2011 BMW 128i BIGGEST Competitor is.........

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by 1ottawa

government driven business, FORD.

.

WTF are you talking about?!

[NYC6]

Originally Posted by 1ottawa

government driven business, FORD.

Every damn rental was a FORD. Nope, don't like em..

If consumers aren't buying them en mass, there's something wrong.

Brain must have frozen up there, eh?

[Guildenstern]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

Same here. If you've got about $30k to spend, and going fast is the goal, the GT is hard to beat.

That was my thinking when I included it in my shopping. But it just felt Big for the sake of big, and it definatily felt like you were in it as opposed to being connected to it. It felt clunkyer then my old 90's T-birds even though it's similar in many ways save the rear suspension. Also the old interior was rubbish.

The 2011 one does look nice. If you are shoping for fun and performance at that price range you should be cross shopping it. You probably won't pick it, but you should be cross shopping it.

[Jeef Beef]

Woah, the 128i is priced the same as a base model V6 Mustang in the US? Damn, you guys got some great prices for BMWs.

To put things into perspective:

The 125i (220bhp, detuned N52) costs around AUD$65k. For that amount of money, you can buy Ford Performance Vehicles, (Fords that are tuned and restyled by a subsidiary here in Australia) the F6 and GT.

F6 runs a turbocharged 4.0L inline six with 415bhp, 0-60 in 4.7s
GT has 5.4L V8 422bhp, 0-60 in 4.9s

Both have INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENSION and 6spd ZF automatic as a no cost option. Again, they both cost the exact same as a bone stock, non optioned 125i coupe. No wonder motoring journos keep calling the F6 the bargain of the century.

Either we're stupid in this country, or we have different priorities. Seeing how I picked a 135i which costs 150% the aforementioned cars, it is only natural I'd pick the 128i over the base model Mustang.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by Jeef Beef

Woah, the 128i is priced the same as a base model V6 Mustang in the US? Damn, you guys got some great prices for BMWs.

No, you've misunderstood. You can buy the 400Hp Mustang GT here for the same price as a 128i, around 30k USD. The base model Mustang (with a 300Hp V6) starts at $23k. A 135i starts at $36k, but both the BMWs tack on about $5k by the time you've optioned them to a typical spec.

[Jeef Beef]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

No, you've misunderstood. You can buy the 400Hp Mustang GT here for the same price as a 128i, around 30k USD. The base model Mustang (with a 300Hp V6) starts at $23k. A 135i starts at $36k, but both the BMWs tack on about $5k by the time you've optioned them to a typical spec.

Oops, I should really read the posts more carefully before I jump in. Still, the value point stands. 125i at 65k, the cheaper, non-tuned Ford Falcon XR8 with 390bhp for 45k. 20k cheaper, but on paper a whole lot more car.

With options on the BMW subject to luxury car tax, a 'typical' spec 125i skyrockets the price even higher. I mean the sunroof (which isn't standard fitment here) is already $3,300 by itself. My point is, bang for buck, the Ford can't be beaten. However people still choose the bimmer.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by Jeef Beef

However people still choose the bimmer.

True, but that doesn't really prove anything other than that people aren't always rational. I know women who spend thousands of dollars on purses every year just because they've got a designers name on them.

[Jeef Beef]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

True, but that doesn't really prove anything other than that people aren't always rational. I know women who spend thousands of dollars on purses every year just because they've got a designers name on them.

I always ask my gf how that few square inches of glossy leather is worth its weight against a full CF conversion kit and a performance exhaust for my car. Most of the time she has no idea what I'm talking about.

But I guess we're guilty of the same crime right? We all have an overpriced vehicle in our garages just because of that roundel on the bonnet...

[Midgad]

....driven a few rental stangs, n couldnt wait to get back to my 128.
They call it the ultimate driving machine for a reason...
The stang just wasnt as fun of a drive....very heavy and felt like I was sitting in a hole...felt like an old man man having to get very high up to see over the hood.
Also the obvious, dont know bout you but I would much rather drive a BMW than a Ford.
The same as the argument goes....the corvette is a great ride but I would much rather drive a Porsche than a Chevy.
Bottom line...love my 28

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by jibaholic101

and for making a comparison of a BMW to a FORD......FAIL

Nothing like a good Mustang thread to get the elitists all up in arms.

[HondaGoneRogue]

^^^LOL

[Monterra]

Originally Posted by Jeef Beef

But I guess we're guilty of the same crime right? We all have an overpriced vehicle in our garages just because of that roundel on the bonnet...

No guilt here. For me the 128 was a pretty strong value based on the attributes I wanted my joy car to have. I could have saved 5-7k on a Miata but it didn't meet my size requirements- even for a joy car. I'm semi-guilty of not trying out a Stang GT but I had a V6 convertible for a week in Maui so I knew pretty much what to expect with a lot more engine obviously but between the solid rear and the interior I was convinced it couldn't win me over with power. We do have strong pricing on our Bimmers compared to the rest of world and in my mind the 128 is very competitive for what it serves up- 135s are too. A bit less so now than when it debuted with a better stereo and sunroof for less $- but I like that they gave that option and am shocked that 135 buyers still can't opt out of it.

[BSM 335I]

Not even close! The quality of the BMW will leave the stang wanting more.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by BSM 335I

Not even close! The quality of the BMW will leave the stang wanting more.

