas mileage isn't enough to pick one over the other.. we are literally talking about 1-2 extra miles per gallon. So what does it come down to: a cheaper all-round solid BMW with a proven reliable engine for less money VS a more expensive BMW with 60-70+ HP with less reliability, custom mod options, oem performance options, and ultimately down the road, more expensive maintenance / things that can go wrong.

For me, I will still pick the 125i. It's just a smarter buy for my lifestyle.

[themellly]

Originally Posted by Nixolas

If anything, the gas mileage isn't enough to pick one over the other.. we are literally talking about 1-2 extra miles per gallon. So what does it come down to: a cheaper all-round solid BMW with a proven reliable engine for less money VS a more expensive BMW with 60-70+ HP with less reliability, custom mod options, oem performance options, and ultimately down the road, more expensive maintenance / things that can go wrong.

For me, I will still pick the 125i. It's just a smarter buy for my lifestyle.

Like I have mentioned before the gas mileage was the reason for the questions but just as u have ur opinions I have mine. So in my opinion the gas mileage is obviously not the only thing to make me choose one over the other. The maintenance is free for me since I leased .. The only thing I pay for is the oil .. the tires I paid in advance for a tire warranty. You guys talk about the reliability as if the car is going to blow up. They are both well built cars. So for my lifestyle this was a better choice for me. Enjoy!

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Seeing as you were talking about MPG and everyone responded as such, I'm not sure why you think we are the confused ones.

I didn't get a 135i because I don't want a car that is 250lbs heavier, I hate turbo power delivery, I hate turbo powerbands, I hate the failing injectors, I hate the failing HPFP, I hate the failing turbos, I hate the failing waste gates, I hate carbon buildup, I hate overheating on the track, I hate crappy knock off factory Brembos that fail under actual load, and I hate being required to own a sunroof.

Just off the top of my head, but I have none of that with the 128i. Instead I have a linear 300hp coming from the final evolution of an engine that BMW has been developing over the better part of 30 years mated to a silky smooth transmission in a car that with a little work will easily be at sub 3000lbs with no sacrifice of daily drivability.

Price was never a concern in the slightest. Which should be pretty abundantly clear as Supersprint headers alone are the difference between a 128i and 135i.

100% agreed. I have ZERO desire for a 135i, but the 128i is a nice little car. In fact, the 128i is the last car BMW makes that I want. Understandably so, as it's really the last car they're making with traditional BMW brand values, and I'm 100% a traditional BMW customer (probably clear from my choice in cars-- see sig).

The only thing negative I can really think of to say about the 128 is it's ugly/girly looking... but, no more so than the 135i. Gotta go 1M to address that, and then you get stuck with turbos again.

For what I want in a car, everything about the 135i is a downgrade as compared to the 128i. Handling, weight, engine dynamics, reliability... all worse. No desire for laggy/torquey/unreliable turbo power.

Originally Posted by themellly

Like I have mentioned before the gas mileage was the reason for the questions but just as u have ur opinions I have mine.

Something was wrong with the 128i you drove, it's MPG should have been about double what you got, and that's assuming you were backroad/inefficiently driving.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by themellly

I was talking about the 128's crappy MPG (lets just say the car was probably broken) that I experienced with the car they gave me and I was asking why people decided to go with a 128.. all the answers were got was "i dont mind the MPG" i get it.. but that doesn't tell me why u got a 128. ALSO.. lets not get carried away a 135 only weighs 100 pounds more,

If everyone responded the same way until you clarified, you were being unclear. And given your writing style, it's not up for debate.



"Our 3197-pound car was 223 pounds lighter than the 135i we tested, with a more even front-to-rear weight distribution as well."
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take-road-test

That test car had a sun roof, mine doesn't. Every 135i in the US has one. Generally they weigh around 40lbs in the second worst spot on the car.

[themellly]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

"Our 3197-pound car was 223 pounds lighter than the 135i we tested, with a more even front-to-rear weight distribution as well."
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take-road-test

What you just sent with the link is the rating for a 2008 model.. This is 2013, things have changed. Check for a more updated review to get the correct specs between the 2 cars.

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by themellly

What you just sent with the link is the rating for a 2008 model.. This is 2013, things have changed. Check for a more updated review to get the correct specs between the 2 cars.

Unless the sunroof is no longer standard on the 135 or has become standard on the 128 (neither changed), the weight difference is the same.

The n54 and n55 are MUCH heavier than the N52, the 135 trans is significantly heavier than the 128 trans, and a sunroof adds a lot of weight and is mandatory on the 135. Nothing significant has changed.

[Dafttt]

Originally Posted by themellly

What you just sent with the link is the rating for a 2008 model.. This is 2013, things have changed. Check for a more updated review to get the correct specs between the 2 cars.

Did BMW switch the '13 135i to a carbon fiber monocoque shell or is this response entirely irrelevant? There's only been a few changes over the past 5 years, most notably the N54 to N55 switch and dumbo ears on all forthcoming LCI's. Maybe someone else can chime in on any weight loss. I really don't know but for however much you lose in weight over the N54 model, you gain back in your side mirrors. Either way, it's negligible and this article is relevant and can be cited.

