vs. 128i

[\o/]

Two small-ish, 2 door, RWD, "rear seats", NA cars.
The 128i is heavier, but still sporty.
A used one would be close in price to a new 86.

[BioRage]

BMW vs Subaru & Toyota.

128i
- Expensive Parts
- Expensive Everything
- EURO Car? Expensive everything!
- BMW Status
- 230 HP.
- More Luxuries.

FR-S/BRZ
- 200 HP
- JDM? Cheaper parts!
- Lighter
- Toyota / Subaru

That aside; I would rather see myself in a BRZ/FR-S, they look more sporty, and it just appeals to me more than a 128i (plus the satisfaction of a brand new car); if I go into the 1-series area I wouldn't be satisfied;

135i
1M

[random]

In the terms of the two biggest factors that will cause people to cross shop these two cars (price and performance), this is a pretty pointless comparison because the price and performance of the two cars are vastly different.

[JDLM]

The markets for the cars are way different as well

[MRZ415]

yeah, if I were to cross shop the FR-S today it'll be against the Hyundai Gen Coupe..
The BMW 128i is more often cross shopped with an Audi TT.

and Yes German parts are expensive .. thats why I want to trade in my ride before 30K

[\o/]

Originally Posted by MRZ415

yeah, if I were to cross shop the FR-S today it'll be against the Hyundai Gen Coupe..
The BMW 128i is more often cross shopped with an Audi TT.

and Yes German parts are expensive .. thats why I want to trade in my ride before 30K

Well, sure, part prices are...relevant? idk. But, an Audi TT isn't even close to the same caliber of car. The 128i and 86 are both RWD and fun to drive. The TT will drive around the course for you. I don't really have a point, I just know that my short list includes 128i, 86, Z3 coupe and...? The genesis does not interest me at all. The Mustang, although the best of all domestic (US) muscle cars does not interest me at all. I just want something that is as small as possible yet can haul around myself, a friend, my dog and my bike / other stuff. And that I can take to the track and have fun with.

[NikostC]

I can see why you are cross shoping these two. but the 128i will have much better low end torque with peak torque at 3500RPM, while the FRS will have torque up high at 6600rpm. Different feeling and quicker than the FRS. the FRS hopefully will be very responsive and climb RPM quickly to make up for it tho.
Just test drive both and let us know what you think.

[cassidy0998]

will the 128i really be in the low-mid $20k range? I figured it would be closer to $30k.


The 1 series looks absolutely ridiculous to me. Am I the only one that feels that way? It screams girl car to me (no offense to the girls). It just really looks like something rich college girls would drive.

I'd buy a 10 year old 3 series before I bought a 1 series.

[NikostC]

Originally Posted by cassidy0998

I'd buy a 10 year old 3 series before I bought a 1 series.

Agreed, im partial to the 330ci myself, but they have the same engine in them which is pretty dam good for what it is.

[3scapist]

If you had a choice between the FR-S and a 1 series why the hell would you choose the 1 series unless all you care about is the badge and picking up dumb women who see the BMW badge and automatically drop their pa...oh I see

[\o/]

Originally Posted by cassidy0998

will the 128i really be in the low-mid $20k range? I figured it would be closer to $30k.


The 1 series looks absolutely ridiculous to me. Am I the only one that feels that way? It screams girl car to me (no offense to the girls). It just really looks like something rich college girls would drive.

I'd buy a 10 year old 3 series before I bought a 1 series.

Lots of people think the 1 series looks ridiculous and I'm not going to even try to defend it's looks. I'm more of a "what the car can do" person than a "what the car looks like" person.

[\o/]

Originally Posted by 3scapist

If you had a choice between the FR-S and a 1 series why the hell would you choose the 1 series unless all you care about is the badge and picking up dumb women who see the BMW badge and automatically drop their pa...oh I see

Haha, you made my wife an I lol. Her pa... dropped like nobodies business...when I mentioned I might be getting her a CX-7...

