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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      08-23-2011, 01:23 AM   #1
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Thoughts please crew.....

So I have recently made the move to BC from Ontario (originally from England), and currently have a 2010 Mini JCW on lease with thoughts on buying out. My new job role involves alot more driving, which the Mini is very capable in covering, she is comfortable, wonderful on Gas and very flexible in Downtown Vancouver.

However, before the JCW I had a 2008 E90 M3 and realise that I miss it too much!! So my thoughts were to get another M3. Problem is that the depreciation (as with the Mini) and fuel would be so heavy due to the 80k - 100k kms that ill be doing each year - and as an Ex BMW employee of many years , I know of the more long term issues posed by direct injection and Turbochargers. The Mini I have been warned 'will' become unreliable with that kind of useage - with a history of HPFP issues (as with the N54 and N55 engines in the 135, 335, 535, X5, X6 and Z4's) and more worryingly the timing chain adjuster which can cause monumental fails!! Not to mention the Direct Injection/De coking issues as the kms piles on.....

So my various BMW tech friends have advised a 'normally aspirated' ride to see me through a few yers of heavy useage. E46 and E9x M3's being good forerunners due to their nature of being over engineered for the jobs they undertake, or a 'non turbo/DI' N52 powered 128i. Sadly my current financial situ allows more for a nice E46 or nearly new 128i Sport coupe, than it does a nice E9x M3. So with this in mind I was wondering if there were any 'mega mileage' 128i owners on here that could shed some light on dependability, especially as I am a 6MT man! I had a 135i cab before but feel that if its big mileages im changing for, then the 128 will be the most dependable! A buddy of mine has already done a pair of turbos on his E90 335i with N54 power. What does everyone think? 128i 'stick' sport a good choice?

A good friend of mine has a 130i back in britain on 125k miles with zero issues! Plus I can keep it sprightly with the shortshift kit, Performance steering wheel, H&R springs and hopefully a stainless exhaust at some point

Many thanks in advance

All the best

M

Last edited by Lay-Z M3; 08-23-2011 at 01:28 AM..
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      08-23-2011, 01:33 AM   #2
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128i is a great choice. If you need a BMW that is reliable, sporty and good value you really couldn't do much better.

I have to say that a part of me would rather have a 5yo Sentra for all those joyless company miles and save your car for the weekends.
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      08-23-2011, 01:40 AM   #3
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Sadly not much space in Van to store toys the daily user will be the weekends fun too!! Ahh well looks like a special order Quaife L.S.Diff to suprise at the track days

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      08-23-2011, 03:23 AM   #4
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If it were me, I would go with a nice E46 M3
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      08-23-2011, 04:41 AM   #5
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I had a 6MT 128i sport and really enjoyed it. My concern with the E46 M3 would be the maintenance. That engine requires more frequent and more expensive service than the typical N52, which would especially worry me when driving ~60k miles per year. The M3 will also be an older car, which means mores potential problems from smaller items as well.

If you want 3-series, maybe something like 2006 330i would be a more practical yet sporty choice?
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      08-23-2011, 07:40 PM   #6
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HaHa - considered a 330i sport, but over here they only did a sport pack not an M sport package until the more recent 335i or 335d's. Plus pre '09 LCI is looking a little dated

Also the new 3 is out next year so I dont want to have something that immediately looks old hat + I like the 128 2008 - 2011's more than the facelift 2012's (all be it the 1M naturally) and those rear light

Bit worried about some major Vanos issues on the E46 M3's

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      08-23-2011, 07:55 PM   #7
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128 is a solid car and great for commutes.

But for the record you're friend is being a little alarmist. I currently have almost 65K miles on my 135. No drivetrain issues at all. There are also a member with over 120K miles on his 08 135.
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      08-23-2011, 11:18 PM   #8
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I hear you on the 'alarmist' front - its just I worked for BMW for almost 8 years and I know what can go wrong. On the whole N51/N52 and N54/N55 units are great, I just had visions of paying all the money for the car and then aged wastgates/actuators/turbos/De-coking needs etc I just wanted the least 'potential' headaches!

I miss my old modified 135i Cabs power everyday, even when I had the M3 it was just different

I suppose the plan down the road is to have a property that can also house a toy, so I feel this would perhaps be the better workhorse - longterm.
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      08-23-2011, 11:28 PM   #9
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It also seems that with relatively little expense a 128i can run good power. Apparently with a stage 3 inlet manifold from a 330i, a re map and some airflow power should be around 268 - 271bhp and that would be spot on for me right now

I had a few E81 & E87 130i hatch demo's when I sold BMW/Mini's in the UK - and that car running 265BHP was just magical.
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      08-24-2011, 06:55 AM   #10
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Ohh no don't get me wrong the 128 is a perfect reliable commuter. I'm not saying don't get it cause I think it's a great idea. I just think that you aren't giving the N54 it's due credit.

