Bmw 130i or focus st facelift

Bmw 130i or focus st facelift

Author
Discussion

Beer Man

249 posts

114 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
quotequote all
Well that sorts it then.

Would you prefer a tiny minority of people to think you're a chav or the entire world to think you're an estate agent or junior sales rep that likes ugly sh*t biggrin

Podie

46,630 posts

275 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
quotequote all
Beer Man said:
Well that sorts it then.

Would you prefer a tiny minority of people to think you're a chav or the entire world to think you're an estate agent that likes ugly sh*t biggrin
rofl

Drive both, and maybe throw a Golf into the mix as well.

If the OP is local to me I'm happy to take you out for a drive (near J16 of the M1)

lewisf182

2,089 posts

188 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
quotequote all
Sounds like there are very mixed reviews on both them. As always it will ultimately come to how you feel about them both after test driving.

For people to say the interior on the 130i isn't all that good seems a bit of a joke compared to the horrific focus interior. Likewise saying it's ugly, the ST is just a tarted up focus which is pretty crap to look at too TBH. It's all about opinion at the end of the day. A just washed sparkling 130i looks the business IMHO.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

224 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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Don't look too bad dirty either imho.


Esseesse

8,969 posts

208 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
quotequote all
lewisf182 said:
Sounds like there are very mixed reviews on both them. As always it will ultimately come to how you feel about them both after test driving.

For people to say the interior on the 130i isn't all that good seems a bit of a joke compared to the horrific focus interior. Likewise saying it's ugly, the ST is just a tarted up focus which is pretty crap to look at too TBH. It's all about opinion at the end of the day. A just washed sparkling 130i looks the business IMHO.
Yes, a facelift sport 1 series with xenons looks great.

Funk

26,277 posts

209 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
quotequote all
Having put 70k miles under an ST's wheels and over 50k on my 1-series, the 1er is the more fun car to drive imo, and that's just a 123d.

A colleague of mine had a 130i - they sound great, go well and just feel more 'sorted' than the ST. I preferred my 123d to my ST and I have no doubt I'd prefer a 130i over a 123d so....get the 130i!

Edited by Funk on Thursday 23 October 19:31

anonymous-user

54 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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130i. RWD, last of the straight 6 n/a engines.

KarlMac

4,480 posts

141 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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Had a 2010 Focus ST for 35,000 miles. Standard performance is crap, needs the MP260 with Eibach springs and Bilstien dampers and some Ferodo DS2500 pads as a minimum.

They also seem to have a habit of breaking niggling little things - recirc valve, boost solenoid, oil filter diaphragms, driveshafts. The paint finish can be quite rough and the interiors don't age well (fewer rattles in my 02 scoob).

Makes a cracking noise and I did enjoy its lairy paint. I went to Collins Performance stage 3 though. I think I might get a other when they're worth buttons.

Token pic:


Beer Man

249 posts

114 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
quotequote all
gizlaroc said:
Don't look too bad dirty either imho.

whenever I see one of these things I think "Wow, it's amazing how they manage to mix dull AND ugly"

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

224 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
quotequote all
Beer Man said:
whenever I see one of these things I think "Wow, it's amazing how they manage to mix dull AND ugly"
That's what your missus said about you the other night when you were out playing on your mountain bike. wink

CharlesAL

532 posts

124 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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As I've been wanting an ST recently but thinking I should try a NA hot hatch before they die out, buying a 130 never occurred to me. Was thinking about 330s though. I would definitely rather have a BMW than a Civic type R or Renaultsport Clio.

What's the Step Auto like in a 130i?

Edited by CharlesAL on Thursday 23 October 20:11

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

224 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
quotequote all
CharlesAL said:
As I've been wanting an ST recently but thinking I should try a NA hot hatch before they die out, buying a 130 never occurred to me. Was thinking about 330s though. I would definitely rather have a BMW than a Civic type R or Renaultsport Clio.

What's the Step Auto like in a 130i?
It is good imho.

But it is one modern car that I would happily have in manual guise.
Would never buy a manual diesel again, but a nice NA Straight six that needs to be worked a bit a manual is nice.

I would happily have either.

rb5er

11,657 posts

172 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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They are both good cars. The ST is far more comfy though, better seats and softer suspension. Both make a great noise. N/A hatches may be dying out but I doubt you will see many or any more 2.5 5cylinder turbo hatches either.

