Newbie. Need advice 128i MT Convertible

twinturbovan · 07-11-2019, 12:09 AM

Hey! I made my first post this past weekend. Check out my thread. I came back after 11 years later. I reccomend the 135i. Its just a much more fun car. I don't know your style but I wanted a manual with red leather and Convertible. took over 6 months to find the right one out of the very few that were available. But it was the best decision I have made.

jrbimmer · 07-11-2019, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinturbovan

Hey! I made my first post this past weekend. Check out my thread. I came back after 11 years later. I reccomend the 135i. Its just a much more fun car. I don't know your style but I wanted a manual with red leather and Convertible. took over 6 months to find the right one out of the very few that were available. But it was the best decision I have made.

Thanks a lot! I wouldn't mind the 135i but I'm concerned about the maintenance on it. The consensus is that they cost a lot more to fix and are more prone to problems.

gds52 · 07-15-2019, 01:23 PM

I've 2007 328i convertible (hard top) at 130k miles. Same drivetrain as 128i.
Really good engine...some maintenance but v reliable. Enough power to have fun with.
At 130k miles, it still pulls perfectly and the clutch is strong as well.

128i should even be more fun since it's lighter.
I've 128i 6MT coupe for track.
You will not regret your decision.

Just a thought, check out 328i 6MT convertibles as well.

JimD · 07-15-2019, 02:05 PM

My kids would probably be more inclined to ride in my car if I had the 328i (they are in their 30s) but I am happier with my 128i. I drove a manual 328i because it was the only manual I could find in SC when I was test driving but when I got my 128i I thought the throws were noticably shorter and felt more direct. A bigger back seat would sometimes be an advantage but it would be good to make sure you like the feel of the 328i - but you could decide you like it better.

tracer bullet · 07-15-2019, 03:59 PM

It took me around 6 months to find my car - a 135i with low miles and an MT. Much harder than I expected. I found you need to look at all cars and the interior shots to see if they are MT or not. They get reversed in both directions in listings.

My 135i has been trouble free. Are they really so different for reliability? The vast majority of the car is identical and it's not as if BMW has no idea how to build a turbocharged engine. I don't think I'd turn one down if I was you.

07-11-2019, 12:09 AM	#23
twinturbovan Second Lieutenant 204 Rep 219 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 135i M Sport Vert Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0)	Hey! I made my first post this past weekend. Check out my thread. I came back after 11 years later. I reccomend the 135i. Its just a much more fun car. I don't know your style but I wanted a manual with red leather and Convertible. took over 6 months to find the right one out of the very few that were available. But it was the best decision I have made.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-15-2019, 01:23 PM	#25
gds52 Colonel 886 Rep 2,720 Posts Drives: BMW Z4M Coupe, BMW 328i E93 Co Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	I've 2007 328i convertible (hard top) at 130k miles. Same drivetrain as 128i. Really good engine...some maintenance but v reliable. Enough power to have fun with. At 130k miles, it still pulls perfectly and the clutch is strong as well. 128i should even be more fun since it's lighter. I've 128i 6MT coupe for track. You will not regret your decision. Just a thought, check out 328i 6MT convertibles as well.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-15-2019, 02:05 PM	#26
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	My kids would probably be more inclined to ride in my car if I had the 328i (they are in their 30s) but I am happier with my 128i. I drove a manual 328i because it was the only manual I could find in SC when I was test driving but when I got my 128i I thought the throws were noticably shorter and felt more direct. A bigger back seat would sometimes be an advantage but it would be good to make sure you like the feel of the 328i - but you could decide you like it better. __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-15-2019, 03:59 PM	#27
tracer bullet Brigadier General 2388 Rep 3,531 Posts Drives: '11 135i , '15 X3 35i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Saint Paul, MN iTrader: (1)	It took me around 6 months to find my car - a 135i with low miles and an MT. Much harder than I expected. I found you need to look at all cars and the interior shots to see if they are MT or not. They get reversed in both directions in listings. My 135i has been trouble free. Are they really so different for reliability? The vast majority of the car is identical and it's not as if BMW has no idea how to build a turbocharged engine. I don't think I'd turn one down if I was you.
	Appreciate 0 Quote