Does ANYONE actually get the 128?

[Jblack4083]

I'm new here and I don't even own a BMW yet (I will in May though) and I've been seeing a ton of 135s. Of course on a board like this where we are concerned with performance it's fitting for us to prefer 135s for obvious reasons.

What exactly are the aesthetic changes between the two models? I am considering a 128 in the near future and a 135 seems slightly out of reach (of course I can get an E46 which is what will probably happen). What's so bad about the 128?

[BioRage]

You can find out alot of things just going on the BMW website or googling / search function on this be-loved website,

A little difference just to put it out there, is that the 135i is Twin Turbo'ed as the 128i is not!

: D

Also you could get an E46, but it wouldn't be brand new , plus they say the 135i is like a pocket M3!

[Jblack4083]

I know about the twin turbo but aesthetically?

[BioRage]

It's hard to say, because I don't own one yet, but;

The 128i vs 135i are almost the same size,

Majority of why people have 135i, is because if you only add a few more grand you get 70 HP more! Which is a killer steal.

Although locally, I see lots of "Older people" with 128i's in Toronto, as compared to young-er drivers, mid 20's-30s who have the 135i,

That's just based on what I've seen.

My best bet is too go into a local dealership your self, and test drive those two.

[B25 Jim]

The 135i has the aerodynamic body kit standard, the 128i does not. You can see the difference on pics or on the website build-your-own. Other than that, no real difference aesthetically.

[Mega Man]

The 135 has a more aggressive front, with air inlets in front of the wheels to cool the brakes.

The 128 looks a little cleaner, the front air inlet doesn't hang down as low because it doesn't have an intercooler. The 128's also have foglights that sit where the front air inlets would be on the 135 to cool the brakes.

There's nothing so bad about the 128. There's a bit of preference between the two cars. Do you prefer an all-motor naturally aspirated engine, or a turbo-charged forced induction motor?

[MOCKBA]

128 looks better, doesn't it? It has nicer stock wheels and fog lamps.

[ulrichd]

It just needs the 18" wheels which you can pick up used for around $750.

[x97Melbourne]

ulrichd -- i think your car looks great. i wouldn't change a thing.

[warmtoes]

Originally Posted by MOCKBA

128 looks better, doesn't it? It has nicer stock wheels and fog lamps.

If you get the M sport package in markets outside of the US you get the 261M wheels which are outstanding in my opinion.

The 128 front has fog lights but the 135 doesn't because the area is used for an oil cooler I believe.

[ZIPNBYE]

You'll find that if equipped with the Xenon HID lights, the halogen fog lights won't make a lick of difference...you'll barely be able to tell if they're on or not...so are a waste on an up-market 128i.

The nose is subjective...I think that the nose of the 128i really diminishes the car, such that it looks small and cute, whereas the deeper chin of the 135i and the re-arranged bumper make the car look more aggressive, which, when comparing to the 3-Series, the 1-Series needs.

As to wheels...for the Canadian-market, I do like the optional 18" style 263 wheels to be quite nice...nicer in fact that the US-market style 264 wheels on the 135i. Obviously, the style 261M wheels that the Canadian-market ///M-Sport 135i's got (now finally 2009 US-market 135i's too) are much nicer than all...not that I'm biased.

[ptack]

The main difference is that if you're in a 128i, you'll only get to see the rear of a 135i.

[Mad Dragon]

...on the back of a tow truck. :biggrin:

[Guildenstern]

From a driving asthetic (the most important asthetic for a BMW driver I hope) The engine in the 128 is a magnesium block so there is less weight on the nose. It's a small diffrence but it's there.

They also tip the scales a bit lighter than the 135 too. (Don't the 135's actualy have a counterweight at the rear bumper to maintain the 50-50 weight distribution due to the Iron Block?)

I found that while the effortless power in the 135 was damn sweet. The dynamics felt a bit more on in the 128.

[Mad Dragon]

The N54 has an aluminum block.

[jkp1187]

Test-drive them both. A long test-drive if you can.

Aesthetically, there's not much difference to be honest.

The 135i has the obvious power on demand that everyone raves about. Touch the accelerator and you're gone. It's very impressive. Of course, unless tracking it, I sometimes wonder how much of that I'd actually use. It's also perhaps a tad less involving as it doesn't matter what gear it's in, you'll have power on demand.

The 128i has power to spare -- at least, under daily driving conditions. It is also arguably a more involving car to drive, especially in manual form, as you have to row the gears to maximize the power. I test drove a 128i with sport package first, and throughout the entire drive, I found myself thinking: "if this is the 128i, what must the 135i be like?" It'll probably have lower cost to own over the long-term (fuel economy, probably less maintenance without the turbocharger.)

I haven't placed an order yet, and I keep going back and forth between the two.... In reality, I know I'm probably never going to fully use all the power of the 128i, and should probably just go with that and get more options for less money...and yet the 135i still beckons. (The phrase "pocket M3" probably explains why.)

[Guildenstern]

Originally Posted by Mad Dragon

The N54 has an aluminum block.

Sorry that's right, Aluminum with Cast Iron cylinder liners, and the N52 has Magnisium with Aluminum liners. Looks like it's still 75 pounds heavyer (429 to the N52's 354) Not sure if that weight includes the intercooler and such or just the block.

[5354]

I test drove the 128 first, the dealer let me take it out by myself with out him. I was gone for 1/2 hour and they did not take my drivers license, a visa imprint or anything. The dealer thought I wasn't coming back. After the 128 test drive I 100% thought the 128 was more than enough car for me and I was going to buy it.....

until a month later, i test drove the 135, the rest is history

[Leilani]

Good points mentioned above...another "non-aesthetic" issue is the difference in cost to insure the car. The twin turbo on the 135i will add $$$ to the policy, no doubt. I'd also get a quote on the E46 just for comparison, since you seem to be leaning that way.

[bimmer billy]

the 135 has bigger more finished looking brakes that says BMW in big letters. They are painted grey and say BMW white.

[nautilus]

I got my 128i over the 135i for a couple of reasons - I wanted to keep the cost down and I knew that if I bought the 135i, I'd get myself into trouble with all that extra power.

Adding to that and mirroring what others are saying here, I find I can get more out of the 128's engine in day to day situations than I potentially would with the 135.

From an aesthetics point of view, I like having the fog lamps on my car, am not fussed about the rear diffuser and after I wear down my OEM tires, I'll be moving to an 18" wheel setup for Spring-Fall

[MastaMind]

Originally Posted by ptack

The main difference is that if you're in a 128i, you'll only get to see the rear of a 135i.

Originally Posted by Mad Dragon

...on the back of a tow truck. :biggrin:

Ouch

I was going to mention the brakes, not the breaks.