[Olddriver60]

Profile pic is 135kb and uploading from i pad

[un1eash]

Originally Posted by DaveA

When is yours due down the line..? Mine is scheduled (at the mo) for first week in June...

.. and they are built in Leipzig, is that right...?

Mines due the same, first week June. Live chat told me it's being built at Leipzig.

[Hartside]

Originally Posted by Olddriver60

Profile pic is 135kb and uploading from i pad

Mmm not sure then, maybe someone else can advise

[KRS_SN]

Originally Posted by Olddriver60

Hey BMW sometimes struggles with my Ayrshire accent! So I know the frustration

Agreed on the door bins, but small gripe, planning to try out the park assist this weekend without the wife being in the car as she will be convinced it's all going to end in tears

never used the park assist in mine. kids with their glaswegian accent have great fun with the 'Hey bmw' feature.I seldom use it.

[goodbyalfa]

Originally Posted by Hartside

With discount on the M135i probably about £1.5 - £2k but with the extras I've got on the ti it would have taken the M135i over £40k list, meaning the higher rate car tax for 5 years which I didn't want to pay. Also higher running costs pushed me in the direction of the ti

Fair enough.
The 4 wheel drive system on the M135i sounds well put together, but saying that the diff on the 128ti also appears sorted in the Joe Achillies videos.

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by un1eash

Mines due the same, first week June. Live chat told me it's being built at Leipzig.

I got a feeling there was a bit of a much on 135's when I was looking at ordering mine.. like BMW UK had committed to a batch in the build queue and were tasking the dealers with getting them sold ASAP... a build to order wait of only a couple of months seemed pretty quick to me...

.. and a dealer who was happy to sharpen the pencil without too much prompting...

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by Hartside

With discount on the M135i probably about £1.5 - £2k but with the extras I’ve got on the ti it would have taken the M135i over £40k list, meaning the higher rate car tax for 5 years which I didn’t want to pay. Also higher running costs pushed me in the direction of the ti

I found basically the same…

I looked at the 128 when I was looking.. deciding between 128 and 135…

Specced up to similar levels (I think the only difference in options ticked was that I would have added leather to the 128 whereas I was having the standard alcantara on the 135) the 135 was about £3k more expensive on list price (I think it was something like £39.7k for the 128 and £42.6 for the 135)… However, after deal/discount, that difference came down a bit to more like £2.5 (on my spec, which ticked a lot of the boxes)…

I have not driven a 128 but I have the 135, and also my golf which I would imagine feels not dissimilar to the 128 as it has a fancy electronic differential… it really does tug you through when you commit to the throttle mid corner which is a little different feeling to the 135 which uses rear traction to assist in those circumstances… The Golf is a lot of fun when you learn to trust it’s ways…

In the end, I accepted any 135 that I was likely to spec would attract the extra tax and so I went for it without trying to bring it in under the 40k limit… When I did the overall costs compared to other cars, their extra finance costs and insurance basically were more expensive than the extra tax… just came down to, then, whether or not I wanted 128 or 135… and, as we say often enough on here, ETTO…

[un1eash]

Originally Posted by DaveA

I got a feeling there was a bit of a much on 135's when I was looking at ordering mine.. like BMW UK had committed to a batch in the build queue and were tasking the dealers with getting them sold ASAP... a build to order wait of only a couple of months seemed pretty quick to me...

.. and a dealer who was happy to sharpen the pencil without too much prompting...

8 weeks is about the norm for a BMW, I contacted Park Lane and was told lead times were 4-6 months for a factory build. Sytner managed to get me a slot they already had reserved, paying a little more then Park Lane but can't wait 4-6 months.

