Any one going to buy the 125i instead of the 135i?

spdrcr · 03-21-2008, 04:02 PM

I used to have a track weapon s14a 200sx when I was 20 and the insurance was nearly $3k!

After that I got smarter and have been on fleet policies ever since (the last 8 years or so). My 135i will be going on the same fleet policy the Z4 was on - only $795 base premium!

Have you investigated salary packaging the vehicle? We have fleet policy that is a fixed price for any car up to $100k.

Kizzt · 03-22-2008, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAY

Yeah they are the same engine apparently. Just detuned I suspect. In the old days, the 323i had 125kw, then when they released the 325i, it had 145kw. They were the same engine.

What kind of detuning would you suggest? i'm hoping its just been done in the computer and it can be easily fixed with a new chip or code overright.

I mean, obviously i'd like it tweaked up to its absolute max, but again you suffer insurance issues.

It shouldn't be a problem, my father is in the insurance industry, but he feels it makes a bad example if i get insurance as a favour when nobody else in my position can. I also think he doesn't want me in a really hot car anyways!

WAY · 03-22-2008, 07:31 PM

Tell your dad life is hard enough as it is, so where he can help you, he should! :P

I would imagine that the detuning is just a ECU one. Having said that, I have not looked into the spec of this engine. Maybe it doesn't have some of the goodies built into the more powerful one. No idea.

Kizzt · 03-23-2008, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAY

Tell your dad life is hard enough as it is, so where he can help you, he should! :P

I would imagine that the detuning is just a ECU one. Having said that, I have not looked into the spec of this engine. Maybe it doesn't have some of the goodies built into the more powerful one. No idea.

Haha, i keep telling him that, but helping with the upgrade from my mazda seems to be help enough!

I wouldn't want to appear to be spoilt, would I? (its alright to be spoilt as long as nobody knows, right?)

Yeah, i'm hoping its an ECU deal which should be easily rectified (well, more easily than say exhaust or something). I've emailed a couple of tuning houses in the US and overseas to enquire whether they'll have a chip/tuning kit in development for the 125i/128i rather than just the 135. I'd love to have a non-turbo dragster just for a quick start at the lights; i'm sure you can appreciate what porsche does with a non-turbo flat-six, i don't see why a BMW can't at least approach that...

WAY · 03-23-2008, 07:20 PM

I am pretty condifent you will find a tuner who will be doing something to that engine. Like the 135i, the 125i is quite a bargain in Australia.

Kizzt · 03-24-2008, 07:32 AM

Mmm, i agree about the bargain suggestion, this car is all over the competition price wise -
I test drove an Audi TT (2 litre)
And was contemplating a Lexus IS250, Cooper S, Alfa Romeo Brera, Nissan 350Z and Mazda RX8.

I was totally underwhelmed by the TT, the gears shifted jerkily, lacked acceleration, and felt like driving a go-kart.
I just couldn't justify the money on the Alfa due to poor performance (incredibly heavy and weak engine), Rx8 due to looks (and turbo/rotary issues), Nissan due to brand (shallow i know, but its also twin turbo, same problem).

Lexus was brilliant as a luxury car, had all the bells and whistles, but the dealer basically tried to sell it to my mother because it was 'safe'. Incredibly heavy and very low power to weight ratio. I was incredibly impressed by the Mini, but again i felt performance was lacking - and it really /is/ mini!

Can't wait to see what can be done to make the 125 an absolute firecracker!

WAY · 03-24-2008, 07:39 AM

Btw, I understand that the US 128i has 230hp as oppose to 213hp of our 125i. They are identical engines. So that already shows that the engine is artificially detuned.

Kizzt · 03-24-2008, 09:12 AM

excellent, thats for that heads up!
That's already some kind gain if i can get it back to that!
cheers!

dodgey · 03-24-2008, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAY

Btw, I understand that the US 128i has 230hp as oppose to 213hp of our 125i. They are identical engines. So that already shows that the engine is artificially detuned.

Must be because we are considered a hot country and they have to detune it, just like the S3

WAY · 03-24-2008, 11:30 AM

In this case clearly not. My X3 has 200kw and I believe it is the same engine. Ok maybe the X3 has more free flowing exhaust, so call it 190kw. Plenty of scope...actually hang on, 1 series already use that engine in the 130i producing 195kw!

dodgey · 03-24-2008, 11:35 AM

Hmm, a typo on the 125 then? Or a convoluted exhaust system robbing the power? Or does BMW just not wanting to show up the 135? :iono:

WAY · 03-24-2008, 05:39 PM

Not wanting to show up the 130i you mean...it's cheaper to share an engine than to have two different one in the range.

