Why you should buy a 128i

[@mateuszokon1308]

My 128i msport 6speed slick top lemans blue pushing 195k its quick gets up to 157mph with no issues an intake makes the engine sound great

[@found-outgarage5366]

It’s mental that this is base model to me being from the uk. My first bmw had a 1.6 petrol and a 6 cyl bmw was like a pinnacle car for me. Now owning a 125i, that didn’t change for me, just the fact everyone else got these as base models blows my mind!

[@jeremywatson9129]

I have a 08 128i 6mt has 177k miles on it and I'm going to keep it going as long as financially possible. I love that car.

[@KrebsbachRacing]

130k on mine!

[@rockyhernandez5978]

The 128i is a great car. Your car looks great! I also agree the 128i is great for a daily/weekend track car. Some other cars someone might consider IMO would be the E90 325i/328i $2500-$6000. Also a Boxster/Cayman can also be found for about 10k.

[@KrebsbachRacing]

I agree. 328i is even more practical with 4 doors.

[@Soeks77]

What do u thibk abt the e46, 323ci? I found a really clean one from 1999, 8500 bucks and spotless absolutly beautiful w no problems, and manual. Would u recomend?

[@VictorPitstop]

Everyone seemed to have found out about the 128i the past year. Therefore the price went up with rarity. I’d rather go Miata since I can fit 😂

[@KrebsbachRacing]

I don't. Haha

[@sander16v11]

Miata’s are cool but just too slow

[@VictorPitstop]

@@sander16v11 I’d say a 128i isn’t much better. Lol

[@sander16v11]

@@VictorPitstop Miata’s drive great don’t get me wrong. It’s great to be able to go through the gears without going over the speed limit. But it’s nice to have some grunt too.

[@VictorPitstop]

@@sander16v11 true, low end torque helps get around a little less sweaty in a straight six. However, I’ve driven a 300+ rear wheel horsepower NC Miata and was blown away. It was faster than my M2 Competition at the time by a healthy amount!

[@jtaylor2563]

Love my 2009 E82 BMW 128I

[@xshadowspy]

I've had my 128i for 8 years best car I've had I've added a single turbo 335i to my garage it's fast in a straight line but man the 1er in the back roads outshines the 335i still never getting rid of mine 🔥

[@chrismoulstone3968]

I got the best of both worlds with my fbo 135i, 342 to the wheels and 417 ft/lbs. It can be a little too much power for the twistys but it's so good to drive

[@sander16v11]

@@chrismoulstone3968 do you have n54 or 55

[@chrismoulstone3968]

@@sander16v11 n55 stock turbo

[@sander16v11]

@@chrismoulstone3968 if It wasn’t my daily when I bought it, I would have gone n55 just for the “reliability” over the n54

[@connorcarroll8581]

Hey man I recently have acquired a 135i stick and was wondering about shifting I see him shift at the redline but while learning to drive it my mom tought me to shift it around 2000rpms any suggestions or explanations?

[@ArticulateArena]

I bought one of these with suspension, rims, tires, intake, tint and some blackout trim work... but i didn't know it was an n51... its got punch and sounds good.. idk what else they've done to it but I'm guessing 10k wasn't bad for it with all that work and only 80k miles.. people act like I'm driving a 600 hp m car with all the complements i get. I wish I knew what else was done and knew how to do more

[@redline48151623]

Awesome video man, thanks for all the info! Looking at your whiteboard, I felt that I could've drawn exactly the same options :D I drive a BRZ, and am looking to switch it to an 125i/128i for the exact same reasons. Problem is, N52 E82s' prices have exploded in Europe, they are rather in the $15.000-$20.000 segment :/ Anyway, sick shifting!

[@mattres9173]

Those shifts were crisp!

[@AB-jk7tw]

In my view it is the best choice for fun, spirited, reliable fun, especially when you get the convertible.

[@connorcarroll8581]

Hey man I recently have acquired a 135i stick and was wondering about shifting I see him shift at the redline but while learning to drive it my mom tought me to shift it around 2000rpms any suggestions or explanations?

