What do you know about the 128i?

"for Michigan" (formichigan) 06/11/2018 at 07:45 • Filed to: oppopinion, Car buying, Bmw, 1-series, 128i, Help

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During the necessary/unnecessary car shopping that I’m sure you’re all familiar with, I’ve stumbled across a nearby, low-mileage 2010 128i for sale at a reasonable price from a reputable dealer. This has piqued my interest because I’m ready for something new and the 1-series checks a lot of boxes for me that are difficult to find elsewhere. But I have a reservation about this…

That reservation being cost of ownership. I have a steady income and I’m frugal, but to paraphrase Patrick George, I have BWM dreams on a Pontiac budget. As attractive as the cost of entry is here, I’d rather not make myself car-poor.

So tell me Oppo, is 1-series ownership going to break the bank for someone whose automotive history includes a surprisingly trouble-free Pontiac and a surprisingly troubled Honda and Mazda?

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > for Michigan 06/11/2018 at 07:49

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Check which engine it has, some BMW 6 cylinders are better than others. And check for known problems with the engine in it.

E90M3 > for Michigan 06/11/2018 at 07:50

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Does a $500 repair scare you?

I’ve put 29k on my N52 powered BMW in 15 months with the only two issues being coil packs going out.

I had a 128i back in 2016 and put 3500 miles on it in a month without incident, I sold it shortly after that.

E90M3 > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 06/11/2018 at 07:51

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They’re all N52s.

Sovande > for Michigan 06/11/2018 at 07:55

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I don’t know a thing about BMW’s and I have never been fond of the styling of any of them after about 1989 (but I’m old so...) but the 128 is a really good looking little car. My neighbor drives one and I find myself looking at if for probably a little too long every time he drives by. How’s that for a completely unhelpful anecdote?

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > for Michigan 06/11/2018 at 07:57

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Former 2010 328i owner here drove it for over 40K miles. Do it! I found it to be one of the most pure driving experiences. Even better if it is a manual because it is the classic simplicity of the RWD straight six manual trans BMW formula.

Assuming most of the mechnaical bits carry over from the 328i- The engine is rock solid and drivetrain as well. Outside some recalls and usual maintenance items which are expensive, only had issues with electrical stuff like bulbs and fuses and some emissions related fuel pump fixes. There is a risk of cooling system issues (water pump, thermostat) and expensive suspension maintenance closer to 100K miles. If you DIY or an independent mechanic it will save you a lot of money. I had a CPO and a maintenance plan that carried over so most of my stuff was free for the majority of the time I owned it.

Ash78, voting early and often > for Michigan 06/11/2018 at 08:10

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Repairs and maintenance can both come as a surprise to formerly non-Euro owners.

For example (from my VW/Audi experience), finding out you can’t just buy all your fluids at Walmart or even Autozone — some have to be found at the dealer or special ordered. Learning to DIY things like oil and brakes because shops will usually overcharge. Realizing that proper code reading often requires an indy shop, not just Pep Boys.

It’s basically all I ever knew when working on cars, but I’d get a little jealous as I paid 4x as much for DOT4 brake fluid and an extra dollar 93 octane while everyone around me used the cheaper alternatives.

So it’s not terrible, but as with most things, if you compare yourself with others, it can seem unfair.

/$.02

Tripper > E90M3 06/11/2018 at 08:33

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“Does a $500 repair scare you?”

On the contrary. when I get a call from my inde mech and its under $1000. I’m like.

E90M3 > Tripper 06/11/2018 at 09:09

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Difference between an M car and a normal BMW. The M is at least a grand, the 3 is right around 500.

Vicente Esteve > for Michigan 06/11/2018 at 09:11

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Engines are solid, the water pump being the only major issue after 100k miles. Another thing to check are the oil leaks from gaskets, but that isn’t major really.

The car engine is wonderful and the package as a whole is excellent.

nerd_racing > for Michigan 06/11/2018 at 09:19

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I had a 2011 128i for a couple years. Had the 6MT. I really loved the way that car drove in all seasons. I purchased it with 67k miles on it and traded it in with over 112k miles. Over that time period I had to replace a few ignition coils, oil changes, one oil filter cap, and the battery. That was about it. When I traded it in the brakes were shot, and so were the suspension bushings, but that was normal for a 100k plus miles car. I had hoped to do a 1M/M3 suspension swap but I kind of lost my love for the car after the alternator started dying in it. If I had to do it over, I’d have kept it and fixed the things it needed instead of trading it in.

