128i vs 135i for daily driving, long commute

[chiguy20002]

I currently drive a MINI Countryman S ALL4 6MT for a daily 90 mile commute. My wife has a 335i xDrive which I drive when we are together.

I have read a few threads about 128i vs 135i. I realize the 135i has more power, and is fairly easily modded. I am unsure if I will miss the extra power of the 135i over the 128i, especially for this daily commute.

I am looking for long term reliability and low maintenence, but yet still fairly fun to drive.

Before I drove the MINI Countryman S ALL4 6MT, I drove a non-S Countryman 6MT, and that was not exactly quick. Before the non-S Countryman, I drove a non-S standard Cooper Hardtop 6MT, and that seemed fine to me.

I have test driven a 135i convertible (auto) and a 128i coupe and convertible (both auto). I preferred the feel of the coupe over the convertible. I have not driven a 135i coupe. All of them felt fine to me, I was unsure if the extra power of the 135i was needed for my commute.

I was also considering a 328i xDrive or another 335i xDrive, but that would be a topic for another thread.

Looking for responses from long term 128i and 135i owners, and their thoughts. Thanks!

[135iMike]

135i, no questions asked!

To me it would be a, "I should have just got that..." every time I saw one, heard one, watched one wizz by..

That being said, a lot of people here are more than satisfied with their 128i though, so of course it comes down to a personal opinion. I'm not positive but I'd assume they're more reliable long-term just from the nature of the setup.

Let us know what you wind up with!

[rori zahr]

I think the 128 will fit all your needs and more.
Hard to find a car with the balance, low maintenance and driving excitement the 1 series coupe can offer. If, as you mentioned above, you're not too much into speed and engines modifications then the 128 will fit your needs.

[MaDoNiOn]

Originally Posted by chiguy20002

I currently drive a MINI Countryman S ALL4 6MT for a daily 90 mile commute. My wife has a 335i xDrive which I drive when we are together.

I have read a few threads about 128i vs 135i. I realize the 135i has more power, and is fairly easily modded. I am unsure if I will miss the extra power of the 135i over the 128i, especially for this daily commute.

I am looking for long term reliability and low maintenence, but yet still fairly fun to drive.

Before I drive the MINI Countryman S ALL4 6MT, I drove a non-S Countryman 6MT, and that was not exactly quick. Before the non-S Countryman, I drove a non-S standard Cooper Hardtop 6MT, and that seemed fine to me.

I have test driven a 135i convertible (auto) and a 128i coupe and convertible (both auto). I preferred the feel of the coupe over the convertible. I have not driven a 135i coupe. All of them felt fine to me, I was unsure if the extra power of the 135i was needed for my commute.

I was also considering a 328i xDrive or another 335i xDrive, but that would be a topic for another thread.

Looking for responses from long term 128i and 135i owners, and their thoughts. Thanks!

Well getting a 128i coupe is already faster than the mini cooper s you had. For me id get the 135i since it doesn't cost that much more and id keep it for a long time.
For your recommendations the 128i is fast enough, lower on fuel and should be more reliable and lower maintenance.

[TheSt|G]

If you are looking for a zero hassle DD that is ironclad in reliability, you want the 128i. The only issues it suffers are items that are shared with the 135i, like the battery cable and third brake light. The N52 has been around since 2006 and has only one known issue, a ticking noise, which was fixed in '08.

Originally Posted by 135iMike

I'm not positive but I'd assume they're more reliable long-term just from the nature of the setup.

Then you are mental.

As recently posted, stock 335i(same engine as 135i) maintenance history for the first 60,000 miles. This is my friend's wife's car that is driven in a completely normal fashion and has zero mods.

[TheSt|G]

I should add you need to get it in manual though, the GM auto trans is a complete dog.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

If you are looking for a zero hassle DD that is ironclad in reliability, you want the 128i.

Then you are mental.

I think that's what he said. The full paragraph was "That being said, a lot of people here are more than satisfied with their 128i though, so of course it comes down to a personal opinion. I'm not positive but I'd assume they're more reliable long-term just from the nature of the setup."

The "they" would refer to the "128i" in the previous sentence, not the 135i mentioned two paragraphs earlier.

[Kgolf31]

I got a 128i for DD.

Enough torque to get around, and IMO you can only do 0-60 so fast on a freeway ramp. After that where else are you going to go with that power.