[@jfox24]

​@@connorcarroll8581 I don't have a manual but can paddle shift in my BMW 228i. So basically, when you're driving normally you want to keep rpms low for fuel economy. Shifting around 2-3k rpm is good for efficiency and less rpm means less wear on the engine. If you have a turbocharged car, driving it under the boost threshold (the minimum engine speed needed to spool the turbo, mine is 2500 rpm) is best for fuel efficiency because you need to use more fuel to take advantage of the extra air from the turbo. If you're going for power instead of efficiency, then you want to shift closer to the redline so you can maximize your acceleration throughout the gears. Again, I don't have a manual but this is what I've observed while playing around with drive modes. In Eco Pro mode, the car tries to keep the rpms under the boost threshold of 2500 for efficiency. In normal Comfort mode, the transmission tries to keep rpms low, but will rev higher to accelerate before immediately dropping for efficiency. If I put my gear stick into S mode then it will hold gears longer before upshifting for better acceleration. If I put it in Sport drive mode, it will keep revs above 3k rpms and rev higher for acceleration, especially if the gear shift is set to S. I can manually shift my gears, but my car will automatically shift at redline unless I'm in Sport + and then I can hit the rev limiter.

[@jfox24]

​@@connorcarroll8581sorry I didn't realize how long my comment had gotten. Basically, shift at low rpms for efficiency, shift at high rpms for speed.

[@myflourishingfam]

Great numbers!

[@ashleymerritt9461]

I miss my e90 330i, also had the N52 engine and can confirm.. so, so goooood

[@JupiterLXIX]

I had a 330xi manual when lived in Colorado. Funnest car I’ve ever owned. It would outrun cops on the mountains more often than I’m proud to admit.

[@Tracker5111]

So what happened to it? Bored of it? Or did it break in a very expensive way?

[@Mattgillot]

Thanks for all the great info! Awesome work

[@KrebsbachRacing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@16vPete]

Excellent stuff, absolutely love mine. Especially post-diff and three-stage intake manifold with tune

[@KrebsbachRacing]

What diff did you go with?

[@leoteruel2756]

You need to add m3 control arms

[@sander16v11]

Love my 6 speed 128i

[@shreddymercury6262]

nice video man. Ill be following suite on my 128i manual in alpine white!

[@mediocreman2]

6:19 The 128i was not available with a 5 speed manual transmission. Only a 6 speed manual and of course the auto. Unless you downgraded to a swapped 5 speed for some reason.

[@KrebsbachRacing]

It's a 6sp. Just a mistake.

[@dabzik6521]

i wonder how much i can get out from n51 engine, i have got afe magnum cold air intake with its box, magnaflow cat-back exhaust system, full cat delete, doing catless headers in early march and tune afterall, im with 328i e92. Great video

[@KrebsbachRacing]

Get the 3 stage manifold and you should be around 230whp

[@dabzik6521]

@@KrebsbachRacing N51s come with stage 3 manifold i just didnt write it for

[@Euphorica]

Basically a modern day e36m3 ...power and size wise

[@bruce_son]

you got a unicorn spec, n52, manual, and coupe is the dream spec I've been looking for years. The n51 is less desirable as it has 25 less hp, lower CR, and has extra emissions equipment

[@KrebsbachRacing]

I got lucky. Right time and right place.

[@connorcarroll8581]

Hey man I recently have acquired a 135i stick and was wondering about shifting I see him shift at the redline but while learning to drive it my mom tought me to shift it around 2000rpms any suggestions or explanations?

[@1ne8th84]

Shifting at 2k is for economical driving…shift at redline to pick up speed

[@AnthonyStromDesign]

I picked up a 2009 128i msport with a manual. I did a lot of suspension upgrade. It is a thrill to drive. And the n52 engine is easy to work on. Can you do a video on the 2 stage intake? And did you have to flash the computer? I would like to do that on mine, and also a limited slip diff. Great material on the 128i. These cars are getting more rare.

[@NonStopGaming15]

You mean 3 stage right?

