Discussion
This may have been covered before - if so happy to be steered to a previous thread on the topic.
Anyhow, I am looking to replace the practical side of my motoring stable (an Alfa 156 GTA) with a new steed.
With this in mind, yesterday I tested an Audi S3 Sportback, a new Scirocco and a 130i MSport 3dr. I shan't bore you with the details unless you want me to, but suffice to say that the 130i was the most fun to drive of all of them by a country mile. It has a satisfying hooligan edge that the other two lack, and it just puts a big grin on your face. In short: I loved it. The latest 1s are also notably better made than the early cars (which frankly I thought were a bit cruddy when I tried them at the launch 4 or so years ago).
Now, I tried a 130i MSport purely because Sytners couldn't rustle up a 135i MSport Coupe. But it turned out to be a cracking little car that I really liked. So the question is, since my budget can stomach a 135i MSport Coupe, should I go for one, undriven (though I have driven a 335i), on the basis it must be nicer, since it has that phenomenal engine? Or should I stick with a known-quantity 130i MSport 5dr as the cheaper to buy, cheaper to run and more practical option, given it also is a belter of a car, if not quite so ballistic as its coupe brother.
What one would you go for, and why?
Anyhow, I am looking to replace the practical side of my motoring stable (an Alfa 156 GTA) with a new steed.
With this in mind, yesterday I tested an Audi S3 Sportback, a new Scirocco and a 130i MSport 3dr. I shan't bore you with the details unless you want me to, but suffice to say that the 130i was the most fun to drive of all of them by a country mile. It has a satisfying hooligan edge that the other two lack, and it just puts a big grin on your face. In short: I loved it. The latest 1s are also notably better made than the early cars (which frankly I thought were a bit cruddy when I tried them at the launch 4 or so years ago).
Now, I tried a 130i MSport purely because Sytners couldn't rustle up a 135i MSport Coupe. But it turned out to be a cracking little car that I really liked. So the question is, since my budget can stomach a 135i MSport Coupe, should I go for one, undriven (though I have driven a 335i), on the basis it must be nicer, since it has that phenomenal engine? Or should I stick with a known-quantity 130i MSport 5dr as the cheaper to buy, cheaper to run and more practical option, given it also is a belter of a car, if not quite so ballistic as its coupe brother.
What one would you go for, and why?
I budgeted about £30k for a practical car (well practical compared to an ageing 2-seat roadster), not a 135i per se. But a 135i comes within budget and looks my kind of car (as does a 130i to be fair). What I'm trying to work out is whether it's really so much better to drive than the 130i that it's worth a few grand more on the purchase price, slightly higher running costs and a less practical bodyshell. That's all.
Thoughts of the 135i here http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&am... from a 130i owner.
carlovers said:
How about this. Close your eyes and imagine your at the traffic lights ,you look over to your right ,its a 135 .Your in your 130 youve spent a shed load of money,how do you feel?content or gutted? you have your answer.
My thinking with the 535d was if i'm going to spend that amount of money i may as well have the one thats top of the pile. That would how i'd feel about the 135i too. But then its not a straight choice here - the guy is chosing between a 5 door 130i and a coupe 135i. I would need to be sure the coupe was flexibile enough for what its needed for.BTW if you do decide on a 130i I know where there's a very nice one for sale 
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/763451.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/763451.htm
pgilc1 said:
carlovers said:
How about this. Close your eyes and imagine your at the traffic lights ,you look over to your right ,its a 135 .Your in your 130 youve spent a shed load of money,how do you feel?content or gutted? you have your answer.
My thinking with the 535d was if i'm going to spend that amount of money i may as well have the one thats top of the pile. That would how i'd feel about the 135i too. But then its not a straight choice here - the guy is chosing between a 5 door 130i and a coupe 135i. I would need to be sure the coupe was flexibile enough for what its needed for.pgilcl out of curiosity ,do you think the twin turbo diesel is still top or would you prefer the new light engined 3ltr?
Edited by carlovers on Wednesday 5th November 23:07
Edited by carlovers on Wednesday 5th November 23:11
RacingTeatray said:
Cheers. I am leaning towards to 135i coupe more, as I think it justifies a near-30k pricetag better than a 130i hatch.
Plus, hopefully with all this junior-M3 billing, it might depreciate a little less eagerly than the 130i!
You can have decent brakes on the 135i as well - are they an option on the 130i?Plus, hopefully with all this junior-M3 billing, it might depreciate a little less eagerly than the 130i!
Personally I think the 135i is the best car on the market and great value used.
Get it or you know you will regret it.
