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

[larryn]

Originally Posted by DCMotorer

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)

That is most definitely a stock photo of the 135i's gauges. The 128i doesn't have the oil temp gauge. I was wondering if people would pick up on that.

[spudw]

Originally Posted by DCMotorer

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)

I sat in both a 128i and a 135i at the car show in Toronto. The 128i DOES NOT have a temp gauge and the 135i DOES have a temp gauge.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by spudwest

I sat in both a 128i and a 135i at the car show in Toronto. The 128i DOES NOT have a temp gauge and the 135i DOES have a temp gauge.

^+1.... def NO temp gauge

[stu@motivemag]

Sorry for the delay, but official responses from BMW:

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.
Yes, it is on all 1 Series, as well as all 3 Series. It is part of the DSC system which functions when DSC is fully switched off. Separately, the DSC on the 135i is tuned for performance driving, meaning that it cuts in later than the 128i would, as well as having sportier throttle settings.

2. Is the aero undercar treatment of the 135i also found on the 128i?
The aerodynamic components on the underside of both of the 1 Series vehicles are identical. However, the BMW M aerodynamic kit is only available on the 135i and standard.

3. Is the 128i Sport package suspension the same as the 135i suspension?
Yes, the 128i Sport package suspension is 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.
The steering is the same on both the 128i and 135i. However, Adaptive Steering, which automatically adjusts steering ratio based on vehicle speeds, is available as an option on both.

The U.S. cars have hydraulic engine-speed sensitive power steering, similar to the 3 Series. No Electric Power Steering with Servotronic in the U.S.

5. It appears the 135i comes with speedo, tach, fuel and oil temp gauges. What about the 128i?
The gauges on the 1 Series and 3 Series are slightly different between the 28i and 35i. 28i has a current fuel consumption gauge in place of the oil temp. Current fuel consumption on the 35i can be seen as part of the board computer in between the tach and speedo.

[atr_hugo]

Well - I believe I was 0 for 5 on my responses. Thanks Stu!!

[MZWIE]

Thank you...no more fuel consumption gauge on 35i. Perhaps the most wasted use of cluster real estate I have ever seen.

[stu@motivemag]

Originally Posted by e34m5

Thank you...no more fuel consumption gauge. Perhaps the most wasted use of cluster real estate I have ever seen.

The 128i still has it. . .

[Dave]

those fuel consump gauges can entertain you on long drives thou

heh

[stu@motivemag]

Originally Posted by stu@motivemag

The 128i still has it. . .

Edit: I just walked out to our garage to check out the 128i convertible BMW sent us. . . it doesn't have a consumption gauge. There's just empty black space where the 135i's temp gauge would be.

[spudw]

Stock for the 128i just went up. Fewer differences than I thought to the 135i...

:thumbup:

Don't get why they would leave out the temp gauge. Every car I've ever had has had one...

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by stu@motivemag

Sorry for the delay, but official responses from BMW:

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.
Yes, it is on all 1 Series, as well as all 3 Series. It is part of the DSC system which functions when DSC is fully switched off. Separately, the DSC on the 135i is tuned for performance driving, meaning that it cuts in later than the 128i would, as well as having sportier throttle settings.

2. Is the aero undercar treatment of the 135i also found on the 128i?
The aerodynamic components on the underside of both of the 1 Series vehicles are identical. However, the BMW M aerodynamic kit is only available on the 135i and standard.

3. Is the 128i Sport package suspension the same as the 135i suspension?
Yes, the 128i Sport package suspension is 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.
The steering is the same on both the 128i and 135i. However, Adaptive Steering, which automatically adjusts steering ratio based on vehicle speeds, is available as an option on both.

The U.S. cars have hydraulic engine-speed sensitive power steering, similar to the 3 Series. No Electric Power Steering with Servotronic in the U.S.

5. It appears the 135i comes with speedo, tach, fuel and oil temp gauges. What about the 128i?
The gauges on the 1 Series and 3 Series are slightly different between the 28i and 35i. 28i has a current fuel consumption gauge in place of the oil temp. Current fuel consumption on the 35i can be seen as part of the board computer in between the tach and speedo.

Stu
Great info.... you made my day!

[gocal73]

Originally Posted by stu@motivemag

Sorry for the delay, but official responses from BMW:

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.
Yes, it is on all 1 Series, as well as all 3 Series. It is part of the DSC system which functions when DSC is fully switched off. Separately, the DSC on the 135i is tuned for performance driving, meaning that it cuts in later than the 128i would, as well as having sportier throttle settings.

