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07-17-2014, 09:28 AM | #1 |
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128i Auto
I have pretty much made up my mind that I want a 1 Series with Auto transmission. I test drove a 135i with DCT and loved it. I have recently been seeing some Auto 128i M-Sport in my area and have scheduled a test drive this Saturday.
I recently test drove a new 228i and was satisfied with the power delivery but prefer the looks of the 1 series. Anyone here drive a 128i Auto can give me their impressions. |
07-17-2014, 09:43 AM | #2 | |
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07-17-2014, 09:43 AM | #3 |
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The auto tranny in the 128i will literally be nothing like the DCT of the 135i nor the auto(8 zpeed) of the 228i.
The 128i auto is a 6 gear GM gearbox that feels just like every other automatic transmission i've ever drove(including my old jeep). It's not terrible, but I personally wouldn't recommend it. I've driven an automatic extensively as my friend has one but while the car is still fantastic as the chassis and motor are the same, the mushy gear box really detracts from the 128's fantastic driving experience. The auto 128i is noticeable slower than an equally equipped/modded manual 128i. However if you're dead set on getting an auto for whatever reason(assuming commuting, traffic), you'll probably be okay with it. The paddles really are nothing compared to a good ol' clutch and shifter.
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07-17-2014, 11:13 AM | #4 |
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Thanks for the input but man that's a bummer. I wonder what BMW was thinking when choosing to use such a run of the mill gearbox in the 128i.
Oh well, I'll still give it a test drive as it's just going to be a commuter car in heavy traffic with the occasional spirited drive... we'll see. |
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07-17-2014, 11:15 AM | #5 |
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I have an auto 128i and I love it. I have yet to see any videos posted with a manual 128i delivering a faster 0-60 time then the current videos online in which the automatic is placed in DS mode. But I have heard by many that the manual is "faster"...just haven't seen the proof. The auto is a fun car nonetheless and for someone to say the N52 is ruined with an auto is nonsense. There is nothing like feeling the clutch and every gear as you would in a manual. But depending on your driving situation, the auto may be best. And it is still a fun car!
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07-17-2014, 11:44 AM | #7 |
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The redeemable feature of the Auto is that its final drive gear is very high. You will keep up with many similar manual BMW.
Also the 1 series is lighter than a 3 series, so most negative comments about 3 series auto don't apply on e90post a video shows An auto e92 328i has kept up with a modded manual e92 328i. Furthermore, maybe in a few months there might be a flash available for the auto transmission. Someone needs to prove that 328i GM transmission can be flashed with fresher software from a similar BMW that will make its behaviour more active. Of course this is a big maybe, and the risk is there.
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In-progress: //M front arm, M3 rack, e36M lip Wishlist: Coils, n55 mnts, headers, LSD, e60 finn diff "The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is |
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07-17-2014, 11:51 AM | #8 | |
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The N52 is ruined by the auto. The entire character of the engine is defined by snappy response from ultra lightweight internals. To take that, and then attach it to a fluid coupling in the form of a torque converter, utterly neuters what makes the N52 so good. And then we get into extra 80lbs, higher ownership costs, lower resale value, and reduced reliability.
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07-17-2014, 11:57 AM | #9 | |
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07-17-2014, 12:25 PM | #10 |
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07-17-2014, 01:07 PM | #11 |
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The auto tranny is from GM. piece of garbage from what I hear
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07-17-2014, 01:22 PM | #13 | |
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07-17-2014, 01:25 PM | #14 |
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My friend has the BMS powerbox installed on hers as well. Not for any "power"(there's no power gain) but it changes the throttle mapping so it doesn't shift up to the highest gear as soon as possible in Drive. In DS mode its much better but it's not up to par of DCT/newer automatics IMO.
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07-17-2014, 01:37 PM | #15 |
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Automatic DS mode 0-60.
Manual 0-60. Ok ok, the manual driver shifts like shit. But... This is the only visual evidence I have. Who's up for updating the evidence? |
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07-17-2014, 01:44 PM | #16 |
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My wife won't admit her 2013 128i vert is slower than my 2009 128i vert but then she won't admit I'm faster in an autocross nor will she agree to do one with me, even if I pay her entry fee. I looked online for a brochure but cannot find one. I found this link where the 125i specs are available:
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicle...i&model_2=123d It shows the same thing as the 128i specs, the automatic is on the order of 1 second slower to 60. It may be 6 tenths or something for the 128i but it is slower. Notice the 135i isn't slower. Some might be the DCT but I think most of it is the gearing. You can compensate for the greater loss in the automatic with gearing but at least a conventional automatic is less efficient so it has to be slower than a manual if the gearing is the same and the manual driver shifts correctly and quickly.
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07-17-2014, 03:54 PM | #17 |
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I went from a 2006 saab 9-3 auto to a 2010 128i 6spd to a 2010 128i auto. The auto in the bmw is 100x better than the saabs and shifts quicker/smoother but it just doesn't compare to the manual trans.
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07-17-2014, 04:26 PM | #18 | |
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I'm sure the final drive ratio is different, wasn't aware it was a 0-60 race. |
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07-17-2014, 04:31 PM | #19 |
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07-17-2014, 06:34 PM | #20 | |
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Interesting to read the difference between manual and auto in the 128i but it doesn't concern my purchase as I'm not really considering a manual anymore. I'll have to decide if the DCT 135i is worth $4k-$5k more to me than an Auto 128i. |
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07-17-2014, 07:07 PM | #21 | |
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07-17-2014, 07:14 PM | #22 |
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Auto 128i with paddle shifters. Love it! I have some mods to make up for some of the power loss and inherent auto shortcomings, but I absolutely love it. Maybe it's just the sound of the PE.
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