RE: BMW 130i M Sport
Discussion
It is not the greatest looking car. In black it might hid some of the audacious swoops. But the specs sound superb! Why won't they bring it to America? "Competes with the mini." Rubbish, this is a totally different car. Put on an after market exhaust and VA VOOM POW!!
So the back seats are unusable for adults? Would be interesting to see how this compares to 350z, Lexus is350, WRX and Evos. The WRX's and Evos have the specs but the interiors are always a let down cf. to BMW. For practicality and performance this car works for me. Would like to grab it by the scruff of its neck!
So the back seats are unusable for adults? Would be interesting to see how this compares to 350z, Lexus is350, WRX and Evos. The WRX's and Evos have the specs but the interiors are always a let down cf. to BMW. For practicality and performance this car works for me. Would like to grab it by the scruff of its neck!
Should be able to end all the speculation soon as have ordered a Le Mans blue 130iM which should have been built last week. I thought long and hard about the car that was going to replace the 325 ti Sport Compact I have now. I tried most of the competitions offerings including the A3 3.2 Quattro, the Golf GTI and the 3 Series and indeed thought about keeping what I had as it is a superb car but in the end the dynamics of driving the car won me over. Like many of the earlier comments I agree this is not a good looking car but I have grown used to the looks as more are on the road and the M kit really does improve it as well. The engine also sounds superb rather like the M3
Incidently I may be wrong but does the z4 use this engine or the older 3 litre?
The A3 was beautifully built and had a great interior but was not as nice to drive and performance wise was not much better than the 2 litre turbo given the additional weight of the 6 cylinder unit. Will post more when I have got my hands on it
Incidently I may be wrong but does the z4 use this engine or the older 3 litre?
The A3 was beautifully built and had a great interior but was not as nice to drive and performance wise was not much better than the 2 litre turbo given the additional weight of the 6 cylinder unit. Will post more when I have got my hands on it
Dodgy Dave said:
Incidently I may be wrong but does the z4 use this engine or the older 3 litre?
Current Z4 3.0 with 231 bhp used the iron block six cyclinder engine (but was still 100kg lighter) whereas the new Z4 3.0i being delivered from March '06 onwards will have the same magnesium based engine as in the 130i.
>> Edited by DoctorD on Monday 21st November 12:41
Dodgy Dave said:
Should be able to end all the speculation soon as have ordered a Le Mans blue 130iM which should have been built last week. I thought long and hard about the car that was going to replace the 325 ti Sport Compact I have now. I tried most of the competitions offerings including the A3 3.2 Quattro, the Golf GTI and the 3 Series and indeed thought about keeping what I had as it is a superb car but in the end the dynamics of driving the car won me over. Like many of the earlier comments I agree this is not a good looking car but I have grown used to the looks as more are on the road and the M kit really does improve it as well. The engine also sounds superb rather like the M3
Incidently I may be wrong but does the z4 use this engine or the older 3 litre?
The A3 was beautifully built and had a great interior but was not as nice to drive and performance wise was not much better than the 2 litre turbo given the additional weight of the 6 cylinder unit. Will post more when I have got my hands on it
You won't be disapointed!! I have had the keys to our demo locked in my draw since it landed! great fun!
DoctorD said:
Incidently I may be wrong but does the z4 use this engine or the older 3 litre?
Current Z4 3.0 with 231 bhp used the iron block six cyclinder engine (but was still 100kg lighter) whereas the new Z4 3.0i being delivered from March '06 onwards will have the same magnesium based engine as in the 130i.
>> Edited by DoctorD on Monday 21st November 12:41
Believe the M54 engine in the z4 is already alloy block...www.bmwworld.com/engines/m54.htm
The previous M52 sixes from from 1994 were also alloy block...www.bmwworld.com/engines/m52.htm
Think it's just the S54 engine that remains with the iron block...even the diesels have gone to alloy.
For any1 that has not read and memorised it, full details of the new engine below. Makes u want to buy a 130i / z4 just for that...shame the rest of the engineers don't appear to work so hard on reducing weight etc ;-)
www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66513
>> Edited by danp on Sunday 4th December 07:40
>> Edited by danp on Sunday 4th December 07:41
thondwe said:
I've tested one - it's quickish, but you have to push the engine up the revs - I'm not used to that - and it's quiet in the cabin - not used to that either. The 120d somehow felt better since it's noisier (and not really in a dieselly way).
Handled pretty well, small amount of understeer (on my favorite understeer inducing corner) but pretty good. Ride typical of the other germanics I've driven - i.e. sporty/firm but not wholy suitable to bumpy welsh tarmac.
I'd say it was definately miles better handling than our TT (which understeers!!), but doesn't feel as quick to respond. Cabin was OK, but not as good as the TT either. Not a patch on my VX Turbo though, obiously in the performance dept, nor in the handling dept (no suprise) but also not in the ride dept - the VXT still rides the rubbish roads around here so much better than anything else I've driven.
Nearly bought one as a replacement for one of our cars (we need a real 4 seater) but too small for baby stuff (rear facing baby seats are huge!)
P.
P - when does the A4 arrive?
