Tried a few searches, insight please?

[Bimmerguy3]

Hey guys, new to this forum. I'm looking at getting into a 1 series latest first week of July. After lurking for a few weeks and reading and reading and reading. I've been an E34 owner, E36 and E46 (current). I've been maintaining my E46 (DIY) since 100k when the CPO expired. I have at most around 19k to spend on the next car. So my question is, both fall into my price range (128i with about 50k miles and 135i closer to 85-90k). The E46 now has 148k miles and hasn't killed me too much on maintenance. So going from the listed mileage to 150k miles will the 135i run me a lot more or should I pick up a 128i for 15-16k fully loaded (want idrive as I'm moving to a new city) and do a couple of aesthetic modifications that I want or just get the 135i? I want a reasonable maintenance cost (around E46), I understand their BMWs I guess I'm just more scared of a higher mileage turbo motor.

[zamboni]

If it's budget constrain I would go for 128i simply maintenance is relatively lower than 135i beside 128i reliability is great. 128i had a lower mileage compare with 135i.

[litebulb]

Don't forget savings in mileage. I don't know about you guys but the gas prices are killing me =)

[Bimmerguy3]

Originally Posted by zamboni

If it's budget constrain I would go for 128i simply maintenance is relatively lower than 135i beside 128i reliability is great. 128i had a lower mileage compare with 135i.

Right now budget is no concern as far as maintenance; however, in 3 years when I'm getting into law school I legally cannot work full time so I would be part time and hours would be cut. So that's why I'm thinking the 128i is the smart choice. I'm currently very very happy with my autotragic 330xi as a DD so increase 5hp and lose some weight and add a proper transmission and I think the 128i will keep me plenty happy.

[Bimmerguy3]

Originally Posted by litebulb

Don't forget savings in mileage. I don't know about you guys but the gas prices are killing me =)

I thought they were relatively similar?

[rking117]

we are happy with the 128i. However i do have a z4 to go play in so the 1 is just for quick trip etc.

[1addyfan]

I'd go for another E46 (with lower mileage) before I'd buy a 128...

[vertebra]

Given your circumstances(graduate school) I think the 128i would be a much better choice. Searching from your zip code(anything but doing my work) it looks like your choices are very limited on Autotrader and Carmax. 328i's are much easier to find.

[Bimmerguy3]

Originally Posted by vertebra

Given your circumstances(graduate school) I think the 128i would be a much better choice. Searching from your zip code(anything but doing my work) it looks like your choices are very limited on Autotrader and Carmax. 328i's are much easier to find.

Very true but I see E90s everywhere and I just started selling cars at Pat O' Brien Chevrolet so I'll be able to locate a car and bring it from anywhere in the states for $175, they're giving me $6,200 for the 330xi and now I'm hearing the maintenance isn't too drastic of a difference between the 135i and the 128i. My concern is more that I'm going to be driving a lot (especially from Ohio to Florida) and feel like the 128i will give me less issues and also I can get all the goodies I want (iDrive, sport, premium). However if I find a very clean E92 I don't think I'll pass it up but I like how the 1 series drives, more connected to the road than the E9x IMO.

[Bimmerguy3]

Just found a 2010 128i Monaco blue with Black leather, iDrive, M-Sport with 58k miles stuck in Missouri for $16,200. That just seems like the car.

[vertebra]

Originally Posted by Bimmerguy3

Quote:

Originally Posted by vertebra

Given your circumstances(graduate school) I think the 128i would be a much better choice. Searching from your zip code(anything but doing my work) it looks like your choices are very limited on Autotrader and Carmax. 328i's are much easier to find.

Very true but I see E90s everywhere and I just started selling cars at Pat O' Brien Chevrolet so I'll be able to locate a car and bring it from anywhere in the states for $175, they're giving me $6,200 for the 330xi and now I'm hearing the maintenance isn't too drastic of a difference between the 135i and the 128i. My concern is more that I'm going to be driving a lot (especially from Ohio to Florida) and feel like the 128i will give me less issues and also I can get all the goodies I want (iDrive, sport, premium). However if I find a very clean E92 I don't think I'll pass it up but I like how the 1 series drives, more connected to the road than the E9x IMO.

The 135i comes with the sport suspension and oil cooler regardless if it is M-Sport or not. I believe the only difference is cosmetic, M badges and different wheels.




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[Bimmerguy3]

Originally Posted by vertebra

The 135i comes with the sport suspension and oil cooler regardless if it is M-Sport or not. I believe the only difference is cosmetic, M badges and different wheels.




Posted from 1addicts.com App for Android

Yea the wheels I could keep stock then. Would you be worried about a 90k mile 135i? I'm a DIY kind of a guy and I'm not worried about maintaining the car myself. But would costs be double owning the 135i vs the 128i I'm still searching but can't really find anything. How drastic of a difference is maintenance between the N52 and N54, also the E46 M3 is starting to get some consideration now.