[Hartside]

Originally Posted by DaveA

I found basically the same…

I looked at the 128 when I was looking.. deciding between 128 and 135…

Specced up to similar levels (I think the only difference in options ticked was that I would have added leather to the 128 whereas I was having the standard alcantara on the 135) the 135 was about £3k more expensive on list price (I think it was something like £39.7k for the 128 and £42.6 for the 135)… However, after deal/discount, that difference came down a bit to more like £2.5 (on my spec, which ticked a lot of the boxes)…

I have not driven a 128 but I have the 135, and also my golf which I would imagine feels not dissimilar to the 128 as it has a fancy electronic differential… it really does tug you through when you commit to the throttle mid corner which is a little different feeling to the 135 which uses rear traction to assist in those circumstances… The Golf is a lot of fun when you learn to trust it’s ways…

In the end, I accepted any 135 that I was likely to spec would attract the extra tax and so I went for it without trying to bring it in under the 40k limit… When I did the overall costs compared to other cars, their extra finance costs and insurance basically were more expensive than the extra tax… just came down to, then, whether or not I wanted 128 or 135… and, as we say often enough on here, ETTO…

The one thing that I would have liked on the 128ti is the seats you have in the M135i as they look superb however not available in the UK. That said the seats in the ti are pretty good and I’m pleased I added lumber support. Also pleased the red on the seats are pretty subdued compared to pictures I’d seen.

In terms of handling it’s going to be fun once it’s all run in and I’m guessing I’m going to bottle it before the car does. It feels lovely and stable on the road if a little too firm at low speed and poor road surface, but it will lose a fraction of that in the coming months. As you say ETTO but whichever is chosen, we’re getting a mighty fine car.

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by un1eash

8 weeks is about the norm for a BMW, I contacted Park Lane and was told lead times were 4-6 months for a factory build. Sytner managed to get me a slot they already had reserved, paying a little more then Park Lane but can't wait 4-6 months.

I seem to remember waiting for longer in the past, for my various F30's, but then it may very well be that 8 weeks is more a 1 series thing than others...

Strange that Park Lane could not get an 8 week slot... I was not aware that individual groups had allocated slots... I thought they were BMW UK allocated and the dealers could dip in as they got orders etc... But I have not confirmation of that...

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by Hartside

The one thing that I would have liked on the 128ti is the seats you have in the M135i as they look superb however not available in the UK. That said the seats in the ti are pretty good and I’m pleased I added lumber support. Also pleased the red on the seats are pretty subdued compared to pictures I’d seen.

In terms of handling it’s going to be fun once it’s all run in and I’m guessing I’m going to bottle it before the car does. It feels lovely and stable on the road if a little too firm at low speed and poor road surface, but it will lose a fraction of that in the coming months. As you say ETTO but whichever is chosen, we’re getting a mighty fine car.

FWD cars have always been best driven through corners using a wider, later entry, then a tight turn straightening the exit, so you can apply the throttle and let the car drag you out... After six rear wheel drive cars on the bounce I almost had to re-learn my FWD chops...

What I found with the differential on the VW is that it does a great job then of balancing the grip across the front wheels and almost helps to tug you straight... also, I don't seem to notice torque steer as much...

I cannot describe it, really (hence I am not making YouTube videos... )...

If I get a chance, I will try and blag a drive in a 128 and see how it compares to my golf...

[un1eash]

It was Park Lane UK forces which operate separate to the retail side. From what I was told Sytner will reserve X amount of builds at the beginning of the quarter. They then stagger these and spec them up in the hope buyers will come along and buy them. I could of got a car in 2 weeks that was already built but it was already sold at another Sytner dealer. It was AW with sun protection, having to wait now means I could change the spec.

[sahajesh]

Originally Posted by DaveA

I seem to remember waiting for longer in the past, for my various F30's, but then it may very well be that 8 weeks is more a 1 series thing than others...

Strange that Park Lane could not get an 8 week slot... I was not aware that individual groups had allocated slots... I thought they were BMW UK allocated and the dealers could dip in as they got orders etc... But I have not confirmation of that...

I suspect PL doesn't get early slots given the discounts - I was told 6 months on an X5 with individual paint that my local Sytner could do in 2 months.

Quick/normal slots are "prioritised" for retail/fleet perhaps?

[Olddriver60]

128ti come with run flats ?

BMW seem to have switched to non run flat as the default on a lot of models, I didn’t realise this when I ordered back in November because I would have specified the space saver wheel option.

