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A few years back, I cross shopped a 128i 6MT against a Fiesta ST when I was looking for a little commuter car. Went with the E82 and it was one hell of a car. Terrific value. Crazy fun.
As others have said, a properly set up RWD car > properly set up FWD car. One could argue that the Fiesta is more properly set up from the factory than the 128i. The 128, imo, does require some attention; you need to ditch the run flats, which then highlights how soft the bushings are, so you need new rear subrame bushings. Mine had the above as well as Bilstein dampers and Swift springs. With the right alignment, that thing was so much fun in the twisties. Definitely tail happy but that is how I preferred it.
The inline six is just in another world of refinement and smoothness compared to the buzzy 4 banger turbo in the Ford. You can get it to 250/260 pretty easily and that is plenty in a 3,000 lb car.
Remember, the E82 is basically an E9x with a shortened wheel base. you can swap an enitre M3 suspension on it if you choose.
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Current: 718 GT4 6MT, F87 M2 6MT, F30 330xi, F25 xdrive35i Gone: E82 128i M-Sport, 997.2 911, B8.5 S5, 987.2 Cayman, W211 E550, E92 M3, B8.5 S4, 981 Cayman, E82 128i, E46 M3, Z4MC, Mk5 GTI VR6, MZ3R, C5 Z06, B5 S4, Volvo T-5R, Volvo 740Ti
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