Maybe, but the performance of the Mustang will leave the 128i wanting by a long shot (and the 135i trailing as well if we're talking about stock vehicles).

You have to decide what you want in a car.

[Spartikus]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

Maybe, but the performance of the Mustang will leave the 128i wanting by a long shot (and the 135i trailing as well if we're talking about stock vehicles).

You have to decide what you want in a car.

Exactly! It's amazing how everyone keeps playing that "I drove a Mustang" card. GOOD FOR YOU. Most of us have. Sheesh. This is the 2011 model.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by Spartikus

Exactly! It's amazing how everyone keeps playing that "I drove a rental Mustang years ago" card. GOOD FOR YOU. Most of us have. Sheesh. This is the 2011 model.

Improved that comment just a little.

[imported_mega]

all those commenting on mustangs, have probably not tried the new one, holy crap was I impressed

[Monterra]

Yeah, but I didn't say I wasn't interested in the '11, quite the contrary. I said (in response to the Jeef from oz) that based on the info I had when I purchased my car last year the Mustang wasn't what I wanted for reasons above and found the 128 to be a right value. Reasons that even a tasty V8 wasn't going to make up for. FWIW having a rental for a week (it was a 2006 btw) even if its not the exact model is probably much better means of getting to know a car than (even a couple) 10 minute test drives if we're being honest here. I knew the interior blew. I knew I hated the seating position and visibility. I knew the solid rear axle felt like a 1970s pickup over sharp bumps and the handling well that generally blew too- I knew the GT model wasn't going to address all of these issues. If going fast in a straight line on a budget was among my top 3 goals I made a horrible choice but it wasn't and I didn't and not because I have an ounce of brand loyalty/snobbery.

[rsjean]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

I'm not sure why it's so hard for people to just admit when a company is doing something right, and give them a little credit for it.

A 300Hp RWD coupe for $23k?! That's good value whether you like Ford or not. A 400Hp RWD coupe for a touch over $30k is as well.

I have definately looked much more seriously at both Ford and Chevy than in the past. Thought about a StangGT. Drove a Camaro RSS quite a bit.

Came away thwe way I went in. They have made progress in the race - but I'm not sure if it's because they get it all of a sudden or if it is merely because the trend in currency exchange rates has just continued to make EU products more and more expensive.

The Ford and Chevy both still felt big and heavy. The beltline on the Camaro was way high and visibility poor - road feel was not like from a drivers car. Handling was 'exciting' but more like you'd feel after a bull ride than great gymnastics.

I still think they both are playing the street dragster game and fighting weight with more and more HP (BMW is guilty here too). Both could take lessons from an Exige or Elise. In the final analysis I just felt that the reason Ford and Chvy were closer was that they can pour more engine in becasue they have a real exchange rate price advantage right now over the European marques and are taking full advantage....

sorry for running on.

[jb2178]

I've got nothing against mustangs, my second car was an 88 4-banger POS Tan Stang that I loved until an old lady pulled out in front of me. My issue with the mustang is the same reason I couldn't buy a current version 3-series, I don't need a car that fits a V8.

Based on last years dimisions:
1 width: 68.80 inches
1 length: 171.70 inches
Stang width: 73.90 inches
Stang length: 188.10 inches

If the new mustang is that big then keep it, I only have to fit the wife and two small dogs in my car.

[BForbes]

Originally Posted by imported_mega

all those commenting on mustangs, have probably not tried the new one, holy crap was I impressed

I was in the passenger seat of an '10 GT for the first time and I was VERY impressed. I can't imagine the fine tuning and tweaks done to the '11.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by rsjean

I have definately looked much more seriously at both Ford and Chevy than in the past. Thought about a StangGT. Drove a Camaro RSS quite a bit.

Came away thwe way I went in. They have made progress in the race - but I'm not sure if it's because they get it all of a sudden or if it is merely because the trend in currency exchange rates has just continued to make EU products more and more expensive.

The Ford and Chevy both still felt big and heavy. The beltline on the Camaro was way high and visibility poor - road feel was not like from a drivers car. Handling was 'exciting' but more like you'd feel after a bull ride than great gymnastics.

I still think they both are playing the street dragster game and fighting weight with more and more HP (BMW is guilty here too). Both could take lessons from an Exige or Elise. In the final analysis I just felt that the reason Ford and Chvy were closer was that they can pour more engine in becasue they have a real exchange rate price advantage right now over the European marques and are taking full advantage....

sorry for running on.

They're able to pour more engine in for less money becuase they're not overcomplicating them. There's something to be said for K.I.S.S. manufacturing when it comes to cars like this. The LS3 in the Camaro has been evolving for decades, and the 5.0L in the Mustang is good, but it's not exactly ground breaking either.

They're fighting weight for sure, along with everyone else. I mean, the 135i is a lot smaller than either of the cars in question and it's over 3400lbs even though the price point should allow more use of aluminium.

The weight of the Mustang falls right in line with the simlarly sized E92 M3, which has the about the same power. It's not like it's a pig like the Challenger.

Cars like the Exige can be light because they're expensive, and they just don't sell to the mainstream. Lets not forget that the goal of these cars is bang for the buck. I'm not a huge fan of the retro styling on either of them to be honest. It just doesn't fit my style, but that's different than saying they don't compete and shouldn't even be compared to a BMW. There are always trade offs and compromises to be made, and if you want to go fast for a lot less money, they're not bad options.