Driving Impressions - 2009 BMW 128i
I shut the door, hit the start button, threw it in first gear and took off. Suddenly it was 1998 all over again, feeling as if I was reunited with my first car, a 1988 BMW 325is. Such is the purity of the new BMW 128i coupe. Previously, I lamented the fact that the 135i coupe was overpriced and a bit overkill. However, the 128i coupe with a six speed manual is the most perfect BMW of the entire lineup, simply because less is more. It is BMW at its finest: a non-forced induction inline six cylinder engine, manual gearbox, and electronic gadgets that are kept to a minimum.
The first thing I noticed about the 128i is how little things changed. Over twenty years have passed between the time my 325is coupe rolled off the assembly line to now. And yet, the 128i clearly retains the DNA of the E30 3 series in every little thing it does. The clutch and gearbox are typically BMW smooth, while the 3.0 liter six cylinder engine sounds remarkably similar in tone to the 2.5 liter six cylinder in my old 325is. On the road, the 128i composes itself well, as any fine German sports coupe or saloon should. Suspension is compliant but firm, acceleration is brisk but not overstated and it handles well in corners when pushed. While not the fastest BMW, this coupe does everything well and then some.
The interior is typical BMW. The 128i I drove had a black leatherette interior, which, as is typical with such a color, is a bit stark. All the controls are laid out in a logical fashion and the placement of the gearshift and pedals are excellent. This is definitely a drivers’ car. Cabin room for two passengers is superb, however, the backseats are best used for short trips for anyone average size on up. The rear seat does have a pass through and trunk capacity is rather spacious for a car of this size. Entry price for the 128i is $30,225 with destination charges. With a few options you should be able to steer under the $35,000 mark.
The 128i is a breath of fresh air at a time when cars are bloated, full of gadgets and have engines hopped up on steroids. This car is indeed the spiritual successor to the iconic BMW 2002 of yesteryear. I am sure wherever my old 325is is (pictured below), it is smiling that BMW has once again made good on its promise of “The Ultimate Driving Machine.”
