128i vs 135i

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by Esteban

A couple of guys here, ShocknAwe and chris_flies, have already gotten rid of theirs. I think they're very happy.

Bimmerworld, plain fiberglass here. Very happy with the headroom increase.

[Ric in RVA]

I've owned 3. 128i sport, 135 m sport and my current 128i sport. All manuals. All lightly modded wit M3 control arms, cat back, etc.

BTW sport/ M-sport for me either are fine. I like the wheel and the headliner on the M sport better but not a big fan of tons of M logos since it is not an M car.

You will look long and hard or get incredibly lucky to find a manual 128. And if an auto is needed I'd probably get the 135i.

Hands down the 135i is faster.

In that - oh shit if I get pulled over they will impound the car and take me to jail kinda way. (Yes Virginia sucks.)

That being said the 128i strikes a balance of power, weight, handling, sound, reliability and just overall thrashability the 135i never had.

I likened the 135i to riding a racehorse in the woods....never felt like you could really let it go and run.

The 128i is what the e30 would have grown up to be if BMW had let it not get bloated.

Or think of it as a reliable, nice quality interior, e36 M3.


I'll never sell it and I always look back as I am walking away.

My car threads are all linked in the link below.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

The 128i is what the e30 would have grown up to be if BMW had let it not get bloated.

YES.

[mfindigital]

Neither is slow after you do the generic 128i mods, but if you are modding the cars and looking for serious speed there is no comparison. I've spent about 5k in mods and will likely dyno around 500whp on e85. If that's what you're looking to do then the answer is obviously 135i. If not, then just get a 128 and get the 3 stage and 130i tune. I think that makes around 240hp which is more than enough for almost anyone.

[Gray_Panther]

Since OP already has a 335i, maybe it would be best for his wife to drive the N52 on either a 3 or 1 series to get a feel of the speed and power. The 1 series will be more nimble and smaller, but acceleration shouldn't be too much different.
Maybe he can answer his own question after the test drive.

135i is too fast for me, but more like trouble with the police than actually losing control of the car.

128i is just perfect for my driving style.

[BMWCCA1]

A little over a year ago, my wife told me after driving 5-series sedans for something like 28-years, that she was tired of a big car and wanted something smaller. I searched for what I would want in a 128i with the exception that arthritis in her left knee has taken a stick-shift out of the running. I knew I wanted a limited range of colors inside and out but I had to have leather. I knew I wanted xenon lights (but could add them later). I considered the sport seats a must and power-seats a desire. What I found was a 2008 white with black leather sport seats, sport package, Premium pkg, xenons, cold weather, NAV, PDC, and iPod connectivity. Picked it up in Texas and by the time I got home I was quite fond of the little car. She now likes it, too. Plenty fast, very quick in the handling department, and exceptional handling if you can live with the firm ride (and ours no longer have run-flats).

So recently I started looking for a stick 128i for myself and found a 2013 M-sport, Alpine White, Black leather sport seats, Premium Pkg, Technology Pkg, cold weather, H/K sound, xenons, and maybe some other stuff. Drove it home from Wisconsin and I love it.

Now in my job I drive new BMWs with prospective customers all day long. I can appreciate the power in the new cars but on my drive home I think the 128i is the perfect combination of normally aspirated power with the best steering BMW ever made (short of the M1 . . . not 1M), and the best stock shift linkage and clutch of any BMW in my nearly 50-years of ownership. It puts a smile on my face every day and I look for the long way home in the same way I have done with my BMW motorcycles over that same 50-years of riding. The M-sport 128i stick in stock form really brings out the smile the way my 2002tii did back in 1973. If that 130hp did that to me then, this 230hp is certainly enough. If not, there's always my R1150RS.

[TboneS54]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

Or think of it as a reliable, nice quality interior, e36 M3.

Yes! I loved my e36, but their age and build quality meant I was going to look elsewhere for my lightweight manual rdw daily. Already have an e46, so e82 seemed like the best choice.

[fotontom]

I picked up a cherry 128i 'vert a few months ago. My previous BMW rides were an M Roadster E85, an E34, an E36, a Mini Cooper and even a Land Rover when it was operated by BMW.

I'm not disappointed whatsoever with the 128i. Always wanted an E30 or even an '02, but this may be even better. Just a very well-balanced driver's car. I had to get into it yesterday to avoid a truck and was surprised how quickly that SULEV spun to 7K.

I'll keep this one as long as I can!

[JimD]

I ordered my e88 and the only options I added were the sport package and walnut trim. I am still very happy with that choice. The sport seats are a must in my opinion if you like to drive spiritedly. The side bolsters adjust to hold you in position (electrically, even with manual seats). The sound systems changed but in 2009 the base e88 system was the mid level systems in other parts of the world with the tweeters up around the side mirror area.