I had a talk with one of my BMW tech friends last year about my engine. I was getting my 45K mile service done and he's the lead tech at one of the largest BMW service centers on the east coast.

He told me that BMW engines like to be run hard. An that they last longer if you give them a WOT run once in a while. At that point I was doing one once for every time I started the car.

His M5 is doing well enough after 10 years and I trust Tony (yeah a mechanic named Tony I know ) with anything relate to my car.
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      08-24-2011, 09:35 AM   #11
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Interesting dilemma but i think the 128i is probably your best bet.

E46 M3- requires more upkeep and is not really fuel efficient

E90 M3- almost the perfect car but it's a gas hog

E82 135i- great match however long term reliability is unknown

E82 128i- Probably the best match meets every category

Fun to drive check

Low maintenance check

Good MPG avg check

Personally i would go with the 135i but I'm bias.
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      08-24-2011, 09:50 AM   #12
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My 128i has had close to 8K of engine repairs in the last year from the cylinder head to the computer that controls the valve timing, granted they were all under warranty, but it still makes me weary of keeping even the n52 out of warranty. Overall though, the n52 will "probably" be more maintenance free.
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      08-24-2011, 10:09 AM   #13
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Holy shit Jaf $8k - hope she runs well now!!

Sorry Broken but your earlier reference of WOT - forgive the ignorance but what is that please?
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      08-24-2011, 10:40 AM   #14
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I used to have a 2004 BMW 330i ZHP(E46) 6 speed prior to my VW and let me tell ya that thing got 33mpg on the highway at 85mph with the a/c on. Also had great acceleration and awesome handling, it was the ultimate daily driver.
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      08-24-2011, 10:45 AM   #15
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I've had a couple issues with my 08 128i, taillight went out, amp malfuctioned causing my radio to cut out, seatbelt tensioner recall. Other then that I've had a pretty good run for three years and 40,000 miles. Mechanically it seems like it will be good easily to 100,000 miles and I still love driving it - just get the 6 speed, sport package, ditch the run flats and put the E93 M3 front swaybar on it - it's a blast to drive.
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      08-24-2011, 10:46 AM   #16
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oh and don't listen to BMW about oil changes - I'd never go 15,000 miles between oil changes in a car I wanted to own for more than 2 years.
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      08-24-2011, 11:18 AM   #17
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oh and don't listen to BMW about oil changes - I'd never go 15,000 miles between oil changes in a car I wanted to own for more than 2 years.
I've gone 15,000 miles between changes, for 140,000 miles on my 330i. At 2500-3000 miles per month, I've even gone over by a few thousand, more than once. Nobody at BMW ever reprimanded me, or threatened to void my warranty. I fully intend to do the same with the 135.

Did the same for 100,000 miles and counting, in my Tundra. Never went for less than 10,000 miles, in any car. The 5,000 (then 3,000) mile interval always seemed like a scam to me.
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      08-24-2011, 12:15 PM   #18
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The 5,000 (then 3,000) mile interval always seemed like a scam to me.
Good luck with all that - did any of your engines ever use oil between changes? I figure BMW wants you to wait 15,000 miles so they can sell you a new car sooner and the oil companies say 3,000 miles so they can sell you more oil. I go with 5K and get every third oil change for free... just my thoughts.
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      08-24-2011, 12:19 PM   #19
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Yep. They all used a bit between changes. If BMW wants to sell me a new car sooner, they are not succeeding. I get at least 150,000 miles out of every car.
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      08-24-2011, 01:21 PM   #20
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seems fuel costs aren't an issue for you. personally if I was driving daily, I'd not be considering a 128i or m3 but something might lighter on the pocket and eco-friendlier on the planet
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      08-24-2011, 03:52 PM   #21
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Yep. They all used a bit between changes. If BMW wants to sell me a new car sooner, they are not succeeding. I get at least 150,000 miles out of every car.
Dude i used to have the same exact car in your sig, ah the memories it brings.
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      08-24-2011, 03:58 PM   #22
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Dude i used to have the same exact car in your sig, ah the memories it brings.
Nice. I'm lucky to have been able to keep it. My wife drives it most days, now that I have the 135.
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