Discussion
What's the chance of finding a manual 130i. Zero?
Test driven a few R32s and apart from more comfortable ride and better room in the back, left me a bit meh..
Have thought about a 58 130i, but missing cruise and usb interface. Key items. Was mulling it and then the Birds update package on it
Test driven a few R32s and apart from more comfortable ride and better room in the back, left me a bit meh..
Have thought about a 58 130i, but missing cruise and usb interface. Key items. Was mulling it and then the Birds update package on it
Edited by mikeyscott on Sunday 21st September 16:28
Cruise can be retrofitted for a few hundred quid.
The 130i is a substantially more enjoyable and engaging drive than the R32. The R32 wins on noise and in the snow, but that's it. However, in standard form, the 130i is a bit compromised - mainly in the "ride" department. The springs are just too firm (it seems BMW plumbed for firmer springs instead of a thicker ARB). The Birds package, as I understand it, corrects that.
My 130i had the Quaife diff (fitted by Birds) which made a noticeable difference, and the BMW performance brake kit and exhaust - both nice in their own way. I couldn't quite justify the suspension upgrade - a baby came along and I swapped the 1er out for the B10.
The R32 is the car I most regret spending my hard-earned money on. No such regrets with the 130i.
The 130i is a substantially more enjoyable and engaging drive than the R32. The R32 wins on noise and in the snow, but that's it. However, in standard form, the 130i is a bit compromised - mainly in the "ride" department. The springs are just too firm (it seems BMW plumbed for firmer springs instead of a thicker ARB). The Birds package, as I understand it, corrects that.
My 130i had the Quaife diff (fitted by Birds) which made a noticeable difference, and the BMW performance brake kit and exhaust - both nice in their own way. I couldn't quite justify the suspension upgrade - a baby came along and I swapped the 1er out for the B10.
The R32 is the car I most regret spending my hard-earned money on. No such regrets with the 130i.
Yup the ride and the noise on the R32 was fab, interior finish a let down compared with my 123d. On the drive, heavy and understeers like a pig and I wasn't even pressing on. Great cruiser, but that's about it. 58 plate and £15k, I made a £12k offer, which they spat dummy out. Looking back and driving another I'm glad I left it.
Moving house at mo and soon to be walking distance to work and my 123d days will be numbered. I like the spec and it's a 59 plate, hence want something as close to it. The ride is FAR too hard. I plan to walk to work and use the pool car when going to other site (when they remember to tax it - crap lease company).
Seen a nice 58 plate but way up north. Will poss make a cheeky offer once I have completed.
Could live without iPod i think. It's got enhanced Bluetooth so my iPhone 5 cradle should drop straight in.
I drove an auto 130i back in June, a mess and auto I didn't like.
Birds suspension package is being seriously considered.
If I can't find one, what else to consider re alternatives?
Moving house at mo and soon to be walking distance to work and my 123d days will be numbered. I like the spec and it's a 59 plate, hence want something as close to it. The ride is FAR too hard. I plan to walk to work and use the pool car when going to other site (when they remember to tax it - crap lease company).
Seen a nice 58 plate but way up north. Will poss make a cheeky offer once I have completed.
Could live without iPod i think. It's got enhanced Bluetooth so my iPhone 5 cradle should drop straight in.
I drove an auto 130i back in June, a mess and auto I didn't like.
Birds suspension package is being seriously considered.
If I can't find one, what else to consider re alternatives?
Edited by mikeyscott on Sunday 21st September 20:42
I have the Birds kit which includes the ARB but I didn't opt for the Quaife diff. The ride/handling balance has improved markedly, particularly at the rear which is much more planted and confidence inspiring than before. The OEM set-up has a tendency to skip and bounce over bumps and together with the run flats it struggled to get the power down and generally felt very skittish.
I would also suggest replacing the run flats if you go down this route. I have Continental Sport Contact 5s which I'd highly recommend. Traction has been consistently strong and I'm almost down to the wear indicators (225/40s all round). I've done about 15,000 miles with the Birds kit and overall have been very impressed.
I keep trying to find an excuse to replace it as my daily drive but I think I'd miss it too much! The engine is the standout feature, but the whole car is just a very well balanced package.
I would also suggest replacing the run flats if you go down this route. I have Continental Sport Contact 5s which I'd highly recommend. Traction has been consistently strong and I'm almost down to the wear indicators (225/40s all round). I've done about 15,000 miles with the Birds kit and overall have been very impressed.