[@Threethurty5is]

Does the tune code out the CEL? Or did you add 02 sensor spacers. I want go catless headers but I don’t want the CEL lol. Super dope build

[@KrebsbachRacing]

I believe 22rpd codes out the 02 light. I didn't use an 02 spacer.

[@Threethurty5is]

@@KrebsbachRacing okay perfect thank you. I have a 328 coupe. Same color spec as yours. Alpine white with coral red. I’ve had many 335’s and a 335is but I love the naturally aspirated straight six. I just did a ton of maintenance, and am going to start modifications soon. What is your exhaust setup, I really like it. Any drone?

[@michaelpopp6340]

Thanks for the video. With all the time and money you put into the 128 makes me wonder why you didnt start with a 135 or 335.

[@KrebsbachRacing]

Double the price, and I wanted NA reliability.

[@guerian84]

So wow like I always one of these I found a auto one with exhaust lowered and I was goin to sell it I think I should keep it should I build it powerful auto it’s six speed with paddles hangs on to revs or should I manual swap it

[@jjturner7463]

I got 2011 128i w 47k miles for 16k, lil high but for the lower miles and it being my car of choice, I’d do it again if I had to!

[@KrebsbachRacing]

Nice! M sport?! Those will be a pretty penny soon.

[@ericgordon4746]

Thank you for the gearbox recommendation. 16:1 is a lot for such a small footprint of the 128i. Which M3 did you borrow from?

[@vaughnhunt9480]

Do you have a part number or link to the coil overs you used for your suspension?

[@KrebsbachRacing]

@@vaughnhunt9480 www.maperformance.com/products/fortune-auto-510-series-2007-2013-bmw-1-series-fa510cfd-e87

[@KrebsbachRacing]

Either that or you can contact sales at fortune auto and they will help you pick out the right suspension.

[@Soeks77]

How’s the reliability? And how many miles is too much on one

[@KrebsbachRacing]

I have 130,000 miles on this car. No engine issues so far.

[@Soeks77]

@@KrebsbachRacing alr bets, how about looking at an e92-93 bmw 328i? I found one with 125k miles, and super clean too, plus manual! Would u recommend that car as a first car?

[@user-vj6bx3ks7s]

@@Soeks77not a first car cuz maintence is expensive but if u have parents that can help u out w maintence or u have the money then go for it

[@Soeks77]

@@user-vj6bx3ks7s I got a manual 2014 scion tc anniversary edition instwad, and I’m glad I did lmao. Bought it at 115, brought it up to 117, and it runs perfect, and shifts smooth. 30mpg city wasily too, if I wanna burn fuel and have fun I just ride the x pro x6 pit bike around town. Maybe in the future I’ll get a one series, but looking back at this car w the valvetronic cam and throttle system, im glad I didn’t get it as a first car lmao.

[@tobiaschen9619]

I am debating between an before 2001 Z3 M roadster and a 128i. Pretty much the same horsepower, roaster is lighter, but the 128i is way more usable. What would you guys recommend?

[@ao8319]

Are the bumper conversions plug and play or are other parts and drilling necessary?

[@KrebsbachRacing]

Should all be plug and play. Fog lights would be the only question.

[@Elbaby-zn6xl]

I have a 128 i since 2019 and it has been great never get bored of it evrey time i walk to the car i get the same exitment 💪🏽 and it has a lot of miles 😂

[@Elbaby-zn6xl]

And i did some mods to it it is crazy

[@EVERARDOTHEYOUNGBULL]

What kinds of mods bro?🔥🔥😁 and glad to hear

[@mizinoinovermyhead.7523]

