128i vs 135i for daily driving, long commute

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by Angerman

Don't worry, I didn't really know what it was supposed to mean either
Don't really know what your statement is supposed to mean... If you're implying that I think it's natural or something?

Well, that's pretty much exactly what I said verbatim, so there was nothing "implied" about it...

Anyway, my point was just that you said the "only" thing wrong with your car was "one" fuel injector needed replacing. You were sort of minimizing that as reasonable for a car you've only owned for a year with just 40K miles. If you think that's reasonable, then fine, fair enough - it's totally subjective. I personally think that any car (much less a $50,000 car) with such low miles shouldn't need ANY engine work whatsoever, but maybe that's just me...

[chiguy20002]

Not a very easy decision for me to make. I really do like the extra power of the 135i, but putting these many miles, and having the car sooner out of warranty, it seems that the 128i may be more reliable. These are just some observations that I see. I am still considering a 328i xDrive sedan or coupe, but I think I will have to drive the 328i back to back with the 128i and see what I like better. If I did not have to worry about winter or snow, then it would be 128i (maybe 135i) all day over a 328i xDrive. I like the smaller and more tossible feel, reminds me of my standard MINI Cooper Hardtop, which I miss.

[JimD]

I know many people like 4 wheel drive but as you might guess from my previous post, I am not a big fan, especially for a car. It adds weight and complexity and cost and I do not see the need. With stability control and decent tires, you will be able to go whenever there is not enough snow to push you up off the pavement. X drive will not solve getting high centered. X drive won't help braking, also an issue in slick conditions. I had a 4 wheel drive SUV and I know from experience that my limit was about 12 inches of snow. Below that I could go. But I really shouldn't have been out in snow that deep. Mainly it happened if I was going hunting. I've never had a 4 wheel drive car and I probably never will. I just don't see the point.

I think you will find the 3 series feels ponderous compared to the 1 series. Maybe you will like that feel or the extra space. I feel the 1 series is more fun.

Jim

[CptSlow]

We have both a 135is and a 128i. If transmission is important and you're going "auto", the DCT in the 135 is much better than the AT in the 128, in my opinion.

[chiguy20002]

I think I will go drive a 128i coupe and a 328i xDrive coupe back to back and see what I like better and go from there. I have a feeling I will like the 128i better, as it is smaller and more tossible and maybe lighter with the same power. Still considering the RWD in winter, but I do have some snow tires which may work. At least now it is spring and I won't have to worry about winter for a few months.

[Colt]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

Anyway, my point was just that you said the "only" thing wrong with your car was "one" fuel injector needed replacing. You were sort of minimizing that as reasonable for a car you've only owned for a year with just 40K miles. If you think that's reasonable, then fine, fair enough - it's totally subjective. I personally think that any car (much less a $50,000 car) with such low miles shouldn't need ANY engine work whatsoever, but maybe that's just me...

So far, yes that is all that was wrong with the car lol

I also think that too. Unfortunetly there's not much someone can do about that other than BMW manufacturing a more bulletproof vehicle (when it comes to the engine accessories). When reading on what problems are common on these engines, I can say I am content about that being the only thing that has happened to me. Also adding the fact I have no idea how the previous owners treated the car. Having only 1 injector, and the HPFP recall (2nd owner fixed), being the only problems that have occurred to the car, I'm not really complaining about it for what I paid for it a year ago...but that's my perspective (giving into account what I paid for the car). Coming up soon though I don't doubt the water pump or something will need replacing, along with the coilpacks. Haven't done the coilpacks since I bought the thing

[ejm3]

I kind of agree with the poster who said with your commute maybe a BMW isn't the best choice for you.

There are other decent reasonably entertaining "commuter cars" that will be more reliable, offer better gas mileage and depreciate less with a lot of miles. My commute isn't as bad as yours (I put on ~25k/yr) so the only way I can get a decent car is to have two cars and split the mileage. If I had only one car to drive t would be an Accord or maybe something more sporty but probably Japanese. Not that would love the car but that it would be best compromise for my situation.

At 25k miles/yr. a nice car will be worthless in 4 years and out of warranty way before that. Japanese cars have good resale value even with 100k on the odo simply because people know you can easily get another 100k out of it with minimal maint.
BMW's not so much.

[angler]

Originally Posted by ejm3

I kind of agree with the poster who said with your commute maybe a BMW isn't the best choice for you.

