128i v. 135i - What's the Difference?

[gocal73]

Other than the obvious - engine, M-Kit, big brakes, standard sport suspension, 18" wheels - what other differences exist between the 128i and the 135i?

I am asking because now that we have more technical information available to us and the US spec cars have actually been driven by the press and a few select others (Hell yes, I'm jealous!).

A few questions jump to mind for me.

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.

2. Is the aero undercar treatment of the 135i also found on the 128i?

3. Is the 128i Sport package suspension 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.

5. It appears the 135i comes with speedo, tach, fuel and oil temp guages. What about the 128i?

I'm sure other members have their own questions and hopefully others will have answers about the differences and similarities of these two exciting cars.

BTW, my intent is not start an argument about which car is the better of the two. They are different cars, and each will have fans. I'd just like some reliable and accurate information as to what they have in common and what makes them different. Lord knows 80% of the members on this site know more about the 1-series than the whole combined sales staff at my local dealer!

[john970]

The 128 is not expected to have a temp gauge, I believe everything else is the same (in your list).

[atr_hugo]

Legit questions - I don't have all the answers (by a long shot) and we are still dealing with incosistent info available from BMW.

1. No, the 128i is not supposed to get the e-Diff (or the same version of DSC for that matter)

2. I suspect yes - somewhere around here (possibly in the photos section) is a undercarriage pic of a 128 or 125 coupe and it appeared to have the same undertray as the 135.

3. I do not believe the sport suspension is the same.

4. The pics we've seen of the 128i engine compartment show a power steering fluid resovoir, so it shoudl be hydraulic power steering, whether the steering ratio is the same as the 135 is anyones guess - haven't seen any details on that.

5. I think the 128 will come with a tach, speedo and fuel gauge, don;t think there's a coolant or oil temp gauge in the 128.

Anyone else have some thoughts?

[darknightohio]

135i comes with xenons standard. 128i does not.

[atr_hugo]

Ha - BMW has given us enough contradictory info that I knew we'd come up with different answers! ; -)

[stu@motivemag]

Hey guys, I passed all those questions off to BMW's communications head. Hopefully I'll be able to post the answers by morning.

[BMW=BeggingMantoWife]

Can someone tell me if the manual transmissions are the same.
Thanks!

[john970]

Originally Posted by stu@motivemag

Hey guys, I passed all those questions off to BMW's communications head. Hopefully I'll be able to post the answers by morning.

Can you also find out what the @#!$ the HiFi audio system is? There has been much controversy from the limited and contradictory information we've received from BMW so far.

[john970]

Originally Posted by BMW=BeggingMantoWife

Can someone tell me if the manual transmissions are the same.
Thanks!

I don't know for sure but I would say not, the torque difference between the two motors is way to big to have the same gearing. Also, the 128 could get away with a lighter transmission as it doesn't have the big torque numbers of the 135.

[atr_hugo]

The manual trannies are from different sources, IIRC, the 135i gets a ZF gearbox and the 128i get a Getrag box. I do believe the gear ratios for both cars are sitting in one of the BMW brochures found in a sticky.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by atr_hugo

Legit questions - I don't have all the answers (by a long shot) and we are still dealing with inconsistent info available from BMW.

4. The pics we've seen of the 128i engine compartment show a power steering fluid resovoir, so it shoudl be hydraulic power steering, whether the steering ratio is the same as the 135 is anyones guess - haven't seen any details on that.

Anyone else have some thoughts?

This is an interesting one for sure.
Most written specs seem to contradict the pics.

....I sure hope it's the hydraulic PS.
It's one difference I really noticed between the Z4 (servo) & the Z4M (hydraulic).

[imported_Dodgy]

Why do you want to know?

What's more relevant is;
Is price your consideration?

BM will hav done the value for money sums. If you are worried about eeking out the best value for money, you'll never be satisfied.

Work out hoe much money you've got, and get what fits!

Read this http://www.1addicts.com/goodiesforyo...le_Manual1.PDF

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.
As of March 08, No.

2. Is the aero undercar treatment of the 135i also found on the 128i?
Does it really matter?

3. Is the 128i Sport package suspension the same as the 135i suspension?
No

4. Is the steering same on both 128i and 135i? Seen differing reports about electronic assist and lock-to-lock ratios.
No a couple of articles have alluded to the fact

5. It appears the 135i comes with speedo, tach, fuel and oil temp guages. What about the 128i?
How does it matter?

[spudw]

Originally Posted by atr_hugo

5. I think the 128 will come with a tach, speedo and fuel gauge, don;t think there's a coolant or oil temp gauge in the 128.

Anyone else have some thoughts?

The 128i I sat in at the auto show in Toronto did not have a oil temp gauge. This would take getting used to, as I like to know when temp is up to normal in the cold weather (not that I really do much with the information...).

[spudw]

Originally Posted by Dodgy

Why do you want to know?

