Segment:
Compact Premium Coupe / Sports Coupe
Target Audience:
Young professionals, driving enthusiasts seeking a premium, sporty, yet practical compact coupe.
Key Competitors:
Infiniti G37 Coupe, Audi A3 (though not a direct coupe competitor in all markets), Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe (C207 generation).
Driving Dynamics:
Renowned BMW handling, rear-wheel-drive platform, balanced chassis.
Powertrain:
Naturally aspirated inline-six engine offering smooth power delivery and a characteristic BMW engine note.
Design:
Classic BMW coupe proportions, driver-focused interior.
Coverage:
Introduction, Instrument Cluster, Entertainment Systems, Climate Controls, Lights, Controls and Features, Seats and Storage, Driving and Parking, On the Road, Vehicle Care, Wheels and Tires, Technical Data, Emergency Equipment, Service and Maintenance
Powertrain:
Engine operation, basic maintenance procedures
Chassis:
Brakes, steering, suspension operation
Electrical:
Lighting system operation, basic electrical features
Comfort:
Climate control operation, seating adjustments, infotainment system basics
Safety:
Airbag system operation, seatbelt usage, basic safety features
Operation:
Starting and stopping the engine, driving modes, parking
Maintenance:
Checking fluid levels (oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid), tire pressure checks, bulb replacement
Emergency:
Use of emergency equipment, changing a flat tire, jump-starting
Depth:
Covers operation, basic checks, and troubleshooting for the owner. Does not include detailed repair procedures or diagnostic codes.
Engine Type:
Naturally Aspirated Inline-6 (I6)
Displacement:
2996 cc (3.0 Liters)
Bore X Stroke:
85.0 mm x 88.0 mm
Compression Ratio:
12.0:1
Valve Train:
Double VANOS, Valvetronic
Horsepower:
230 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
200 lb-ft @ 2750-4250 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Multi-point Fuel Injection (MPI)
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline (91+ Octane Recommended)
ECU Type:
Bosch Motronic (specific variant may vary)
Transmission Type:
6-Speed Manual (Getrag GS6-37BZ)
Transmission Type:
6-Speed Steptronic Automatic (ZF 6HP19TU)
Manual Gear Ratios 1St:
4.056
Manual Gear Ratios 2Nd:
2.402
Manual Gear Ratios 3Rd:
1.594
Manual Gear Ratios 4Th:
1.181
Manual Gear Ratios 5Th:
1.000
Manual Gear Ratios 6Th:
0.777
Manual Reverse Ratio:
3.909
Automatic Gear Ratios 1St:
4.171
Automatic Gear Ratios 2Nd:
2.315
Automatic Gear Ratios 3Rd:
1.542
Automatic Gear Ratios 4Th:
1.179
Automatic Gear Ratios 5Th:
0.917
Automatic Gear Ratios 6Th:
0.778
Automatic Reverse Ratio:
3.513
Manual Transmission Fluid:
BMW MTF LT-3 (or equivalent SAE 75W-80 GL-4)
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
BMW ATF LT-5 (or ZF Lifeguardfluid 6)
NHTSA Front Driver Impact:
5-Star
NHTSA Front Passenger Impact:
5-Star
NHTSA Side Driver Impact:
5-Star
NHTSA Side Passenger Impact:
5-Star
NHTSA Side Rear Driver Impact:
5-Star
NHTSA Side Rear Passenger Impact:
5-Star
NHTSA Rollover Resistance:
4-Star
Traction Control:
Standard (Dynamic Traction Control - DTC)
Stability Control:
Standard (Dynamic Stability Control - DSC)
Airbags:
Front dual-stage airbags, front side-impact airbags, front and rear head protection system (HPS)
Seatbelts:
3-point inertia-reel seat belts with pre-tensioners and force limiters
Child Seat Anchors:
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system
Head Unit Interface:
iDrive Controller and display (screen size varies by option).
Audio System:
Standard BMW Professional radio, optional Harman Kardon surround sound system.
Connectivity:
Optional Bluetooth integration, USB adapter for audio playback.
Navigation:
Optional BMW Professional Navigation System.
Parking Sensors:
Optional front and rear Park Distance Control (PDC).
Headlights:
Standard Halogen headlights, optional Xenon Adaptive Headlights.
Cruise Control:
Standard cruise control system.
Rain Sensing Wipers:
Optional
Keyless Entry Start:
Optional Comfort Access System (keyless entry and start).
Oil Change:
Typically every 10,000-15,000 miles or 12-24 months, depending on driving conditions (Condition Based Service - CBS system).
Brake Fluid:
Every 2 years
Engine Air Filter:
Inspect every ~20,000 miles, replace as needed or every ~40,000 miles.
Cabin Microfilter:
Inspect every ~20,000 miles, replace as needed or every ~20,000-40,000 miles.
Spark Plugs:
Typically around 60,000 miles for iridium plugs.
Coolant:
Long-life coolant, typically replaced at major service intervals or as indicated by CBS.
Engine Oil:
BMW TwinPower Turbo SAE 0W-30 or 5W-30 Synthetic (meeting BMW LL-01 or LL-04 specifications)
Coolant:
BMW Blue Antifreeze/Coolant (or equivalent ethylene glycol-based antifreeze with silicate inhibitors)
Brake Fluid:
DOT 4 (BMW High Performance DOT 4)
Oil Filter Housing Gasket:
Leaking oil filter housing gasket (common on N52 engine, often requires replacement of the gasket or entire housing).
Water Pump:
Plastic water pump impeller can fail, leading to overheating. Electric water pumps on later N52 variants are more robust but can still fail.
Valve Cover Gasket:
Can degrade and leak oil, requiring replacement.
Pcv Valve System:
Can become clogged or fail, leading to rough idle, oil leaks, or smoke.
Oil Filter Part Number Example:
Mann-Filter HU 830 z or BMW 11 42 7 541 827
Air Filter Part Number Example:
Mann-Filter C 29 001 or BMW 13 71 7 535 206
Philosophy:
Performance, engineering excellence, driver-centric design.
First Generation:
The 1 Series (F20/F21 hatchback) debuted in 2004. The coupe variant (E82) was introduced later.
E82 Introduction:
The E82 coupe was introduced in 2007 (as a 2008 model in some markets) and was part of the first generation 1 Series platform.
128I Positioning:
Positioned as the more accessible, naturally aspirated inline-six option below the more powerful 135i.
Production Period:
2007-2013 (for E82 platform)
Manufacturing Locations:
Mainly Leipzig, Germany.