Tripper > E90M3 06/11/2018 at 09:22

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I’ve not owned any non-M’s but that makes sense. One of my forever saved car searches is for a 3 pedal 128. I have found that they don’t really exist. What’s your take? I see them at car gatherings all the time but never for sale.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > E90M3 06/11/2018 at 09:29

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Nope, before 2010 they are N51's...

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > for Michigan 06/11/2018 at 09:32

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Love mine. Make sure it has the sport package and is a 2010 up car.

E90M3 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 06/11/2018 at 10:18

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E90M3 > Tripper 06/11/2018 at 10:21

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They’re out there, but in minuscule numbers. I think people who really wanted a manual went for the 135 instead, since it wasn’t too much of a jump. My 328i stickered for 44k new. It was also hard to find a manual 328. I was looking for both when I got my 3 series.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > for Michigan 06/11/2018 at 10:30

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I had a 135, but I really like the package enough to recommend a 128 even not having driven one.

If you’re at all inclined to wrench on your own cars then get a set of torx adapters for your socket wrench and it’s a no brainer. Aside from asinine headlights, my 135 was one of the most pleasant vehicles I’ve worked on. Generally plenty of space, relatively logically laid out, and parts prices really aren’t bad.

Even if you’re not a wrencher, find a good indy BMW mechanic and you’ll be fine.

Problem areas I know of relevant to all 1s:

- Will eat tires like a motherfucker

- Coil packs, but they’re super easy to replace

- AGM batteries, so replacing the battery is a bajillion dollar spectacle

wafflesnfalafel > for Michigan 06/11/2018 at 10:37

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A guy I work with had an early 135 with an automatic that he got rid of after just a couple years because the transmission died a second time, but one of our neighbors likes the 128s so much he is on his second one - just picked up a nice black one a few months ago to replace his old red one.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > for Michigan 06/11/2018 at 10:42

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5 months and 7,000 miles into my 2011 328 and the only thing I wish is that it was smaller.

for Michigan > E90M3 06/11/2018 at 17:52

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$500 a year? Not at all.

$500 a month? Maybe a bit.

for Michigan > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 06/11/2018 at 17:56

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There’s a local indie shop that specializes in Euro stuff, so I definitely plan to look them up if I buy this thing.

This one’s an auto, which I think I’m stuck with. I’ve been daily-ing a 6-speed Miata for most of a year now and my left knee is not happy about it.

for Michigan > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 06/11/2018 at 17:59

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Sport package is basically bigger wheels and stiffer suspension, right? I understand the appeal, but for commuting in Ohio and the occasional trip to Detroit, I feel like softer suspension/more sidewall is probably a mark in the “Pros” column.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > for Michigan 06/11/2018 at 18:07

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Way better seats, full 135i suspension (lower, stiffer, larger front stab bar, plus a rear bar (non sport models don’t have one)) and 17" wheels which allow for the big brake kit if you want.

E90M3 > for Michigan 06/11/2018 at 18:20

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$500 every time something breaks.

for Michigan > E90M3 06/11/2018 at 18:25

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Yeah. If I have to drop $500 to fix something once or twice a year, I’m cool. If I’m going to be seeing that number on a monthly or even bi-monthly basis, maybe I’ll go buy a Corolla. (I won’t.)

E90M3 > for Michigan 06/11/2018 at 18:30

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This is what I’ve had to do to mine in the 15 months I’ve owned it.

for Michigan > E90M3 06/11/2018 at 18:57

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Thanks, that’s helpful!

$500 per coil pack is giving me a little sticker shock. Although it looks like Bosch coils are only about $128 for a 6-pack on Amazon, so maybe that’s a little more manageable.

Tires are about what I expect. I assume the 328i has bigger/costlier tires than the 128i’s 205/50/17 (I already have a brand new set of summers I bought for my Mazda3 that are the same size).

E90M3 > for Michigan 06/11/2018 at 19:04

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Yeah they’re not to bad to DIY, but they always broke the day before I went on a road trip so I had to get it fixed.

I’ve got the 18" rims on the 3, so it does require a larger tire, I’m also not ruining run flats, those are more expensive. My 1 has the style 370s and that was a staggered set, I believe the rears were 225/45/r17. Don’t know what the fronts were.