2008 128i 5 year history

[bozola]

I wish I was so lucky....

[vertebra]

Originally Posted by Pkaia524

To answer a few of the questions:
3). Yes, I have enjoyed the car, probably something a 135er doesn't understand . Why? There's a saying on the track: "Straights are for fast cars, turns are for fast drivers." Sure, I can always purchase a car with more horsepower. But there isn't a lot of skill in putting your right foot down. But this car is a well balanced vehicle in stock form, a comfortable cruiser (I drive 150 miles a day), and yet can turn relatively well. Not as well as my SpecE30 but two cars built for two differntly purposes.

I know there are many cars that can outperform this vehicle on the test track. But how often (in Atlanta) are you testing the vehicle's limits? Unless you are t-braking before every exit ramp ang hearing the tires sing (or flashing the DTC light) as you go around the cloverleaf, this bottom of the line BMW is all you need, IMHO.

With the maintainance so low I was just wondering if you drive it like a senior citizen or like you just stole it.

[Pkaia524]

I"ve never changed my fuel filter, either on the 128i or my track car.

[ozinaldo]

Originally Posted by Pkaia524

I"ve never changed my fuel filter, either on the 128i or my track car.

Thanks for the input. If I keep my 1M that long I sure will change it at some point, again depending on available gas quality.

[MA128]

70,000 miles, zero problems.

Replacement 2013 is on order and my son is buying this car.

Obviously, couldn't be happier.

[Pkaia524]

I've never changed my fuel filter.

[Pkaia524]

And, while I'm not a 135i "hater", here is Mike Miller on the 128I versus the 135i:


Still, I have a feeling that I’ll continue to enjoy driving the 128i sport package six-speed more. Like many moderately-powered cars today, the 128i just demands more from me than any M car today, and I like that. Bear in mind though, that I’m a street driver and I assess this sort of thing on twisty mountain roads. Smaller and lighter is always more fun to me than 400 hp (or whatever) on twisty mountain roads.

[Pkaia524]

My driving style: neither like a "grandmother" or "like I stole it". Typical driving habits: I don't accelerate over 2500 rpm until 5 miles of driving or so, cruise at 75 on the interstate, take what ever turns the road has as quickly as possible. Have had the car up to 120mph, but only once/twice. Maybe 3-4 times have a good standing start, but with Northeast congestion why bother? Again, its a question of how challenging/fun is it to put your right foot down, versus a nicely executed heel/toe or t-braking.

[Gray_Panther]

Originally Posted by Pkaia524

My driving style: neither like a "grandmother" or "like I stole it". Typical driving habits: I don't accelerate over 2500 rpm until 5 miles of driving or so, cruise at 75 on the interstate, take what ever turns the road has as quickly as possible. Have had the car up to 120mph, but only once/twice. Maybe 3-4 times have a good standing start, but with Northeast congestion why bother? Again, its a question of how challenging/fun is it to put your right foot down, versus a nicely executed heel/toe or t-braking.

What is t braking? Its the second time i have read that.

[02rsxpilot]

Originally Posted by Gray_Panther

What is t braking? Its the second time i have read that.

Trail braking.

[Gray_Panther]

Originally Posted by 02rsxpilot

Trail braking.

Still lost

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Gray_Panther

Still lost

Trail braking is using the brakes mid corner to rotate the rear of the car by initiating a slide.

Originally Posted by PA135i

Your maintenance costs are good because of DIY, but still low. I'd like to see a 5 year 135i maintenance history. My costs have all been paid by warranty, minus tires and extra oil services.

Here is my buddy's 335i over the course of 5 years. This is his wife's car and is driven in a completely normal fashion. Personal information deleted:

[Gray_Panther]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Trail braking is using the brakes mid corner to rotate the rear of the car by initiating a slide.

Understood now, thank you!!

[makrop]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

My RFT's lasted 88 miles

I'm a little late to this contest by my RFT's lasted less than a day. Changed them out with the wheels from my e46 as soon as I got home. And I bought it CPO 3 days after the dealer received it on trade in. So I literally have 4 brand new tires sitting in the garage.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by krop135i

I'm a little late to this contest by my RFT's lasted less than a day. Changed them out with the wheels from my e46 as soon as I got home. And I bought it CPO 3 days after the dealer received it on trade in. So I literally have 4 brand new tires sitting in the garage.

Drove home from the dealership (tire shop was already closed), drove back to the same area to go out to dinner with my wife, drove home again, and then the next day took the car to the tire shop.

[Pkaia524]

Actually, I meant threshold braking, not trail braking.

[jclaib7]

I just got a 2013 128i with RFT's and the M Sport Package. It has larger tires on the back so you don't rotate them right?

JC

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by jclaib7

I just got a 2013 128i with RFT's and the M Sport Package. It has larger tires on the back so you don't rotate them right?

JC

That's correct, rotating is for square setups.

Fortunately you can kill two birds with one stone and ditch the horrible RFTs while upgrading to a square setup.

[jclaib7]

However, it's my understanding that the 1 series does not have a spare tire? Is this true?

i appreciate the weight savings, but.......

[ejm3]

Originally Posted by jclaib7

However, it's my understanding that the 1 series does not have a spare tire? Is this true?

i appreciate the weight savings, but.......

This is a fact. I believe its true on all BMW's not just the 1-series.
That's why they give you run-flats. No one likes it I don't think.

I carry a Slime kit I bought from Amazon. I also have AAA.

There are a number of threads on this subject just do a search.

[Pkaia524]

Trying to keep this topic current for those interested . . .

Car now as 98,125 miles as of this date. Only maintenance costs since 4/2013 have been a diff fluid change and oil change. Total cost - $100 (I lost the diff plug socket so paid $50 for labor at an independent BMW shop).

Up next is a gear box fluid change, MAS cleaning, PS fluid change this weekend. All DIY.

No other issues except:

Driving on I-95 in heavy traffic three cars (including myself) ran over a 4x4 going 75mph. It flattened both right side tires and bent both wheels. No other damage. Repair cost was $425 for two Nitto Motivos and alignment (first alignment since i bought the da with 35K miles) and $606 for two BMW OEM wheels.

BTW car handled extremely well during the incident. I decided not to suddenly swerve to miss the debris due to heavy traffic. Car flashed flashed the TPMS light I drove to the shoulder, no loss of control.

As for the fuel filter question. Since the filter is in the fuel tank I do not change it.

[bimmer74]

Originally Posted by Pkaia524

Car now as 98,125 miles as of this date. Only maintenance costs since 4/2013 have been a diff fluid change and oil change. Total cost - $100 (I lost the diff plug socket so paid $50 for labor at an independent BMW shop).

FYI, Harbor freight sells a drain plug socket set for $15 which worked perfect for both my MT and diff plugs. They are also low profile which helped a lot in the tight space around the MT fill plug.