BMW 130i - thoughts?
Discussion
Rosco1692 said:
It's a 2006 with only 50-60k so I didn't think there would be many problems...
It's also 9 years old. Nothing lasts for ever, stuff will go wrong and require sorting out. Which is fine, but just make sure your budget goes further than just the purchase price, thats all.I think if I had my 130i when I was 22 I'd be thinking it was a bit too grown up, especially if a 5 door. I suppose that's more of a personal thing though. As a 'family' car, then yes 5 doors always easier.
I think I would be trying to get a newer (but higher miles) car if possible. While they're fine in town and on short journeys I can imagine things wearing out quicker (bushes, discs etc) with shorter but more frequent journeys rather than a distance cruiser. I guess that applies to most cars though. Mine doesn't have I-drive, which I am fine with. The stereo is a bit lacking in functions though, even if it does sound fine.
I think I would be trying to get a newer (but higher miles) car if possible. While they're fine in town and on short journeys I can imagine things wearing out quicker (bushes, discs etc) with shorter but more frequent journeys rather than a distance cruiser. I guess that applies to most cars though. Mine doesn't have I-drive, which I am fine with. The stereo is a bit lacking in functions though, even if it does sound fine.
Gompo said:
I think if I had my 130i when I was 22 I'd be thinking it was a bit too grown up, especially if a 5 door. I suppose that's more of a personal thing though. As a 'family' car, then yes 5 doors always easier.
I think I would be trying to get a newer (but higher miles) car if possible. While they're fine in town and on short journeys I can imagine things wearing out quicker (bushes, discs etc) with shorter but more frequent journeys rather than a distance cruiser. I guess that applies to most cars though. Mine doesn't have I-drive, which I am fine with. The stereo is a bit lacking in functions though, even if it does sound fine.
Very good point, I was worried I'd look like a boy driving daddy's car for the dayI think I would be trying to get a newer (but higher miles) car if possible. While they're fine in town and on short journeys I can imagine things wearing out quicker (bushes, discs etc) with shorter but more frequent journeys rather than a distance cruiser. I guess that applies to most cars though. Mine doesn't have I-drive, which I am fine with. The stereo is a bit lacking in functions though, even if it does sound fine.
I've had mine for coming up 3 years, and I really like it. It has what feels like 90% of an E46 M3's performance, but at half the running costs. The engine is super reliable - it was the last of the simpler NA engines before direct injection. There was a German magazine who said it was their most reliable long-term test, just found it:
BMW 130i Named “Best Auto Bild Long-Term Test Car of All Time”
It does everything I need it to in a stealthy package. Feels very over-engined
BMW 130i Named “Best Auto Bild Long-Term Test Car of All Time”
It does everything I need it to in a stealthy package. Feels very over-engined
Had mine for over 4 years, longest i've ever had a car (and i've had a few!). Just loved it.
Admittedly i put big brakes and a LSD on it, but it was superb. As quick as an E46 M3 up to about 120mph, very agile and nimble, always felt quite twitchy (whereas the E9x 3 series always feels very planted).
A couple of things - make sure you get leather, the "sensatec" isn't great, and if you can get one with xenons you'll appreciate it because the standard headlights are cr4p.
Took mine from 20k miles to just over 80k miles and apart from a PAS pump (which was £500, but certainly not a common failure point) it was a paragon of reliability.
Averaged around 26 to 28mpg depending on weather and with a mixture of driving, servicing was cheap even using a BMW main dealer, although i did go through a fair few rear tyres.
Admittedly i put big brakes and a LSD on it, but it was superb. As quick as an E46 M3 up to about 120mph, very agile and nimble, always felt quite twitchy (whereas the E9x 3 series always feels very planted).
A couple of things - make sure you get leather, the "sensatec" isn't great, and if you can get one with xenons you'll appreciate it because the standard headlights are cr4p.
Took mine from 20k miles to just over 80k miles and apart from a PAS pump (which was £500, but certainly not a common failure point) it was a paragon of reliability.
Averaged around 26 to 28mpg depending on weather and with a mixture of driving, servicing was cheap even using a BMW main dealer, although i did go through a fair few rear tyres.
VerySideways said:
always felt quite twitchy (whereas the E9x 3 series always feels very planted).
I have only drove a 116d but I really liked it because it felt small and nimble versus the 3 series but like you say I have read a few times that the 3 series is more planted and set up a little better than the 1 series for some reason. I love the idea of a 130i though because I have always liked the larger engine and smaller car combo.
I have had it both ways my E92 M3 was as solid a rock and it easily got all its power down...my Cerbera struggled like hell and was an absolute handful! as you say twitchy equals more fun. 