I keep trying to find an excuse to replace it as my daily drive but I think I'd miss it too much! The engine is the standout feature, but the whole car is just a very well balanced package.
Also take a look at the 125i Coupe, same engine as the 130i, can be remapped up to 130i power levels quite easily. Put some 130i Brake Discs on the front (think you need bigger caliper carriers, babybmw should have more info), and you have pretty much the same car. Must admit I prefer the Coupe body style, and they are available all the way up to 13 plates iirc. Pretty decent on fuel too - mine is averaging 32 mpg over mixed driving, very rarely drops below 30.
mikeyscott said:
I have the CS5 tyres on my car already and still way too hard. I'll go Michelin PSS next time.
Will complete on the house and see where I am at
Interesting, I might try the Michelin's next time. I imagine wear rates may be the downside, but there's only one way to find out!Will complete on the house and see where I am at
On the subject of fuel economy, I've averaged 27mpg if it's of interest.
I don't like the CS5 tyre so my other reason why I wouldn't have them again
They may be what you are looking for and what birds recommended.
For me I'll drop back to stock size 215/40/18 and 245/35/18 but on PSS. Cost isn't the issue and will pay the extra next time.
They may be what you are looking for and what birds recommended.
For me I'll drop back to stock size 215/40/18 and 245/35/18 but on PSS. Cost isn't the issue and will pay the extra next time.
Edited by mikeyscott on Monday 22 September 15:30
I put Michelin PS3's on my '55 130i and it made a huge difference over the ride of the rft's but it was still very harsh.
At least I saved on the traction light use - it even used to flash going at steady speed over a wet manhole cover, let alone on quick junction getaways but in the year I had the PS3's I never had a single traction light up and it did feel much more stable and confidence inspiring.
It was totally useless in the snow and I ended up with a night out when it was undrivable on 1/4" of frozen snow that never got gritted.
It is a lovely quick car and fun car though in manual form.
Not sure where in this country you can get to use cruise control anyway. Certainly nowhere I've been the last few years except French autoroutes.
At least I saved on the traction light use - it even used to flash going at steady speed over a wet manhole cover, let alone on quick junction getaways but in the year I had the PS3's I never had a single traction light up and it did feel much more stable and confidence inspiring.
It was totally useless in the snow and I ended up with a night out when it was undrivable on 1/4" of frozen snow that never got gritted.
It is a lovely quick car and fun car though in manual form.
Not sure where in this country you can get to use cruise control anyway. Certainly nowhere I've been the last few years except French autoroutes.
Indeed I have and then add the decision to sell the house and upsize.. I was also doing 500+ a week in mileage and now do about 3.5 a day.
I have had alerts for 130i but nothing came through re my desire. Had one manual 09, well over 100k and poverty spec - no thanks Drove an auto 130i, didn't like it, looked at a 125i, too small. Didn't even drive the 125i.
Gave up for a while and still feel I won't find what I am after.
Driven 335i nice, price took the piss 56 plate they wanted £16k, I offered £12k and was asked to leave. Ironically I last saw it listed for £12k and it sold shortly afterwards. Snows BMW
Drove 130i, utter mess from Ridgeway BMW and auto was awful. £15k for an 07, laughed and walked away.
R32 x 2 - nice, but ruled out after 2nd car. Big money, high tax for a meh it's a MK5 golf
Maybe I am just too picky, the one I've seen they have had a while, 58 plate up north. So will move before committing to a 3 hour drive to consider
Apologies if I didn't reply to offers
I have had alerts for 130i but nothing came through re my desire. Had one manual 09, well over 100k and poverty spec - no thanks Drove an auto 130i, didn't like it, looked at a 125i, too small. Didn't even drive the 125i.
Gave up for a while and still feel I won't find what I am after.
Driven 335i nice, price took the piss 56 plate they wanted £16k, I offered £12k and was asked to leave. Ironically I last saw it listed for £12k and it sold shortly afterwards. Snows BMW
Drove 130i, utter mess from Ridgeway BMW and auto was awful. £15k for an 07, laughed and walked away.
R32 x 2 - nice, but ruled out after 2nd car. Big money, high tax for a meh it's a MK5 golf
Maybe I am just too picky, the one I've seen they have had a while, 58 plate up north. So will move before committing to a 3 hour drive to consider
Apologies if I didn't reply to offers
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