Thanks to CarVertical www.carvertical.com/gb/landing/v3?a=JayEmm&b=38b26e3a&voucher=UK for sponsoring today's video.

Noooo don't tell everyone, these are massively overlooked 😂

I have much admiration for those who don’t follow the crowd when it comes to performance cars and choose something different or unique. It’s refreshing.

My 09 128i 6MT. Best car that I've ever owned for absolute fun driving. i'm 62 and I have owned 26 cars.

Anyone else sit on autotrader looking at every car James gives a positive review of or is it just me? 😂 was close to buying an old Jag now I want a 125i convertible 😂

I’ve had my fair share of BMW’s (E46 M3, E92 M3, E92 N54 335i, E92 N53 330i and E90 N55 335i) and now own a 125i. My only advice is if you want to experience the last of the NA engines ever made by BMW, grab yourself a 125i, install some M3 lower control arms, 135i backbox and remap and now you have a very well balanced, sounding and reliable 270BHP NA BMW with more than enough power for the road and track.

I’ve been waiting for you to review this car. Thanks James

thanks Jay, another reasonable and sound review.

Incredible review, Jay! The details on this clip are high standards and the honesty and great advices are almost illegal to share.

Enjoyed the video. I've had one for 5 years now. They benefit from fitting the E90 M3 front Camber and Toe arms. Also the BMW Performance rear bump stops help settle the rear more. They allow more travel in the dampers, making the ride much better.

This actually is my first BMW too! Just taken it for a tour of Snowdonia. It's a superb mini gt & perfect for uk b roads. Thanks for the vids James.

Watched this video about 18 months ago, and about 17 months ago, I bought my E88 125i. In that time, the starter motor is all that’s let me down within the last month but nothing a bump wouldn’t fix until I had time to get to the garage! I’ve serviced it, and done the rear shock absorbers and that is it. Now I’m thinking in the new year, more power, an exhaust, some nice wheels and just an all round spruce up is what she deserves. I’ve had an Audi S5 4.2 V8 manual which I loved, but not as much as this little 1 series. Currently have my 335i sat beside it now and well, the 335i is broken. I’ll say no more other than the love I have for my 125i, is that of wanting to keep it forever. Best car I’ve ever owned so far!

I have had a convertible 125iA for 12 years now and I will probably keep it for many more years. Perfect all around car.

Ive had my eye on one of these for a very long time now

There is NO alternative to that shirt James☺

Nicely done episode J 👍👌

I like these in coupe form. Reminded me of older beemers!

Excellent suggestion!

Thanks for reviewing this car. I really wanted one but could not find one that met my criteria and bought a 228i F22 instead. Still like this car though. Great review as always. I do enjoy your channel. Keep up the great work.

Im glad you did a piece of one of these. Im in my 5th year of ownership ( 59 plate ) and i adore it. And your review is very accurate also , MPG getting the run flats off etc. Only thing to watch on these is the gearbox. The Syncro's wear out and they bounce out of gear with a very loud bang. Thats a 2k repair. BMW wont sell parts so its a specialist rebuild. So if you test drive one , make sure you do a lot of stopping and pulling away a lot! Its something any BMW specialist garage will have good knowledge of . I drive mine spiritedly pretty much everywhere. Its been super reliable just keep up basic servicing. Its not over powered but keeping up at 5k and above its a lot of fun .. and how fast can you really go on British roads anyway. If you can pick a semi decent one up for 5k id take this over any hot hatch for that amount of money.

Baby on the way. Just ordered a 125i plus a remap to replace my 2.7 cayman thanks to this video 🙏🏼

I had a 135 coupe for 5 years. Best car I’ve ever had

Was waiting for this video. I was watching from the gully lorry. Good video. 👍👍

Owned the SV8 you covered recently and I currently own a 125i coupe!

I have a 135i in the same colour, great car, mountains of power too!

Nice overview of the one series coupe. Anyone interested in one must remember that there is no such thing as a cheap used BMW! You will pay through the nose for the maintenance the previous owner deferred. If the car was well maintained, the owner will know they have a better than average example, and ask for recompense in their price. It is worth holding out for a car with a manual transmission and the M-Sport package. The seats alone are worth it. They are very supportive, yet comfortable for long drives. An M-Sport will also have a rear sway bar and slightly stiffer suspension, with staggered wheels. I beg to differ on JayEmm's recommendation of staggered wheel fitments. The car as delivered from the factory has a tendency to understeer, and wider rear tires only exacerbate this. A 135i with it's higher torque needs a bit more tire in back, but the 128i (as it is named in the USA) does well with a square setup, unless you are only after acceleration, in which case you'd need a limited slip differential anyway. One of the coolest things about this car is the ability to easily install suspension parts from the E90 M3. The stock rear subframe bushings are a joke, which is why the car is dicey when pushed hard. A set of M3 bushings are worth the considerable effort of installation. You will have to drop that subframe to get them in, though. The 125i/128i have a rabid following. They are the last of BMW's legendary N/A straight sixes. The size of the car is perfect, the driving experience is excellent, and the reliability is quite good if you commit to regular if not frequent maintenance. Expect oil leaks and coil pack failures. The electric coolant pumps should be regularly replaced, as well. Other than that, they are quite solid.