But seriously, the FR-S is still the front runner, I just like playing out the other possibilities. Panty dropping abilities do not matter to me in the slightest. I use my amazing charisma to accomplish that :P

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by random

In the terms of the two biggest factors that will cause people to cross shop these two cars (price and performance), this is a pretty pointless comparison because the price and performance of the two cars are vastly different.

Vastly? Price yea sure, performance not really. Just for comparison, 3200lb/230ps is 13.9lb/ps, 2700/200 is 13.5lb/ps.

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

Vastly? Price yea sure, performance not really. Just for comparison, 3200lb/230ps is 13.9lb/ps, 2700/200 is 13.5lb/ps.

BMW underrated the 128i engine. It's not 230 hp, it's actually 255-260hp.

[UFfitz56]

No LSD...no thank you

[random]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

Vastly? Price yea sure, performance not really. Just for comparison, 3200lb/230ps is 13.9lb/ps, 2700/200 is 13.5lb/ps.

Pounds per horsepower is largely a meaningless number when comparing the performance of cars. Performance is typically measured with acceleration, top speed, track times, lateral grip, etc. Since most people who buy cars will be driving them on the street, things like top speed, track times, lateral grip, et al are just as meaningless as pounds per horsepower. All that's really left for street performance is (straight-line) acceleration, which is still likely going to be vastly different between the FR-S and the 128i.

[SUB-FT86]

The 128i has the same acceleration of a Camry V6. The FR-S will only be .5 seconds slower. I would rather be .5 seconds slower than a 128i and 600 lbs lighter since it's one of the ugliest cars ever made IMHO. FR-S>>>>128i

[Levi]

Toyota GT86
200 PS
0-100 km/h: ~6,5 sec
V-max: ~230 km/h
~27.000 €

BMW 125i (E82)
218 PS
0-100 km/h: 6,4 sec
V-max: 245 km/h
35.500 €

The 1 Series is still heavy compared to the Toyota and also more expensive. You could make it a better car, 130i rebuild (265 PS), Drexler LSD, M3 suspenssion, KW CS coilovers, Supersrint headers, catless pipes, straight pipes, muffler, CF air intake, short shifter, weight reduction,....but it will cost to much, you could already get a Cayman or rebuild the GT86.

[random]

Originally Posted by Levi

Toyota GT86
200 PS
0-100 km/h: ~6,5 sec
V-max: ~230 km/h
~27.000 €

BMW 125i (E82)
218 PS
0-100 km/h: 6,4 sec
V-max: 245 km/h
35.500 €

Ignoring the part about top speed and pounds per horsepower (see my previous post)...

I don't know where you got your numbers, but estimates about acceleration for the FR-86 is about 7 seconds 0-60, maybe high 6s. The 128i is in the low 6s (6.1 according to BMW's web site: http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...fications.aspx).

Of course YMMV depending on various factors I've mentioned in my previous post. My point here is that (street) performance is vastly different between the two such that this is meaningless to compare based on the factor. Same goes with price.

Other factors are of course valid. Some people don't like the look of the 1-series. Fine. Some people don't want all the luxury gizmos in the 1-series. Fine too. But price and performance are two factors that are vastly different, and for most people, those are the two primary factors for cross shopping cars.

[ZDan]

Power to weight is the most reliable performance-predicting metric available.

Similar power/weight => similar 0-60 and 1/4-mile time/speed. This car should be close to 6 seconds to 60, low 14s at ~96mph in the 1/4.

[Navi]

The 128i BMW is MUCH more expensive, it's a totally different league then the GT86

[RYU]

What's this crazy talk about power-to-weight not being important? Blasphemy..

Anyhow, My younger brother has a 128 and I drive it often. It would be great if the FR-S/BRZ had the same driving dynamics but that's about as far a stretch as a comparison can be made. The interior alone is night and day.