Ok I think you are a little off on some of your points. 2012 mustang gt is 3400-3600 pounds depending on equipment, for the same period the Camaro ss is 3700-4300 pounds, and a 350z is 3350 ish depending on equipment. If you step forward a few years in Camaro the current Camaro is 3339- 3950. They aren’t much if any heavier than the bloated Z. Your 128i is in the 3200-3400 pound range, and the heavy ones with the roof are 3700 or so. The rx8, brz/frs, and s2000 are in an entirely different weight class to the 128i, 350z, Camaro, and mustang. Dismissing the mustang and Camaro cause you’ve always found them heavy is a harsh mis-explanation. Also considering a stock mustang gt in 2009 was getting cross comparisons with the m3 of that year on track and putting down similar times, well with the right tuning you could very easily for less money (an 09 gt can be had for a song) produce a better handling car. They make a irs upgrade for that year and combine it with the 4.6 v8 which has more power and has just as many tuner parts as 128i get a much faster car. Or you could go looking for a post refresh of the same generation with the first gen coyote which has a lot more power and be set that way. I’m the end you come off as a bmw fanboy. That’s not an issue just be upfront about it.. say you could have gotten a mustang gt in budget but you prefer the driving dynamics of the bmw.

[@FraxinusExelsior]

Perhapse also try the euro air box with K&N round air filter and add extra cold air pipe to it.

[@christianpowell4026]

Please send a link for the headers 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@KrebsbachRacing]

It changes all the time. Just search on Ali express.

[@anilkhanal21]

Can you plz make video on bmw 120i coup ,2012.

[@ladjkaoz]

wow... great work... I live in CAlifornia... I guess that won let me pass emissions right? 😔

[@JupiterLXIX]

Z3/Z4 are also a great choice and actually more fun than the e82. I’ve owned both and they’re both amazing cars.

[@RobboElRobbo]

i strongly disagree with it being a bad looking car. the depressed sort of look of the front end is awesome lol. in my opinion the peak of bmw was the 1m coupe.

[@KrebsbachRacing]

I like the looks of the 1 series. Just as long as it has the 135i bumpers and black trim. The plain Jane 128i with stock bumpers and chrome trim isn't very appealing. The overall shape of the car is good imo.

[@LordFarquad007]

Bruh I swear I fucking love the 1 series look to me looks like an e46 but a little beefier

[@N52mods]

great video 👍 The dyno numbers, are they crank or wheel HP?

[@Serqz]

Wheel

[@N52mods]

@@Serqz Very impressive!

[@sander16v11]

Id love to do this but keep it a little quieter. I have a cat back and it can be a little loud sometimes.

[@_que]

nice work, I also swapped the diff from the auto, went from 3.23 to 3.73 final drive. wakes up the car nice. impressive power gains, sound nice. can you confirm you have 17x8 ET30mm offset wheels on the car with no spacers?

[@KrebsbachRacing]

Correct no spacers. I think 3.23 is fine with 3 stage Manifold. If I switch to N54 then maybe 3.73 would be the right decision as you gain about 750rpm. Currently power drops after 6500.

[@_que]

@@KrebsbachRacing short gearing for street duty mostly is perfect for how I use it, a lot more shifting. Not taken it to track like this, but suspect will be in 3rd more then 2nd, I it runs out of breath as you say ~90 km/hr in 2nd. 3 stage adds nice low in grunt as well. I have not done the yet, in the works.

[@guy990]

The diff swap is straightforward and the elsd won't apply the brakes??

[@TelecastGamer]

Great analysis and choice! Any tips on how to find a 128i under 10k or 135i under 15? Not having much luck in the Northwest region

[@ricolam4916]

5 speed manual?

[@KrebsbachRacing]

It's a 6 speed. Oops.

[@theday2learn]

I keep seeing this car come up, do you find this would be a good Daily driver, even if you add the mods you did? I am in the PNW btw

[@SpazAntics]

Where at in North Dakota do you autocross?

[@KrebsbachRacing]

Check out badlands scca website.

[@papalaka1176]

I have a Sedona red 128i and I’m curious where you got your m sport front and rear bumper?

[@KrebsbachRacing]

They are just 135i bumpers, not M sport. I got them for a guy in Wisconsin that buys wrecked bmws and sells parts. Eurowerks dismantling I think.

[@papalaka1176]

@@KrebsbachRacing ahh cool. Thanks for the info

[@RXS999]

What was the milage when you bought the car and then installed those mods? Im thinking about buying one vs a genesis coupe

[@KrebsbachRacing]

No before and after, but it gets about 25mpg on the highway.

