New member, shopping for 128i

skidawgz · 06-26-2015, 12:38 PM

Hello all!

I'm looking for a 128i and care exclusively about the driving experience. The sport seats sound like an option I'd like, but how can I tell seat type when looking?

Are there any other driver features I should be looking for? Are there different audio options? I'm a big fan of music.

I test drove an automatic that had i-Drive and a navigation screen. That was really nice looking but I assume it adds weight. Is that on all navigation models?

Thank you for any help in advance. I hope to find a car and join the discussion!

Gray_Panther · 06-26-2015, 04:21 PM

128i 6 speed manual.
All other options are for your preferences although there are some here who swear by the sport seats!

mike@x-ph.com · 06-26-2015, 05:30 PM

Welcome !!
Each driver has different preferences. I suggest to test drive as many 128i as you can and pick your favorite options.

Lucky1 · 06-26-2015, 06:07 PM

Sport seats have adjustable side bolsters, non-sport seats do not. Thats the most obvious difference anyway; easy to tell the difference just by looking for that.

skidawgz · 06-26-2015, 08:46 PM

I'd like to take it to the track and I generally enjoy sports seats in cars. If I do not find a manual with sport seats I will not throw a fit.

1 series is hard to find in NJ, especially when taking the 135i out the equation. I've never seen a 1series M in my life!

Thanks for the suggestions

mr.fabulous · 06-26-2015, 09:10 PM

Don't be afraid to travel to the car of your dreams and drive it home. I did.

1Hokie · 06-26-2015, 09:22 PM

Be patient and get the 6MT with sports package.. sport suspension + seats are a win. I took a few weeks to find mine and I love it more than others I nearly considered "settling" for. I drove 5 hours in a 1way car rental just to test drive it and drive home the same day, but I was willing to take the rental back if it turned out to be sketchy. That $100 bucks just for a test drive is nothing compared to years with a car you're really happy with

NorthernDancer · 06-26-2015, 10:00 PM

I flew 4-5 hours and it was a 12 hour drive back home to get exactly what I wanted which was a 128 w/6 speed manual and sport package.
A search on cars.com just now revealed 820 128's for sale but only 66 w/manual trans and then only 38 coupes. I did a quick look at some of the 38 and saw 3 w/sport pkg. There were likely a few more. The prize many have been the private sale (I always prefer a private sale) in white with coral red, think a 2008 for $14000. Sounds like a winner to me.

Esteban · 06-26-2015, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

Don't be afraid to travel to the car of your dreams and drive it home. I did.

Seems like the perfect way to really experience your new car for the first time. Road trip!

skidawgz · 06-27-2015, 05:22 AM

Glad to hear that it was customary for you guys to have to go through the same process I was considering. Since I live in the NE, the car is rare, and manual is even less common so I'll have to catch the right sale and drive it back. California is the one place I consider too far to drive back.

128GP · 06-27-2015, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

Don't be afraid to travel to the car of your dreams and drive it home. I did.

I took a 4 hour drive from NJ to Connecticut to get my 128 Msport 6 speed xenons

TheCaptain · 06-27-2015, 06:41 AM

Just curious, why is a 135 out of the question?

128GP · 06-27-2015, 06:47 AM

902 128's on Cars.com
70 of which are 6 speeds
41 of which are coupes
20 of which have the Sport Package
3 of which are M-Sport

KNS · 06-27-2015, 08:13 AM

I think I've got most of you beat: I flew out and drove 1700 miles home to pick up a 128i with manual trans, sport seats and no Nav!

It's was worth it.

KNS · 06-27-2015, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCaptain

Just curious, why is a 135 out of the question?

I test drove a couple of 135s and they were fun but didn't want the hassle of the turbo and its associated problems. Sorry, not trying to turn this into a 128/135 debate. I also happen to love simplicity, as far as cars go BMWs are complex enough.

Suprgnat · 06-27-2015, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 128GP

902 128's on Cars.com
70 of which are 6 speeds
41 of which are coupes
20 of which have the Sport Package
3 of which are M-Sport

Just make sure you look at the pictures and make sure that "6 speed manual" really is...

http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...2744/overview/

KNS · 06-27-2015, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

Just make sure you look at the pictures and make sure that "6 speed manual" really is...

http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...2744/overview/

I found lots of cars advertised as having a manual really had the auto shift - pisses me off. True manuals are hard to find.

skidawgz · 06-27-2015, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCaptain

Just curious, why is a 135 out of the question?

