Which 1 Series will you guys be buying?????

[Victor.L3IchibanM3]

Just wondering since I really dont know which one to pick between the 128i & 135i. I like the 135i performance but if the price turn out to be around 37k, I might have to sacrifice the performance and go with the 128 since I am going to college and tight on budget. But the thing is that 128i just dont feel like a true sports car compare to the twin turbo 135i which will be really fun to drive

[Panda J]

If I cant afford a 135i then There will be no 1 series in the drive way period!

[LazyT]

The road rocket.

[kere]

123d or 120d

[123d]

Niether of the options provided.

[ducati]

I'd like a poll choice for "undecided."

Personally, I see some pluses to the 128:
1. Lighter
2. Better weight balance (and no ballast to get closer to 50/50)
3. Better fuel economy in the real world; if you use the boost on a 335, the mileage goes down quickly
4. Better sound (IMO), the turbo'd motor sounds a bit gruff compared to the NA 328.
5. Cheaper

But, then again, there are some huge pluses to the 135:
1. Better brakes, perhaps not available on the 128
2. M Aero Kit looks nice, may not be available on the 128
3. Better brake cooling from foglamp delete
4. DSC+ and the faux LSD action
5. Huge torque and power, lots of potential if you like to mod
6. Sports suspension, who knows if this will be the same on the 128

I really haven't decided. I need to drive them. My wife and I drove a 328 and 335 and honestly the 335 didn't shatter my world perception as I thought it would. It was quick, to be sure, but it didn't feel all that FAST due to the huge torque spread. And I didn't like the sound all that much, to be honest; the 328 sounded so nice (I love NA inline sixes). I ended up actually enjoying the drive of the 328 more as I was able to flog it more without hitting license-threatening speeds so quickly.

But, that said, if I can't get the go-fast (or stop-fast, as it may!) goodies on the 128 I'm going 135 regardless of what I feel about the engine, because, to me, the handling of the car is more important than the engine. I really, REALLY miss a nicely balanced, taut RWD car.

And although I really enjoyed the NA howl... I might just end up missing the broad torque spread of my VW 2.0T, which is very strong from ~2000 rpms. Although I have tended, in the past, to prefer NA cars... Who knows how I would feel about it after 2+ years in a turbo'd torquer. I can say the 328 felt weak down low, and that's a warning sign...

[larryn]

Originally Posted by ducati

2. Better weight balance (and no ballast to get closer to 50/50)

I believe this to be a fallacy. BMW has never added ballast to their production cars, and do fluctuate between 47%-53% based on engine/drivetrain used. I know there is no "ballast" added on the 328i vs. 335i.

It will be lighter and cheaper though, but putting $1200 worth of mods on the 128i won't get you the same level of increased performance as on teh 135i.

[vinazzurro]

I honestly don't know which one. I need to see test results for both, and I need to see official pricing.

If the 128i is available with an M package, and those glorious overkill brakes...and can make a 0-60 pass in 5.8 or thereabouts, AND the price difference between the 128 and 135 makes the 135 difficult to justify... I'm seriously considering the 128.

Oh... and to my European friends talking about your 123d and 120d... don't make us jealous here in North America! We don't get those models. :frown:

[Sperm]

Originally Posted by Panda J

If I cant afford a 135i then There will be no 1 series in the drive way period!

That's what I'm thinking too.

[SCA]

It is solely price dependent, a 135i otherwise I will stick with my E90.

[vinazzurro]

Guys, the 128i is going to be a pretty sweet car too, if properly equipped. Granted, it's not balls-out like the 135i, but it sounds like it'll hold its own.

In fact:
The 128i should be almost on-par with Cayman performance.
The 135i should be almost on-par with Cayman S performance.

Even the "regular" Cayman is nothing to scoff at!

[ducati]

Originally Posted by larryn

I believe this to be a fallacy. BMW has never added ballast to their production cars, and do fluctuate between 47%-53% based on engine/drivetrain used. I know there is no "ballast" added on the 328i vs. 335i.

It will be lighter and cheaper though, but putting $1200 worth of mods on the 128i won't get you the same level of increased performance as on teh 135i.

