snatch up a 128i now or wait for 228i?

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by SinisterBlack128

Here is my .02 cents. I just purchased and took delivery of a 2013 128i with the Sport Package. What I found hard was the 6MT. I looked at 20 or so 128's and 135's and mine was the only 128i with the 6MT. They had one 135i with the 6MT but it was 39K, too much for me.

As for discounts, my car with all the options, stickered for $35,995 I bought the car for $27,495. Since I'm military I got a 10% discount off the bat, then another 10% from BMW. SO if you ask there are programs and discounts available.

I test drove a 228i before I got my 128i and it feels numb compared to the 1er. lack of steering feel and it felt heavy on it's feet. Not that I was considering the 228i, but they had me test drive it because my 128i was on the other side of Germany. I live 30 minutes from the BMW Assembly plant in Munich.

wow I really wish you would post your driving experiences if the 228i in the 2addicts forum! you're the first person we know of from the forum who has actually driven one!!! go for it!!!

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Exactly. Properly optioned and with a few supporting mods(none of which impact reliability), the 128i should have a better power to weight ratio than a stock 135i.

I always support the 128i....but I'm sorry your claims of a better power weight ratio are simply not sustainable, man

[Solo_M_Tech]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

wow I really wish you would post your driving experiences if the 228i in the 2addicts forum! you're the first person we know of from the forum who has actually driven one!!! go for it!!!

Saturday I had to go back to the dealer to finalize some paperwork on my trade in, ( German Customs) and the car was not there any more. I wanted to get a picture for you. It was dark blue with the black dakota leather and iDrive, DCT trans, and M sport package. The dealer told me it was a Demo car and it was being shuffled around from lot to lot. That way if a customer wanted to place an order they would have a car to look at. The way it was optioned, it was ~45k. So said the dealer. And I don't know what the difference is between an E series and an F series. (2 door and 4 door?) It was a hell of a day!

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by SinisterBlack128

Saturday I had to go back to the dealer to finalize some paperwork on my trade in, ( German Customs) and the car was not there any more. I wanted to get a picture for you. It was dark blue with the black dakota leather and iDrive, DCT trans, and M sport package. The dealer told me it was a Demo car and it was being shuffled around from lot to lot. That way if a customer wanted to place an order they would have a car to look at. The way it was optioned, it was ~45k. So said the dealer. And I don't know what the difference is between an E series and an F series. (2 door and 4 door?) It was a hell of a day!

Post your driving review of the 228 in the 2addicts forum, man! I'm sure lots of them are curious!

you made the righty choice for sure. Everything you posted was what I was fearing. I had a choice whether to get my 135is or wait for the 2er and after driving the latest 328 (which was quite frankly poor at best) I knew BMW would be watering down the 228 too.

$45k for a 228?? OUCH

[Solo_M_Tech]

^ estimated price

[uberschnell]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Exactly. Properly optioned and with a few supporting mods(none of which impact reliability), the 128i should have a better power to weight ratio than a stock 135i.

Stig it's getting a little silly here. There is no way you can modify a 128 to stock 135i power (hp let alone torque) without compromising warranty or reliability. And it probably won't compete with a 228 off the line, the torque is just not there. There are plenty of other attributes that make the 1 series better than the 2 to focus on. No reason to squander credibility on wishful thinking.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by uberschnell

Stig it's getting a little silly here. There is no way you can modify a 128 to stock 135i power (hp let alone torque) without compromising warranty or reliability. And it probably won't compete with a 228 off the line, the torque is just not there. There are plenty of other attributes that make the 1 series better than the 2 to focus on. No reason to squander credibility on wishful thinking.

No, not torque. But torque isn't particularly desirable to me as I learned in my M5.

DISA+SS headers+good tune should pretty easily put you at 285hp-300hp. None of that is going to compromise reliability. It's a factory intake manifold, some exhaust piping, and a tune. You will void your factory header warranty, nothing more. Given that my 128i weighs ~3050lbs(stock is 3100 and you can save a lot just with wheels) or less, this isn't "wishful thinking". Though I would agree there are plenty of areas where the F20 in general falls flat.

And that's before we get into the awful N20 power curve.

[uberschnell]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

No, not torque. But torque isn't particularly desirable to me as I learned in my M5.

DISA+SS headers+good tune should pretty easily put you at 285hp-300hp. None of that is going to compromise reliability. It's a factory intake manifold, some exhaust piping, and a tune. You will void your factory header warranty, nothing more. Given that my 128i weighs ~3050lbs(stock is 3100 and you can save a lot just with wheels) or less, this isn't "wishful thinking". Though I would agree there are plenty of areas where the F20 in general falls flat.

