My 2012 128i is here... And some observations

[bmw1racer]

There's this velcro-like material wrapped around the top portion of the front seat belt lock mechanisms.... Any idea what that's for?

[MPowerF1]

It's a fuzzy material that I presume was used to keep the lock from rattling against the center console.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by MPowerF1

It's a fuzzy material that I presume was used to keep the lock from rattling against the center console.

Sounds reasonable... And a total kluge by BMW.

[bmw1racer]

Noticed this when I was poking around the engine compartment: the wheel wells are hollow, i.e., there's no metal there, just the plastic that lines the wheel well from the wheel/tire side...

I guess from a structural standpoint, they're not necessary since the two rigid "struts" connected to the bumpers and the other sheet metal are enough to provide a sufficient crumple zone.

Wonder if it's the same in the back?

[smellthebeans]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

There's this velcro-like material wrapped around the top portion of the front seat belt lock mechanisms.... Any idea what that's for?

looks like it is there to prevent scraping the center console

[bmw1racer]

Ack, got my first bit o' damage to the car: A little 1/4" gash on the front bumper... Must've hit something on the freeway today...

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

Ack, got my first bit o' damage to the car: A little 1/4" gash on the front bumper... Must've hit something on the freeway today...

Touched up the gash today after washing the car... Hardly perfect, but considerably less noticeable.

New observation: It appears that every bulb on the car (interior lights, headlights, signals, etc.) are incandescent... EXCEPT the license plate lights, which are LEDs... Odd.

[bmw1racer]

Realized today that the hood has no insulation material at all... All my previous BMWs had some kind of material shielding (somewhat) the underside of the hood from the engine heat...

[bozola]

08 had insulation on the hood. At least I do.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by bozola

08 had insulation on the hood. At least I do.

I just checked RealOEM and there should be sound insulation under the hood... What an oversight.

[tuco44]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

I just checked RealOEM and there should be sound insulation under the hood... What an oversight.

Not so sure about that, my new 135i does not have sound insulation under the hood. I assumed it is a weight-saving move, and I don't care if it's there or not.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by tuco44

Not so sure about that, my new 135i does not have sound insulation under the hood. I assumed it is a weight-saving move, and I don't care if it's there or not.

If the insulation was anything like what I had on my E36, it's just a large, formed piece of cardboard-like material... Not particularly heavy, maybe a pound or two.

If it's just insulation for sound and not for protecting the hood from engine heat, I guess I don't care, either...

[TheSt|G]

Pretty sure mine came without as well. I would take it out either way, not something I value.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

If the insulation was anything like what I had on my E36, it's just a large, formed piece of cardboard-like material... Not particularly heavy, maybe a pound or two.

If it's just insulation for sound and not for protecting the hood from engine heat, I guess I don't care, either...

As both my '07 E91 and my '08 128i have it, I suspect it was dropped for both 1 and 3 series around 2010, along with the emergency keyhole in the trunk lid.

Tom

[bmw1racer]

^ Got confirmation from the dealer that there is no hood insulation on the 1s...

[asmitche]

Hi everyone,

Just bought a 2012 bmw 128i - standard suspension (non-sport). Just wondering if anyone has noticed that the 2012 128i's front end seems to have a higher ground clearance than the 2011? I know it's been redesigned since last year- air curtains and fog lights most notably- but I'm not sure how much higher the front end sits than previous years or why, any thoughts?

Also, I've read some reviews about the sport package's sport suspension online and it seems to be a pretty common point of dissatisfaction on the 1 series because of the everyday harsh ride. Does anyone out there actually prefer the standard suspension on these more petite chassis? Any educated thoughts or experience with the matter? Thanks guys!

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by asmitche

Hi everyone,

Also, I've read some reviews about the sport package's sport suspension online and it seems to be a pretty common point of dissatisfaction on the 1 series because of the everyday harsh ride. Does anyone out there actually prefer the standard suspension on these more petite chassis? Any educated thoughts or experience with the matter? Thanks guys!

After test driving both sport and standard suspensions, I opted for the ZSP on my '08 128i and have not regretted it. The ride is really not much stiffer than the standard, with the rather soft OEM Goodyear NCT5 RFT summer touring tires contributing to the comfort level. And after replacing them with Conti DWS go-flats, the ride is even better with little, if any, handling degradation.

Tom

[dorkdog]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

OOOOOOO lol. my bad. no idea. didn't even see it till now!

edit: still could be part of the air curtain. What happens when you look through the hole?

Moe's finger!

[dorkdog]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

Yeah, but in other markets where BMW's are sold without prepaid maintenance plans (pretty much everywhere but the US), the fluid change intervals are the same. So in order to believe that the extended OCI is related to the free maintenance, you have to believe that BMW is losing money on less frequent OCI's in every other country they do business in, in order to save money in the US. We're a big market, to be sure, but I don't see the company changing fluid intervals globally for financial benefit in one market. Personally, I think it has more to do with environmental impact and "greening" their fleet. Also, longer OCI's and lifetime-fill fluids are becoming commonplace throughout the industry, even among manufacturers that don't offer "free" maintenance.

Things like eliminating the dipstick help to increase intervals, too. Many cars I have seen have a coating of dust on the inside of the dipstick tube - can't be good. Bits of paper, cloth from (carelessly) checking the oil add to the issue.I think since BMW has sealed the system more effectively, increased intervals can make sense.

[dorkdog]

Originally Posted by tccox

Thought i'd check and yep, my 2012 is the same way, wonder why ?

It's because it's rear wheel drive. Any stones would be kicked up in the back so the inside coating is more robust. I think.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by dorkdog

It's because it's rear wheel drive. Any stones would be kicked up in the back so the inside coating is more robust. I think.

Okay, but why the odd felt-like texture in the rear wells?

It almost appears that it would absorb water and junk rather than shed it.

[bmw1racer]

After a spirited Sunday drive yesterday, I noticed what sounded like the fuel pump still running after I had turned off the engine in my garage... It lasted for several minutes.

Odd.

I guess I'm going to have to keep a log of these peculiarities and report them when I (eventually) take the car in for service...