[@RXS999]

@@KrebsbachRacing No sorry im asking how much miles/kilometres were on the 128 when you bought it and started to mod it? Im debating on buying one but some are 100K-150Kkms some are 200k+ kms id like to add similar mods that you installed

[@KrebsbachRacing]

@@RXS999 mine had 125,000 miles on it when I bought it. Have only put on a few thousand miles.

[@RXS999]

@@KrebsbachRacing Thank you that's reassuring

[@motorhead4875]

I love N52n.

[@zackerymcpherson9409]

I couldn’t find a decent 128i. I also wanted better seats, brakes, and steering wheel. after itemizing the cost of those items I decided on a newer 228i m sport package with upgraded brakes, seats, and variable steering with m steering wheel. I’ve been pretty happy and had the same list. Casual tracking and daily was my goal. Needed to fit two kids. Adaptive dampeners are nice which non of my other options had.

[@KrebsbachRacing]

Nice choice! But with a much smaller budget the 128i is the choice i went with. Next might be a 135i or maybe an M2. Love both of those cars but the M2 is pretty spendy atm.

[@zackerymcpherson9409]

@@KrebsbachRacing yeah, I’m not as proficient with automotive upgrades. It’s one thing to replace oem parts, another to upgrade parts without making errors with compatibility. So much nuance to dial that stuff in well. I looked at an M2 and it was like 20k more than my 228i so I was pretty happy. I think I spent about 10k-12k more on the 228i instead of the 128i. 20k miles vs 100k miles that the 128i usually sells with.

[@notjahys]

tune link

[@magicwaffl3z]

As a miata owner, this car is next on my list...

[@hugoTets]

I have a 130i here in Brazil, I'm tracking my car, shaving weight, done suspension, LSD, next gonna be engine and trans mounts, and bushings, it's a lot of fun now! I've looking for Milvs, couldn't find the seller. Could you send me the link or the contact?

[@KrebsbachRacing]

www.bimmermilvs.com/

[@Vinoisthename]

Is the 125i and 128i the same ?

[@captbarb6642]

If the 125i is a UK spec car it comes from the factory with the three stage manifold and no charcoal filter

[@sollydogg]

Damn bro huge gains for such basic mods nice

[@vhinz9514]

I’m buying 2011 bmw 1 series 128i coupe with 115,000 miles. For $8000 . Is that fair price?

[@itsmebk6820]

Just get a miata bruv

[@suvz1082]

sounds like a fair price

[@user-vj6bx3ks7s]

U could do better tbh unless it’s manual

[@thepeopleschamp88]

I enjoyed your video but I think the 335D is the best E90 daily. More power, torque and deadbolt reliability on top of significantly better fuel economy!

[@robnemily]

what's your mpg after these mods?

[@KrebsbachRacing]

No idea. It's driving for fun, not for mileage. haha

[@greapsoho]

Another thing to keep in mind with the 128i is surprisingly heavy at 3200lbs and the 135i is around 3500lbs so definitely not the lightest cars for their size.

[@cayku403]

90k mile 128i for 9k. Do i buy?

[@user-vj6bx3ks7s]

U could do better and is it manual or auto? Also m sport or nah? 6-8k would be great price if auto

[@gpajic1987]

Almost identical to my Australian 130i in terms of mods. My car made 180 rwkw at around 7000rpm. Stock around 145 rwkw.

[@clementquirder]

Looks like we don’t have the 128i in australia

[@mattdebyl8806]

@@clementquirderno, we got the better 125i and 130i.

[@nlxsteve]

Heads up- an n54 intake manifold + tune with 7500 redline make for some nice gains over the 3 stage intake. You lose some torque but you gain high end. Going to do mine next week. I recommend Stage FP in youngsville, NC for the tune.

[@austinm8823]

"I'm going to compare this to some other cars with a 10k budget." *Proceeds to list out not a SINGLE car for 10k or less*

[@KrebsbachRacing]

Rwd, manual under 10k. Name them all......there really aren't many.