Power delivery is different between the n52 and n55. I drove a 135i during performance center delivery and I like the high torque even at low rpm. The n52 has adequate torque for daily commuting but when you want to go fast, you need to keep the rpm up. If you do that, it pulls hard and is noticably quick. The rpm doesn't matter so much with the n55, it is going to pull hard if you mash the gas at 1500 rpm. The n52 needs a downshift (or two) if you really want it to move. Not a bad thing. With an automatic, it will take care of this for you. Mne is a manual so I have to remember.

[NorthernDancer]

Love my 128, sp pkg, 6MT, never winter driven. In 9 yrs of ownership, only 1 "repair". Valve cover gasket last year. Track it once or twice a year (going tomorrow) and never plan on selling unless I import a 130 from Germany. No mods except Whiteline RSFB inserts. BUT, the thing that gives me the absolute most joy is the BMW performance exhaust.
I'm retired military on pension and cannot afford the repairs of a 135 (nor the speeding tickets). Slow car fast=better than a fast car slow.

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by NorthernDancer

Love my 128, sp pkg, 6MT, never winter driven. In 9 yrs of ownership, only 1 "repair". Valve cover gasket last year. Track it once or twice a year (going tomorrow) and never plan on selling unless I import a 130 from Germany. No mods except Whiteline RSFB inserts. BUT, the thing that gives me the absolute most joy is the BMW performance exhaust.
I'm retired military on pension and cannot afford the repairs of a 135 (nor the speeding tickets). Slow car fast=better than a fast car slow.

Go pull the CDV from the clutch line.....A mandatory Mod.

[Gray_Panther]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

Go pull the CDV from the clutch line.....A mandatory Mod.

Back when us 1addicts were buying these cars new, we were doing this mod as soon as we brought them home!

Mandatory mod, along with the golf tee mod for those without the performance exhaust.

[torrque]

Thanks all for opinions... I thought long and hard, and considering that even in stock form the 335xi feels slow to me (my wife agrees too) , I decided for the 135i, no question... the 335xi without mods feels like a rental.

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by torrque

Thanks all for opinions... I thought long and hard, and considering that even in stock form the 335xi feels slow to me (my wife agrees too) , I decided for the 135i, no question... the 335xi without mods feels like a rental.

We're just happy you're here! Welcome to the crazy house.. they don't call it 1Addicts for nothing.

Originally Posted by Gray_Panther

Back when us 1addicts were buying these cars new, we were doing this mod as soon as we brought them home!

Mandatory mod, along with the golf tee mod for those without the performance exhaust.

I tell everyone, even if they don't want to mod their car, to do the CDV delete along with a clutch stop and short shifter. Improves the manual experience SO much.

[torrque]

One more thing... As I said, I am very happy with my 335xi AFTER I swapped turbos, which took me 3 weeks and 3 knuckles and a lot of skin off my hands...
I would ideally like to avoid the N54 engine; does the 135i come with the new N55 engine after certain year? I assume that is more reliable, no? I am not too concerned with tune-ability (is that a word), as my wife would be the daily driver on it..

Thanks

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by torrque

one more thing... As i said, i am very happy with my 335xi after i swapped turbos, which took me 3 weeks and 3 knuckles and a lot of skin off my hands...
I would ideally like to avoid the n54 engine; does the 135i come with the new n55 engine after certain year? I assume that is more reliable, no? I am not too concerned with tune-ability (is that a word), as my wife would be the daily driver on it..

Thanks

N54 MY2008-2010, N55 MY2011-2013 for the 135i.

And yes, the N55 is supposed to be more reliable.

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by torrque

One more thing... As I said, I am very happy with my 335xi AFTER I swapped turbos, which took me 3 weeks and 3 knuckles and a lot of skin off my hands...
I would ideally like to avoid the N54 engine; does the 135i come with the new N55 engine after certain year? I assume that is more reliable, no? I am not too concerned with tune-ability (is that a word), as my wife would be the daily driver on it..

Thanks

Had a 135i with an N55. Lunched a bearing shortly after being serviced by a BMW dealer. Lovely feeling when you shift to third and the engine simply stops rotating.

Dealer put a used motor in. Found lots of other stories of lunched bearing.

No thanks.

Sold the 135i on and started searching for the right 128i sport.

128i for me.

[Esteban]

Had an N54 135i for 2 years, no problems.

Had an N55 135i for 9 years, got one code for a high pressure fuel sensor. Replaced the part and all was good.

People say the N55 is more reliable and the N54 is more tunable.