And that's before we get into the awful N20 power curve.

The real killer is steering feel - it's just feels dead for someone like me. But then again I may be old school having been driving BMW's since the E30's

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by uberschnell

The real killer is steering feel - it's just feels dead for someone like me. But then again I may be old school having been driving BMW's since the E30's

Well yeah, that is the largest offender across the board. Every one of the F chassis cars is a significant step down.

[Freon]

I think it a choice from a vastly superior engine in the I4T (objectively better at everything) vs. really awesome discounts on existing stock of the 128i.

[Hops128i]

Originally Posted by Freon

I think it a choice from a vastly superior engine in the I4T (objectively better at everything) vs. really awesome discounts on existing stock of the 128i.

Of course the n20 is objectively better ( not vastly) in power and and mpg, but subjectively it's really terrible IMO, especially if you enjoy the n52. The n20 just sounds awful. it's power delivery feels crude and industrial.

[kobeballer96]

Originally Posted by Sinister_1

It definatley looks bigger than my 128i, and felt similar to the E92 328i I was borrowing at the time. It is wider and longer than the 128i i purchased.

My sales rep was very generous, when I took delivery I got a bottle of champagne and a BMW fleece jacket. I just asked if I could test drive them. I was suprised when they said yes.

lol that bottle of champagne.. hahaha i got one too. its like a trophy for buying the bmw. dont drink it, it tastes awful lmao. i Drove all the way from Schweinfurt to Heidelberg to buy my 128i. 2009 space grey fully loaded with 6 speed. cold package, sports package, comfort Access, Idrive, sunroof upgrade sound system ect ect even had the rear fog switch installed from the previous owner that had the car in the UK. i paid 27k aswell with 12k miles on the speedo. i honestly love this car. I came from a fully bolted mazdaspeed 3 with all the bells and whistles and made 412tq and 378whp. and i really dont miss it much.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Freon

I think it a choice from a vastly superior engine in the I4T (objectively better at everything) vs. really awesome discounts on existing stock of the 128i.

To be clear, you think that an engine that has carbon build up, a power curve like a speed bump, is significantly less smooth, sounds like a diesel, and is much less reliable, is a "vastly superior engine"?

[Solo_M_Tech]

Looking at that dyno graph it's rated at 222 hp at the wheel? Bmw rates it at 180hp at the flywheel for the 320i. Just surprised me. I didn't like the n20 at all.

[Freon]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

To be clear, you think that an engine that has carbon build up, a power curve like a speed bump, is significantly less smooth, sounds like a diesel, and is much less reliable, is a "vastly superior engine"?

You smileys are childish.

Carbon buildup is a valid concern.

I don't understand the power curve comment. The I4T has a vastly superior power curve. Way more power and torque at low RPM. It's no competition. The I4T runs circles around the N52. Once the tuners get a hold of it there will be an even larger gap.

Less reliable seems to be pure speculation, unless you are trying to count carbon buildup twice.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Freon

You smileys are childish.

Carbon buildup is a valid concern.

I don't understand the power curve comment. The I4T has a vastly superior power curve. Way more power and torque at low RPM. It's no competition. The I4T runs circles around the N52. Once the tuners get a hold of it there will be an even larger gap.

Less reliable seems to be pure speculation, unless you are trying to count carbon buildup twice.

Smilies are part of a forum, and pretty useful when text is the medium of communication.

Point out the turbo engine that is more reliable than its NA counterpart.

Speed bump power curve:

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by Freon

Once the tuners get a hold of it there will be an even larger gap.

The current tuners hit a limit. Currently n20 is at 290-300hp.
300-310 HP is achieved with meth.

Dont know if it will run circles over the n52, seems to be the same when tuned to its limit.

[BavarianN54]

Given the choice of engines, I would go with the N20. I was recently loaned one while my car was in for service and it offered impressive pull compared to the N52. Lighter engine, more powerful, handles more power, likely easier to tune, better fuel economy. It's a win win. Even F1 is will be going back to small displacement, turbos next year.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by BavarianN54

Given the choice of engines, I would go with the N20. I was recently loaned one while my car was in for service and it offered impressive pull compared to the N52. Lighter engine, more powerful, handles more power, likely easier to tune, better fuel economy. It's a win win. Even F1 is will be going back to small displacement, turbos next year.

Please, stop. The only thing that may be a bit enjoyable is the low rpm torque. Nothing more. It's boring, sounds... well, does it even have a sound? ST|G said it pretty much all, I don't want to repeat what has been already said. Are you that one who started bashing on the 128i in the N52 section that it does not have a Nürburgring lap time?

