Onehots2k

"We've taken the most powerful, most expensive Golf, the V-6-powered R32, and put it up against the least expensive and least powerful BMW, the new 128i coupe, to see which offers the best of German motoring for just around $30,000."

The first 128i comparo I've seen. Personally, I have no interest in it. The subtle styling differences between it and the 135i go distances for me. Lets not forget the N54.

http://www.motivemag.com/pub/feature/versu...wagen_R32.shtml

dombey

yeah I'm with you... no interest in a 128 at all whatsoever. I don't "get it".

Onehots2k

All indication says it drives like a BMW. I will give them credit for not having it be like a 318ti. What a horrible car. A girl I dated years ago had one. The interior must've come from a spare parts bin. I'm guessing those shopping for Fully Loaded Accords and the like might give it a stab. The car is due for a redesign in 2011 so I'm guessing they're testing the waters.

Saki GT

I think I'd cross shop a 1 with an A3 before a Golf. Odd choice...

dombey

yeah, driving like a bmw is one thing. Being fast like a BMW, looking like a BMW, and not being the "weenie" model are others.

I guess the price gap between the 128 and the 135 is too insignificant in that general price range to make the 128 interesting. Come to think of it, I have no interest in the base cayman or the base boxster, either. Nor the non-S 911. Nor the non-s Audis...lol. Maybe it is just me, but you don't buy a BMW or a Porsche (doesn't apply to Audi) unless you really value all aspects of performance. By getting the way less sporty and only slightly less expensive model, you're essentially admitting that you reached for the badge or just liked the way it looked. To me, it's a big waste of money - I'm not saying people won't buy it or that BMW won't make money on it - it's probably a necessary model - but it is a perfect example of a car I would never even consider.

Onehots2k

Well the price difference is $6,000. To some thats enough.

I guess dombey is an ''elitist.'' Haha..I'm just playing. I'm the same way. Just wait and see what my next car purchase is.

Johnny Sack

HMMM. the VR6+Haldex AWD 250hp OR the 135jr with the 230hp.

this would be a toughy. i have always like the .:R32's and the 1 is so, "unique" appearnce wise.....im split 50/50. today id take the .:R, tomorrow id probably pick the 128.

slimjim8201

I love how people put off the "lesser" BMWs and Audis and Porsches in the U.S. It just goes to show how much they value the status of the higher model. I see 1 series BMW's all day everyday and none of them are the 135 or the 128. I wonder if the same people that wouldn't consider a 128 when the only two options are 135 and 128 would be drooling all over a 128 if the only options were 118, 120, 125, and 128.

slimjim8201

I see it the exact opposite. Look at a modern base 997 911. Compare it with a non-base 993 911. What makes it not worthy of being a Porsche? The fact that there is a higher performance model in the line up doesn't change the fact that it still performs like a Porsche should. The previous generation 330 is a fantastic car. The current 128 will provide similar performance.

Tell me it's a big waste of money to buy a base 911 when you can afford to buy a base 911. I see your posts as admitting that you see the higher model as a status symbol, and that you value status symbols. I get the feeling that you just don't want to be seen around town in a "base" model.

saluki9

I disagree.

After driving the 328 and 335 I bought the 328 and here is why. They are both similar cars other than the engines. The 328 isn't a slouch by any means and is lighter. The N54 has proven itself already to be highly unreliable. It is also evident that BMW never considered the longevity of the engine based on the oil temps people have been seeing in their cars. I bought the car to keep it, and there is no way I would own a car with the N54 out of warranty.

Finally, as I'm sure will be the case with the 128, the dealers were very flexible with prices on the 328 as opposed to the 335.