[b1aze]

Originally Posted by gosi

So you are suggesting to basically gut the car, that op wants to be a daily driver, so that it would match the Fiesta’s weight? The logic on these forums sometimes...

Did I say gut the car? No. Removing rear seats is something plenty of people do for AutoX or HDPEs. But you had to jump to the extremes. The logic on these forums sometimes...

[Tambohamilton]

Exactly; people remove rear seats for HPDEs, etc - not for daily driving!

[Rmtt]

Originally Posted by tsk94

If you do everything, including MILV's you can usually get 260-270whp but that's getting beyond what I'd call easy. Since that will usually be with a N54 intake and it's not as simple of a bolt-on as the 3 stage IM.

I didn't mean to make it sound like I was calling you out, I just didn't want the OP to think that 270whp or more was fairly 'easy' to achieve. ~240-250 is realistic and relatively easy, beyond that it gets more complicated and less simple bolt on

I have all that. 3SI, Headers, MILVS, and a tune.

Bought the 3SI used and replaced the DISA valves. Installed all the parts myself. I did the milvs when I replaced my VCG. I would say the car has probably 260 whp as most dynos show 250 without Milvs.

Lack of TQ was the biggest issue and the diff swap helped that.

The rear diff was the easiest swap. Used out of a wrecked car with 21K miles for about $300.

The 3:73 makes more of a difference than all the other bolt-ons combined.

I have less than $2K in everything. Did the work myself, and I've never worked on a BMW before.

Sport seats + M-Sport suspension that came with the car plus the above mods and lightweight wheels....and the car is extremely fun to drive.

[10"]

Originally Posted by c1pher

That’s funny. I actually liked the 228 better than the OG M2. I would only drive a 135i again but because of my DCT issues, I would only get a 6 mt.

That's just silly talk man...

[Jay86]

Did you end up going with the 128? I'd be curious to know what you think about each as I'm in the same boat. Trying to decide between a 128i base MT, but I'm going to swap in M steering wheel and coilovers or a Fiesta ST. I really just want the car that has better steering feel and better clutch for daily use. I've driven the Fiesta ST already and the clutch was fairly easy, but pretty vague.

[Lucky1]

I have a 128i 6MT and my buddy has a Ford Focus ST. His car has the most uncomfortably stiff seats with no adjustable bolstering. If the Fiesta features that it loses by default. The ST has a great gearbox and lots of modern tech but thats it. These are different vehicles for different buyers. Given Fiesta is smaller than ST and ST was already too small this is an easy choice for me even before you get into the RWD, inline 6 factors.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by 10"

That's just silly talk man...

Driven all N55 and B58 equipped 2 series. They had more power and better handling but no way were they more fun to drive than the 128i/135i due to disconnected feel with you know, the thing in the middle you hold with your hands. Better to mod a 135i and call it a day.

The B58 is glorious though, I'll give it that...

[SunnyD]

Had a FiST and would choose that in a heartbeat

[Jay86]

I guess it's all preference, I loved the seats in the ST.