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03-08-2013, 03:26 PM | #1 |
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Ordered my 128i Coupe!
After lots of research, I ordered my next car this week. Thanks to everyone who chipped in with advice along the way. Here are the specs:
Once it arrives, I'll swap out the stock suspension, wheels and tires. I'm almost certainly going with the BMW Performance Suspension, and I'm definitely going with Apex Aero 7 wheels (18x8 all around) with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires (225/40-18 all around). I'm incredibly excited about this car because it represents the blend of all the things I like most about a traditional BMW (relatively light weight, naturally aspirated I-6, manual transmission, hydraulic steering, etc.) along with some fun new features. It'll kind of be my new old school car! Now I just have to be patient... |
03-08-2013, 04:28 PM | #2 |
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Congrats!!
Certainly a car with classic BMW elements. Check that you get the sway bars if you go BMP Supention. I think non Sport & Sport have different part numbers.
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128i Sport 6MT converted to Euro 130i spec, 3.73 diff, tuned by evolve ~220 whp 207 wtq(ft-lb) SAE
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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03-08-2013, 07:06 PM | #3 | |
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Yep, the non-Sport/M-Sport cars need the missing rear sway bar and you're correct that the non-sport PS kit has a different part number. I already talked to Tischer -- I'm just waiting for a VIN so I can order the kit with the appropriate springs for my build. |
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03-08-2013, 08:30 PM | #5 |
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Yeah, no Lifestyle Package for me. I like the interior, but once I made the decision to swap the wheels and tires, it seemed like a waste for my purposes. Also, I decided to go with a square setup (225s all around), so keeping the Lifestyle rims wouldn't work. Note that they're 18x8 front and 18x9 rear, even wider than the rims that come on a 135is, and probably decently heavy. It's a great looking setup and the only way to get Mineral White, but no regrets on my part.
My wife's car is Deep Sea Blue and it's lovely when you keep it clean. But for that, there's a good chance I would have ordered it. She beat me to the punch, dammit! |
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03-08-2013, 09:24 PM | #6 | |
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How long did they say till you get your car? I will most likely order this month as well. |
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03-08-2013, 10:12 PM | #8 |
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Congrats....!
Wow, you added in a lot of options....
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03-09-2013, 08:38 AM | #9 | |||
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just curious as to why you didn't wait for F22? or go a slightly less optioned 135i? Quote:
235's will easily fit up front, and 245's if you try... 225 is stock for 135i's even, 8.5's with 245 all around would be the best possible for predictable performance. you'll find 225's understeer with the lack of front grip, 235's are minimum, 245's would be GREAT. Quote:
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03-09-2013, 09:23 AM | #10 | ||
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OP, if I was you I would ditch the sunroof and nav. They add 80lbs to the car, 40 at the second worse place. 70hp isn't noticeable?
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03-09-2013, 10:44 AM | #11 | |
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Of course, since he is coming from a 335i, all the options on the 128i still probably make it a relatively low price (I think the MSRP on the build is a little over $42K, if I am not mistaken). |
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03-09-2013, 12:05 PM | #12 | |
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03-09-2013, 12:15 PM | #13 |
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03-09-2013, 12:45 PM | #14 |
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I've posted elsewhere on this forum about my thought process (http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=685467) but the basic rationale for my decision follows the storyline of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
My current car is a 2011 335i Coupe. In retrospect, I find it to be just a bit too big, soft and heavy for my tastes. Before that, I had a 2007 Z4 Coupe that I really liked for the most part, but it became a bit impractical over time and it was hard as nails (that car was not tuned for run-flats, and it showed). Basically, I was looking for the "in between" car and that's good description for the a 128i Coupe. I don't need gobs of power -- in fact, I'd rather have a bit less power if it means I can rev the engine and row the gears more. And as good as the N55 engine is, I still haven't met a turbocharged engine that I prefer to a naturally aspirated inline 6. The N52 may not set the world on fire anymore, but it's simply a great engine and it reminds me of the BMWs I grew up with and admired. To answer some of the questions in the thread: Why Premium/Sunroof? I would have dropped this package but for one simple need: lumbar support. It completely cheeses me that BMW doesn't offer manual lumbar support standard or even as part of the sports seats option, but it is what it is. I've driven a couple BMWs without lumbar support (loaners and test drives) and my back starts to hurt within minutes. I'm sure there are all matter of cheap fixes, but I don't want to have an upholsterer open the seats or add some tacky pillow, so the Premium Package was added. The power memory seats are also nice for my wife as she sometimes drives my car and vice versa. Why E82 instead of F22? I'm sure the F22 will be a fine car, but I'm fairly sure it won't be the right car for me if it follows in the footsteps of the F30. I'm borderline disgusted with my wife's F30 -- it simply doesn't feel like a BMW to me. The engine, while powerful and efficient, has zero enjoyment or soul. The base suspension is very poorly tuned. The steering is lifeless. And the entire car is overrun with eco-garbage. Maybe it's the future, but I don't have to like it today! In short, I don't believe the F22 will share some of the direct, old school features that I most appreciate about the E82 (especially the NA engine and hydraulic steering). Why the Performance Suspension and 225s all around? This car is primarily going to be a daily driver, so I want it to achieve a solid balance between sportiness and relative comfort. I'm just looking to take some of the body movement and slop out of the regular sports suspension. From everything I've read from other owners the Performance Suspension is a good fit for that description. It may be "pretty terrible" to you (though that seems like hyperbole) but I think it will fit my needs nicely and the warranty coverage is a nice plus. As for the wheels and tires, lightweight 18x8s and Michelin PSS tires all around represent a good middle ground and I believe they will offer sufficient grip for my config. My 335i could use a bit more front end grip, but it has a lot more weight and runflats, so I think the square config on a 128i will be an improvement. If I've ruffled anyone's feathers with my opinions, please note that they are only *my* opinions and I only apply them to myself. I fully understand why people prefer the 135i and I'm sure there are people who love their F30s -- If I wanted a 135i or a new 335i, I'd get one, but I really admire the relative old school simplicity of the E82 and I want to get one before they're no longer available. Basically, I know my tastes and I'm finally building a car that matches them closely without going overboard. |
