You’re a bright guy and kudos for doing what so many of prior generations have done and built their first car. You got a cheap car, tricked out the way you want it on a budget, but more, you now have a ton of experience, knowledge and insight. Yes, you made mistakes and spent money on things that ultimately are removed or set aside - but so what. You can’t touch a new anything for under $25K and so many of your peers (or their parents) are going into major debt for a bare minimum shitbox and haven’t gained any accompanying skills to even change oil. That will be a lifelong disability and not only have you avoided it, you have as a result a plushmobile and obviously pride in ownership because you built it and you have to fix it. I doubt you’re doing donuts and burnouts. Moreover, you’ve learned and will continue to learn real world research and troubleshooting skills because in your journey they had direct consequences in both dollars and outcomes. Those same acquired skills will over and over pay off in both education and career. You can’t teach that stuff - really. You, like the rest of us, learn by failure, analytical thinking and perseverance. I followed a similar path and I did quite well in the following 50 years. Working on cars (or anything else) isn’t very hard. It just requires thirst for knowledge and seeking an understanding of how things work and interrelate. Congratulations on becoming a real mechanic, not a dealership swapaneer. You can come work on my 11 cars and 3 bikes anytime, if you can get me out of the way. Your passion shows. I recently gave a young man in my community about your age a good condition CJ5 for the same purpose and he too has built a great custom vehicle. I guess there is hope for our youth after all.
Thanks you so much, I was warned not to get a BMW but I didn’t listen. Although with a family that all have Beemers I had to follow suit. I thought I was prepared, but the different trials I have gone through to get it where it is now has been very Informing and beneficial. I dare say I am glad that there was so many things I had to fix, because now I know how to fix them, and can teach other people. I may have been naive, but it has all worked out. hank you for this comment, it means a lot :)
@@greezysgarage One other comment: I hope you’ve done a complete service on the automatic transmission - Fluid, filter and cleaning the sludge out of the pan and off the magnet. That simple and inexpensive activity will significantly extend transmission life, saving you $$$ on a premature transmission rebuild. BMW says that the fluid is a “lifetime” fill, but just about every car manufacturer recommends auto transmission service at somewhere near 60K mile intervals. Hydraulic fluid (aka auto trans fluid) has a very finite service life and it takes a beating in transmissions. While you’re at it, do the rear end gear oil too if the vehicle has 75-100K on the odo for the same reason, though it uses heavy weight gear oil instead of ATF. I have 3 BMWs in my car collection: X1, 328i and M4. Got each at auction for a steal and nobody works on them except for me. Cheers!
great contents. 128i is my first BMW. the 128i is actually an excellent BMW to learn on. The N52 engine is super reliable and there's no turbo to be concern about, also keeping cost down. You had mentioned the car is smoking. Maybe get a compression test? I wouldn't waste my money on an engine swap to an n54. for the money you will spend and time invested, you are better off getting a 135i. with a 135i, you will have BMW Brembo brakes and other perks of a 135i.
While I originally wanted a 135 to start with, having the N52 to learn on I think has been better, although I have also worked on family member's N54&N55s for OFHG and VCG services as well. Thanks for the comment! I do agree that it is probably easier to just get a 135i also :)
Great video man! I just picked up a 2013 128I and I love it. I'll be changing out the water pump this summer as a preventative. All in all, It's been a great car!
That's a good point. The N20 started production later, is turbocharged, and is a 4 cylinder that makes ~equal power. However, since it is turbocharged, you do have to prepare for potential extra cost for maintenance; although since it is a 4 cylinder it may be slightly less, although I've heard that some N20s aren't reliable, so it may be good to do some research so you can get an updated one. Good luck!
yes, while my 128 is an 08", I retrofit the Idrive system with the newer CIC version, while it originally would have come with the CCC (like you have) which includes the larger, stationary screen, and updated U.I. etc.
I can’t take the chance. Every mechanic on TH-cam advises against it. I can not be at the mechanic shop every other weekend fixing my car. I was looking at a 2015 BMW 328i x drive today….$4999 ….looks beautiful but too good to be true.
Sorry for the late response, if you're willing to put in the work yourself (which shouldn't be too much with that milage if it was kept in a garage) I would definitely go ahead. I love my convertible and definitely would get a Z4. Does it come with the N55 engine?