Such a wolf in sheeps clothing, it only adds to the fun, the face on the chap in the RS4 was a picture when he couldn't understand why a 1 series was staying with him as we left the Toll on the M6........
Get it or you know you will regret it.
Such a wolf in sheeps clothing, it only adds to the fun, the face on the chap in the RS4 was a picture when he couldn't understand why a 1 series was staying with him as we left the Toll on the M6........
RacingTeatray said:
This may have been covered before - if so happy to be steered to a previous thread on the topic.
Anyhow, I am looking to replace the practical side of my motoring stable (an Alfa 156 GTA) with a new steed.
With this in mind, yesterday I tested an Audi S3 Sportback, a new Scirocco and a 130i MSport 3dr. I shan't bore you with the details unless you want me to, but suffice to say that the 130i was the most fun to drive of all of them by a country mile.
I'm not in a too different situation from you, I'll be trading in my 147 GTA early next year for either an Audi S3 or a 135i M Sport. I have a 130i M Sport on the list too as a less expensive option (second hand). As we seem to have similar tastes can you please let me know how you found the S3?Anyhow, I am looking to replace the practical side of my motoring stable (an Alfa 156 GTA) with a new steed.
With this in mind, yesterday I tested an Audi S3 Sportback, a new Scirocco and a 130i MSport 3dr. I shan't bore you with the details unless you want me to, but suffice to say that the 130i was the most fun to drive of all of them by a country mile.
It's a nice car. I used to have one of the old-shape S3s, which I liked a lot, so I was keen to try it. Also, I like the idea of the Sportback version more than the 3dr.
The one I tried was at Docklands Audi in London, which is a bit of a shame as you can't really open the car out fully or try out any good country twisties. Nonetheless I did get to hoon around for half an hour on quiet roads and industrial estates near City Airport, which gave me a fair idea.
To me this is a really nice chunky-looking design with just the right amount of added aggression and tinsel when seen in the metal. This particular one was a black-fest: Phantom Black with the black optics pack and a black leather interior. Personally I don't like the black optics pack which looks cheap and aftermarket - the normal finish looks better. Despite the all-black colour scheme, it didn't feel as coal-hole dour inside as some all-black German interiors can - there's lots of ally touches and coloured stitching to liven life up. Everything feels very well-made, tasteful and well-weighted. The interior also feels quite spacious and airy - almost too airy - there's no sense of intimacy with the car and a slight feeling of sitting on the car rather than in the car.
On the dynamics side, the steering is easy without being terribly feelsome - it weights up with speed though. The brakes were good - progressive and strong, and not grabby like some VAG products. This car had about 1500 miles on the clock and the engine sounds fairly anodyne from inside (though mildly interesting from outside) unless you give it some welly at which point it does muster up a pretty decent growl to go with what is admittedly startling go. And this is one small Audi that really does shift. No complaints about the speed at all - they claim a sub 6 second dash to 60 and it feels like it. It corners nicely too - very flat and very secure with a sensation that it will look after you no matter how ham-fisted you are. This particular car didn't have the optional magnetic dampers which have been so praised by testers but it nevertheless had excellent body control, handling sudden direction changes with aplomb. It also rode well on the pitted tarmac of East London - a huge improvement on my old S3 and a country mile ahead of my 156 GTA.
But, and this is a shame, because I so badly wanted to love this car, it just didn't at any point really gel with me or, crucially, make me grin. It was all very impressive, very composed, very quick and high-quality. But there's not much by way of character - it's not a car that you lust to jump into and spank up an Alpine pass.
By contrast, the 130i made me grin as soon as I heard the engine fire up, and it was an absolute joy to punt. I could have played in it all afternoon. Unlike the Audi, which has bundles of static appeal, the BMW's charm is not immediately obviously apparent. Yes, it's quite chunky and almost good-looking in MSport mode, and the interior is a pretty decent effort (more intimate than the Audi's interior), but in the 130i (and no doubt the 135i too), it's only once you drive it, that the car's appeal cystallises. And it's a genuine diamond. I'd heard nasty things about a boneshaking ride and a bouncy rear-end. Well, not in the 3dr I tried. It rode perfectly well on some fairly indifferent country tarmac and despite some undulating roads, I couldn't detect any bounce whatsoever - only fluid, faithful and entertaining handling to go with the wonderful engine and strong performance.
The one I tried was at Docklands Audi in London, which is a bit of a shame as you can't really open the car out fully or try out any good country twisties. Nonetheless I did get to hoon around for half an hour on quiet roads and industrial estates near City Airport, which gave me a fair idea.
