Friend has a 128i loaner...a few very brief impressions.

[overst33r]

Well, in all fairness, he drives a 2009 BMW 650i.

And I question the 5.8 second 0-60 time. My car makes 255hp (25hp more than the 128i) and weighs about the same or less and it takes about 6 seconds to sprint to 60 from a standstill and being wrong wheel drive it should suffer from less drivetrain loss.

I'd say it's the extra traction advantage that makes the difference.

From Edmunds IL:

During testing, the car took just 6.3 seconds to reach 60 mph and cleared the quarter-mile in 14.9 seconds at 95.6 mph.

http://www.insideline.com/nissan/maxima/2002/follow-up-test-2002-nissan-maxima-se.html

A 14.3-second quarter-mile performance at 96.5 mph puts the 128i in considerably quicker company than the Mini, which cranks through the quarter-mile in 15.2 seconds at 91.9 mph. Holeshot acceleration goes to the BMW as well. Its 5.9-second sprint to 60 mph is well ahead of the Mini's 7.2-second effort.

http://www.insideline.com/bmw/1-ser...8-bmw-128i-vs-2008-mini-cooper-s-clubman.html

 

[ShawnD1]

Then again, a lot of people truly don't care. They just want the (lexus/infiniti/bmw/etc) badge, and a comfy/cute/etc car that does what they want. Performance is not an issue with these types of people, and there's nothing wrong with that.

I guess that solves the mystery of the Toyota Prius.

It is 95% of the weight of a 3 series, 90% of the base cost, and only 70% of the usable interior space.

If people cave two shits about cargo space, every car on the road would be a hatchback.

 

[PricklyPete]

1 series is catering to low income badge shoppers. I could find exception for a 135i or M for enthusiasts who want a bare bones shell wrapped around all motor, but the 128i....? Bah.

I believe the 2012 135 starts at $40k...not exactly cheap to be a low income car.

I really don't have much hate for the 128i...I can understand the appeal of a base model BMW for people who want a fairly basic car that handles like a BMW. Sure, the majority of the owners are people chasing respect from a badge...but that doesn't take away from the car for me. I've come to realize that if I worry what others think of the car I drive...I'd never drive anything as almost every car is hated by some group of people in this world.

Jeep/SUV - some people will think you're a environmental WMD
Prius/hybrid - some people will think you're a smug ass
Camry/family sedan - some people think you're boring
Odyssey/minivan - some people think you've been castrated
Mustang/muscle car - some people think you're compensating for something
Focus/economy car - some people think you're poor
BMW/badged "luxury" vehicle - some people think you are just after the badge "prestige"

It's not worth worrying about and you might as well just buy what wets your whistle. If you like the way BMW's handle, but you want economy and an lower entry fee...by all means get a 1 series. There really aren't too many options out there for compact RWD cars.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Which is even uglier than the 1 series, oh the ironing.

No it isn't.

 

[PricklyPete]

No it isn't.

I'm with ayabe on this...the 1 series is definitely better looking than the bangled 6 series.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'm with ayabe on this...the 1 series is definitely better looking than the bangled 6 series.

I'm not crazy about the 6 series but there is no way I'd consider the 1 series better looking...of course, this is entirely subjective.

The new 6 series is pure sex though.

 

[PricklyPete]

I'm not crazy about the 6 series but there is no way I'd consider the 1 series better looking...of course, this is entirely subjective.

The new 6 series is pure sex though.

The new 6 series is way better looking than the old 6 Series...although now it does look old-man-GTish. The think looks like a land barge.

 

[JulesMaximus]

The new 6 series is way better looking than the old 6 Series...although now it does look old-man-GTish. The think looks like a land barge.

I've ridden in his 6 series. It is a sweet touring car, they take it to Palm Springs and Vegas, up the coast of California...and of course to and from work everyday. I'd much rather cruise in the 6 series than a 128i.

I wouldn't want to drop the $90k he spent on it though.

 

[alfa147x]

a bunch of hot girls I know drive them.

 

[PricklyPete]

I've ridden in his 6 series. It is a sweet touring car, they take it to Palm Springs and Vegas, up the coast of California...and of course to and from work everyday. I'd much rather cruise in the 6 series than a 128i.