[@moisesmaldonado5942]

You should off went with the n54 manifold……

[@InlineFlix]

I got a 2011 128i a couple weeks ago. The day after I bought it she went to the shop for a blown pcv valve. The very next day the cam sprockets and bearing ledges went out. 🙃 I love the car but damn it’s expensive to own lol

[@KrebsbachRacing]

So far I've just had the oil leaks so I replaced the valve cover, oil pan, and oil filter gaskets.

[@TheGbizaille]

How??? Or maybe the previous owner mistreated very bad

[@InlineFlix]

@@TheGbizaille idk man. It was a one owner vehicle with only 53k miles on it. Owned by an old college professor. Just bmw life I guess.

[@meatman6660]

@@InlineFlix Previous owner did owner's manual 10k mile oil changes. The MANN oil filters will break down past a year or 6-8k miles and fibers will clog the anti-drain check valve that keeps oil up in the cam/bearing ledges. This can also cause problems with the Vanos valves for the VVT. PCV/CCV just ages out. Changed my valve cover (cracked from age) this February (2012 model) 71K miles so PCV was fixed. Last year overhaul was water pump, thermostat (will fail 60-80K), idler tensioner, belt and plastic coolant pipe on engine was upgraded to aluminum. I have an auto-trans, dropped the pan and changed filter and wiped the magnet. Lifetime trans fluid means 100k till failure. Change at every 50-60k means 250k life, maybe longer for the GM 6L45R (Camero, Cadillac, light truck). Also changed the rear diff gear oil, smooth and quiet. Brakes in 2025 at 80k. Max is a convertible garaged and only goes out during good weather.

[@ayon875]

I promise you that professor did close to nothing w maintenance .

[@goforbroke2]

Tossing around the idea of grabbing one of these, but I think further modding my 6 speed TSX makes more sense.

[@chachacamel]

The only 128i manual I found that's under 10k has 173k miles on it...

[@KrebsbachRacing]

I think they have come up in price since I bought mine unfortunately.

[@chachacamel]

@@KrebsbachRacing yea, crazy times!

[@bmw128racer]

The E82/E88 BMWs have a SIX speed manual. I know. I have one. 😛

[@nlxsteve]

Yup best kept secret in the BMW world. Mine is a hoot.

[@Alkhoholic]

130i for me 😊

[@vBunz]

beautifully modified!

[@zapa47]

4th gen mustang is only 100 lbs heavier and starts with 250HP and 300Ft/lbs torque.

[@Alex-ub7tk]

lol not a single car you recommended was close to your $10k budget

[@KrebsbachRacing]

Exactly. Name something comparable for the same price.

[@Alex-ub7tk]

@@KrebsbachRacing what was your budget after all of those mods?

[@KrebsbachRacing]

@Alex-ub7tk I can't remember, but I think I was right around 10-11k including the cost of the car.

[@kakamane1390]

128 and 130i

[@thatkidwyatt8270]

god dude, makes me wanna sell my silverado

[@Thor_Asgard_]

so much freedom in America ^^ this car would be so illegal in Germany sadly.

[@bige8397]

Torqamp. You asked. It's a pretty stupid simple thing and while it wouldn't be something to run all the time, for those "moments" in Canada, think about 30-40% more wtq. No shame in a straight line. Push to pass for Canada ;) .

[@CalebsCars]

😂

[@dannynino3528]

I hate Miata’s such an ugly car

[@KrebsbachRacing]

I mean, they're not that bad. Haha. Newer models look pretty good.

[@fehe6105]

miatas are not cars to impress others but they are a lot of fun

[@sergeantsnugglez3228]

An s2000 for 15k? What are you smoking? That would be one beat to hell s2k.

[@fel1xxfel1xx60]

Why u should buy a 128/328i cheap, cheap maintenance, gas saver, reliable, other than that stooop trying to make them fast, thats the whole point on why u didn’t get a 135/335i because u were scared of maintenance. Just keep it for looks & slow or for the mountains.

[@KrebsbachRacing]

Not afraid of maintenance. 135i is double the price. I wanted an NA track car with reliability and decent power. I nailed it. Best bang for the buck.