It is no disrespect to 135i owners or the car. I have a 2004 v6 Mustang that I put blower on from a SVT cobra. It essentially doubled the HP and torque at wheels. Fully built forged motor.... I have the worst luck with the car, all unrelated to the engine. I just want to drive something I don't have to work on at all. I also will likely buy another car later on (something larger)

The BMW turbo engines are highly unlikely to go as far as an NA straight 6 without needing some work. The turbos don't seem to last past 100k to be honest. Straight sixes, no matter the car manufacturer, are always a reliable engine.

NorthernDancer · 06-27-2015, 02:09 PM

skidawgz: turbo vs NA-you are correct. I think you can see here that a good 128 6MT sp pkg can be had, you just have to look long and hard.

KNS: yes you have me beat; my road trip home was only 1272 miles

Olgeezer1 · 06-28-2015, 01:22 PM

Hold out for the 6MT Sport pkg. In a 128 it's going to take some looking(I looked 6 mos.), pretty rare car but well worth it. Sport pkg. cars are easy to ID, even in photos, by the seats with the slide-out under leg bolster. In Canada we get 18" staggered wheels as part of the package which just makes a good thing better. Personally, would not even consider a non Sport Pkg, car.

skidawgz · 06-28-2015, 08:17 PM

Yes, I eventually realized that the non sport seats look flat as a pancake and sport seats have the slide-out which makes things very easy.

I had fun driving the car with non-sport seats with a manual... this is going to be great when I find the right one.

Lucky1 · 06-28-2015, 09:11 PM

Wow, surprised to hear how much travel and effort enthusiasts are going through to find the right 6SPD 128i. Makes me thankful I got in when I did; good to know there are others who love this car as much as I do