I wouldn't want to drop the $90k he spent on it though.

Oh, I'm sure it is a fantastic car and very comfortable and capable...just the current one is not my cup of tea looks wise and the new one is just too big for my liking (with it being a 2 door GT).

 

[brblx]

'sup with the 'ugly' comments? looks better than any of BMW's other offerings to me.

i rather like it from the standpoint of 'it's what the bloated-ass 3 series would be.

...if only it weighed less.'

is that car made of depleted uranium?

edit: actually it's lighter than i thought. 3200? that's not bad. and the 328 coupe is 3400. i thought they were both 2-300 pounds heavier than that. only econocars are under 3k these days, it generally seems.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Oh, I'm sure it is a fantastic car and very comfortable and capable...just the current one is not my cup of tea looks wise and the new one is just too big for my liking (with it being a 2 door GT).

From the side and rear it looks fantastic but the front is kind of fugly.

This thing is just fugly everywhere...

 

[satyajitmenon]

a bunch of hot girls I know drive them.

You know the rule. Pics?

 

[RKS]

I hate the new Maxima. It is ugly as sin and I'd never consider buying one.

...

The G37 sedan is a contender for sure...might be my next car.

I like how the new Maxima looks. I would have considered it if they offered a manual so we ended up with a G37.

 

[Imp]

Of all the BMWs (roadsters and convertibles aside), I only like the 1-series aesthetically. Then again, I wouldn't burn $30+k on a car just because I think that people would think that I'm rich...

 

[PricklyPete]

From the side and rear it looks fantastic but the front is kind of fugly.

This thing is just fugly everywhere...

Don't get me wrong...the current 6 series has some good angles...but the front and that bangle butt just don't do it for me. I never like 1 series in pictures, but a 135 with decent wheels looks good to me in person.

 

[halik]

He sent me a picture of it via e-mail sitting in his driveway.

You know they make those in adult sizes too, right?

 

[Pneumothorax]

From the side and rear it looks fantastic but the front is kind of fugly.

This thing is just fugly everywhere...

Isn't that the 'old' 6? The new is much better looking IMHO

 

[ayabe]

No it isn't.

Bangled 6 series is the ugliest car BMW has ever made, my heart goes out to anyone driving in one....seriously, it's the Aztec of german cars, especially compared with it's MB competition which is pure sexxx....

But we're just tossing opinions and the new 6 looks a lot better.

 

[Arkaign]

Bangled 6 series is the ugliest car BMW has ever made, my heart goes out to anyone driving in one....seriously, it's the Aztec of german cars, especially compared with it's MB competition which is pure sexxx....

But we're just tossing opinions and the new 6 looks a lot better.

ahem What about the horrible BMW 'GT'?

I'm not in love with the 6-series, but in the M6 gear I think they look nice in person. Too $$$ for what you get imho though, but they're relative bargains after a few years for folks who are prepared in skill, time, and budget for ongoing maintenance.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Meh, I like my 1 series and it handles VERY well.

 

[Koing]

1 series is catering to low income badge shoppers. I could find exception for a 135i or M for enthusiasts who want a bare bones shell wrapped around all motor, but the 128i....? Bah.

My mate has the 135i. I'm not a fan of the looks myself...

I wouldn't buy a non M 3 or 5 series...but not everyone wants all speed and power. Some want something a bit faster then the 120 but not as pricey as the 135 so the 128 is a middle ground for them.

Koing

 

[KDKPSJ]

Guess I am the only one this forum who thinks older 6 is better looking than new 6, lol.

Anyway, set the design aside.. Since when BMW's character was about gut-ness and 0-60? I thought it was about handling and silky smooth torque.

 

[Apex]

Bangled 6 series is the ugliest car BMW has ever made, my heart goes out to anyone driving in one....seriously, it's the Aztec of german cars, especially compared with it's MB competition which is pure sexxx....

But we're just tossing opinions and the new 6 looks a lot better.

 

[exar333]

Guess I am the only one this forum who thinks older 6 is better looking than new 6, lol.

Anyway, set the design aside.. Since when BMW's character was about gut-ness and 0-60? I thought it was about handling and silky smooth torque.

Neither looks good IMHO. They may be good drivers, but there are cars that look MUCH better are around the same performance-level that I would choose before this.