128i vs. 135i...which one to choose..

[Dave]

Ok so just got a call from dealer a few days ago i am now #3 on the list...not 6 and the 128i will not have the grey poplar std. which really sucks cuz the options are really adding up on the 128i which is what bmw i am sure intended to do. Also the 135i will be the priority to build and will def. arrive in the first allotment. help!:iono:

So now the choice is the 128i with these options:

Auto 1275$
Xenons 800$
Grey Poplar 500$
Heated Seats 500$
Metallic Paint 475$
=$35.2k with tax and tag

Or the 135i with these options:

Auto 1275$
(Includes xenons) NC
(Includes grey poplar) NC
Jet black or Alpine White (Non Metallic) NC
=$39.4k with tax and tag

It seems that with the upgraded rims, the brembos and the aero kit it is a no brainer cuz modding the 128 in the coming years would cost me twice as much and void the warranty but i just wanted some opinions...

Thanks everyone and have a great holiday season!

[Dave]

oh and if you must know it has to be auto for the wife...the exedy triple plate cltuch was not the best learning experience for her

[1ster]

The 128i should be a wonderful car, and as a daily driver that you also share with your wife, you should get it with the options that please both of you. The $4,200 price difference is substantial, too.

[WolfsburgerMitFries]

Unfortunatelly, they're just too close in price to not pick the 135i. After you figure in for standard 135i stuff like Xenon headlights, sport suspension and the outrageous brake system, the actual difference is only 2-3 thousand. And You'll make it all back when it comes time to sell.

[ichiban]

and your getting the twin turbos the black chrome exhaust tip and M aero kit with the 135i.

[Dave]

two greats posts... but on opposite ends of the spectrum... but you are right in resale it will help wolf

but if i cant swing it come march/april i wont push it 1ster


any other input?

what are you two getting?

[Dave]

Originally Posted by ichiban

and your getting the twin turbos the black chrome exhaust tip and M aero kit with the 135i.

oooo black exhaust tip on jet blaack

i do like the aero kit in the front and rear diffuser

[WolfsburgerMitFries]

Originally Posted by ichiban

and your getting the twin turbos the black chrome exhaust tip and M aero kit with the 135i.

Actually you dont need the sport pak with the 135i. It already comes with the sport suspension. If you don't get the $1000 sport pak, you can keep the chrome trim, and spend the $1000 you saved (maybe a little less) on a ECU reflash to get 330ish hp, and at least back up to 155 mph top speed...maybe unlimited top speed, who knows what software will be available next year. The 135i sport pak is a rip off (for me) because I dont really like the sport seats either.

[1050Wien]

Wolf makes a really good point regarding the difference in price and resale value. I would also look at it from another perspective - what features do you use on a daily basis and what features will your wife use on a daily basis. You are probably in favor of the extra 70 ponies and the sports suspension but she would likely favor heated seats and things like that.

At the end of the day, the 128 is also a great car. The additional options would sway me (personally) in that direction because I find the 230 horses sufficient and because I won't be racing the car.

Lastly, I am assuming that the insurance will be higher on the 135 so that is an additional cost that should be taken into consideration.

The good news? You can't go wrong with either BMW!

[jasonite]

Now it's $500 extra for gray poplar on the 128? Boo.

[PaulUK]

You'll always regret it if you don't get the 135!
(And vice versa probably when it comes to running costs!!)

Go with your instinct!

[mikeo]

If I were anywhere near sea level I'd seriously consider the 128i instead of the 135i. But I'm really tired of losing 25% of my horsepower at 7000 ft.

[Dave]

paul- good point... but i think in the reslae the costs would off set each other... and i def. see my self stepping up to an m5 in 5 yrs

jason- yeah it sux

1050- wolf does make a good point but i guess we will have to go drive the base 328i and compare it to the 335i... i guess the closet in comparison for now

wolf- thanks again for your input... i am taking it you will going with the 135i? i was goign to order the volk re30s for the 128i but i love the 135i stock 18in rims so i am pretty sure i will ber taking your advice...just depends on bonuses after the holidays

thanks everyone

[josh]

I think one 'needs' 300 hp for a daily driver just as much as one 'needs' a 6000 sq ft home or as one 'needs' a yacht. Still, I plan to buy a 135i (or maybe a Cayman S), but as a toy, with discretionary income.

[Dave]

well i made the call to switch to alpine white 135i 8)

today is a very good day.

[Crowley]

It depends .. if you can swing the extra $$ and do without your heated seats ... I'd go for the 135 ..

[WolfsburgerMitFries]

Originally Posted by izzodesh

wolf- thanks again for your input... i am taking it you will going with the 135i?

You know, I admire alot if cars these days. That wasn't true 10 years ago, or really even 5 years ago. For as much as I like the Dodge Challenger (and other cars), the 1 series is just a smarter car, especially now that the price of energy is such a wildcard. You'll pay a steeper price up front, but the low consumption of the 1 series will pay off in the end. And its always good to position yourself for the long term. It also helps the equation by the fact that the 1 series is a very competent car by any measure.

Speaking of which, do we have US fuel economy figures available yet? And I think they do differ from British numbers BTW due to some odd quirk.

[Dave]

from luyrking around online and talking to dealer it look like 135i will be at best 25mpg ( which is also in this months last BIMMER magazine)
http://bimmer-mag.com/
in the magazine copy...not the online version
but real mpg will be more like 20-22mpg the way we drive
i assume 128i will be like the other n52 blocks doing ~28MPG