Who knows, I've read it a few times... We won't know until folks start climbing around them. For sure the weight distribution will be more front-biased on the 135, as the N54 is 75lbs heavier than the N52; that is quite a bit of weight to sling around up front. How much difference will this make? Probably not much, but it could indeed "feel" different, and I'm not running this one for lap times, so feel is important.

Modding a NA engine is never as fruitful as modding a turbo'd engine. I personally don't do engine mods, so this is not a big deal for me.

I agree with the above point: the 128 should hit 60 in the low 6's; IMO this is plenty for enjoyment when wringing it out. It will still be a quick car, just not as quick as the blown motor.

Really, for me, it will come down to driving feel and enjoyment. Whichever is more enjoyable, I will buy. I will also compare VS the 3er.

[bimmerfile]

128i ragtop for me..

[vintage42]

Originally Posted by ducati

I'd like a poll choice for "undecided." Personally, I see some pluses to the 128... But, then again, there are some huge pluses to the 135...

Unmentioned was the maintainability. I keep cars for a long time, and fear the 135i will be extremely expensive to maintain after the warranty period.

[1ster]

135i. The 128i, like Leatherette seats, is for wussies.

S.

[imported_Stef]

Originally Posted by Panda J

If I cant afford a 135i then There will be no 1 series in the drive way period!

+1

[Nixon]

I really want the 123d, but if I can't have it, it's definitely the 135i over the 128i. I'm a Boost Junkie, so I'll chip anything with a turbo and be happy.


Regarding Ballast:

Originally Posted by ducati

Who knows, I've read it a few times...

You may be quoting me. I've talked about BMW using the car battery as ballast a couple of times. Moving it from under the hood, to under the seat or into the trunk depending upon which engine they stick in a particular style of body. For example my mid-80's 318i had a battery in the engine compartment, while my same body style 325is had the battery in the trunk.

I'm also interested in how BMW made the German spec 123d and 135i have almost identical weight distribution (52.1:47.9 vs. 52.0:48.0) despite the 123d being 145 lbs lighter -- while still putting the battery in the trunk in both models! I wonder how this will play out with the 128i? Check out the German specs:

135i :: 123d

Axle load ratio -unloaded DIN- %
47.9 :: 48.0

Curb weight -acc. DIN / EU kg
1485 / 1560 :: 1420 / 1495

Battery capacity/installed position Ah
70 / luggage :: 80 / luggage

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/attac...1&d=1186070038

[RSH@GGY920]

I think the long awaited 135i will def be the best car in its class..Not to mention how its gonna completely demolish the 335i..I cant wait for this car !!!!

[bachbeet]

Well, if I only had those two choices, i'd take the 128i. I have owned turbos before and had bad luck because they overheat the oil and cause premature engine damage. I know BMW has superior engineering but I am now definitely turbo-phobic.

Now, where are the pics of the M1? That may be a car I'd like to own.

[Victor.L3IchibanM3]

Originally Posted by bachbeet

Well, if I only had those two choices, i'd take the 128i. I have owned turbos before and had bad luck because they overheat the oil and cause premature engine damage. I know BMW has superior engineering but I am now definitely turbo-phobic.

Now, where are the pics of the M1? That may be a car I'd like to own.

How bad was it???? I really dont know at this point since I am going to be keeping this car for like 5-10 years and I dont want a Bimmer that is going to break down all the time.
__________________

[vinazzurro]

Originally Posted by Victor.l3ichiban

How bad was it???? I really dont know at this point since I am going to be keeping this car for like 5-10 years and I dont want a Bimmer that is going to break down all the time.
__________________

Not all turbo cars are unreliable. It's kind of hit or miss.

Examples:
Subaru WRX - reliable engine
Audi S4 - not very reliable where turbos are concerned

With the BMW N54, it remains to be seen (it's too early).

[ibeam81]

The engine compartment in the 135i is extremely tight, which won't be too much of an issue for routine maintenance. But once it's out of warranty if anything major has to be done then I suspect that 135i won't be much of a joy.