Upside I suppose is better ride quality and if the tyre is non repairable it will be cheaper

[goodbyalfa]

Originally Posted by DaveA

FWD cars have always been best driven through corners using a wider, later entry, then a tight turn straightening the exit, so you can apply the throttle and let the car drag you out... After six rear wheel drive cars on the bounce I almost had to re-learn my FWD chops...

What I found with the differential on the VW is that it does a great job then of balancing the grip across the front wheels and almost helps to tug you straight... also, I don't seem to notice torque steer as much...

I cannot describe it, really (hence I am not making YouTube videos... )...

If I get a chance, I will try and blag a drive in a 128 and see how it compares to my golf...

I'm looking at a M135i next, but the dealer doesn't have one to test drive. I'm taking my 440i for end of Warrenty check and MOT next Saturday when I will be taking out a 128ti which they do have and also a M340i for test drives.
Should be a fun Saturday...

[Hartside]

Originally Posted by Olddriver60

128ti come with run flats ?

BMW seem to have switched to non run flat as the default on a lot of models, I didn’t realise this when I ordered back in November because I would have specified the space saver wheel option.

Upside I suppose is better ride quality and if the tyre is non repairable it will be cheaper

128ti is on std tyres on all wheel choices, not run flats. If you’re after a space saver you can get one from these guys, mine was here within three days:

https://www.thewheelshop.co.uk/produ...-saver-wheels/

Don’t bother with the kit including the scissor jack as the head does not rotate 90 degrees to the jack, but get a decent Heyner one from Amazon as it fits the BMW jacking point

[Olddriver60]

Thanks for the info, and advice on the Jack

[330XDave]

Great choice, I'm really liking the 128ti.

I wish there were better deals around when my missus jumped in and bought one of the new Peugeot 208's, she could have leased a 128ti for less than she is paying for her 208!

And it means I could have had a weekend toy to have a bit of fun in.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

Great choice, I'm really liking the 128ti.

I wish there were better deals around when my missus jumped in and bought one of the new Peugeot 208's, she could have leased a 128ti for less than she is paying for her 208!

And it means I could have had a weekend toy to have a bit of fun in.

That's an expensive 208 ... but what can you do, you need a car at the tile right! Lovely looking car for me the 208 has me wondering about. Manual GTI

[330XDave]

Originally Posted by JustChris

That's an expensive 298 ... but what can you do, you need a car at the tile right! Lovely looking car for me the 208 has me wondering about. Manual GTI

Yeah I can't deny it's a stunning looking thing, her's is a GT Line in that electric blue colour, it's s proper looker.

I'm hoping they're doing GTI's at reasonable rate when her PCP runs out in 3.5 years time!

[rokut]

Apologies all, OP. Can't start a new post due to draconian work filters, so jumping on this one to flag a 235i GC deal bouncing about at the mo. Inchcape running a £319 in, £319 a month, 8k p/a, 4 years deal;
https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/48-...pe-bmw-3718785

Might be of use to someone. And sorry again for the thread revival on a totally different car...

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by goodbyalfa

I'm looking at a M135i next, but the dealer doesn't have one to test drive. I'm taking my 440i for end of Warrenty check and MOT next Saturday when I will be taking out a 128ti which they do have and also a M340i for test drives.
Should be a fun Saturday...

Is it test drive day tomorrow...?

My predictions...

128 will feel like a bit of a hoot, especially if you are allowed to play in it a little... find some nice twisty country lanes, if you can... might find the load carrying capacity limited compared to current car and the rear might seem a tad on the small size... but expect lots of BMW DNA so it'll not feel like dropping into a Golf or something would after your existing car....

340 will feel a bit more of a handful on the same lanes but feel more oomph on the wider roads... will have that "bigger car" feel, also, with more load carrying and rear space... Might feel a tad more refined inside but depends on spec...

I have not driven a 128, so cannot compare it to the 135 I drove, but they are basically the same car inside with the exception of colour scheme and the seats... but you can try the seats on a showroom car...