Rosco1692 said:
Gompo said:
I think if I had my 130i when I was 22 I'd be thinking it was a bit too grown up, especially if a 5 door. I suppose that's more of a personal thing though. As a 'family' car, then yes 5 doors always easier.
I think I would be trying to get a newer (but higher miles) car if possible. While they're fine in town and on short journeys I can imagine things wearing out quicker (bushes, discs etc) with shorter but more frequent journeys rather than a distance cruiser. I guess that applies to most cars though. Mine doesn't have I-drive, which I am fine with. The stereo is a bit lacking in functions though, even if it does sound fine.
Very good point, I was worried I'd look like a boy driving daddy's car for the dayI think I would be trying to get a newer (but higher miles) car if possible. While they're fine in town and on short journeys I can imagine things wearing out quicker (bushes, discs etc) with shorter but more frequent journeys rather than a distance cruiser. I guess that applies to most cars though. Mine doesn't have I-drive, which I am fine with. The stereo is a bit lacking in functions though, even if it does sound fine.
VerySideways said:
Admittedly i put big brakes and a LSD on it, but it was superb. As quick as an E46 M3 up to about 120mph
Had a look at the figures for 0-124 mph for both (personal experience made me question that statement).E46 M3 18.3
E87 24.7
I'd say that's a very very significant difference! Still, the 130i is a lovely car. Was once tempted to get a 3dr M sport in white with the roof spoiler after seeing a gleaming example on the road once, looked really smart.
[quote=(steven)]Great cars, lovely balance and frankly it feels as fast as my M3 from the drivers seat in a much more â??stealthyâ?? package. I use one as my daily runner and [touch wood] itâ??s been great. No significant common issues as far as Iâ??m aware and the N52 engine is brilliant.
Do not go into ownership thinking that it will have similar running costs to a 1.2 clio though, it just wonâ??t, not by any stretch of the imagination.
Insurance will be in a different league, tax will be ~£260 a year, tyres will be much more, fuel consumption averages 28 MPG, front brake discs even if you buy them yourself from Eurocarparts will be about £70 per disc and servicing a BMW (properly) is not the same.
The run flats are a double edged sword; I hit something on the A1 6 months ago at speed and wrote off 3 tyres at once. Good news was they were run flat so I didnâ??t spin off the road at high speed with multiple tyre failure, the bad news was it cost me £700 in new tyres.
In my experience to date, I couldnâ??t see you needing £1K a year for failures but consumables will be much higher and if something does break the bills could get 'large'. Not sure what your finances are like, but I know I couldnâ??t have afforded to run the car at 22 (I ran a diesel corsa).
[/quote]
An average tyre price of over £200... You were robbed.
The runflats are available at reasonable prices if you look about.
Can't see me getting rid.
Do not go into ownership thinking that it will have similar running costs to a 1.2 clio though, it just wonâ??t, not by any stretch of the imagination.
Insurance will be in a different league, tax will be ~£260 a year, tyres will be much more, fuel consumption averages 28 MPG, front brake discs even if you buy them yourself from Eurocarparts will be about £70 per disc and servicing a BMW (properly) is not the same.
The run flats are a double edged sword; I hit something on the A1 6 months ago at speed and wrote off 3 tyres at once. Good news was they were run flat so I didnâ??t spin off the road at high speed with multiple tyre failure, the bad news was it cost me £700 in new tyres.
In my experience to date, I couldnâ??t see you needing £1K a year for failures but consumables will be much higher and if something does break the bills could get 'large'. Not sure what your finances are like, but I know I couldnâ??t have afforded to run the car at 22 (I ran a diesel corsa).
[/quote]
An average tyre price of over £200... You were robbed.
The runflats are available at reasonable prices if you look about.
Can't see me getting rid.
Edited by philmots on Wednesday 1st April 15:58
philmots said:
An average tyre price of over £200... You were robbed.
The runflats are available at reasonable prices if you look about.
When you’re sat in the services with tyres ripped to shreds, you have to go with whoever is closest and has stock so you do pay some “convenience tax”.The runflats are available at reasonable prices if you look about.
Edited by philmots on Wednesday 1st April 15:58
I replaced all 4 as it seemed silly to have one tyre mis-matched.
On the internet you will probably pay £115 a tyre for a decent brand on 17’s.
I've owned mine since September 2013. Brilliant car but very complex electrically and parts are expensive if they go wrong.
Get one in a good colour with a good spec and it'll hold its value well. The engine is fantastic and makes the car but can tick annoyingly if you do lots of short trips.
Tyres - I run continental sc5 225/40/18 all round and they are about £90 on camskill.
Get one in a good colour with a good spec and it'll hold its value well. The engine is fantastic and makes the car but can tick annoyingly if you do lots of short trips.
Tyres - I run continental sc5 225/40/18 all round and they are about £90 on camskill.
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