'cause we're fanatics? :iono:

What's the point of such a forum if all we do is discuss color swatches and 0-60 times...?

[rdkind62]

Originally Posted by Dodgy

Why do you want to know?

What's more relevant is;
Is price your consideration?

BM will hav done the value for money sums. If you are worried about eeking out the best value for money, you'll never be satisfied.

Work out hoe much money you've got, and get what fits!

Read this http://www.1addicts.com/goodiesforyo...le_Manual1.PDF

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.
As of March 08, No.

2. Is the aero undercar treatment of the 135i also found on the 128i?
Does it really matter?

3. Is the 128i Sport package suspension the same as the 135i suspension?
No

4. Is the steering same on both 128i and 135i? Seen differing reports about electronic assist and lock-to-lock ratios.
No a couple of articles have alluded to the fact

5. It appears the 135i comes with speedo, tach, fuel and oil temp guages. What about the 128i?
How does it matter?

Obviously the questions matter to him or he wouldn't have asked. And if it was asked just to stimulate conversation then it has accomplished the task.

[Design1stCode2nd]

Yes have to discuss swatches!

[e34m5]

The problem I've always had with this is that the pics in BMW brochures are usually of European versions. In the 1 ordering guide I received it has a disclaimer that the equipment shown may not be the same or available.

So my point is that we can be led astray, unwittingly, some times by the pics we see.

[gocal73]

Originally Posted by Dodgy

Why do you want to know?

What's more relevant is;
Is price your consideration?

BM will hav done the value for money sums. If you are worried about eeking out the best value for money, you'll never be satisfied.

Work out hoe much money you've got, and get what fits!

Read this http://www.1addicts.com/goodiesforyo...le_Manual1.PDF

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.
As of March 08, No.

2. Is the aero undercar treatment of the 135i also found on the 128i?
Does it really matter?

3. Is the 128i Sport package suspension the same as the 135i suspension?
No

4. Is the steering same on both 128i and 135i? Seen differing reports about electronic assist and lock-to-lock ratios.
No a couple of articles have alluded to the fact

5. It appears the 135i comes with speedo, tach, fuel and oil temp guages. What about the 128i?
How does it matter?

It matters because I want to know. In fact, every question I posted has been asked before and not by me, but not always answered. I figured now that we have the some more tech data and the US cars have actually been driven at Monterey, maybe this would be a good time to find some definitive answers. Plus the cars will be released in the US in one month.
Fortunately, I can easily afford either car. Because I can afford either, I feel no pressure to buy one or the other. However, I do want to know which car fits my needs best. To do that I need data. To me, BMW's are more than a mode of transportation. That's why I have been buying and driving them since 1984. And the ones I really like, I keep. I'm excited about the 1 because it is true to the values that first convinced me to buy my first BMW - a compact 4 seater with a powerful engine that handles and stops like a sports car.
The reason I ask if you are a car salesman is the attitude of your post reeks of sales. Of course there are a few good car sales people out there. But, for the most part when I ask these kinds of questions at the BMW showroom, I get you all over again. Who cares? Look how beautiful it is? Smell the leather. It's so powerful and fast, sign here!
I proudly admit to being a BMW and 1-series fanatic. That's why I'm here asking my questions. So, what are you doing here?

[BMWfan]

Dodgy - Best you stick with the Honda Civic, as you obviously have no interest in the BMW 1 series. What's wrong with any question regarding the 1? Even if it's about the size of the front wheel bearings?

[atr_hugo]

Methinks you're reading way too much animosity into Dodgy's reply. Now if Dodgy wants to say you've gotten it spot-on, then . . . ; -)

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by gocal73

Other than the obvious - engine, M-Kit, big brakes, standard sport suspension, 18" wheels - what other differences exist between the 128i and the 135i?

I am asking because now that we have more technical information available to us and the US spec cars have actually been driven by the press and a few select others (Hell yes, I'm jealous!).

A few questions jump to mind for me.

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.

2. Is the aero undercar treatment of the 135i also found on the 128i?

3. Is the 128i Sport package suspension 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.

5. It appears the 135i comes with speedo, tach, fuel and oil temp guages. What about the 128i?

I'm sure other members have their own questions and hopefully others will have answers about the differences and similarities of these two exciting cars.

BTW, my intent is not start an argument about which car is the better of the two. They are different cars, and each will have fans. I'd just like some reliable and accurate information as to what they have in common and what makes them different. Lord knows 80% of the members on this site know more about the 1-series than the whole combined sales staff at my local dealer!

Ummm, One has fog lights and the other doesn't....:eyebulge:
Wanna guess which does and which doesn't...

[DCMotorer]

Originally Posted by gocal73

5. It appears the 135i comes with speedo, tach, fuel and oil temp guages. What about the 128i?

In the review from Motive magazine they have a close up photo of the 128's tach and there appears to be an oil temp gauge. So yes it does have one (unless they just used interior shots of the 135)