06-26-2015, 12:38 PM	#1
skidawgz Private 14 Rep 64 Posts Drives: '13 e92 M3, '09 128i, '95 318i Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Philly Philly iTrader: (0)	New member, shopping for 128i Hello all! I'm looking for a 128i and care exclusively about the driving experience. The sport seats sound like an option I'd like, but how can I tell seat type when looking? Are there any other driver features I should be looking for? Are there different audio options? I'm a big fan of music. I test drove an automatic that had i-Drive and a navigation screen. That was really nice looking but I assume it adds weight. Is that on all navigation models? Thank you for any help in advance. I hope to find a car and join the discussion!
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06-26-2015, 04:21 PM	#2
Gray_Panther Brigadier General 1558 Rep 3,239 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (0)	128i 6 speed manual. All other options are for your preferences although there are some here who swear by the sport seats! __________________ 2012 BMW 128i 6MT Deep Sea Blue Metallic
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06-26-2015, 05:30 PM	#3
mike@x-ph.com Joint Chiefs of Staff 24331 Rep 191,093 Posts Drives: 07-335/12-328/18-M4/21-M4CP Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (23)	Welcome !! Each driver has different preferences. I suggest to test drive as many 128i as you can and pick your favorite options. __________________ Check out our current sale by clicking on this link! https://x-ph.com/sale/ Phone number 702-494-9435
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06-26-2015, 06:07 PM	#4
Lucky1 Colonel 650 Rep 2,051 Posts Drives: '08 128i Coupe SGM 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 Porsche 911 Ca ... [0.00] 2008 128i Coupe [0.00] 2006 Z4 M Roadster [0.00]	Sport seats have adjustable side bolsters, non-sport seats do not. Thats the most obvious difference anyway; easy to tell the difference just by looking for that.
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06-26-2015, 08:46 PM	#5
skidawgz Private 14 Rep 64 Posts Drives: '13 e92 M3, '09 128i, '95 318i Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Philly Philly iTrader: (0)	I'd like to take it to the track and I generally enjoy sports seats in cars. If I do not find a manual with sport seats I will not throw a fit. 1 series is hard to find in NJ, especially when taking the 135i out the equation. I've never seen a 1series M in my life! Thanks for the suggestions
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06-26-2015, 09:10 PM	#6
mr.fabulous Captain 212 Rep 893 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Florida Gulf Coast iTrader: (0)	Don't be afraid to travel to the car of your dreams and drive it home. I did. __________________ 2011 135i MSport 6MT AW/black, 72Kmiles, bone stock, moneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoney I LOVE THIS CAR
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06-26-2015, 09:22 PM	#7
1Hokie Banned 24 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 08 328i, 10 z4 35i Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: crystal city iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW 328i E92 [0.00] 2010 BMW Z4 sDrive35i [7.00]	Be patient and get the 6MT with sports package.. sport suspension + seats are a win. I took a few weeks to find mine and I love it more than others I nearly considered "settling" for. I drove 5 hours in a 1way car rental just to test drive it and drive home the same day, but I was willing to take the rental back if it turned out to be sketchy. That $100 bucks just for a test drive is nothing compared to years with a car you're really happy with
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-26-2015, 10:00 PM	#8
NorthernDancer Colonel 851 Rep 2,276 Posts Drives: 08 Sedona 128 & 06 330xiT 6MT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa On Canada iTrader: (3)	I flew 4-5 hours and it was a 12 hour drive back home to get exactly what I wanted which was a 128 w/6 speed manual and sport package. A search on cars.com just now revealed 820 128's for sale but only 66 w/manual trans and then only 38 coupes. I did a quick look at some of the 38 and saw 3 w/sport pkg. There were likely a few more. The prize many have been the private sale (I always prefer a private sale) in white with coral red, think a 2008 for $14000. Sounds like a winner to me. Last edited by NorthernDancer; 06-26-2015 at 10:01 PM.. Reason: add info
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06-27-2015, 05:22 AM	#10
skidawgz Private 14 Rep 64 Posts Drives: '13 e92 M3, '09 128i, '95 318i Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Philly Philly iTrader: (0)	Glad to hear that it was customary for you guys to have to go through the same process I was considering. Since I live in the NE, the car is rare, and manual is even less common so I'll have to catch the right sale and drive it back. California is the one place I consider too far to drive back.
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06-27-2015, 06:41 AM	#12
TheCaptain Second Lieutenant 65 Rep 275 Posts Drives: m235i x 'vert Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Just curious, why is a 135 out of the question?
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06-27-2015, 06:47 AM	#13
128GP First Lieutenant 40 Rep 323 Posts Drives: AW 328i 6sp RWD M Sport Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	902 128's on Cars.com 70 of which are 6 speeds 41 of which are coupes 20 of which have the Sport Package 3 of which are M-Sport
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06-27-2015, 08:13 AM	#14
KNS Lieutenant 139 Rep 439 Posts Drives: 128i and Porsche Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	I think I've got most of you beat: I flew out and drove 1700 miles home to pick up a 128i with manual trans, sport seats and no Nav! It's was worth it.
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06-27-2015, 02:09 PM	#19
NorthernDancer Colonel 851 Rep 2,276 Posts Drives: 08 Sedona 128 & 06 330xiT 6MT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa On Canada iTrader: (3)	skidawgz: turbo vs NA-you are correct. I think you can see here that a good 128 6MT sp pkg can be had, you just have to look long and hard. KNS: yes you have me beat; my road trip home was only 1272 miles
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06-28-2015, 01:22 PM	#20
Olgeezer1 Lieutenant 191 Rep 506 Posts Drives: 2010 128i 6MT Sport Pkg. 18" Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 E82 128i N52 [0.00]	Hold out for the 6MT Sport pkg. In a 128 it's going to take some looking(I looked 6 mos.), pretty rare car but well worth it. Sport pkg. cars are easy to ID, even in photos, by the seats with the slide-out under leg bolster. In Canada we get 18" staggered wheels as part of the package which just makes a good thing better. Personally, would not even consider a non Sport Pkg, car.
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06-28-2015, 08:17 PM	#21
skidawgz Private 14 Rep 64 Posts Drives: '13 e92 M3, '09 128i, '95 318i Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Philly Philly iTrader: (0)	Yes, I eventually realized that the non sport seats look flat as a pancake and sport seats have the slide-out which makes things very easy. I had fun driving the car with non-sport seats with a manual... this is going to be great when I find the right one. __________________ 2013 BMW e92 M3 6MT "stripper" 2009 BMW e82 128i AT Sport Options (stock) 2004 Mustang v6 4.2L w/ Easton M112 S/C 1995 BMW e36 318i (stock)
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06-28-2015, 09:11 PM	#22
Lucky1 Colonel 650 Rep 2,051 Posts Drives: '08 128i Coupe SGM 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 Porsche 911 Ca ... [0.00] 2008 128i Coupe [0.00] 2006 Z4 M Roadster [0.00]	Wow, surprised to hear how much travel and effort enthusiasts are going through to find the right 6SPD 128i. Makes me thankful I got in when I did; good to know there are others who love this car as much as I do
	Appreciate 0 Quote