Performance & Drivetrain

While the stock BMW 128ti produces an already impressive 265 horsepower (195 kilowatts) and 195 pound-feet (400 Nm), allowing for a 5.6-second sprint to 60 mph (97 km/h), the specialists from Dahler have decided it could use a bit more. The Dahler 128tii features a new stainless steel exhaust system with active valves and ceramic-coated tailpipes and an ECU tune.

These tweaks alone bring the numbers up to 313 horsepower (233 kilowatts) and 367 pound-feet (500 Nm).

This makes the 128tii more powerful than the top-of-the-line BMW M135i, which has 306 horsepower (225 kilowatts) and 332 pound-feet (450 Nm). The only downside in comparison to the M135i is the absence of all-wheel-drive. The gearbox is still the ZF eight-speed. With that being said, the Dahler 128tii will have a weight advantage as well, which would make for an interesting drag race.

Additionally, Dahler has fitted the BMW hot hatch with a coil-over suspension, which allows for compression and rebound dampening, as well as height adjustability. The Swiss tuners decided that the stock brakes were impressive enough, so they left them untouched.

The Visuals

The brakes may be stock, but they are now “hiding” behind new 20×8-inch forged wheels in all four corners, wrapped in 245/30 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber. Other exterior features include the new more aggressive front splitter and a roof-mounted rear wing. The overall aesthetics are finished by a silver racing stripe on top, which is off-set to the left and spans the entire length of the car. All the visual enhancements make the 128tii look even more aggressive than the top M135i model.

Interior changes are a bit more subtle, but just as tastefully executed. They comprise of new aluminum pedals, new floor mats, and new upholstery for the seats, which now feature substantial amounts of Alcantara leather.

Conclusion

What Dahler has shown with their 128tii is that even a hot hatchback, which already has some zest in it, can be tastefully modified. Yes, it’s easy to add more power, now more than ever, as well as to install an aggressive body kit, but what the Swiss tuner has done is retain the balance between aggressive and subtle, which the normal car has. Essentially, they have created a front-wheel-drive version of the all-wheel-drive M135i, which is awesome. Sure putting the power down is easier when it goes to all four wheels, but front-wheel-drive is kind of a trademark of the hot hatchback. What Dahler has made is a BMW M135i that’s a bit more old-school. It’s still automatic only though.

Source: Dahler Tuning

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