130i M LE to replace 123d M

[mikeyscott]

Looking at doing a lot less milage and was looking around at 130i and 135i Coupe options.

Noticed that Birds have a 130i LE which is tempting. Any views on the 130i and in particular LE spec? Only thing I don't like is the leather colour!

http://www.birdsgarage.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-1-serie...

[mikeyscott]

aeropilot said:

mikeyscott said:

Looking at doing a lot less milage and was looking around at 130i and 135i Coupe options.

Noticed that Birds have a 130i LE which is tempting. Any views on the 130i and in particular LE spec? Only thing I don't like is the leather colour!

Lemon interior looks great.

Does need to be kept clean, more so if you are a jeans wearer as the denim dye transfers into the Lemon leather easily.

I looked at a few LE's before I bought the 135i, but the lack of heated seats in an otherwise comprehensive spec list in the LE was a no-no for me.

An ex-work collegue of mine and fellow PH'r has a lovely LE with lots of BMWP bits on it.

No heated seats, that's a disappointment. Got them on my 123d at the mo and very nice.

Been looking at 135is too, but not sure re how much I'm wanting to spend.

[mikeyscott]

It's cruise that I also would like.

Dumped RFT on my 123d 10 days ago

[mikeyscott]

LocoBlade said:

I had a 123d for 4 years before I swapped it for a facelift 130i last June. Firstly, you'll initially miss the torque a bit as in the first half of the rev range the 123d is more punchy. In comparison a 135i is very much like the 123d low down but just keeps on pulling harder all the way to 7k rpm, so if you like that turbo punch then a 135 would be a better match.

The 130i is a lovely engine though, its still strong at lower revs and is just as flexible in terms of pulling barely above tickover, then once above about 4.5k it really flies and sounds great. Depending on the type of driving you do it's also not too bad on fuel, on a mostly dual carriageway 30 mile each way commute I get 32-33mpg from the 130 where I was getting 43-44mpg in the 123d. Neither is an ideal motorway cruiser though due to relatively low gearing, with the 50L tank on the 1 Series even 33mpg equates to only just over 300 miles before the fuel warning with another 50 miles to find a fill-up, if you spank it a bit more then that will drop to high 20s and barely 250 miles before the warning. The 135 in twin turbo guise will be a few mpg worse, although the 2009/10 year N55 single turbo engine is meant to be better, probably on a par with the facelift 130.

ISTR you looking for a 123d around the time I sold mine, and you live/work down near Portsmouth somewhere? If so I work in Portsmouth so give me a shout if you need to see what a 130 is like.

Edited by LocoBlade on Monday 24th February 18:54

Live in locks Heath - work in Guildford. Job accepted in whitely, however may go contracting near Hook.

Cheers for info. May check birds one out this weekend. My 123d has circa 47k on it and is a 59 plate. Bought last July at 31k

Would be interested in a local look at a 130

[mikeyscott]

Gruber said:

I bought a 130i from Birds a couple of weeks back.

Thoroughly recommended!

I looked at that one online, but if I change it must have leather etc.

Looked good and has the diff upgrade.

[mikeyscott]

Gruber said:

mikeyscott said:

I looked at that one online, but if I change it must have leather etc.

Looked good and has the diff upgrade.

Fair enough. I'd have preferrred leather too.

But as you say, mine has the Quaife diff, performance exhaust and big brake kit fitted and so the absence of leather, nav etc somehow makes it feel a bit more focussed.

That said, I think I'll miss cruise control.

Birds were a delight to deal with.

Yes Birds have been very helpful and particularly as I'm quite picky re spec! I'm after Cruise too. If only I could merge the spec of my 123d with the LE lol

Would be tempted to ask them to change the diff on the LE if I went for it.

What's the latest 130i that hit the UK shores, circa 58 plate?

[mikeyscott]

aeropilot said:

mikeyscott said:

Yes Birds have been very helpful and particularly as I'm quite picky re spec! I'm after Cruise too.

As I've already said, Cruise is a £200 quid or so easy retro-fit, so don't get hung up by lack of cruise control on any car...

That's why I didn't spec my 135i with it, I spent the money on factory options that couldn't be easy retro-fitted, and if I really missed it, I could add it later if I wanted to (haven't missed it as I've never driving a long enough distance in traffic free conditions to warrant cruise)

mikeyscott said:

What's the latest 130i that hit the UK shores, circa 58 plate?

Almost all LE's will be on a 07 plate (there will be the odd exception, I've seen the odd 57 plate LE)

The 130i was discontinued in the UK in the summer of 2009, so there are a handfull of 09 plate cars around, but not many as BMW only about 20-30 odd 130's in the last year they were on sale in 2009.

I agree re the cruise and if I'm interested in taking the car would ask if they could fit. Also wondering whether to get them to fit a Quaife LSD.

Would prob P/X my 123d with them

[mikeyscott]

The more I look at the LE spec the more I think mmm.. Maybe not... Just not sure, but what I do know is a dislike diesel

Over priced .. But may have a look for a drive

http://www.carsofswanwick.co.uk/used-cars-result/2...