Mine was 4k and had many issues, so probably not unless you trust/know the person you're buying it from. If you really want it though, bring a BMW-specific code reader and take your time looking it over if you meet up with the seller. Thanks!
Sorry for the late response. The E90 is more practical having more space, but they have relatively comparable handling/performance so it's really just preference. There is somewhat more support for modding on the 3 series though, since it's so popular.
Personally I don't see why a younger person shouldn't be able to learn using the best :) I consider myself fortunate to have learned how to wrench on a BMW, (or german car in general) because it makes other cars seem easier to work on, rather than a BMW being more difficult. I've also done 100% of the maintenance myself, with help from the fine people on bimmerpost.net teenagers can be very responsible if taught correctly, and should be able to enjoy such things if they are well deserved, is my conclusion.
This is the video that caused me to sub to your channel. I enjoy your content, and your approach to making your content. Greezy for life ;)
thank you so much! I try to create high quality, informative content :)
You’re a bright guy and kudos for doing what so many of prior generations have done and built their first car. You got a cheap car, tricked out the way you want it on a budget, but more, you now have a ton of experience, knowledge and insight. Yes, you made mistakes and spent money on things that ultimately are removed or set aside - but so what. You can’t touch a new anything for under $25K and so many of your peers (or their parents) are going into major debt for a bare minimum shitbox and haven’t gained any accompanying skills to even change oil. That will be a lifelong disability and not only have you avoided it, you have as a result a plushmobile and obviously pride in ownership because you built it and you have to fix it. I doubt you’re doing donuts and burnouts. Moreover, you’ve learned and will continue to learn real world research and troubleshooting skills because in your journey they had direct consequences in both dollars and outcomes. Those same acquired skills will over and over pay off in both education and career. You can’t teach that stuff - really. You, like the rest of us, learn by failure, analytical thinking and perseverance. I followed a similar path and I did quite well in the following 50 years.
Working on cars (or anything else) isn’t very hard. It just requires thirst for knowledge and seeking an understanding of how things work and interrelate. Congratulations on becoming a real mechanic, not a dealership swapaneer. You can come work on my 11 cars and 3 bikes anytime, if you can get me out of the way. Your passion shows. I recently gave a young man in my community about your age a good condition CJ5 for the same purpose and he too has built a great custom vehicle. I guess there is hope for our youth after all.
Thanks you so much, I was warned not to get a BMW but I didn’t listen. Although with a family that all have Beemers I had to follow suit. I thought I was prepared, but the different trials I have gone through to get it where it is now has been very Informing and beneficial. I dare say I am glad that there was so many things I had to fix, because now I know how to fix them, and can teach other people. I may have been naive, but it has all worked out. hank you for this comment, it means a lot :)
@@greezysgarage One other comment: I hope you’ve done a complete service on the automatic transmission - Fluid, filter and cleaning the sludge out of the pan and off the magnet. That simple and inexpensive activity will significantly extend transmission life, saving you $$$ on a premature transmission rebuild. BMW says that the fluid is a “lifetime” fill, but just about every car manufacturer recommends auto transmission service at somewhere near 60K mile intervals. Hydraulic fluid (aka auto trans fluid) has a very finite service life and it takes a beating in transmissions. While you’re at it, do the rear end gear oil too if the vehicle has 75-100K on the odo for the same reason, though it uses heavy weight gear oil instead of ATF. I have 3 BMWs in my car collection: X1, 328i and M4. Got each at auction for a steal and nobody works on them except for me. Cheers!
Thanks for the tip, nice collection!
i’m searching and looking for a 128i with 110k miles or less, as my first car i can’t wait to pick one up eventually.
Just make sure you have savings for repairs :) its a love-hate relationship. You love driving it when it’s working, but hate when it breaks down lol.
Consider a E9x 3 series, like a 328. They are quite comfortable, solid with the N52 and base GM transmission and can be had for under $10K .
@@TheGreatGastronaut just to get back to you, i ended picking up an e92 328i, great great choice she’s a beauty and she’s running strong!
@@greezysgaragethis with any car boss. I was like that with just my regular ole Malibu
I guess I just figure that most BMWs are harder to fix when they break down :)
I’ve got 2011 white E88 with manual:) love it.