[themellly]

Originally Posted by HavidDasselhoff

Did BMW switch the '13 135i to a carbon fiber monocoque shell or is this response entirely irrelevant? There's only been a few changes over the past 5 years, most notably the N54 to N55 switch and dumbo ears on all forthcoming LCI's. Maybe someone else can chime in on any weight loss. I really don't know but for however much you lose in weight over the N54 model, you gain back in your side mirrors. Either way, it's negligible and this article is relevant and can be cited.

Check kbb .. Compare the 2 cars.. Do the math. I don't know what's changed and quite honest I don't care. I dont care about a 128 I don't know about a 128. I know about my car and I know about turbos because that interests me. I came here to ask why people like there 128s. I got my answer so now I'm out.

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by themellly

Check kbb .. Compare the 2 cars.. Do the math. I don't know what's changed and quite honest I don't care. I dont care about a 128 I don't know about a 128. I know about my car and I know about turbos because that interests me. I came here to ask why people like there 128s. I got my answer so now I'm out.

You never seem to reply to my posts for whatever reason, but...

KBB tests the cars they receive. So, if they got a 128 with a sunroof, automatic, idrive, etc, vs a base 135i, the weight difference will be less.

The 200 lbs is a base 128i vs a 135i.

[ggcadc]

I got mine because I wanted an easier car to drive. That means automatic, I thought a 135 with auto would be a sin. The 128 is a compromise, a sensible car, exactly what I needed after building my last car into an m45 boosted methanol fueled monster.

An auto 128 is exactly what I needed, if I wanted to build a racecar, there are much more accessible chassis available.

Furthermore, anyone with a 128 or 135 would do well to recognize each car isn't in competition with one another, they're both great for VERY different reasons.

I have never seen so much shit talking on what is essentially the same car, it's really disappointing to see

[mikal7]

lol hey I got nothing but love for everyone. I don't wanna argue. He asked why it gets 18mpg city. Mine has never done that...I've driven it 100,000km (60k miles for us ppl) mine has always done significantly better. Then again mine is a 6spd and I'm anal about fluids and gas. I explained to him what makes a 128i fun, so did stig so did Andre. He decided to pretty much ignore us when all he had to do was say "yah I can see where you're coming from, I should probably drive a 6spd car to see what the big deal is"

Note:: I noticed ppl have different driving styles. If you're a douche and your idea of driving is accelerating from a light and shifting at 5k yes the 135i is going to feel like a rocket. There is no lag in that car. BUT if you have some balls and you live in the country or near a racetrack with elevation changes and your idea is taking esses and elevated corners at wot in the top of 3rd peaking at 7k, the 128i is MUCH better. Period. In fact the only thing better from BMW is an m3 with that amazing NA v8, but at that price point i would consider a used Porscha // rant

[631twentyeighteye]

It's frustrating that 135 owners look down on 128 owners, in turn causing us to look down on 135 owners.

Theyre the same car with different motors that have to be driven differently to be truly enjoyed. The n54/55 is a power monster meant for pure speed, while the n52 requires finesse and maintaining momentum(what we call, "fun" in this section) in order to acquire its fastest lap times.

In a non comparison setting with any average run of the mill driver, a 135i will be easier to drive fast on a track compared to a 128, even if they made the same power numbers. This is due to the power delivery of the turbo's versus NA.

[themellly]

Originally Posted by mikal7

lol hey I got nothing but love for everyone. I don't wanna argue. He asked why it gets 18mpg city. Mine has never done that...I've driven it 100,000km (60k miles for us ppl) mine has always done significantly better. Then again mine is a 6spd and I'm anal about fluids and gas. I explained to him what makes a 128i fun, so did stig so did Andre. He decided to pretty much ignore us when all he had to do was say "yah I can see where you're coming from, I should probably drive a 6spd car to see what the big deal is"

Note:: I noticed ppl have different driving styles. If you're a douche and your idea of driving is accelerating from a light and shifting at 5k yes the 135i is going to feel like a rocket. There is no lag in that car. BUT if you have some balls and you live in the country or near a racetrack with elevation changes and your idea is taking esses and elevated corners at wot in the top of 3rd peaking at 7k, the 128i is MUCH better. Period. In fact the only thing better from BMW is an m3 with that amazing NA v8, but at that price point i would consider a used Porscha // rant

I am a girl I hope you know. And you can say why u think ur car is fun.. Did I ever disagree no. However if someone is to tell me that in general a 128 is fun and a 135 is not is wrong. That is a matter of opinion it is not a fact and it should not be stated as it is. I agreed that the car I was given was probably broken .. And I was not looking down on anyone with a 128 just because I asked a simple question as to why someone would choose one over the other. But if I did then whatever I apologize. People will have there own opinions and you shouldn't take them so personally.

[ggcadc]

Originally Posted by themellly

I am a girl I hope you know. And you can say why u think ur car is fun.. Did I ever disagree no. However if someone is to tell me that in general a 128 is fun and a 135 is not is wrong. That is a matter of opinion it is not a fact and it should not be stated as it is. I agreed that the car I was given was probably broken .. And I was not looking down on anyone with a 128 just because I asked a simple question as to why someone would choose one over the other. But if I did then whatever I apologize. People will have there own opinions and you shouldn't take them so personally.

I think most reasons people would choose a 128 OVER 135 are stated in the article in the OP, other than that, the reasons are just individual circumstance or choice.

[mikal7]

Lol gotta fix those pronouns. The 1 series is totally a girls car.