[b1aze]

Originally Posted by 86Zed

The Ford Fiesta ST is at least 550lbs lighter and you are going to feel that ALL DAY.

While yes, the published curb weights are 550lbs different, I have seen some 128i's actually weigh in at 3k or slightly under, so that gap isn't as big as it sounds. Yes, 275lbs is still a big difference but the power-weight ratio is starting to close.

Fiesta - 202hp to 2720 lbs = 13.47 lbs/hp
128i - 230hp to 3100 lbs = 13.48 lbs/hp

[ShocknAwe]

N52 in the 128i is a great engine. Shouldn't have any maintenance issues unlike my car.

128i is pretty easily modified to ~270-300whp. Fun car.

#1 thing to make sure you do, get a PPI, and for the love of god make sure the 128i has sport seats.

[850tgul]

A few years back, I cross shopped a 128i 6MT against a Fiesta ST when I was looking for a little commuter car. Went with the E82 and it was one hell of a car. Terrific value. Crazy fun.

As others have said, a properly set up RWD car > properly set up FWD car. One could argue that the Fiesta is more properly set up from the factory than the 128i. The 128, imo, does require some attention; you need to ditch the run flats, which then highlights how soft the bushings are, so you need new rear subrame bushings. Mine had the above as well as Bilstein dampers and Swift springs. With the right alignment, that thing was so much fun in the twisties. Definitely tail happy but that is how I preferred it.

The inline six is just in another world of refinement and smoothness compared to the buzzy 4 banger turbo in the Ford. You can get it to 250/260 pretty easily and that is plenty in a 3,000 lb car.

Remember, the E82 is basically an E9x with a shortened wheel base. you can swap an enitre M3 suspension on it if you choose.

[david in germany]

I would vote 128i IF it is an Msport car, if not, pass on both.

[N54Yankee]

Originally Posted by b1aze

While yes, the published curb weights are 550lbs different, I have seen some 128i's actually weigh in at 3k or slightly under, so that gap isn't as big as it sounds. Yes, 275lbs is still a big difference but the power-weight ratio is starting to close.

Fiesta - 202hp to 2720 lbs = 13.47 lbs/hp
128i - 230hp to 3100 lbs = 13.48 lbs/hp

Where did you see 128’s coming in at under 3000lbs, on a racetrack scale? Totally stripped inside? I haven’t heard of a factory stock, lightest version 128 come in near that.

[Tambohamilton]

You'd probably get pretty close if you drained every drop of fluid out of one, and weighed it without the driver. I believe the weight of my partners e81 is specced at 1460kg, and that should include half a tank of fuel and a 70kg driver. It's a 118d sport (not M-sport!), so 2L I4 engine, and nothing extra on the interior.

[vt100]

Originally Posted by 10"

128i.

i've driven the Fiesta ST. fun car....but still too 'modern' for me.

230hp is nothing to sneeze at. If anything cars with lesser power and great handling, steering, and balance are MORE fun.

230 horses is more than enough especially if it's manual. Plus, as someone mentioned already, it's very easy to convert into 130i to ~255hp.

But the biggest pros for me is the hydraulic steering in 128i - no modern cars can beat that!


PS: not sure about Ford but with BMW of this era you need to expect a bit of maintenance though. Specifically the valve cover gasket, the oil filter housing gasket, likely diff is leaking too. And suspension will need to be refreshed, spark plugs, belts (but that applies to both cars).

[JamesNoBrakes]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

N52 in the 128i is a great engine. Shouldn't have any maintenance issues unlike my car.

128i is pretty easily modified to ~270-300whp. Fun car.

#1 thing to make sure you do, get a PPI, and for the love of god make sure the 128i has sport seats.

Wait, a 128, the ones with the in-line 6? You aren't going to get that without thousands in exhaust, headers, cams, etc. If you mean the turbo-4, that still seems a bit far-fetched. When Dinan advertises their numbers, you'll notice they are usually at the crank, vs what the car dynos at, which stock, is usually right on the HP/TQ numbers. So they kind of pull an apples and oranges thing.

[m1jen]

Update folks!

Went to drive the ST this morning. Loved it and the dealer was offering a phenomenal deal with stupid low financing. Was signing the dotted line when another sales manager came over and told me someone beat me to the bunch by about 15 minutes and was getting their paper plates.

Talk about a kick in the guts. It was $3k undermarket and had all the right options (Recaros, Android Auto, Orange!).

128i is still for sale, might be my only option at this point. Will go check it out on Monday if it's still available.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by m1jen

Update folks!

Went to drive the ST this morning. Loved it and the dealer was offering a phenomenal deal with stupid low financing. Was signing the dotted line when another sales manager came over and told me someone beat me to the bunch by about 15 minutes and was getting their paper plates.

Talk about a kick in the guts. It was $3k undermarket and had all the right options (Recaros, Android Auto, Orange!).

128i is still for sale, might be my only option at this point. Will go check it out on Monday if it's still available.

/In Miss Cleo Voice/

The universe is tryin-a tell ya som-thin!

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by m1jen

Update folks!

Went to drive the ST this morning. Loved it and the dealer was offering a phenomenal deal with stupid low financing. Was signing the dotted line when another sales manager came over and told me someone beat me to the bunch by about 15 minutes and was getting their paper plates.

Talk about a kick in the guts. It was $3k undermarket and had all the right options (Recaros, Android Auto, Orange!).

128i is still for sale, might be my only option at this point. Will go check it out on Monday if it's still available.

Ah, gutted! The alternative could be a lot worse though...

[dreamingat30fps]

I have not driven a Fiesta ST. However I did own a regular manual focus and a 6spd 128i.