Donut said:
Should be able to end all the speculation soon as have ordered a Le Mans blue 130iM which should have been built last week. I thought long and hard about the car that was going to replace the 325 ti Sport Compact I have now. I tried most of the competitions offerings including the A3 3.2 Quattro, the Golf GTI and the 3 Series and indeed thought about keeping what I had as it is a superb car but in the end the dynamics of driving the car won me over. Like many of the earlier comments I agree this is not a good looking car but I have grown used to the looks as more are on the road and the M kit really does improve it as well. The engine also sounds superb rather like the M3
Incidently I may be wrong but does the z4 use this engine or the older 3 litre?
The A3 was beautifully built and had a great interior but was not as nice to drive and performance wise was not much better than the 2 litre turbo given the additional weight of the 6 cylinder unit. Will post more when I have got my hands on it
You won't be disapointed!! I have had the keys to our demo locked in my draw since it landed! great fun!
Just a shame about the shocking ride then...
M sport suspension + run flats + chassis not designed for run flats = worse riding car than a CSL on Cups..
Gareth W said:
Should be able to end all the speculation soon as have ordered a Le Mans blue 130iM which should have been built last week. I thought long and hard about the car that was going to replace the 325 ti Sport Compact I have now. I tried most of the competitions offerings including the A3 3.2 Quattro, the Golf GTI and the 3 Series and indeed thought about keeping what I had as it is a superb car but in the end the dynamics of driving the car won me over. Like many of the earlier comments I agree this is not a good looking car but I have grown used to the looks as more are on the road and the M kit really does improve it as well. The engine also sounds superb rather like the M3
Incidently I may be wrong but does the z4 use this engine or the older 3 litre?
The A3 was beautifully built and had a great interior but was not as nice to drive and performance wise was not much better than the 2 litre turbo given the additional weight of the 6 cylinder unit. Will post more when I have got my hands on it
You won't be disapointed!! I have had the keys to our demo locked in my draw since it landed! great fun!
Just a shame about the shocking ride then...
M sport suspension + run flats + chassis not designed for run flats = worse riding car than a CSL on Cups..
Where's my hat...I have to eat it...
Drove one today for the 2nd time and loved it...sure it's firm...but never too firm in my book.
DoctorD said:
But before berating BMW for making the 1 series so heavy, it's worth bearing in mind that the Golf R32 is nearly 100kg 'heavier' than the 130i.
True but the Golf is quite a bit cheaper, drivers better, has lots of storage space (plenty more than the BMW) and is better built! IMHO the 1301 is overpriced, over rated and nothing more.
Nick Hall said:
Any mainstream hot hatch that accelerates to 60mph in 6.1 seconds, weighs 1,450Kg and tops out at 155mph has to be a little bit special, even in the modern age
In 1979 The Sunbeam Lotus, another RWD mainstream hot hatch had a 0-60 time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 125mph.
Has it taken really taken BMW over 25years to catch up?
I doubt you'd be able to pick one up for £21.5K. I bought mine for £22.4K and it is utterly fabulous. I looked seriously at the MkV GTI - which is around the same price, but it just can't compete with the quality of engineering, build quality, and sheer fun & charisma of the 265 Bhp, rear drive 130i M-Sport. The engine sounds fantastic (while the GTI's sounds dull), the ride, contrary to expectations, is supple, and while it may not be the best looking car out there, in M-sport guise, with the 18" M-Sport alloys and bodykit, its a very purposeful looking car. I simply can't believe that people think the R32 or GTI is better built than the 130. Just go on a VW forum and check out the number of people who have rattles, squeeks, cold start problems, and serious woes with the VW dealer network. BMW on the other hand treat you like a 1st class citizen. In my view, the 130 wins over the GTI and R32 hands down, especially if you purchase one nearly new like I did. Show me a used MKV UK R32 for 22k??......
my sister just bought a 2nd hand one for £28.5 K with lots of extras (don't ask me which extras i haven't got a clue) and picked it up tuesday. graphite black with black and she can get the dog cage in the back. only drove it a mile up the road and back in the rain but i liked it. suspension feels fine and you instantly feel that you can take the piss with it and it won't bite your arse.
agree its not the pretiest car but i was very impressed.
>> Edited by graeme73s on Friday 14th April 23:32
agree its not the pretiest car but i was very impressed.
>> Edited by graeme73s on Friday 14th April 23:32
sparkythecat said:They are a little bit different.
Any mainstream hot hatch that accelerates to 60mph in 6.1 seconds, weighs 1,450Kg and tops out at 155mph has to be a little bit special, even in the modern age
In 1979 The Sunbeam Lotus, another RWD mainstream hot hatch had a 0-60 time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 125mph.
Has it taken really taken BMW over 25years to catch up?
graeme73s said:
my sister just bought a 2nd hand one for £28.5 K with lots of extras (don't ask me which extras i haven't got a clue) and picked it up tuesday. graphite black with black and she can get the dog cage in the back. only drove it a mile up the road and back in the rain but i liked it. suspension feels fine and you instantly feel that you can take the piss with it and it won't bite your arse.
agree its not the pretiest car but i was very impressed.
>> Edited by graeme73s on Friday 14th April 23:32
That's big money for a used car whatever the spec. You can get a healthy discount off a new one.
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