Owned one for over 3 years now. The stock power leaves a little to be admired but there are maps out there that will bring you up to the 280hp that the hatchback 130i produces which makes it a joy to drive. A very fun car indeed and the noise is exceptional. Not had a single issue since I bought it.. solid car especially for its price tag.

Agreed! My first ever car was an E92 325I. 2009 so had the N53B30A engine, absolute wonder, no mechanical issues and sung like angles at heavens gate, amazing to drive. Now i have a E92 335i. E92 are the most beautiful cars IMO

EXCELLENT VIDEO. GREAT CAR.

I have a big soft spot for the e46 platform there still very good looking car even to this day

Very nice car James. I really like it.

One of these remapped in convertible form was always a hidden gem, straight 6, top down and 130i power unlocked very easily.

Love the look of this car

Ive gone the opposite way round...started with an E30 318i saloon then an E36 318i coupe then an E46 330 touring now i'm in a new ST! Very different driving experience. Don't regret it though, I was only getting 22mpg in the 330 compared to 38 in the ST (inc some spirited driving).

I had one a couple of years ago and unless you regularly have to carry more than two people, this is near perfect. It's fun to drive in every situation - slow or fast and it looks (at least bit) sporty. For me it was the perfect compromise between sportiness and utility. It could carry my road bike with no trouble and would not complain about a trip to IKEA either. Also, fuel economy is not atrocious (as mentioned in the video). The engine is a masterpiece - I love it, so smooth, so much torque. However, I now drive a humble Kia Niro EV and sadly (only considering how power is delivered by the engine obviously) that makes even this wonderful R6 feel like stone age technology. Crazy...

Great review as always! Another car from this era I think is good value now is the Mk2 TT, in both the 2.0T and 3.2 VR6 guise.

Sorely miss my 130i. That engine was a genuine masterpiece.

Used to have the 128i young and dumb I totaled it now I got a 135i and I’m so excited :)

Thanks J!

I just bought a 2010 125i 6 speed 3 weeks ago, my first car. It is just perfect.

I have a 2013 128i in this blue color. It is a great car, reliable and fun to drive.

Great video! I personally have owned a 125i Coupe BMW edition for over 2 years now, and I absolutely love it. Not my first bmw , and having owned an M Sport 1 series 2015 in the past I can confirm that this car is miles more fun to drive on a B road or motorway cruising. Never had any issues with the 125i although mine is very low mileage and has full service history with a bmw specialist who’s known the car from new. There are very few cars I would swap my 125i for … maybe a 1 M Coupe of the E82 shape :D Some advice if your looking at a 125i , do not have run flat tires. They spoil the handling. Stick premium petrol in the tank once a month, my version performs really well with premium petrol in regularly. Get it service regularly also, don’t be cheap! It’s a very reliable block , it’s worth looking after as it will see you right into the future.

I would have had one when I was younger, but given that they had 3.0 engines from 2010 onwards they were a little difficult to ensure. Managed to worm my way into an M240i though so it all balanced out.

I bought the 125i convertible as the 135i just does not have the reliability, so I agree with everything you said in the video (good review!)

Just bought a 3 series with the n52.. great motor, love it with the muffler and res delete ;)

Wow that thumbnail is the cars best angle by far 👍

I do much agree with vxr Connor , his statement hit the nail on the head !!

You're right about the snow thing. Don't go into work that day, just call in sick.

I have a 128i with a manual transmission in crimson red, and I love everything about it, handles amazing, power is decent and with a muffler delete the n52 sounds beautiful

I drove 118i coupe convertible along the great ocean road in Australia. I thought it was great ! Living in Prague (best public transport system on the planet) I don't need a car, but if I move back to Blighty, I'd definitely buy a 1-series coupe. They're perfect !

Being that I own a '11 128i 6MT I can assure anyone watching this video or reading my comment you won't be upset with your purchase. I'm happy I got mine when I did though. Clean, stock examples in a manual are not only tricky to find (in the states) the prices have really gone up.

I do love this car. It reminds me of the E30.

Damn. That track “Californian Soil” by London Grammar IS good. Nice recommendation James, thanks.