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03-09-2013, 12:55 PM | #15 | |
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If, over time, I feel the urge to add a little more power, I'll look at the basic options (chip and intake), but I don't think it will be necessary. I still prefer the feel of an NA engine even though it's obviously less powerful and offers fewer tuning options. In terms of the options, I got what I wanted and know I'll use -- nothing more, nothing less. Premium was needed as explained above, Lighting is a no-brainer for me as is the HK stereo (which I have now). Sport seats are a must. I was on the fence about Tech but made up my mind (http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=811513). After that, it's small stuff: PDC is very useful with my garage/driveway config, the alarm is cheap peace of mind, especially since I'm swapping the wheels, and my wife would not be happy if I skipped the heated seats! Even with all the options, I'm getting a very good deal. When everything is said and done, I can fill in the blanks. Last edited by simianspeedster; 03-09-2013 at 01:01 PM.. |
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03-09-2013, 01:04 PM | #16 | |
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I believe I grabbed my dealer's last allocation for the month, so the order went straight in. He's estimating 2 months. I should be getting my production number shortly. Order yours soon and maybe we'll be on the same ship! |
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03-09-2013, 01:56 PM | #17 | |
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03-09-2013, 05:05 PM | #18 | ||
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03-09-2013, 09:22 PM | #19 | ||
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ED: clarification: it's not 'smooth', up high revs it is, but stop start traffic it's unbelievably jerky below like 2000/2500rpm. ohhh and sorry, i have the 265/270hp stock, there's not much you can go above that and even at a full 270ish it's JUST enough to be fun lol and how the heck is nav 40lb? it' sjust a screen lol i can agree with wanting hydraulic steering though Quote:
you'll really definitely find 225's aren't enough, even in the rear if you go the DISA intake and tune.. by all means, feel free to find out for yourself though. Last edited by flinchy; 03-09-2013 at 09:31 PM.. |
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03-09-2013, 10:59 PM | #20 | |
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No sure if you are referring to the N52, but it is anything but jerky. It's one of the smoothest engines out there period. Headers alone are worth 20hp and provide gains across the entire hp and torque band. So you can easily go above your 270. iDrive is 40lbs because it is a hell of a lot more than just a screen. You seem like someone who always wants more power, will eventually ruin the car with excessive power for the platform, and then will be frustrated and unsure why you don't enjoy the car at which point you will sell it and move on.
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03-10-2013, 01:12 AM | #21 |
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Flinchy,
This isn't my first time at the rodeo. In addition to many other cars, I've owned an E30 M3, an E91 Wagon (230HP N52), an E85 Z4 Coupe (255HP N52), my current E92 (N55) and my current F30 (N20). I've also driven other BMWs, so I think I'm qualified to make my own choices. To be clear, my preference for a naturally aspirated inline 6 is not theoretical; it's based on direct experience. I don't care if an N20 or N55 would be faster, more efficient or more tunable -- I simply don't like turbocharged engines as much as NA engines. It's really that simple. As for smoothness, I can't speak to your experience with "jerky" behavior but the N52 is one of the smoothest engines I've ever driven from top to bottom, and I've driven dozens of cars over the years. I'll go one step further and say you won't find many people who would take issue with the characterization of a BMW inline 6 as smooth -- it's one of their long-standing hallmarks and it comes up in almost every review. As for the Performance Suspension, I'll take my chances. I sought out a lot of advice and the feedback was consistently good even from people who have also run 3rd party suspension. My understanding is that the ride height is about 1" lower than stock and about 0.5" lower than the sport suspension, so I find it strange that you'd say it rides "really high." I'm not looking to slam my car or stuff the wheel wells with tires. And for you to say I'll "definitely" find that 225s aren't enough is pure conjecture. There's nothing definite about it. Again, hyperbole writ large. Look, I've done my research and I've ordered my car. Maybe it's not the config you would have chosen, and that's fine, but what's the point of coming into this thread and trying to tell me that I'm wrong about everything I know and everything I like? You're obviously entitled to your opinions, but you should also try to respect those of others. Drive and let drive, brother! Last edited by simianspeedster; 03-10-2013 at 01:21 AM.. |
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03-10-2013, 06:00 AM | #22 | |||
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it's beautiful if you floor it all the way to 7000, absolutely perfect. just not stop start. what else is idrive? a small module, a screen, some wires and harnesses :/ 40lb is more than most massive radio transmitters will weigh lol no? :/... something like the older M3's... high 3xxhp N/A i6 screamer with basic mods and a tune, that would be ideal if you could get it in a modern BMW.. but no, best you can get is 265-270hp... i mean, i AM going pretty ridiculous 600-800 on the N54, but that's by the by. *because i can*/.. not sure why you'd think it wouldn't be enjoyable though Quote:
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and 265hp assuming you'll tune it, is enough to overwhelm 245's in the rear and just like you said, this is from my (and many others if you read the 'tires' forum) experience all i'm saying is you're spending a ton of money, and plan on spending a ton more when there are proven better options for similar or less money :/ (not neccessarily the tire thing, that's similar money lol) and 1" lower than stock.. well stock isn't exactly 'low' so 1" lower is still pretty high :P Last edited by flinchy; 03-10-2013 at 06:06 AM.. |
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