First Drive: 2008 BMW 128i Coupe Video

[darknightohio]

http://www.motortrend.com/av/roadtes...8i_coupe_video

Enjoy :thumbup:

[ChrisK]

Very Nice! I think BMW will sell A LOT of 128's

[vivid]

Originally Posted by chriskurn

Very Nice! I think BMW will sell A LOT of 128's

I hope so... Just not sure if the US market will buy a lot of a fairly expensive small car... Most small cars are inexpensive... I hope they sell a lot but I have some doubts...

[ulrichd]

Originally Posted by Vivid

I hope so... Just not sure if the US market will buy a lot of a fairly expensive small car... Most small cars are inexpensive... I hope they sell a lot but I have some doubts...

Minis are still selling at MSRP 6 years after introduction. I think the small luxury segment will take off here as $4 gas becomes a reality.

Ulrich

[vivid]

Originally Posted by ulrichd

Minis are still selling at MSRP 6 years after introduction. I think the small luxury segment will take off here as $4 gas becomes a reality.

Ulrich

precisely... I love the Mini but they are fairly inexpensive cars... The Mini cooper starts at $18K and the Cooper S starts at $22K but the 1series starts at $28k and $35K... Not that the 1serires is expensive but thats a pretty big price difference...

[arvid]

Hmm I think you guys are lucky not to live in Sweden, cause over here the 135i fully loaded, costs 75,000 $...!!!

Originally Posted by Vivid

precisely... I love the Mini but they are fairly inexpensive cars... The Mini cooper starts at $18K and the Cooper S starts at $22K but the 1series starts at $28k and $35K... Not that the 1serires is expensive but thats a pretty big price difference...

[sc135i]

Anyone want to hazard a guess whether that is the grey or taupe interior?:iono:

[reo5001]

Thats a crime arvid.......*_*

[RXC135i]

I have to ask the question of what the typical income is for someone in Sweden? If most people make the equivalent of $250k a year than 75K isn't too bad. Things are all relative but I do laugh to know that I am getting my car for half the price of the German who built it (not taking into account discounts etc).

[spudw]

Originally Posted by sc135i

Anyone want to hazard a guess whether that is the grey or taupe interior?:iono:

My guess is taupe. Not my cup of tea, but overall the color sceme they have looks nice. I'm still stuck on CR with black.

The more reviewers pay attention to the 128i, the less interested I am in the 135i. 128i looks great!!!!

[Brandon26pdx]

The 128 should be significantly less than 3300 lbs. 135i weighs about that much IIRC. The engine alone is ~70-75 lbs lighter than the N54

[PhAzE]

I read somewhere on this forum that the 128i would have the same e-diff as the 135i, does anyone think that video confirms it? I know that an open diff can lay down two strips of rubber as well but I think thats the e-diff. Also he mentions 6-pot calipers which I think is wrong. Doesn't the 135i only come with the 6-pot calipers?

[Dave]

creepy porno like music haha


nice vid thou

[Disasterpiece]

Cool vid.
Makes me want a 1er again haha.

[Thud]

Originally Posted by ulrichd

I think the small luxury segment will take off here as $4 gas becomes a reality.

Ulrich

You're probably right, but the existing 135i isn't exactly known for its great fuel economy.

[spudw]

Originally Posted by phaze

I read somewhere on this forum that the 128i would have the same e-diff as the 135i, does anyone think that video confirms it? I know that an open diff can lay down two strips of rubber as well but I think thats the e-diff. Also he mentions 6-pot calipers which I think is wrong. Doesn't the 135i only come with the 6-pot calipers?

I think you'll find the answer here:

Originally Posted by stu@motivemag

Sorry for the delay, but official responses from BMW:

1. Is the new electronic LSD technology found on the 135i also on the 128i? One writer says as much, but not sure if that's the case.
Yes, it is on all 1 Series, as well as all 3 Series. It is part of the DSC system which functions when DSC is fully switched off. Separately, the DSC on the 135i is tuned for performance driving, meaning that it cuts in later than the 128i would, as well as having sportier throttle settings.

2. Is the aero undercar treatment of the 135i also found on the 128i?
The aerodynamic components on the underside of both of the 1 Series vehicles are identical. However, the BMW M aerodynamic kit is only available on the 135i and standard.

3. Is the 128i Sport package suspension the same as the 135i suspension?
Yes, the 128i Sport package suspension is the same as the 135i suspension.

4. Is the steering same on both 128i and 135i? Seen differing reports about electronic assist and lock-to-lock ratios.
The steering is the same on both the 128i and 135i. However, Adaptive Steering, which automatically adjusts steering ratio based on vehicle speeds, is available as an option on both.

The U.S. cars have hydraulic engine-speed sensitive power steering, similar to the 3 Series. No Electric Power Steering with Servotronic in the U.S.

5. It appears the 135i comes with speedo, tach, fuel and oil temp gauges. What about the 128i?
The gauges on the 1 Series and 3 Series are slightly different between the 28i and 35i. 28i has a current fuel consumption gauge in place of the oil temp. Current fuel consumption on the 35i can be seen as part of the board computer in between the tach and speedo.

Originally Posted by stu@motivemag

As far as I know there's no way to get the big brakes with the 128i.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...1812#post71812

[fuhgetaboutit]

The guy in the video must work for BMW marketing - the car had premium and sport packages, but he still mentioned the price as right under 30K. Whatever!

[BMWfan]

There was no sport package on that car. Look at the front bumper..

[aesthetect]

glad to see a complete review of a 128 coupe, although it didnt seem that stringent. (also glad to hear somebody say something about visibility as i dont believe it has been mentioned anywhere)

anyway, it will be a bit of time before i can considering purchasing (long enough to wait and see if a complete factory performance model is manufactured, heh heh) but if not i think i would be considering a 128 with a healthy does of those factory performance parts. i dont really need 300hp (just going to get me more tickets) although the easily attainable 380whatever with a chip is so ridiculous anybody who likes cars cant help but be attracted.

regardless, my question is what is the tuning potential of a 128? the performance suspension, brakes, strut bars, and aero bits would make a sexy unique great handling 1er, exactly what i want.. a little less weight a little less drag. but how about the engine? if it is a detuned version of the 3.0-liter N52 (which makes 255hp in the 330i) it shouldnt take much more than some electronics to get to that kind of performance? is anything like this going on in the 328i camp?

also i thought i read something that the throttle response in teh 128 was retarded/manipulated so as to provide smoother power or better economy (hope it wasnt the second or they blew it)? can anyone confirm that?


too bad the 128 doesnt get better gas mileage or it would be a no brainer for me

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by izzodesh

creepy porno like music haha


nice vid thou

I wouldn't know...

[ulrichd]

Originally Posted by BMWfan

There was no sport package on that car. Look at the front bumper..

I don't think the US 128i sport package changes the exterior of the car, except for 17" wheels.

[128er]

I think BMW will sell a lot more 135i's