[Nixolas]

i vote 128i no question.

reliable and with full options - you'll love it. I would take the 135i if you really really need that power. i have a 125i and the power i feel from the wheels still keeps me satisfied.

as far as maintenance goes, i would worry about the turbos mostly in the 135i. Other than that, I dont think there are much reliability issues between the two.. If anything I read a lot about the sports mode going out on the 135i's. Aethetically, yeah a few badges and wheels, but also the rear bumper will have a diffuser, the 128i, im not sure... mine didnt come with one. THe bumper is clean and flush with the body.

[Bimmerguy3]

Originally Posted by Nixolas

i vote 128i no question.

reliable and with full options - you'll love it. I would take the 135i if you really really need that power. i have a 125i and the power i feel from the wheels still keeps me satisfied.

as far as maintenance goes, i would worry about the turbos mostly in the 135i. Other than that, I dont think there are much reliability issues between the two.. If anything I ready a lot about the sports mode going out on the 135i's. Aethetically, yeah a few badges and wheels, but also the rear bumper will have a diffuser, the 128i, im not sure... mine didnt come with one. THe bumper is clean and flush with the body.

I think that's kind of where my head is at. My DD 330xi with autotragic and AWD still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. Sure it's not the fastest on the road, but when I had an annoying integra on my back bumper leaving the beach the other day I still have enough power to put certain cars in their place. I've had a 598hp WRX Limited and quite frankly the power gets old and EXPENSIVE. As much as I want a car that can beat literally every car I'll come across I think I have to go with something that will be smart instead of an impulse buy, but a TT engine is so enticing..

[sea6speed]

Originally Posted by Bimmerguy3

Yea the wheels I could keep stock then. Would you be worried about a 90k mile 135i? I'm a DIY kind of a guy and I'm not worried about maintaining the car myself. But would costs be double owning the 135i vs the 128i I'm still searching but can't really find anything. How drastic of a difference is maintenance between the N52 and N54, also the E46 M3 is starting to get some consideration now.

You'll be in relatively uncharted territory with an E82. It doesn't have, nor do I expect it to have the huge DIY support you find with either the E36 or E46 because the production numbers are much lower. That said, it's probably close enough to the 3 series that most of the DIY's will be similar, though not identical step by step. The majority of N54 cars are still in the under 100K range and few are much older than 6 years. It's safe to say we haven't really seen the full scope of what high mileage/out of warranty ownership entails.

[tuco44]

Originally Posted by Bimmerguy3

I thought they were relatively similar?

They are.

[631twentyeighteye]

128, I was in essentially the same boat as you, didn't want to risk toasted turbos (bought privately) before 100k or at all honestly. coming from a 330xi you'll certainly enjoy the difference and 6 speed.

[kits135i]

Originally Posted by Nixolas

i vote 128i no question.

reliable and with full options - you'll love it. I would take the 135i if you really really need that power. i have a 125i and the power i feel from the wheels still keeps me satisfied.

as far as maintenance goes, i would worry about the turbos mostly in the 135i. Other than that, I dont think there are much reliability issues between the two.. If anything I read a lot about the sports mode going out on the 135i's. Aethetically, yeah a few badges and wheels, but also the rear bumper will have a diffuser, the 128i, im not sure... mine didnt come with one. THe bumper is clean and flush with the body.

ROFL at reading that part. Need the power. No one needs that power. We just crave it

[sea6speed]

Originally Posted by kits135i

ROFL at reading that part. Need the power. No one needs that power. We just crave it

Am I the only one that bought a 135i specifically to haul a 6000lb camping trailer?

[Bimmerguy3]

Originally Posted by 631twentyeighteye

128, I was in essentially the same boat as you, didn't want to risk toasted turbos (bought privately) before 100k or at all honestly. coming from a 330xi you'll certainly enjoy the difference and 6 speed.

I think with law school coming up I should be smart with my money and the 128i should make me a happy man. I now have it narrowed to E46 M3 to the 128i and I think any M badge will be more to maintain. With the mods you have done on your 128i you're happy with throttle responses and power?

[Nixolas]

hahaha i feel you. I get that craving! But the 125i fills up that gap. It could be faster though.... oh man i need that power!

[litebulb]

Originally Posted by Bimmerguy3

I thought they were relatively similar?

It really depends on your foot. I'm mostly shifting before 3000 RPM so I'm not hitting much of the turbo. Averaging 14-15 L/100 KM, on mostly conservative city driving. I only fill up with 94 octane which works out to be about ~$60-70 a tank and averaging ~340 KM till the low fuel light stays on (so around ~40 KM left). I think to norm is 12 L/100 KM. However I definitely changed the way I drive this year compared to before, which sucks cause I know my baby likes to be revved.