There are other decent reasonably entertaining "commuter cars" that will be more reliable, offer better gas mileage and depreciate less with a lot of miles. My commute isn't as bad as yours (I put on ~25k/yr) so the only way I can get a decent car is to have two cars and split the mileage. If I had only one car to drive t would be an Accord or maybe something more sporty but probably Japanese. Not that would love the car but that it would be best compromise for my situation.

At 25k miles/yr. a nice car will be worthless in 4 years and out of warranty way before that. Japanese cars have good resale value even with 100k on the odo simply because people know you can easily get another 100k out of it with minimal maint.
BMW's not so much.

OP could just lease it so they are no worries about value at the end of line.

[themellly]

I'd go with a 135, if you can find a good one I'd say get a N55. Not that the N54's are bad but the newer engines have been designed to give less problems and be more reliable. The only thing that I would say to stop you from getting a 135 is the budget.. other then that go for it, you won' be disappointed. But beware, if you do get a 135 you might just end up wanting to buy a bunch of mods

[jsmonet]

135 w/dct is a very, very livable DD.

i wonder how i know.. *innocent whistle*

[631twentyeighteye]

Both can be very fun cars, it just depends what sort of driving you do when you want to have fun. Do you want insane gobs of torque at any point? Go 135i. Do you want just enough power to be able to scoot around and still have plenty of fun? go 128. When people say the 128 is slow, it's only relative to the 135. The 128 is still equally fast, if not faster than a GTI, BRZ/FRS, etc etc.

I dd my 128 200-250 miles a week at least, and i have no regrets what so ever. It's great on the highway, great on the wallet, and great at the pump. I get 25mpg driving as the fastest person on the highway(70-80) and i still can have a ton of fun when i want. Plus i take solace in the fact that my n52 will be running long after everyone here trades in their n54/5 because of the lack of warranty... also making power at 7k rpm is a bonus. plus you'd have one of the last great NA 6 cylinder BMW engines in one of the nicest modern chassis.

Regardless, you'll be happy with either choice!

[drFUNK]

Originally Posted by 631twentyeighteye

...you'd have one of the last great NA 6 cylinder BMW engines in one of the nicest modern chassis.

This one really made me pause before ordering a car with the turbo 6. I love it, but am sad that BMW will no longer produce anymore wonderful N/A I6es after the e82 and e92 go out of production.

[angler]

Originally Posted by drFUNK

This one really made me pause before ordering a car with the turbo 6. I love it, but am sad that BMW will no longer produce anymore wonderful N/A I6es after the e82 and e92 go out of production.

+1, went though the same thought process.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by cheshirecat79

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

What mods can't the 128i do again? 50-70hp are on the table stock and we have all the same suspension/everything upgrades.

Originally Posted by vertebra

OK, so how many of those items have to do with the N54 engine?

13 or so by a quick rough count. So the vast majority of the non standard service related items.

Originally Posted by vertebra

The 128i doesnt have fuel injectors?

We don't suffer from direct injection or have the same injectors as you. N54 injectors are famous for failing(see previous service history), N52 aren't.

Originally Posted by vertebra

Honestly, if all you are looking for is a fun 200 hp car you should check out a BRZ/FR-S or a GTI. Very similiar performance and will save you a ton of cash.

BRZ/FR-S is a terrible daily driver. I own one and it is downright unpleasantly loud/stiff over time. GTI isn't RWD and is turbo...

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

Who said that? You should probably go ahead and re-read my post if that's what you took away from it the first time.

He's not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Originally Posted by angler

IMO 135 all the way as life is short.

Life is short so spend it in a loaner? I've put off warranty servicing my rear deck rattle because I don't want to be without my car.

[AGAV13]

Originally Posted by drFUNK

I like your perspective here

That's why I got a 135is, but my scenario was always either the world collapsing behind me or zombies.

[angler]

[/QUOTE] Life is short so spend it in a loaner? I've put off warranty servicing my rear deck rattle because I don't want to be without my car.[/QUOTE]

As I posted earlier went 70k miles on my 335 e92 without it ever being in the shop. So there wasn't a loaner for me except for regular scheduled maintenance.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by ejm3

I kind of agree with the poster who said with your commute maybe a BMW isn't the best choice for you.

You either like driving or you don't.

I never understand this mentality of having a daily beater and a garage queen. I go completely bonkers every time I'm driving something other than a car dynamically equal to mine. If I had to drive a Lexus to work every day I'd run it off a bridge.