Would enable me to appreciate if heading to birds then right thing to do

Edited by mikeyscott on Tuesday 25th February 22:30

Edited by mikeyscott on Tuesday 25th February 22:31

[mikeyscott]

DAmiJO said:

Diesels are no good if your a car enthusiast/petrolhead...........or pistonhead

Ref to warranty I believe if the car had a full bmw service history you can get a yearly or rolling warranty from bmw, my car is around 52k miles and was quoted about £43 a month for the top warranty, over 60k miles and I believe it almost doubles in price,

You looking for 5 or 3dr? What spec you after ?

Got a 5 door at the mo, TBH 3 door or 5 door, that hasn't bothered me particularly

Spec that would be nice
leather
manual
comfort pack
bluetooth / phone pack

Not that hung up re sat nav

Very tempted to go full circa and look at a 335i

Edited by mikeyscott on Wednesday 26th February 11:06

[mikeyscott]

With 130,135i and 335s seeming to be like rocking horse poo, have wondered about 330

[mikeyscott]

Just doing some reading. Partridge phoned me re a 335 coupe on 07, but 14k and 88k on the clock mmm

[mikeyscott]

dapearson said:

There were a few 2006-2007 130s around a year or so ago without silly mileages (sub 80k) for £7k. Prices have really firmed up on these lately! The same sort of spec now seems to command 5 figures!

Which TBH is what's making me hesitate and think....

[mikeyscott]

I was offered £10k for my 123d 59 plate 45k at the time, leather etc. err no

[mikeyscott]

aeropilot said:

mikeyscott said:

With 130,135i and 335s seeming to be like rocking horse poo, have wondered about 330

Rocking horse poo is an apt description as we are taling about quite rare cars in the UK....even compared to M3's.

In the UK, BMW only sold about 1200 or so 130i between 2006-2009 and only sold about 1300 of the 135i between 2007-2013.

Probably not many more than that of 335i sold either.

The simple rules of supply and demand (demand is increasing, and there's not much supply) are pushing prices of the 130i upwards, especially good condition, good spec cars.

Edited by aeropilot on Thursday 27th February 08:49

Absolutely I'm not denying that. Just makes me chuckle with my daily commute to Guildford that what do I pass or be passed by last night on the way home down the A3. They're out there, but it's as you say more down to seeking spec/price/age/mileage.

1 x 335i Touring 07 plate, very nice.
2 x 335i coupe
1 x 135i
2 x 335i Saloon
1 x 130i

The only thing is that someone could have removed the d off their 335d.

Very tempted to put my 123d up for sale, pick up a £500 bucket and then find what I'm seeking.. With a pending short commute it's not as though I'd desperately need a car. Add the fact that we have my wife's nice 60 fiesta which I'm using this week. She's got the 123d this week after I've done about 5k on it since Jan

Edited by mikeyscott on Thursday 27th February 09:58

[mikeyscott]

DAmiJO said:

What would you value you mine at just out of interest?

57'reg 130i m sport
Alpine white
53000. Miles
FBMWSH
Full leather,heated
Extended lighting pack
Comfort pack ( front & rear pdc)
Cruise control
Extended storage
Pro radio with Bluetooth (phone)
Sun protection glass
4 brand new Goodyear eagle f1 asym 2 (225/40/18 ~245/35/18) all round
4 hankook ice bears for winter

Sorry off topic

Thought about seeing what Birds would offer?

[mikeyscott]

Found a 2008 135i with 26k on the clock for £15k, which I'm tempted with. It's via BMW AUC, but I've been told it's been priced wrong so going up by £2k

It's not due in till April though

£500 to hold it.

They've offered £9k for my 59 123d M Sport though -

[mikeyscott]

nickfrog said:

So it's £17k ?

It will be Monday, poss tomorrow.

I'm on the fence, shame no proper pics

[mikeyscott]

Price has gone up

http://www.approved.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/bmwauc/details...

This looks quite good.

http://www.approved.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/bmwauc/details...

Edited by mikeyscott on Saturday 1st March 20:58

[mikeyscott]

Really does vary http://www.approved.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/bmwauc/details... only bad thing on that list for me is 19" wheels, no thanks and auto.

Yet Partridge BMW have a 335i listed on an 07 plate with 90k for the same money!

I think I'm just going to phone Birds on Monday and see what they have on their radars. I've also asked about the 335i 60 plate, but TBH more than I originally had in mind. Knowing my luck lol it'll be sold or priced wrong!

Mate said keep the 123d and re-map it, but it's the diesel drive and I don't like how short the gears ah. But that'll be because my previous was a S40 T5 and a Leon Cupra before that running Revo, Milltek and a few other things.

At the end of the day I need to FIND a car I can drive

[mikeyscott]

Been offered some money off -

http://www.bmwauc.com/AUC/WBAPM52050A744519/digi-p...

£16,750 instead of £16150, so not much

May see what my car would go for privately