Of course this is coming from a guy who drives a Z4M. So my opinion is slightly invalid

[Cope]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

I should add you need to get it in manual though

+1

I put ~30k miles on a non sport package 6mt 128i before I picked up my 1M. Very comfortable car that was still very fun to drive. If only I could have kept both... You'll love a 128i, and from what you wrote it sounds like the perfect choice, anyone who suggests otherwise is just bias towards as much powahh as possible. If your commute really is decently long think about getting it without the sport suspension for a more comfortable ride.

[chiguy20002]

Thanks for the responses! This has been helpful so far. There is a tiny part of me that says I may miss the power of the 135i over the 128i, but then again, I fully enjoyed my MINI Cooper non-S hardtop. It was fun to drive, with just enough power. I want to have the same feel in this, and I think the 128i has the same feel.
I have not driven any manual 1-series, so I would imagine that would be even more fun than the auto. Also, keep in mind the 128i has more power than even the Cooper S, which is what I would be coming from.
My only problem is if my wife and I where to switch for a day or two, she may feel the 128i is weak compared to her 335i xDrive...we would switch if the weather was really bad here in MI, but I would think with a set of dedicated snow tires I would be OK for the most part.

[cheshirecat79]

128 if you need low cost maintenance. 135 if you want to mod.

For me, the car to buy is the 135, but I can understand how its maintenance demands aren't for everybody. The 128 is just a stout car that will treat you right if you're looking to get from point A to B in a hassle-free, efficient, and cost-effective manner.

[ejm3]

This thread is likely to open up the usual 128 vs 135 argument.

I usually say if you afford it, get the 135i and you won't regret it.
But in your case I think the 128 might make more sense.

I have a 75-mile round trip daily commute to work, but I have another car to drive (I try to divide the annual mileage equally as best I can). Honestly in rush-hour traffic I can rarely use the power of the 135. I can put the top down, which makes the commute better.

I think gas mileage is a push between the two cars so don't let that sway you.
But reliability if you're putting on a lot of miles might be an issue. You'll blow through the 50k warranty pretty quickly. If you don't need (or want) the extra power just get the 128 and save a few bucks.

[ilikebmxbikes]

I personally would get a 135i if you plan to mod or not. The car is very rewardable to drive stock and modded. Power aside, much of what I enjoy about our chassis is shared with the 128i and coming from the mini, you wont be disappointed with either.

I wouldnt be afraid of the 135i maintenance either. I have had zero issues with my car and it has been very reliable.

[Colt]

Originally Posted by ilikebmxbikes

I personally would get a 135i if you plan to mod or not. The car is very rewardable to drive stock and modded. Power aside, much of what I enjoy about our chassis is shared with the 128i and coming from the mini, you wont be disappointed with either.

I wouldnt be afraid of the 135i maintenance either. I have had zero issues with my car and it has been very reliable.

Only thing I have had wrong with my car is one injector; for over one year of current ownership on a 2008 135i (40800 miles). I've been tuned for about 15,000 miles, and FBO for about 3k miles (except midpipes). While it did cost me more than it should have to fix the problem (I should of done some things differently for the repair bill to be less $); so far that's all that has happened to my car. You just have to take care of it properly...

[Venom]

Power is not an absolute reference point. Especially since you are coming from a lighter car do not expect the "more hp = faster/more fun" These are not exactly light cars. Test drive both back to back and come back and tell us what you chose/prefer. I used my 135i daily for a year and a half and then realized I love the car too much to be stuck with it in traffic.

My car is quite an oddball. No issues in the first year except for an HPFP and 3rd brake light. 3rd and 4th year had the car living at the dealership. 5th year the car had no problems(essentially since the warranty went up the car became very reliable).

So all in all the car is daily driveable but be warned that there are quirks and the 135i can be a handful both in maintenance and in power.

What year range are you considering or was there a budget you had in mind?

[JimD]

My wife and I both have 128i convertibles. Her's is an automatic and mine is a manual. The manual says there is about a half second difference in 0-60 (manual is faster) and it feels like it. Once up to highway speeds, I'm not sure I really feel a difference. The automatic turns a little slower on the highway but both have good pickup in top gear. I know redline in 4th is about 100 mph so if I really need to go, I just jump down to 4th. I use cruise A LOT on the highway because the car is so stable and quiet that it is easy to get going faster than you think. 100+ doesn't take much time to get to nor does it feel like the car is straining in any way. I very rarely downshift at highway speeds, my 128i has plenty of power even in 6th. Occasionally on a two lane road to keep my exposure time down when passing.

