Episode 50

full
Published on:

4th May 2023

The BMW 128i - The Last Normally Aspirated Inline 6-Cylinder Coupe from BMW

00:00 - OPEN - The Last Non-Turbo Inline 6-Cylinder Coupe from BMW

Today’s car definitely falls into the category of “fantastic driving machine” and it’s one I highly recommend.   It’s a 2-door coupe with a hydraulic steering rack that provides excellent feedback through the steering wheel, an outstanding suspension for those who love balanced handling, and it has the last normally aspirated inline 6-cylinder engine offered by BMW in the US. 

01:25 - INTRO - The 2008-2013 BMW 128i with Manual Transmission and The Sport Package

The car in question is the E82 BMW 128i, a 2-door coupe with a normally aspirated 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine that was sold in the US from 2008 to 2013. And more specifically, this episode focus on a the 128i coupe configured with a manual transmission and the Sport package.

06:10 - What Makes the BMW 128i a Great Driver's Car?

  • BMW's Last Normally Aspirated 6-Cylinder Engine Offering
  • A 6-Speed Manual Transmission
  • Sport Suspension
  • Excellent 4-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock
  • Minimalist interior styling with focused driver's cockpit
  • Funky, yet functional exterior styling

13:00 - Some Potential Issues with the BMW 128i

While overall the BMW 128i is a very reliable car, nothing is perfect and there are some issues that can develop over time, including the following:

  • Oil leaks from the valve cover and oil filter housing
  • VANOS issues over time (change your oil!)
  • Electric water pump failure
  • Hydraulic lifters can wear and "click" over time

17:55 - Finding a BMW 128i in Good Condition

Important options/packages

  • Cold weather package (for heated seats)
  • Sport Package or M-Sport Package
  • Adaptive Headlights
  • iDrive/Navigation

What To Look For When Searching for a 128i

  • 6-speed Manual with the Sport Package (minimum)
  • Minimal owners (1 or 2 is ideal)
  • Low miles (but condition is more important than mileage)
  • No accidents or branded title (be sure to check)
  • Take a long test drive
  • Get a pre-purchase inspection

Current Pricing

  • Not much below $10K - typically basic cars with higher mileage
  • $10K to $15K - Good to great examples - maybe the perfect car?
  • $15K+ - This is where a great 128i with 6-speed and Sport Package will likely be found, but you might still find a great one between $10k to $15K - it will just take more time and persistence.

28:20 - WRAP UP - BMW 128I with a 6-speed and the Sport Package

If you’re looking for a classic analog driving experience behind the wheel of a small, nimble 2-door BMW coupe – and especially one with the last normally aspirated in-line 6-cylinder engines that BMW offered - then a BMW 128i with a 6-speed manual and the sport package just might be the perfect car for you. 

LINKS:

FCP EURO Takes a deep dive into potential problem areas and maintenance required to keep a BMW N52 Engine in good working condition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR_aXg3zpWY

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for Better Than New

About the Podcast

Better Than New
Find a cool used car, truck or SUV at a price you'll love
The average new car sales price in the US is nearly $50,000, and the average used vehicle sales price is close to $30,000... I think that's insane! Well if you're like me and you don’t want to pay these crazy inflated car prices, I believe you should still be able to drive something fun. That’s the idea behind Better Than New – a podcast to help you find a cool used car, truck or SUV at a price you’ll love.

I’m Gary Crenshaw, host of Better Than New and a long time automotive enthusiast, and I want to inspire car buyers on a budget to think differently about what they can actually afford to drive. My goal is to introduce listeners to the broad array of interesting, fun-to-drive, enthusiast-friendly used cars, trucks and SUVs available at prices just about anyone can afford… vehicles from the 80s, 90s, 2000s and beyond that offer buyers a wide range of interesting choices. Each week we’ll explore a specific vehicle or vehicle category, tell you what to look for and what to avoid, and give you practical tips to help you find your next cool used car, truck or SUV and keep it on the road for years to come.

With a little work, the joy of owning a cool used car at price you’ll love is within reach and this podcast is here to help you find it.

So hop in, buckle up and let's go for a drive!

About your host

Profile picture for Gary Crenshaw

Gary Crenshaw

A lifelong lover of all things mechanical, Gary has spent the majority of his existence driving, dreaming about or wrenching on cars, motorcycles and even the occasional airplane.

It started with mini-bikes and go-karts as a kid, progressed to 2-stroke dirt bikes, followed by his first car… a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle. Then came the Yamaha era with several RD400s, RZ350s and a Canadian RD350LC (should have kept that!). A pilot’s license was next with some memorable hours flying a 1946 Aeronca Champ low and slow around the Pacific Northwest. While in college, his brother-in-law who sold high-end cars hired him to deliver BMW, Mercedes and Porsche vehicles to customers.

Those early experiences led to a lifetime of owning an eclectic mix of interesting used cars, including a ‘65 Mustang GT, a ’72 Datsun 510, a Porsche 914, a Celica Alltrac Turbo, a Mini Cooper S, a couple of Miata’s, two Audi S4 Avants, a Galant VR4, a Fiat 850 Spider, a 1983 Subaru 4x4 GL wagon and a first gen RX-7, along with dozens of daily driver cars and SUVs from Acura, Honda, Toyota and Mazda. And his favorite? Depends on when you ask, but that distinction likely goes to the Mazda RX-4 station wagon he learned to drive in. That fun-to-drive car combined Gary's passion for wagons, rotary engines and manual transmissions all in one.

So what about you? Which used car, truck or SUV would you love to own? Let’s find it together!