Hi all, New 128i owner here..

Hi all,

I'm Bryan.
25 years old.
Live in Maryland.
Just sold this:

For this:
(The black one, lol)

I know that this is a base line BMW, I used to build for speed, but I would like to throw a few things together for this car, to make it personal, but still a very nice highway drive. If anyone can shed some light on some things for me, I would be most grateful!!

1. I would like to get a nice set of rims. Bolt pattern is 5x120 I believe, offset is around 44? 45? Is a 20 inch wheel pushing it? Will it rub at all, or does it tuck nicely?

2. I would like a new steering wheel. Which other BMW model steering wheels can I get, and do the paddle shifters attach to the steering wheel, or are they on the hub of the steering wheel?

Thanks again for any/all help!! More pics below:

Hi Bryan,

I also traded a GTI for a 128 convertible. After 4 BMWs, I couldn't warm up to the front wheel drive of the GTI nor the turbo lag of the engine. I've had the 128 for just over a year and I love it. Can't really help you with mods....I think the wheels on the car in the picture look nice already, IMO. But good luck with it and I hope you enjoy driving it, especially with the top down!

Bruce

Originally Posted by Bruce128iC

Hi Bryan,

I also traded a GTI for a 128 convertible. After 4 BMWs, I couldn't warm up to the front wheel drive of the GTI nor the turbo lag of the engine. I've had the 128 for just over a year and I love it. Can't really help you with mods....I think the wheels on the car in the picture look nice already, IMO. But good luck with it and I hope you enjoy driving it, especially with the top down!

Bruce

TBH, not a huge fan of convertibles BUT I can't imagine it's going to be a problem!

...and if you didn't like the turbo lag on a gti (K03 turbo) then turbo's might not be for you, as it's one of the quickest ones on the market, size wise, with almost no lag at all.

Originally Posted by bbowers825

TBH, not a huge fan of convertibles BUT I can't imagine it's going to be a problem!

...and if you didn't like the turbo lag on a gti (K03 turbo) then turbo's might not be for you, as it's one of the quickest ones on the market, size wise, with almost no lag at all.

I had a 335 coupe before the GTI and that also had horrendous turbo lag. You're right, I definitely prefer a NA engine. However, I've had a new 328 loaner a couple of times and the 4 banger turbo is quite good....hardly no noticeable lag when you drive it in sport mode. That engine paired with the new 2 series vert will be sweet!

Also had the paddle shifters in my 335....never used them once over the 3 years I had the car. Just a gimmick IMO.

19s are going to be pushing it in MD, unless you like buying new wheels after each trip through downtown bmore. I didn't like driving my 1er with 18s out of the port, 295 will eat wheels. You can retrofit the m-sport or performance steering wheels, both are much better then stock. The seats are probably a bigger factor if you don't have the sport seats.

there is a sponsor here that does custom work on steering wheels

Sent from my XT557 using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by Bruce128iC

I had a 335 coupe before the GTI and that also had horrendous turbo lag. You're right, I definitely prefer a NA engine. However, I've had a new 328 loaner a couple of times and the 4 banger turbo is quite good....hardly no noticeable lag when you drive it in sport mode. That engine paired with the new 2 series vert will be sweet!

Also had the paddle shifters in my 335....never used them once over the 3 years I had the car. Just a gimmick IMO.

lol!! Poor paddle's

Originally Posted by ND40oz

19s are going to be pushing it in MD, unless you like buying new wheels after each trip through downtown bmore. I didn't like driving my 1er with 18s out of the port, 295 will eat wheels. You can retrofit the m-sport or performance steering wheels, both are much better then stock. The seats are probably a bigger factor if you don't have the sport seats.

I rarely drive through downtown baltimore, and the roads are pretty nice around the Pasadena/Glen Burnie area. I've had a GTI on 20's with a little work, and some sweet fender rub. I just don't want to push it on the beemer. So 19s with a tiny tire wall, or 18's I guess.

I have nice leather seats with the heaters, but I'm not sure if this is the "sport package" seat or not...Guess I will have to do some digging. I want to replace some of the things on the car that might make my driving experience nicer. So seats may be in the near future.

Originally Posted by mr29

there is a sponsor here that does custom work on steering wheels

Sent from my XT557 using Bimmer App

I'll do some digging, and see what I can find. Thx!!

Oh the Dena, still not the greatest roads down there, even 10 and 100 have issues, I've bent quite a few wheels on MDs crap roads.

Apex makes custom offsets for the 1er, you really need a high offset in the rear to go wide: http://www.apexraceparts.com/1-series-BMW-E82_c_34.html

Do you have the sticker for the car, what options does it have? I thought the 17s were the ZSP wheels on the 128i and you have 16s if you didn't have it, but it may have been different for the vert. If you have thigh support, then you have the sport seats.

Originally Posted by ND40oz

Oh the Dena, still not the greatest roads down there, even 10 and 100 have issues, I've bent quite a few wheels on MDs crap roads.

Apex makes custom offsets for the 1er, you really need a high offset in the rear to go wide: http://www.apexraceparts.com/1-series-BMW-E82_c_34.html

Do you have the sticker for the car, what options does it have? I thought the 17s were the ZSP wheels on the 128i and you have 16s if you didn't have it, but it may have been different for the vert. If you have thigh support, then you have the sport seats.

I believe I do have the adjustable thigh support. It's a lever in the front of the seat that moves the little pad forward and backwards.

I am not sure what my rim size is currently, I looked it up on BMW, and they should be (222) the 17 inch models. I'm not looking for any poke, but I don't want to tuck to far either, or throw off the camber, just a nice set of better looking wheels. I think I am leaning towards the VMR V710's in matte black.

A high offset won't give you poke, that's what a low offset will do. The high offset will let you fit more rubber under the rear end without having to roll or pull the fenders. Apex is the best way to fit 235/265 or even 245/275 on the 1er, if you stick with the stock 18 inch wheels sizes you'll be limited to 225/255, which is fine, just depends on how much tire you want.

Originally Posted by ND40oz

A high offset won't give you poke, that's what a low offset will do. The high offset will let you fit more rubber under the rear end without having to roll or pull the fenders. Apex is the best way to fit 235/265 or even 245/275 on the 1er, if you stick with the stock 18 inch wheels sizes you'll be limited to 225/255, which is fine, just depends on how much tire you want.

Thanks for the info!!