Kizzt · 03-26-2008, 09:10 AM

I got the official word today - the 125 won't be chip tuneable to 128 or 130 standards - it's not a simple chip swap, but actually a completely different manifold/exhaust system. I'm pretty bummed. I don't know why we are being screwed on power in favour of the americans with the 128, or even why the 130 would have a superior exhaust system. Not happy.

WAY · 03-26-2008, 12:57 PM

That is complete BS. An exhaust system cannot make a 35kw difference. Unless they tell you that the internals of the engines are different, don't believe a word they (whoever they are) say.

Zuzu · 03-28-2008, 07:28 AM

I Just placed my order in Sydney for 135i Convertible,6 speed man,Saphire black,Coral leather,M pack,Sat Nav,Comfort access...Total $93K drive away....May Delivery

d3syd · 03-28-2008, 07:44 AM

Congrats zuzu, welcome to 1addicts.

dale_bel · 12-21-2009, 01:06 AM

My chocie is AW 125i M Sport with coral red interior

tom34 · 12-21-2009, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zuzu

I Just placed my order in Sydney for 135i Convertible,6 speed man,Saphire black,Coral leather,M pack,Sat Nav,Comfort access...Total $93K drive away....May Delivery

Congrats on the purchase dude however just wondering what the M pack is? I thought the 135i comes with all the M stuff

alik01 · 12-21-2009, 07:49 AM

You might want to double check the list price. As the manufacturer list price usually includes LCT, it's one of the most common things they do to increase their gross. Just ask to see the price list they use for the calculations and read the fine print.

Jeef Beef · 12-21-2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom34

Congrats on the purchase dude however just wondering what the M pack is? I thought the 135i comes with all the M stuff

Check the date of his post: 29 March 2008. I was wondering why all the vets of this forum were buying cars all over again

The 135i 'vert only comes with the aerodynamic package, which I believe comes with the 18' rims and that's about it. The M sport option is still there to give it the same looks as the coupe.

takahashi · 12-21-2009, 05:42 PM

WAY still had his Aston back then... seems so long ago! Even I have a Beemer now.

Zuzu · 12-21-2009, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom34

Congrats on the purchase dude however just wondering what the M pack is? I thought the 135i comes with all the M stuff

Man this is an old thread.. I think that it might have been my first post back in March 2008.

M sports pack is an option on the 135i vert, where standard on the 135i coupe.. Back in '08 offhand, I think it was a $1100 option.. could be wrong..