Awesome!
great contents. 128i is my first BMW. the 128i is actually an excellent BMW to learn on. The N52 engine is super reliable and there's no turbo to be concern about, also keeping cost down. You had mentioned the car is smoking. Maybe get a compression test? I wouldn't waste my money on an engine swap to an n54. for the money you will spend and time invested, you are better off getting a 135i. with a 135i, you will have BMW Brembo brakes and other perks of a 135i.
While I originally wanted a 135 to start with, having the N52 to learn on I think has been better, although I have also worked on family member's N54&N55s for OFHG and VCG services as well. Thanks for the comment! I do agree that it is probably easier to just get a 135i also :)
Great video man! I just picked up a 2013 128I and I love it. I'll be changing out the water pump this summer as a preventative. All in all, It's been a great car!
That's great to hear! Let me k ow if you have any questions :)
Nice Video. You seem very skilled!
Thanks! I've learned a lot along the way :D
nice work. I am thinking about getting a bmw with the N52 but gas is so expensive in my country that it might be better to get the N20
That's a good point. The N20 started production later, is turbocharged, and is a 4 cylinder that makes ~equal power. However, since it is turbocharged, you do have to prepare for potential extra cost for maintenance; although since it is a 4 cylinder it may be slightly less, although I've heard that some N20s aren't reliable, so it may be good to do some research so you can get an updated one. Good luck!
You did a nice job😊😊
Thanks!
I’d say a proper running 08 bmw n52 should be around 6-7k for one with around 100k 👍
Great engine for any platform. I love my e93!
That's about what I've seen :)
Friend, I have a 128i but the screen is hidden and when you start the car the screen comes out, don't you know why it is different?
yes, while my 128 is an 08", I retrofit the Idrive system with the newer CIC version, while it originally would have come with the CCC (like you have) which includes the larger, stationary screen, and updated U.I. etc.
I can’t take the chance. Every mechanic on TH-cam advises against it. I can not be at the mechanic shop every other weekend fixing my car. I was looking at a 2015 BMW 328i x drive today….$4999 ….looks beautiful but too good to be true.
Im buying this car this month (188,000km) hopefully it doesn't break my bank
Good luck! What kind are you getting?
Im thinking about buying a 2011 bmw z4 with 44k kilometers on it, so it was barely used do you think it’s a good idea?
Sorry for the late response, if you're willing to put in the work yourself (which shouldn't be too much with that milage if it was kept in a garage) I would definitely go ahead. I love my convertible and definitely would get a Z4. Does it come with the N55 engine?
When you do the oil filter housing gasket be prepared to replace the Mickey Mouse flange, which will probably disintegrate when you remove it.
I have already experienced that on my brother’s N55 lol, thanks for the heads up :)
It still looks really nice in 2023
Thanks, I think so too 😉
Shoot nice car I’m a teen I seen a bmw 128i for 3k should I buy it or nah
Mine was 4k and had many issues, so probably not unless you trust/know the person you're buying it from. If you really want it though, bring a BMW-specific code reader and take your time looking it over if you meet up with the seller. Thanks!
Yoo thanks man ur right is it good for long term or look at the e90 series
Sorry for the late response. The E90 is more practical having more space, but they have relatively comparable handling/performance so it's really just preference. There is somewhat more support for modding on the 3 series though, since it's so popular.
do u get car play with this car or blue tooth
This version of IDrive is equipped with Bluetooth audio for calls, while later models could be optioned to include Bluetooth media as well.
My brother has a 128i and I want it so bad…
It’s a desirable car! Maybe you could one up him and get a 135 😉
wipers swish swish swish swish wipers swish 😅😊❤😊❤😊
Amazing content like usual🫡
Thanks!
The first place teenagers don’t need BMWs
Is there a specific reason why not? Thanks for the input.
@@greezysgarage too much car for a teenager and they have way too much to learn
Personally I don't see why a younger person shouldn't be able to learn using the best :) I consider myself fortunate to have learned how to wrench on a BMW, (or german car in general) because it makes other cars seem easier to work on, rather than a BMW being more difficult. I've also done 100% of the maintenance myself, with help from the fine people on bimmerpost.net teenagers can be very responsible if taught correctly, and should be able to enjoy such things if they are well deserved, is my conclusion.
@@greezysgarage I absolutely agree unfortunately, there are very many like-minded people with that type of common sense and self control. Good job.
Thanks! I'm glad I'm able to do this.@@Merlin2634-m4d
if you have a wallet yes