Extremely rare cars in the USA. I actually bought a 6MT with the M sport package, fully loaded, in silver/red interior. I think there are 224 of them made between 2006-2013. It’s a little bank vault on wheels, as one reviewer termed it. James did a brilliant job critiquing this car, spot on in all regards. Goodness, it feels as heavy and solid as a saloon 3 series, yet of course is profoundly nimble due to the wheelbase. It’s definitely a rare combination of quality fit, fully organic driving experience, but also very sedate too. The engine is, and ruminates, pure class, unrivaled by anything today, I feel. The new turbo 6’s like the b58 are technologically masterful. But you’re not enjoying the intake sound, exhaust rumble or responsiveness of a port intake / n/a manifold like this. I drove it home from Massachusetts to Colorado and had a blast. I hope never to sell it. I’m 5’7” and actually was able to fit in the rear seat without hitting my head, with no hat on. Someday I hope people will begin to appreciate this car as the last true organic BMW. It reminds me of what made life pleasurable before the globalists and environmental fear mongers ruined motoring, butter vs margarine, leather vs vinyl, 6 vs 4 cylinders, hydraulic steering vs phony electric, manual vs auto, rear wheel drive vs all, etc.

I had the 330CI and it was in my eyes an amazing car and I miss it.

Due to this video I actually went on the hunt for one of these and I absolutely fell in love with the car. Found one with 55k miles, high spec and Edition Plus model too. That makes it, as far as I can find, one of only 72 in the UK that's an Edition Plus.

Got an e82 123d stage 2, quite fun at 260hp 460nm and 45mpg (19km/L). More fun than a 3series on the b roads

I have my eye on an e82, however due to insurance it's only the 118d. But I still think it'll be a perfect and fun every day driver!

"oh, blimey" fund. Man I cracked up

The N52 is an absolute gem. When with this over the 135i. No regrets. Previous owner was a bit cheap on maintenance, but we got everything up to speed. Runs perfect with no faults now. It's such a joyful daily. All it needs is a remap to get the DISA to work better.

Lovely cars!

Almost as criminally underated as this car is this channel

my friend just bought one of these cars. Its a lot of fun. Im 6' 3" and I can't pretty comfortably fit in the back seat.

I feel the same about my 128i... which has the 6, a buttery smooth 6-speed and good reliability. Which is to say, I love it.

I have an e88 128i convertible I love it to bits

I’m 20, last week I brought a 2006 325i manual. One owner 72,000 miles, full service history. 2.5k. Absolutely love it

I can attest to the quality of those tyres. I put some asymmetric 5s on my 124 spider and they were transformative. Slightly cheaper than a pilot sports 4 and although they have less flat out dry grip, they're a more"fun" tyre.

Ah, my first BMW. Was in 1996 e36 325tds. Great little car.

It's simple: I see a JayEmm video's up, I start watching it and hit the usually instant like

Great car, cool review. Never regretted buying mine for a second. With the upgrades I did and upcoming, it can be a real drivers car to the max.

I have this exact car, but 128i automatic, cuz we have tons of traffic jams in my country. Nobody knows what it is, cuz everyone is used to seeing it as a hatchback and not as a coupe. A word of advice: make sure all the small trim pieces are still on the car before buying. They are super hard to find and cost a lot of money. 100usd for a 30cm door weather seal 😂

Best looking bmw by today’s standards in my opinion 👍

That Clubsport is beautiful.

I had one of these a few years ago, great little car, have a 335i now, gotta be honest the 125 was nicer to drive

Something good to watch on my college break!

I own a 2008 128i and it's still great fun without drawing any unwanted attention. Manual, M-Sport, leather. No iDrive, no exploding turbos, no electric steering, no car payments, cheap to insure, plenty of room in the backseat for the kids, a nicely sized trunk and these now sell for more than what I paid for it used ~eight years ago.

Just bought myself a 125i convertible (E88), best decision I’ve ever made

I am in the US and here we had the 128i, with the N52 at 230hp. I believe that there is a significant difference with the 125i with the power steering. The 128i has a hydraulic unit while I believe that the 125i has an electric unit. The 128i with the sport pack and the manual was o e of the most underrated driver's car, an absolute joy to daily drive and did good on track days despite low power. Had it for 9 years... They start to go up in value here.

Thanks for the vid! These cars go for 10k+ at a minimum here in Sweden.. I really do wish to get one tho😄 Happy weekend!

I looked for one of these about 6 years ago and they were rare then so must be like hens teeth now. Always liked the idea of a relatively large unstressed NA engine in a smaller car.

Has a hint of E30 about it, which I like

Lovely looking, but it’s no rocket-ship. Nice, thanks

I have had a love affair with BMWs since forever. My first and boy do I feel daft now for selling it, was a 1972 3.0CSI, many years later came a 328i coupe, 330i coupe sport and latterly a very humdrum 520d, which despite initial reservation has grown on me. I have loved them all. The 328 and the 330 were both more powerful, more fun and much more reliable than a company 944 I had in the mid 80s. The time has come for another one, possible a 325i or a Z4 maybe both! I'm not sure I agree with you about driving them in snow. I have driven all of them in snow on standard tyres and never felt too challenged. I think they have a reputation among people who can't drive rear wheel drives anyway. Yes a golf or fiesta might feel safer but not even a Discovery can defy the laws of physics as the one in the ditch on a bend half mile down the road from me duriong the beast from the east attested to; its all about feeling what the car is doing when you give it input and not hooning it when the conditions are poor.