Drive both then buy which you prefer. Probably the ST. Just feels more sporty and more special contrary to the suspension setup. The 130i on big wheels is quite jiggly.

cerb4.5lee

30,613 posts

180 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
quotequote all
gizlaroc said:
CharlesAL said:
As I've been wanting an ST recently but thinking I should try a NA hot hatch before they die out, buying a 130 never occurred to me. Was thinking about 330s though. I would definitely rather have a BMW than a Civic type R or Renaultsport Clio.

What's the Step Auto like in a 130i?
It is good imho.

But it is one modern car that I would happily have in manual guise.
Would never buy a manual diesel again, but a nice NA Straight six that needs to be worked a bit a manual is nice.

I would happily have either.
I have a N52 330i auto and to be fair I have often slated it for being dim witted and in truth it doesn't really suit the engine that much and I agree a manual would be a better match for it by far, however I am warming to the auto a little now and you just have to make the best of what you have I think.


jonnytekkers

Original Poster:

83 posts

131 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
quotequote all
CharlesAL said:
As I've been wanting an ST recently but thinking I should try a NA hot hatch before they die out, buying a 130 never occurred to me. Was thinking about 330s though. I would definitely rather have a BMW than a Civic type R or Renaultsport Clio.

What's the Step Auto like in a 130i?

Edited by CharlesAL on Thursday 23 October 20:11
The auto won't be no where near as fun! I had a 330d remapped that was auto and got bored of it, the only auto Id recommend is dsg transmission

cerb4.5lee

30,613 posts

180 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
quotequote all
jonnytekkers said:
CharlesAL said:
As I've been wanting an ST recently but thinking I should try a NA hot hatch before they die out, buying a 130 never occurred to me. Was thinking about 330s though. I would definitely rather have a BMW than a Civic type R or Renaultsport Clio.

What's the Step Auto like in a 130i?

Edited by CharlesAL on Thursday 23 October 20:11
The auto won't be no where near as fun! I had a 330d remapped that was auto and got bored of it, the only auto Id recommend is dsg transmission
I actually think the auto suits the 330d pretty well as it suits the characteristics of the diesel engine but agree its boring, we have one car with a slush auto and one with a twin clutch s-tronic and in fairness I agree if you want fun neither gearbox is any good as they are the same but a little different as one just shifts a little quicker than the other.

Its almost impossible to have much fun in a two pedal car in my experience and for me any reward/fun will only ever come with three pedals and a stick. driving

jonnytekkers

Original Poster:

83 posts

131 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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Does the 130i have a heavy clutch?

lewisf182

2,089 posts

188 months

Friday 24th October 2014
quotequote all
IMHO the 130i does have a heavy clutch and I'm finding it quite annoying a lately in my 80 mile commute. Saying that it could be the same with any manual car so...

The ride is pretty terrible in the 130i too, although again the roads in sheffield are exceptionally bad, in that they are probably the worst in the country at the moment even with the multiple resurfacing that has gone on recently.

Interesting that most people who say the ST is better have had to modify them extensively to make them better. If you spend the same amount on a 130i I'm sure that would be much better too (LSD, Suspension, exhaust etc)

Beer Man

249 posts

114 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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Heavy repair bills when it breaks down.

Which it inevitably will. Lots.

anonymous-user

54 months

Friday 24th October 2014
quotequote all
lewisf182 said:
IMHO the 130i does have a heavy clutch and I'm finding it quite annoying a lately in my 80 mile commute. Saying that it could be the same with any manual car so...

The ride is pretty terrible in the 130i too, although again the roads in sheffield are exceptionally bad, in that they are probably the worst in the country at the moment even with the multiple resurfacing that has gone on recently.

Interesting that most people who say the ST is better have had to modify them extensively to make them better. If you spend the same amount on a 130i I'm sure that would be much better too (LSD, Suspension, exhaust etc)
I think this is true, it's not a fair comparison. From what I have read the 130i is transformed by ditching the run flats, let alone fitting an LSD and better suspension etc. All in this will cost circa £2800 for a drive in drive out at Birds. It is something I am seriously considering if I can get around the space for bike transportation.