'08 128i - how bad is reliability

Consumer reports on the 135i is scary...full black circle overall.

No data on the '08 128i, but I expect they share a lot of parts...looking for a 128i for my wife, who wants a convertible and has mostly decided a Z4 is a little too sporty for her, and would prefer to have a sedan.

Like to hear what it's been like from a few owners. Is the 128i treating you right?

128 is a coupe not a sedan. It's the same engine as the 135 minus the turbo chargers, so I wouldn't think it's any more or less reliable then the 135.

Originally Posted by jfox335i

128 is a coupe not a sedan. It's the same engine as the 135 minus the turbo chargers, so I wouldn't think it's any more or less reliable then the 135.

Thanks...so not great news then.

128i or 125i is more reliable I was told by local dealers

135i is scary

The 08 135i would have the notoriously bad N54. I lemoned a 2007 335i with the N54. The 128i runs a standard N52, which is a rock solid engine. No comparison.

I had no complaints with my 08 128 vert. Other than typical items fixed under warranty:

Cracking third brake light
Pixelated radio
Seat belt tensioner recall
Rattling convertible top

Outside of those items it was a good car. I sold it at 40k miles because wife had baby number 3 and she needed a minivan more than I needed a bright red convertible. I wanted to be buried in it .

Keep in mind the 135 and 128 have completely different motors. The 128 has a very reliable n52 motor that is NA unlike the turbo 135. Most of the issues with the 135 involves the HPFP.

I also have a 2009 x3 with the same drive line as the 128 (n52 motor and 6L45e transmission) that has 109k miles on it that has been the most reliable super commuter I have ever owned.

My wife has the 128 vert. It is a 2010. Her car has been spotless. It's never visited the dealer with the exception of scheduled service. No issues at all. No rattles, no bad lights, nothing.

On the 135. I owned a 335 and it was flawless for me too. It's a very capable car. I only sold it because I wasn't driving it as I take mass transit every day. To this day I regret letting that car go.

good to see good reviews on the 128

Sent from my XT557 using Bimmer App

I drive 60 miles per day (90% Highway). So far about 75K miles since I bought it in 2008 via ED.
sun-roof malfunction (finger pinch functionality failed. fixed with reset)
Cracking third brake light cover

Complain:
windshield glass seems too easy to crack when hit by stone tips on hw (replaced once, now new one has 2 cracks again).
gas tank can be a bit bigger. (26 mpg)

Actuallly the 128 and 135 engine don't share much in common (turbocharging aside)
-The 135 is direct injected, while the n52 in the x28 models had port injection (the direct injection was the source of much trouble w/ the 135/335 models)
-the 128 has a magnesium and aluminum block for lightness while the n54 in the 135 has an all aluminum block
-Even the bore spacing and dimensions are different

Overall yes, the 128 had a much more reliable engine and there's less to go wrong (no turbos and no direct injection).