Ric in RVA 128i Ti/Coral slow build thread

[jwinstonc]

Still so bummed about this news, Ric. Hope you're back in a 1er soon.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

RIP 128i Ti/Coral 6 speed sport????????

I think she is DOA.

People are all ok. Not a scratch so the car did its job.

Car is not. Airbags, hood, grill, rad, condenser, headlights.

My son will not be driving in anything besides a PIECE OF SHIT until he leaves my household no matter the outcome.

Aww, man... That's sad. I guess it was his fault - what on earth was he doing?

[3ics]

Glad your son is ok - cars can replaced, not your son.

How's insurance acting so far?

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by 3ics

Glad your son is ok - cars can replaced, not your son.

How's insurance acting so far?

It is very likely constructive total. Once you get over 70% of value most companies don't bother rebuilding.

Without taking any parts off the car the rebuild was 16K with a huge amount of it being airbags and related safety gear.

So it would have to be valued at over $22500....which while I value it at more than that personally...the market wouldn't bear that out.

I have asked for a salvage value and may buy it back if I get a low figure...but I don't expect a very low salvage value.

At that point I would strip the interior, AC, fix the sheet metal, cage it and turn it into an A/X and track toy and not re register it. Wonder how light you can get a 128??? (That is probably NOT going to happen but I can at least dream can't I???)

Either way if you hear of an LCI 6 mt sport or m sport let me know!!

[dat128]

damn... my condolences.... i dunno how i would react/feel if my car got totaled.. i would prolly have the same doubts as to find that perfect one again......

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by dat128

damn... my condolences.... i dunno how i would react/feel if my car got totaled.. i would prolly have the same doubts as to find that perfect one again......

I am getting over it. It is a car. And my son and his friend were unscathed.

There are some good CPO newer cars out there coming up as the airbags supplies come back online.

Just a waiting searching game....


I went through the same process that brought me to the 1....N/A, manual, size, feel, all the great stuff....and I am coming back to 1er.

Especially since I won't do turbo...

Biggest pull away from BMW so far has been the 2015+ Mustang GT....and I really am not a mustang guy. But spec sheet is impressive. I may have to drive one anyways...that interior though.....yuck.

[Esteban]

Had a couple of Mustangs in my life but not really a big Mustang guy either. The new GT350/350R looks (and sounds!) pretty sweet, with the flat-plane-crank V8 and the (optional on the base 350) magnetorheological shocks. The R recently beat the Camaro Z/28 in a MotorTrend Head2Head.

Sorry about your 1er.

[Gangplank]

Why no turbo? The n55 is a fantastic motor. Just sayn. Worth a test drive...

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Why no turbo? The n55 is a fantastic motor. Just sayn. Worth a test drive...

Walnut Blasting
Turbo failure
Waste-gate rattle
Direct injection


And finally....I like being able to run it through the gears and not be going 120....

BMW was built on NA straight sixes. I sought out my 2011 528i for the same reason. No turbos.

Something about a balanced "slow" car driven quickly than a "Fast" car driven slowly. I won't drive a fast car fast on public roads.

[3ics]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

BMW was built on NA straight sixes. I sought out my 2011 528i for the same reason. No turbos.

This was the specific reason I ended up with my 128. I started with BMWs with the old e30s and loved the engine and chassis. This past April, I got the bug to have a "modern" BMW and the selection to find a manual with the six was small (within my budget).

Good luck with your search! Do you need a four seater? Miata seems to fit your balance and speed requirement. I had an '06 Miata and loved it!

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

Walnut Blasting
Turbo failure
Waste-gate rattle
Direct injection


And finally....I like being able to run it through the gears and not be going 120....

BMW was built on NA straight sixes. I sought out my 2011 528i for the same reason. No turbos.

Something about a balanced "slow" car driven quickly than a "Fast" car driven slowly. I won't drive a fast car fast on public roads.

The n55 doesn't have any of those issues & doesn't need walnut blastering. That said, I totally agree on the slow-fast-old-school thing. If I didn't need an auto/DCT trans for the wife to be able to drive it I would have gotten a 128 6MT myself. Test drove the DCT & it was game over!! Fantastic driving car.