That shirt is Marvel-ous!

These have aged superbly in my opinion and Le Mans blue is a gorgeous colour. They’re a nicely proportioned little thing. The N52 is a glorious thing and is easily taken to 130i power with a simple remap. They have a few weak points; electric water pumps are pretty expensive and they’re getting to an age where they start to leak; oil filter housing, oil cooler, rocker cover and sumps are the main points that your oil likes to escape. Removing the CDV makes a huge difference to the clutch feel and gear change and is free to do.

Love your videos mate, but the perfect first BMW is a MINI!

These do seem like a great all rounder, just a shame there doesn’t seem to be many for sale at all

I have both the E82 125i and Toyota 86. Best fun Naturally aspirated rear wheel drive and reliable sports cars with light chassis that can be driven daily. Add the 10.25 inch touchscreen and 763M wheels.

My insurance quote on a BMW 125i m sport as a 21 year old with 2 years no claims is £700 a year so I am genuinely considering this car.

When comparing this to an M car, your conclusion doesn't surprise me. I had a rwd 228i, loved it, figured an M240i (previous gen) would be a great upgrade. After a few months of getting used to the power difference, I realized how wrong I was. The _only_ time the M240 was more fun was in those rare 5-second sprints to "arrest me" speeds - the rest of the time I may as well have been driving a Buick. The 228i was a blast just running errands.

I really like the looks of this, especially the greenhouse which reminds me of an old Alfa, but repair and maintenance scare me away

perfect first bmw also the E90 328i/128i

BTW, I've extensively driven my 125i in the snow on P zeros in hilly sheffield and made way more progress than any other 'normal' cars. The trick is turn TC fully off and just stay in a continuous drift, it's very controllable and the N52 is quite happy to stay at high revs for long periods. My car is a cabrio so more rear weight than the other models, probably helped.

Yay! I just got a 125i E82 M Sport in Grey late February this year, to replace my Clio 200 and I'm absolutely loving it! It's a different car to the Clio for sure, and I miss the immaturity of the Clio, but it's great Edit: You mentioned not bothering with the I drive. I have the updated CIC idrive, and I added an android auto/Carplay box to it. Makes a world of difference to the usability of the screen!

You have to put in your radar the last and best iteration of BMW's straight six NA, the N87 cassis 130i, N52 engine 265 HP, straight six, manual gearbox superb reliability .

I have an M Sport convertible and it looks right compared to the coupe, apparently Chris Bangle designed the convertible and then did one with a fixed roof, true fact!

E46 33ci is a perfect 1st car too

I have a N54 135i coupe in Sedona Red for the last 6 years👌

Great overview on the E82 125i... bought one myself about 3 weeks ago and I'm absolutely loving it... Tax is a bit pricey and the current fuel costs are a bit painful when I fill it up but it's worth every penny- the N52 really dominates the whole driving experience, and I think makes it feel like a much more exotic and expensive car than it is. The refinement (you'd think it has start-stop, it's that smooth at idle) and the torque of the N52 makes it feel like a mini-GT at lower RPMs- and then you hit about 4000rpm and VANOS kicks in, at which point it just pulls, making the most incredible noise while it does so.... The fuel economy figures aren't horrendous either, I've been averaging about 30mpg in mine so far with a lot of driving around town and revving it out when I can. Insurance is silly cheap too, I'm 23, street park in the centre of Bristol, 6 years NCB and I'm paying £400 this year! One thing I will say- if you can get a car with CIC iDrive ('09 or later off the top of my head), it's well worth it. You can either fit a 'combox' (or buy an example with it as standard) which gives you full iPod/iPhone compatibility through a standard USB cable, (including album art, library search, etc) or you can purchase a box which will retain the standard iDrive but also give you Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality. Both really bring the car up-to-date, I feel for all the hate iDrive got the CIC iteration at least has aged incredibly well, and the function buttons and the controller make it one of the more ergonomic systems available- especially with manufacturers burying fairly basic options behind touchscreen menus...

Petrol is king but for those needing frugality the E87 120d or 123d hatches are actually pretty nice. A 123d with a modest safe remap is 250 horsepower, well in excess of 300lb/ft torque. Rear drive offering up 45MPG real world economy plus only £155 road tax. Many have done star ship mileage which isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you find a nicely fettled one with 80k on the clock, might set you back perhaps around £3500-£4000. If you're aware of the timing chain issues and make sure you have a good clutch they are generally pretty solid- for a BMW!