To me this is a really nice chunky-looking design with just the right amount of added aggression and tinsel when seen in the metal. This particular one was a black-fest: Phantom Black with the black optics pack and a black leather interior. Personally I don't like the black optics pack which looks cheap and aftermarket - the normal finish looks better. Despite the all-black colour scheme, it didn't feel as coal-hole dour inside as some all-black German interiors can - there's lots of ally touches and coloured stitching to liven life up. Everything feels very well-made, tasteful and well-weighted. The interior also feels quite spacious and airy - almost too airy - there's no sense of intimacy with the car and a slight feeling of sitting on the car rather than in the car.
On the dynamics side, the steering is easy without being terribly feelsome - it weights up with speed though. The brakes were good - progressive and strong, and not grabby like some VAG products. This car had about 1500 miles on the clock and the engine sounds fairly anodyne from inside (though mildly interesting from outside) unless you give it some welly at which point it does muster up a pretty decent growl to go with what is admittedly startling go. And this is one small Audi that really does shift. No complaints about the speed at all - they claim a sub 6 second dash to 60 and it feels like it. It corners nicely too - very flat and very secure with a sensation that it will look after you no matter how ham-fisted you are. This particular car didn't have the optional magnetic dampers which have been so praised by testers but it nevertheless had excellent body control, handling sudden direction changes with aplomb. It also rode well on the pitted tarmac of East London - a huge improvement on my old S3 and a country mile ahead of my 156 GTA.
But, and this is a shame, because I so badly wanted to love this car, it just didn't at any point really gel with me or, crucially, make me grin. It was all very impressive, very composed, very quick and high-quality. But there's not much by way of character - it's not a car that you lust to jump into and spank up an Alpine pass.
By contrast, the 130i made me grin as soon as I heard the engine fire up, and it was an absolute joy to punt. I could have played in it all afternoon. Unlike the Audi, which has bundles of static appeal, the BMW's charm is not immediately obviously apparent. Yes, it's quite chunky and almost good-looking in MSport mode, and the interior is a pretty decent effort (more intimate than the Audi's interior), but in the 130i (and no doubt the 135i too), it's only once you drive it, that the car's appeal cystallises. And it's a genuine diamond. I'd heard nasty things about a boneshaking ride and a bouncy rear-end. Well, not in the 3dr I tried. It rode perfectly well on some fairly indifferent country tarmac and despite some undulating roads, I couldn't detect any bounce whatsoever - only fluid, faithful and entertaining handling to go with the wonderful engine and strong performance.
Oh, and be prepared for a nasty shock on the value of your GTA! The trade-in value (I asked purely out of curiosity) of my 2005 car with average miles was upsetting to say the least! I'm only glad I bought mine second-hand meaning that I haven't had to stomach the full amount of depreciation. Honestly, if there are worse-depreciating cars than an Alfa GTA this side of a big-engined Vauxhall Signum or Peugeot 607, I'd like to know about it!
Thanks for the useful insight! Not looking forward to getting a part ex offer on the GTA, I bought second hand like you though so it could be worse! I guess the S3 has a lot going for it but ultimately will fall short in the fun stakes due to it's sheer grip and traction whereas with a high power, short wheel base pocket rocket you get to play the hooligan.
I think there has been some discussion on here about the 330i vs 335i with some people finding the nat asp engined car the sweeter, more responsive drive. For what it's worth I think the 130i is more than sufficiently powerful for most roads in the UK and I agree with you that it sounds fantastic. However, I think the 135i with both low down torque and power high up the rev range would be an absolute blast and would be the one I go for. Good luck with your choice!
I think there has been some discussion on here about the 330i vs 335i with some people finding the nat asp engined car the sweeter, more responsive drive. For what it's worth I think the 130i is more than sufficiently powerful for most roads in the UK and I agree with you that it sounds fantastic. However, I think the 135i with both low down torque and power high up the rev range would be an absolute blast and would be the one I go for. Good luck with your choice!
Billy Bird said:
I think there has been some discussion on here about the 330i vs 335i with some people finding the nat asp engined car the sweeter, more responsive drive.
That's precisely my quandary. I liked the 130i so much that I'm wondering whether, leaving outright performance aside, the 100kg heavier and turbocharged coupe can be quite as engaging to drive as its hatchback brother.Tough call, I have driven a number of BMW's with the latest 3.0i engine and it is an absolute peach! I guess what the 135i gives you over the 130i is faster acceleration, fun to be had with the electronic diff and some great tuning options up to 380bhp and beyond if that's your thing. Those points would be enough to sway me. I also prefer the styling of the 135i but that is a personal thing. Let us know what you decide!
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