OP, good luck with the 135i. Hope your wife loves it.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

Had a 135i with an N55. Lunched a bearing shortly after being serviced by a BMW dealer. Lovely feeling when you shift to third and the engine simply stops rotating.

Dealer put a used motor in. Found lots of other stories of lunched bearing.

No thanks.

Sold the 135i on and started searching for the right 128i sport.

128i for me.

I think you're criticism of your failed N55 is unwarranted. From your thread:

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...highlight=ofhg

The failure was attributed to OFHG work the dealer did which most likely introduced debris into the oiling system. This is not the fault of the N55. My N55 has had the OFHG done and has continued to run fine with about 20k miles since it was done. Car is currently sitting at 98k miles.

All things considered, my 135i has been surprisingly more reliable than I thought it would be. Compared to my 2009 Ducati 848, it's definitely more reliable. On that bike, I've gone through a horizontal head gasket replacement, failed clutch master, failed immobilzer antenna, failed radiator, failed fuel tank, failed LEDs in turn signals integrated into mirrors x2, and probably some other odds and ends.

[Gangplank]

I bought a 2011 135i w/ DCT about 4.5 years ago now (I think). Great motor, plenty of power in stock form. Easy to tune if that's your thing. I got the BMW PPK tune which is mild and just adds 20-25 HP.

Chassis wise they are the same, and need upgrading. The Rear Subframe Bushings are a must do upgrade. You can get inserts (inexpensive), or full 2 piece bushings, or full M3 version of you want to spend the extra $$.

I have the inserts, M3 Front Control arms, and a Differential Brace. The car is way more planted after those modes with much less one tire hop.

I also upgraded the suspension to Ohlins R&T. They are fantastic, sublime even is a good way to describe it. Probably more upgrade than I need for daily driver duties, but by far an upgrade I'm happy I did. I had planned to track the car once in a while but it's now my DD.

If I could have gotten a stick I would have gone 128 + the 130 tune & same chassis mods. My wife drives it occasionally so manual was not an option. The DCT transmission is utterly fantastic. One test drive and I was hooked.

I get 24 mpg commuting. At slow speeds it drives like a N/A motor w/ slight lag at stop/go traffic. When you want to GO just step on it the 135i truly flies.

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

I think you're criticism of your failed N55 is unwarranted. From your thread:

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...highlight=ofhg

The failure was attributed to OFHG work the dealer did which most likely introduced debris into the oiling system. This is not the fault of the N55. My N55 has had the OFHG done and has continued to run fine with about 20k miles since it was done. Car is currently sitting at 98k miles.

All things considered, my 135i has been surprisingly more reliable than I thought it would be. Compared to my 2009 Ducati 848, it's definitely more reliable. On that bike, I've gone through a horizontal head gasket replacement, failed clutch master, failed immobilzer antenna, failed radiator, failed fuel tank, failed LEDs in turn signals integrated into mirrors x2, and probably some other odds and ends.

I believe mine was caused by the shops failure to maintain cleanliness while it was open.

However in doing my research I have found that there are many reports of bearing failure within the n55 community.

Without any doubt in my mind the n52 is many times more reliable than an N54/5. But that is because the n52 is under far less stress and uses far less technology than an N54/5.

But you have to pay to play!!! If big HP is your need then go N55. If mega HP is your need then go N54 and build it. If adequate is enough...and a sweet NA torque curve and the ability to actually run it through the gears and not going a billion miles an hour.

Get an N52

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=n55+rod+be...failure&ia=web

More bearing fun....

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1537202

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

I believe mine was caused by the shops failure to maintain cleanliness while it was open.

However in doing my research I have found that there are many reports of bearing failure within the n55 community.

Without any doubt in my mind the n52 is many times more reliable than an N54/5. But that is because the n52 is under far less stress and uses far less technology than an N54/5.

But you have to pay to play!!! If big HP is your need then go N55. If mega HP is your need then go N54 and build it. If adequate is enough...and a sweet NA torque curve and the ability to actually run it through the gears and not going a billion miles an hour.

Get an N52

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=n55+rod+be...failure&ia=web

More bearing fun....

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1537202

Agreed the N52 is definitely more reliable than the N54/N55 variants. But with the bearing issues, there are so many variables. I would think if this was endemic to the N55, there would be more reports of this. Such as the known electric water pump issue.

I've heard the same rumblings about the engine used in my Ducati 848 having bearing problems. I haven't experienced any issues yet with 19k miles on the clock which is high for a sport bike. I did get bit by the radiator issue which was a known flaw that was fixed in the 2010 model year. It was not if but when I would encounter a radiator leak. Thankfully, I was able to source a nice used eBay radiator with the design fix for the bike for $120 as buying new from Ducati would have set me back $1000.