First of all I loved our 128i. I liked it more than the 335i we had. It converted me to a NA engine fan. The focus was surprisingly fun, but quite slow, however I was surprised how fun it was.

I have sat in a fiesta and found it super uncomfortable so that alone would make me go with the 128i. However that's just me. Assuming the fiesta was comfortable for me then I guess it would depend on what it's for. If I just want a fun car and don't care too much about costs etc I would take the 128i all day. If concerned about costs, repairs etc then maybe the ford is the better choice.

[tsk94]

My daily driver is an M-Sport 128i 6sp. It's a great car, think of it as a modern E36 M3. Light 128's will come in just over 3000lbs, with 'heavier' ones being 3100-3150lbs - depending on options. You can put on a 3 Stage Intake manifold and a tune to get 30whp and 30wtq. I've done that to mine and it really wakes the car up without effecting drivability in any negative way. Unfortunately 270-300whp is NOT easily achievable like ShocknAwe mentioned - that would be a pretty serious build or slapping on a SC. However, if you do the intake manifold swap, a tune and headers you can pretty 'easily' get to about 240whp. Which for it's weight is a very respectable power/weight ratio.

To me the seating position in the Fiesta's is strange. They are great fun to drive and the hatchback is very practical. The BMW interior and finish is miles better than the Ford and the overall driving experience is significantly more refined.

I've had no issues reliability wise with the N52 platform, and that was the main reason why I choose it over a 135i for daily use. It's been bulletproof for me thus far.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by tsk94

My daily driver is an M-Sport 128i 6sp. It's a great car, think of it as a modern E36 M3. Light 128's will come in just over 3000lbs, with 'heavier' ones being 3100-3150lbs - depending on options. You can put on a 3 Stage Intake manifold and a tune to get 30whp and 30wtq. I've done that to mine and it really wakes the car up without effecting drivability in any negative way. Unfortunately 270-300whp is NOT easily achievable like ShocknAwe mentioned - that would be a pretty serious build or slapping on a SC. However, if you do the intake manifold swap, a tune and headers you can pretty 'easily' get to about 240whp. Which for it's weight is a very respectable power/weight ratio.

To me the seating position in the Fiesta's is strange. They are great fun to drive and the hatchback is very practical. The BMW interior and finish is miles better than the Ford and the overall driving experience is significantly more refined.

I've had no issues reliability wise with the N52 platform, and that was the main reason why I choose it over a 135i for daily use. It's been bulletproof for me thus far.

Perhaps I was mistaken, I thought headers, IM, valves, tune, would get you to the 270 ballpark.

Easy is relative.

[N54Yankee]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Perhaps I was mistaken, I thought headers, IM, valves, tune, would get you to the 270 ballpark.

Easy is relative.

I think 270 at the crank isn’t all that difficult to achieve but at the wheel 270 is considerably more and outside what most would call easy.

[tsk94]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Perhaps I was mistaken, I thought headers, IM, valves, tune, would get you to the 270 ballpark.

Easy is relative.

If you do everything, including MILV's you can usually get 260-270whp but that's getting beyond what I'd call easy. Since that will usually be with a N54 intake and it's not as simple of a bolt-on as the 3 stage IM.

I didn't mean to make it sound like I was calling you out, I just didn't want the OP to think that 270whp or more was fairly 'easy' to achieve. ~240-250 is realistic and relatively easy, beyond that it gets more complicated and less simple bolt on

[10"]

Originally Posted by c1pher

I think I’d rather compare a 228i M Sport 6mt to a Fiesta ST or more likely a Focus RS.

the 128i is sooooo much more fun than a 228i.

have driven both. no comparison.

the 228 was dull as hell...

[10"]

Originally Posted by m1jen

Update folks!

Went to drive the ST this morning. Loved it and the dealer was offering a phenomenal deal with stupid low financing. Was signing the dotted line when another sales manager came over and told me someone beat me to the bunch by about 15 minutes and was getting their paper plates.

Talk about a kick in the guts. It was $3k undermarket and had all the right options (Recaros, Android Auto, Orange!).

128i is still for sale, might be my only option at this point. Will go check it out on Monday if it's still available.

find another one out of state. ask them to match the deal. i'm sure you can find it. now that you've driven it who cares if you don't go in person.

i personally love the 128i more than the Fiesta ST (have driven both) BUT if you like the Fiesta ST go for it...

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by 10"

the 128i is sooooo much more fun than a 228i.

have driven both. no comparison.

the 228 was dull as hell...

That’s funny. I actually liked the 228 better than the OG M2. I would only drive a 135i again but because of my DCT issues, I would only get a 6 mt.

[fastboatster]

What was going on with your DCT? I'm not a fan of these transmissions myself having to get it fixed on my tarted up VW aka Audi. I thought BMW dcts are somewhat less of a garbage compared to VW.

[b1aze]

Originally Posted by N54Yankee

Where did you see 128’s coming in at under 3000lbs, on a racetrack scale? Totally stripped inside? I haven’t heard of a factory stock, lightest version 128 come in near that.

Slicktop manual seat 128s have been reported at 3100 or just under on 1addicts forums. Decent wheels and tires, 5 minutes taking out the back seats and a muffler delete and you’re under 3k pretty quick.

I’m hoping to weigh my 128i on a corner balancing scale soon.

[gosi]

Originally Posted by b1aze

Slicktop manual seat 128s have been reported at 3100 or just under on 1addicts forums. Decent wheels and tires, 5 minutes taking out the back seats and a muffler delete and you’re under 3k pretty quick.

I’m hoping to weigh my 128i on a corner balancing scale soon.

So you are suggesting to basically gut the car, that op wants to be a daily driver, so that it would match the Fiesta’s weight? The logic on these forums sometimes...