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by 3ics

This was the specific reason I ended up with my 128. I started with BMWs with the old e30s and loved the engine and chassis. This past April, I got the bug to have a "modern" BMW and the selection to find a manual with the six was small (within my budget).

Good luck with your search! Do you need a four seater? Miata seems to fit your balance and speed requirement. I had an '06 Miata and loved it!

I am an Ex SPec E30 racer and the 128i is the modern version of the E30.

I need the capability of four seats....but I also physically don't fit in a miata.

I am about 90% going back LCI 128i sport M sport.

There are a bunch waiting on airbags....just have to track them down!!!

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

I also physically don't fit in a miata.

Are you sure? I thought the same (I'm 6'4") but they make simple seat bracket replacements that make a world of difference. Drove a friend's miata that had the mod done and I had plenty of headroom to actually see THROUGH the windshield and not over it. Was a very fun car and sitting that low was a blast.

*edit* btw he said the bracket cost about $40 and he bolted it in himself in 15 minutes.

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

Are you sure? I thought the same (I'm 6'4") but they make simple seat bracket replacements that make a world of difference. Drove a friend's miata that had the mod done and I had plenty of headroom to actually see THROUGH the windshield and not over it. Was a very fun car and sitting that low was a blast.

*edit* btw he said the bracket cost about $40 and he bolted it in himself in 15 minutes.

Really need the back seat option. If I was looking at 2 seaters it would be a Z06.

I test sat a mustang and was impressed. I didn't expect much and the fit and finish was better than I thought. You can get a stripper GT brand new for 27k.....Not sure what you are giving up at that price but HP per dollar is epic....

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

Really need the back seat option. If I was looking at 2 seaters it would be a Z06.

I test sat a mustang and was impressed. I didn't expect much and the fit and finish was better than I thought. You can get a stripper GT brand new for 27k.....Not sure what you are giving up at that price but HP per dollar is epic....

Ah I totally get that as I was in the same boat. Honestly I think you'd be better off looking for another 128i.

When I was doing my last search I had the criteria:

• RWD
• Manual Trans
• Decent power
• Back seat
• Coupe

I looked at, and drove, EVERYTHING. IMO the 128's and 135's were the best option over 370s, Camaros, Challengers, Corvettes, Mustangs, Miatas, the list goes on. I opted for a 135 over the 128 because I love the sounds of a turbo'd engine but that's just personal stuff.

With the Mustang your smiles per dollar will be quite high but you sacrifice comfort, class, gas mileage (you'll average 22ish mpg 50/50 city/hwy), and fit & finish. The interiors are crap for sure, especially on a base. However the best thing about them is the modability and pretty rock-solid reliability. 2 into a mustang would be 5 grand into a BMW mod-wise.

[3ics]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

I am an Ex SPec E30 racer and the 128i is the modern version of the E30.

There are a bunch waiting on airbags....just have to track them down!!!

I love that the e30 sentiment is expressed... Maybe I'm old, but it doesn't seem to be recognized often here (maybe I don't read enough threads?!LOL)

Yes, I hope the ones held captive by the airbag issue will be released soon and roaring on an open road with enthusiast soon...

[Gangplank]

e30 <> e46 <> e82

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

e30 <> e46 <> e82

Agreed....

I ought to see what the last few E46 years look like. Maybe if I found a 330....

[Gangplank]

The 05/06 330i Coupé in ZHP trim would be the ticket. I though about looking for one before I bought my 135i but it's a 10 year old car now...

[Ric in RVA]

This thread is dead......as is the car.

Lots of good info though.

But I promise to start a new thread real soon.......

I am going over to the DARK side....

I broke some of my own buying rules...but it is all good.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

This thread is dead......as is the car.

Lots of good info though.

But I promise to start a new thread real soon.......

I am going over to the DARK side....

I broke some of my own buying rules...but it is all good.

What did you get!!

[Ric in RVA]

I broke my No Dark color rule and my No Turbo Rule......

I did not break my no DCT rule.....so 6 MT.

I went a year older 2011, slightly higher miles around 50k....

Black Sapphire Metallic on Koral......135i






Now to wait on paper work.....