03-21-2008, 04:02 PM	#23
spdrcr First Lieutenant 13 Rep 356 Posts Drives: Lotus Elise Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	I used to have a track weapon s14a 200sx when I was 20 and the insurance was nearly $3k! After that I got smarter and have been on fleet policies ever since (the last 8 years or so). My 135i will be going on the same fleet policy the Z4 was on - only $795 base premium! Have you investigated salary packaging the vehicle? We have fleet policy that is a fixed price for any car up to $100k.
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03-22-2008, 07:31 PM	#25
WAY Brigadier General 458 Rep 4,822 Posts Drives: Fast ones Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	Tell your dad life is hard enough as it is, so where he can help you, he should! :P I would imagine that the detuning is just a ECU one. Having said that, I have not looked into the spec of this engine. Maybe it doesn't have some of the goodies built into the more powerful one. No idea.
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03-23-2008, 07:20 PM	#27
WAY Brigadier General 458 Rep 4,822 Posts Drives: Fast ones Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	I am pretty condifent you will find a tuner who will be doing something to that engine. Like the 135i, the 125i is quite a bargain in Australia.
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03-24-2008, 07:32 AM	#28
Kizzt New Member 0 Rep 28 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	Mmm, i agree about the bargain suggestion, this car is all over the competition price wise - I test drove an Audi TT (2 litre) And was contemplating a Lexus IS250, Cooper S, Alfa Romeo Brera, Nissan 350Z and Mazda RX8. I was totally underwhelmed by the TT, the gears shifted jerkily, lacked acceleration, and felt like driving a go-kart. I just couldn't justify the money on the Alfa due to poor performance (incredibly heavy and weak engine), Rx8 due to looks (and turbo/rotary issues), Nissan due to brand (shallow i know, but its also twin turbo, same problem). Lexus was brilliant as a luxury car, had all the bells and whistles, but the dealer basically tried to sell it to my mother because it was 'safe'. Incredibly heavy and very low power to weight ratio. I was incredibly impressed by the Mini, but again i felt performance was lacking - and it really /is/ mini! Can't wait to see what can be done to make the 125 an absolute firecracker!
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03-24-2008, 07:39 AM	#29
WAY Brigadier General 458 Rep 4,822 Posts Drives: Fast ones Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	Btw, I understand that the US 128i has 230hp as oppose to 213hp of our 125i. They are identical engines. So that already shows that the engine is artificially detuned.
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03-24-2008, 09:12 AM	#30
Kizzt New Member 0 Rep 28 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	excellent, thats for that heads up! That's already some kind gain if i can get it back to that! cheers!
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03-24-2008, 11:30 AM	#32
WAY Brigadier General 458 Rep 4,822 Posts Drives: Fast ones Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	In this case clearly not. My X3 has 200kw and I believe it is the same engine. Ok maybe the X3 has more free flowing exhaust, so call it 190kw. Plenty of scope...actually hang on, 1 series already use that engine in the 130i producing 195kw!
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03-24-2008, 11:35 AM	#33
dodgey Second Lieutenant 2 Rep 237 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	Hmm, a typo on the 125 then? Or a convoluted exhaust system robbing the power? Or does BMW just not wanting to show up the 135? :iono:
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03-24-2008, 05:39 PM	#34
WAY Brigadier General 458 Rep 4,822 Posts Drives: Fast ones Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	Not wanting to show up the 130i you mean...it's cheaper to share an engine than to have two different one in the range.
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03-26-2008, 09:10 AM	#35
Kizzt New Member 0 Rep 28 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	I got the official word today - the 125 won't be chip tuneable to 128 or 130 standards - it's not a simple chip swap, but actually a completely different manifold/exhaust system. I'm pretty bummed. I don't know why we are being screwed on power in favour of the americans with the 128, or even why the 130 would have a superior exhaust system. Not happy.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-26-2008, 12:57 PM	#36
WAY Brigadier General 458 Rep 4,822 Posts Drives: Fast ones Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	That is complete BS. An exhaust system cannot make a 35kw difference. Unless they tell you that the internals of the engines are different, don't believe a word they (whoever they are) say.
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03-28-2008, 07:28 AM	#37
Zuzu Major General 2816 Rep 7,637 Posts Drives: M2C HS 6MT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sydney Australia iTrader: (0)	I Just placed my order in Sydney for 135i Convertible,6 speed man,Saphire black,Coral leather,M pack,Sat Nav,Comfort access...Total $93K drive away....May Delivery
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03-28-2008, 07:44 AM	#38
d3syd Major 50 Rep 1,474 Posts Drives: 135i MT, LMB, ProNav Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Scamander, Tasmania iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i Coupe [0.00]	Congrats zuzu, welcome to 1addicts. __________________ Fun Car: 135i Manual LeMans Blue / Beige Leather / Grey Poplar / pro nav / euro plates. Delivered 24 June 08 Family Car: Land Rover Discovery 4 SDV6 Spare Car: Volvo V70 Sydney Car: MB 420SEL
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12-21-2009, 01:06 AM	#39
dale_bel New Member 2 Rep 13 Posts Drives: AW 125i M Sport Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	My chocie is AW 125i M Sport with coral red interior __________________ Love my car 125i
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12-21-2009, 07:49 AM	#41
alik01 Lieutenant Colonel 51 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: Slowly & Responsibly Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Darwin, Australia iTrader: (0)	You might want to double check the list price. As the manufacturer list price usually includes LCT, it's one of the most common things they do to increase their gross. Just ask to see the price list they use for the calculations and read the fine print.
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12-21-2009, 05:42 PM	#43
takahashi Retired trackie 36 Rep 1,527 Posts Drives: 1///M Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	WAY still had his Aston back then... seems so long ago! Even I have a Beemer now. __________________ TAKA 一仔BLOGブログ: BMW 1 series M 2011! Delivered 18/11/11.
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