2. Is the aero undercar treatment of the 135i also found on the 128i?
The aerodynamic components on the underside of both of the 1 Series vehicles are identical. However, the BMW M aerodynamic kit is only available on the 135i and standard.

3. Is the 128i Sport package suspension the same as the 135i suspension?
Yes, the 128i Sport package suspension is 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.
The steering is the same on both the 128i and 135i. However, Adaptive Steering, which automatically adjusts steering ratio based on vehicle speeds, is available as an option on both.

The U.S. cars have hydraulic engine-speed sensitive power steering, similar to the 3 Series. No Electric Power Steering with Servotronic in the U.S.

5. It appears the 135i comes with speedo, tach, fuel and oil temp gauges. What about the 128i?
The gauges on the 1 Series and 3 Series are slightly different between the 28i and 35i. 28i has a current fuel consumption gauge in place of the oil temp. Current fuel consumption on the 35i can be seen as part of the board computer in between the tach and speedo.

I thought the electronic LSD was unique to the 135i! This answer really surprises me. Great news about the suspension and the power steering.

[cracka]

Originally Posted by gocal73

I thought the electronic LSD was unique to the 135i! This answer really surprises me. Great news about the suspension and the power steering.

Not to impugn Stu's source completely, but we are fairly certain that #5 is dead wrong, and Rook's training manual detailing the e-diff states explicitly that the 135i is the only BMW model that currently has this particular DSC program.

Just as an aside, I truly appreciate and honor the fact that 1addicts is the finest source for 1 coupe information in the world, including BMW. :wink:

[stu@motivemag]

Originally Posted by cracka

Not to impugn Stu's source completely, but we are fairly certain that #5 is dead wrong, and Rook's training manual detailing the e-diff states explicitly that the 135i is the only BMW model that currently has this particular DSC program.

Just as an aside, I truly appreciate and honor the fact that 1addicts is the finest source for 1 coupe information in the world, including BMW. :wink:

Three posts up I noted that #5 is wrong.

[cracka]

Originally Posted by stu@motivemag

Three posts up I noted that #5 is wrong.

Yeah, just leaving BMW some wiggle room on the off chance that the ragtop's gauges are different. Not likely, but hey. :iono:

[aesthetect]

is it possible the consumption gauge just wasnt included on your test model as it was pre-production? i really cant believe theres no temp guage.. sad.

great thread, and thanks for the answers stu. really glad to have an answer about the suspension. however, are the 6pot brakes a part of that? (ie at all available on 128i?)

[stu@motivemag]

Originally Posted by aesthetect

is it possible the consumption gauge just wasnt included on your test model as it was pre-production? i really cant believe theres no temp guage.. sad.

great thread, and thanks for the answers stu. really glad to have an answer about the suspension. however, are the 6pot brakes a part of that? (ie at all available on 128i?)

As far as I know there's no way to get the big brakes with the 128i.

[imported_Dodgy]

Originally Posted by 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 . . . ; -)

Must say, reread my post and it did come across poorly. Must have been a bad batch of moonshine that day.

Apologies. Not sure I see much value in an oil temp gauge, but admittedly it's probably useful in colder parts of the world during winter months. We just don't get that cold here down south at the bottom of the world.

Also, managed to get most of the questions wrong, but i still think i am right about the ediff being unique to the 135.
(For the most part the E82 and E88 front and rear suspension are identical to those of the E9X vehicles. With the exception of the 135i sport tuned version)
(In order to satisfy that demand on the part of performance-oriented spirited drivers, as of March 2008 the 135i will be fitted with the NEW DSC function program that simulates the action of a mechanical differential lock. The system uses the typical BMW open type differential and is comprised solely of an electronic intervention program inside the DSC.......The feature will also be introduced on BMW 3 Series models with higher performance engines at a later date.)
(The 135i has a new DSC program function where brake intervention at either drive wheel has the effect of improving the dynamic acceleration out of corners, even with DSC switched off. The accelerator pedal has a quicker response rate and electronic rear brake management is used to simulate a lock-up differential for a enhanced acceleration out of turns.)

These quotes are taken from the E82 Training Information & Technical Details (http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4301 as mentioned previously by many), so interpret them in context by reading it yourselves.

PS. I am not in sales. Couldn't be further from it. Just a little too feisty at the time.