The N52 is lovely and if there was a 125i and a 135i for the same price I would not know what one to choose. But as our 135 was cheaper than all the 125's and it was the only I6 E82 available in an area of 300 km where we were in Germany on a business trip, decided to go the turbo route.

[Solo_M_Tech]

Originally Posted by BavarianN54

Given the choice of engines, I would go with the N20. I was recently loaned one while my car was in for service and it offered impressive pull compared to the N52. Lighter engine, more powerful, handles more power, likely easier to tune, better fuel economy. It's a win win. Even F1 is will be going back to small displacement, turbos next year.

Listen, I've driven the 320i and 228i with the N20 engine. It's rubbish. Yeah it pull nice off the line but then fall flat on it's face around 4500 rpms. The engine is jerky, has no top end, and sounds like a diesel. I VASTLY enjoy my 128i. I drove all 4 cars before making my purchase. I drove the 135i and 128i the same day. Both with the triptronic transmission and I couldn't have told you which had a turbo and which one didn't. There was very little discernible difference between them. I drove the 320i and 228i the next day since the dealer wanted me too, and the N20 engine was bland. Like eating dry bread. Sure it gets the job done but just had zero character. My 6MT 128i is a blast to drive, and given the DISA manifold swap and tune yeilds ~40HP increase it seems like the logical thing to do. Besides turbo engine issues, reliability, and maintenance being a pain, why spend the extra for a car you have to drive at the speed limit? Ask any WRX STI owner about fuel cut under boost causing piston failure and just how expensive that is....

I don't understand why you have to shit on every 128i owner on this forum. Must you prove your car is superior to ours? Just be an enthusiast like the rest of us. Enjoy your car and leave it at that.

[BavarianN54]

Originally Posted by Sinister_1

Listen, I've driven the 320i and 228i with the N20 engine. It's rubbish. Yeah it pull nice off the line but then fall flat on it's face around 4500 rpms. The engine is jerky, has no top end, and sounds like a diesel. I VASTLY enjoy my 128i. I drove all 4 cars before making my purchase. I drove the 135i and 128i the same day. Both with the triptronic transmission and I couldn't have told you which had a turbo and which one didn't. There was very little discernible difference between them. I drove the 320i and 228i the next day since the dealer wanted me too, and the N20 engine was bland. Like eating dry bread. Sure it gets the job done but just had zero character. My 6MT 128i is a blast to drive, and given the DISA manifold swap and tune yeilds ~40HP increase it seems like the logical thing to do. Besides turbo engine issues, reliability, and maintenance being a pain, why spend the extra for a car you have to drive at the speed limit? Ask any WRX STI owner about fuel cut under boost causing piston failure and just how expensive that is....

I don't understand why you have to shit on every 128i owner on this forum. Must you prove your car is superior to ours? Just be an enthusiast like the rest of us. Enjoy your car and leave it at that.

Did you just call the N20 rubbish? yes you did. What about all those who recently bought one or will buy one? you just insulted all those people. Perfect example of Pot calling the kettle black, oh the irony. I also never called the 128 rubbish either, you are a hypocrite of the first order.

Op asked which one of two cars. Not crapping on anything, I gave my opinion. I said before i like the 128, i happen to like the new engine better from what I've experienced. Too bad if you don't like it. There are engines I like better than the N54/55 but this thread wasn't asking about that.

Sad and pathetic 'Have to drive the speed limit' argument is always enjoyed in threads. You have a 128 which tops out about 150mph in a country(USA) where the speed limit is less than half that yet you only drive the speed limit, come on dude.

You drove a 128 and 135 back to back and couldn't tell the difference? That's a classic statement right there!

[Solo_M_Tech]

Originally Posted by BavarianN54

Did you just call the N20 rubbish? yes you did. What about all those who recently bought one or will buy one? you just insulted all those people. Perfect example of Pot calling the kettle black, oh the irony. I also never called the 128 rubbish either, you are a hypocrite of the first order.

Op asked which one of two cars. Not crapping on anything, I gave my opinion. I said before i like the 128, i happen to like the new engine better from what I've experienced. Too bad if you don't like it. There are engines I like better than the N54/55 but this thread wasn't asking about that.

Sad and pathetic 'Have to drive the speed limit' argument is always enjoyed in threads. You have a 128 which tops out about 150mph in a country(USA) where the speed limit is less than half that yet you only drive the speed limit, come on dude.

You drove a 128 and 135 back to back and couldn't tell the difference? That's a classic statement right there!

Well thank you for insulting me. It's interesting you feel obligated to force your opinions on everyone, yet no one else can express theirs. Good day.