A couple is lighter by a couple hundred pounds than the convertible. Lighter = quicker.

Jim

[BrokenVert]

The 128 is a better choice for you mate.

The 135 has horrid fuel consumption when off boost, ive seen as low as 10mpg in stop and go traffic.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

The 128 is a better choice for you mate.

The 135 has horrid fuel consumption when off boost, ive seen as low as 10mpg in stop and go traffic.

I'm getting around 11, but for some reason the car won't run unless it's revving between 4k and 7k.

(FWIW got 29+ when I was breaking it in on a 1500 mile trip)

[chiguy20002]

Originally Posted by ejm3

This thread is likely to open up the usual 128 vs 135 argument.

I usually say if you afford it, get the 135i and you won't regret it.
But in your case I think the 128 might make more sense.

I have a 75-mile round trip daily commute to work, but I have another car to drive (I try to divide the annual mileage equally as best I can). Honestly in rush-hour traffic I can rarely use the power of the 135. I can put the top down, which makes the commute better.

I think gas mileage is a push between the two cars so don't let that sway you.
But reliability if you're putting on a lot of miles might be an issue. You'll blow through the 50k warranty pretty quickly. If you don't need (or want) the extra power just get the 128 and save a few bucks.

The gas mileage is not a push to decide between either. The Countryman is rated at 31 on the hwy, but I get between 25-26, going between 75-77. I am sure I would get around 25-26 in a 128i or 135i. The bigger push is long term reliability, which I know is subjective, and depends on how well you take care of the car, but it seems that the N52 has less issues than the N54, correct me if I am wrong.

Originally Posted by Scarlett Venom

Power is not an absolute reference point. Especially since you are coming from a lighter car do not expect the "more hp = faster/more fun" These are not exactly light cars. Test drive both back to back and come back and tell us what you chose/prefer. I used my 135i daily for a year and a half and then realized I love the car too much to be stuck with it in traffic.

My car is quite an oddball. No issues in the first year except for an HPFP and 3rd brake light. 3rd and 4th year had the car living at the dealership. 5th year the car had no problems(essentially since the warranty went up the car became very reliable).

So all in all the car is daily driveable but be warned that there are quirks and the 135i can be a handful both in maintenance and in power.

What year range are you considering or was there a budget you had in mind?

I am considering 2009-2012 year range, and a coupe rather than a convertible. I did have fun driving the convertibles, but I liked the solid feel better in the coupe. There is a certified 2012 at the dealer now, which has just over 8k miles, so I will have 92k miles left of warranty. Dates are not as much of a factor, but since it is a 2012, and it would be 6 years, that would be 2018, which I am sure I would reach the miles faster than reaching the date. The MINI has 32k left of warranty, and three more years.

My only other concern is winter. It does snow in MI, and I have driven an AWD with snows as well as a FWD with snows, but have not driven a RWD with snows. This is why I was also considering a 328i xDrive or 335i xDrive. The 128i or 135i seemed to be more fun to drive, however, like the MINI Cooper hardtop that I had and throughly enjoyed.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by chiguy20002

My only other concern is winter. It does snow in MI, and I have driven an AWD with snows as well as a FWD with snows, but have not driven a RWD with snows. This is why I was also considering a 328i xDrive or 335i xDrive. The 128i or 135i seemed to be more fun to drive, however, like the MINI Cooper hardtop that I had and throughly enjoyed.

I live in Syracuse - The car can handle winter just fine with a proper set of snow tires.

[Venom]

Originally Posted by chiguy20002

I am considering 2009-2012 year range, and a coupe rather than a convertible. I did have fun driving the convertibles, but I liked the solid feel better in the coupe. There is a certified 2012 at the dealer now, which has just over 8k miles, so I will have 92k miles left of warranty. Dates are not as much of a factor, but since it is a 2012, and it would be 6 years, that would be 2018, which I am sure I would reach the miles faster than reaching the date. The MINI has 32k left of warranty, and three more years.

I know nothing about driving in snow as I am from Cali
But if gas consumption isn't an issue and you just want a fun daily then 135i all the way. Just make sure you test drive an N54 and an N55 to see the difference.

Best of luck in your decision!

[kensington]

I daily drive my 135i, 75 mile commute round trip. If I had the choice again I would still do the same thing. Since I bought it 15 months ago I have put 23,000 miles on it.