Originally Posted by angler

As I posted earlier went 70k miles on my 335 e92 without it ever being in the shop. So there wasn't a loaner for me except for regular scheduled maintenance.

That's great you had a lucky experience, but that is hardly the norm to any degree with that car. It's unreliable enough to spawn one of my favorite threads of all time:

The "My loaner HPFP failed while my car was in for the HPFP" thread...
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7342645

[vertebra]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

What mods can't the 128i do again? 50-70hp are on the table stock and we have all the same suspension/everything upgrades.

13 or so by a quick rough count. So the vast majority of the non standard service related items.

We don't suffer from direct injection or have the same injectors as you. N54 injectors are famous for failing(see previous service history), N52 aren't.

He's not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Originally Posted by 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.

I sit here listening to you spew your propaganda, insults and incorrect facts.
N52 has been around since 2004 not 2006. The N54 has been around since 2006. Get your facts straight. Your more like a spoon shoveling crap than a knife.

13 service repairs because it is a N54? List them.

Fresh from Wikipedia: The N54 has won five straight International Engine of the Year awards and three straight Ward's 10 Best Engines awards.

I didn't see BMW putting a N52 in the 1M.
Enjoy your car and stop the hate!

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by vertebra

I sit here listening to you spew your propaganda, insults and incorrect facts.
N52 has been around since 2004 not 2006. The N54 has been around since 2006. Get your facts straight. Your more like a spoon shoveling crap than a knife.

Weirdly random bit to nit pick on, but sure. While we are on pointless sidetracks, not many people shovel efficiently with a spoon.

Originally Posted by vertebra

13 service repairs because it is a N54? List them.

Parts related directly to the N54(ie different than a N52 car):

1. Oxygen control sensor (before catalytic converter) permanent malfunction
2. Fuel injector permanent malfunction
3. Fuel injector permanent malfunction
4. Fuel temperature sensor / pressure sensor (fuel-pressure sensor) permanent malfunction
5. Idling quality under all operating conditions uneven running
6. INJECTOR, COMMON RAIL PERMANENT MALFUNCTION
7. Solenoid valve for camshaft adjusting unit sticking/jammed
8. Cold start long start time
9. E60 E61 E9x E82 E88 N54 High-pressure pump failed
10. N54 Injector Check, B13 14 10
11. Charge-air pressure control, exhaust turbocharger ATL occasional malfunction
12. Exhaust turbocharger (ATL) permanent failure
13. COOLANT PUMP PERMANENT MALFUNCTION
14. Fuel injector leaking

All issues related directly to a N54 equipped car that he had to go to the dealer for.

Originally Posted by vertebra

Fresh from Wikipedia: The N54 has won five straight International Engine of the Year awards and three straight Ward's 10 Best Engines awards.

I didn't see BMW putting a N52 in the 1M.
Enjoy your car and stop the hate!

Also made some 10 worst lists if we are counting accolades.

http://www.carthrottle.com/10-surpri...reliable-cars/

And if you think the 1M got the N54 for any reason other than to keep it slower/cheaper than the M3 you are delusional.

[Venom]

[Obioban]

135:
More power/torque

128:
more linear power delivery
more reliable
significantly lighter (better handling)

OP: drive both. You may find you enjoy the 128i driving experience more-- I know I do. Coming from a mini, the weight gain is twice as high going to a 135 as it is going to a 128 (the 135 is 230 lbs heavier, optionless vs optionless). The power thing is very much a personal preference. If you're impressed by torque, you'll like the 135 power delivery. If you enjoy a linear powerband with peak power near redline (like every real pre turbo M car), you'll like the 128i better. Neither of those is actually better, just a personal prefrence.

The 128i is the last car BMW is making with their traditional values, which is what appeals to me. In fact, when it goes out of production, they'll no longer even make a single car that I desire to own (sad for me, as in 2002 I literally wanted every car that they made). I don't like turbo driving dynamics and I don't like turbo reliability. My only real complaint with the 128 is the styling and lack of four doors... and the 135 fares no better in that respect.

Either car will be fine in the snow with snow tires and bad in the snow with all seasons or summer tires.

[mb135is]

People - life is too short to care about this crap. Go out and drive your pollen-covered cars. Just don't touch the paint - that stuff scratches!

OP - it sounds like you'd love the 128i or the 135i, but looking at your preferences, it seems the 128i would be a "just right" fit.