BMW 130i or something else?

[Petrol Only]

Groan what car thread...

Budget is 10k but could be stretched a little for the right car.

I'm after something to do my 16 mile return commute and fun car.

So requirements.

At least 1 series space wise for the driver. So unfortunately no Mx5 S2000 I just don't fit.
Rear seats not an issue/required.
RWD
It has to be comfortable for a European road trip.
Not too old, up to 7 years

Other than a 350z which is too expensive in the other departments insurance fuel etc

I'm struggling to find anything else?

Suggestions please.

[rallycross]

something else

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3548179.htm


305 bhp.
rwd.
great all rounder.
BMW 335i petrol

[Petrol Only]

Interesting did not realise they were in budget!

Only concern do they cost much more than a 1 series to run?

[300bhp/ton]

Petrol Only said:

Groan what car thread...

Budget is 10k but could be stretched a little for the right car.

I'm after something to do my 16 mile return commute and fun car.

So requirements.

At least 1 series space wise for the driver. So unfortunately no Mx5 S2000 I just don't fit.
Rear seats not an issue/required.
RWD
It has to be comfortable for a European road trip.
Not too old, up to 7 years

Other than a 350z which is too expensive in the other departments insurance fuel etc

I'm struggling to find anything else?

Suggestions please.

Sorry, but 16 miles a day and you reckon a 350z would be too expensive on fuel yet you are prepared to spend £10+k on the car in the first place?

Nothing like mixed up priorities

130i is a fine compact family car with a bit of flare. If this is what you need then it sounds ideal. However from what you've said so far it would seem that you have no need for such a car.

Really £10k gives you such a MASSIVE choice of interesting fun cars, there is too much choice. Even if you stick with mundane mass produced cars or more specialist ones.

e.g. any of these would seem to fit the bill....


-BMW M Roadster (Z3)
-BMW Z4
-TVR Chim/Cerb
-Focus RS MK1
-RX-8 R3
-Corvette C4
-Pontiac Solstice
-VX220T
-Elise
-GTM Libra
-Monaro
-M3
-Boxster
-996 C2
-GTM Libra


And the reason I've ignored fuel is simple. You've said 16 miles a day, assuming you work 5 days a week that's around 235 working days a year. Which means a tiny 3760 commuting miles a year.


Parkers rates the 130i @ 30mpg, so for your annual commuting mileage that's £775/year or £65/month in commuting fuel.


22mpg would only cost about £88/month, so a pitiful amount more to potentially run something quite different. An older niche car is also far more likely to retain its value too, so overall cost of ownership may well be lower overall.

[Petrol Only]

Your right 300bhp regards the fuel I should have been more clear. I can't justify the cost differences of Tyres Insurance and Tax with the zed for the performance it provides compared to the bm.

I had automatically dismissed the Z4 Z3 on size? Are they bigger inside than MX5 S2000? If so that's worth a look. M cars running cost scare me.

[300bhp/ton]

Petrol Only said:

Your right 300bhp regards the fuel I should have been more clear. I can't justify the cost differences of Tyres Insurance and Tax with the zed for the performance it provides compared to the bm.

I had automatically dismissed the Z4 Z3 on size? Are they bigger inside than MX5 S2000? If so that's worth a look. M cars running cost scare me.

Afraid I can't comment on interior space as I'm not personally tall. I guess trying it out would be the best way.

I'm not convinced tyres would be an issue either. Even if you drive hard you are likely to get 12-20k miles per set. At your annual mileage that'd be years between new tyres. And I truly doubt the actual cost difference would be that great. In fact are they not similar sized tyres anyhow?

Road tax I don't know. I admit anything in the highest is going to hurt. But tbh, if that's such an issue, why spank £10k on a motor car? Surely you'd be better spending £2-3k?

At the end of the day it's totally 100% your choice. So if you feel a 130i is the best bet, then no worries

However as an opinion, it would seem you are some what shooting yourself in the foot to save nothing more than pocket money/spare change difference per year.

Re: running costs of an M3. Are they really that different to any other BMW? Sure some bits might cost more, but it really shouldn't be a night and day difference. And that said, in terms of actual money, an M is going to hold it's money way better than a non M BMW. So £10k today on an e46 M3 and 5 years down the line it'll have held onto its value quite well. £10k today on a 130i and 5 years down the line and it'll have likely lost £1000's more compared to the M3. So in terms of total cost of ownership the M3 might actually be cheaper, even if it does cost more to maintain.

[TheFungle]

rallycross said:

something else

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3548179.htm


305 bhp.
rwd.
great all rounder.
BMW 335i petrol

Oh.

Very interesting.

Although I'm not so sure I'd trust a garage called 'Lucky Star'!

[honest_delboy]

A touch over budget but all your friends will go ooohhh.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3335113.htm

[nottyash]

16 miles a day and your bothered about fuel costs on a 10 grand car? Thats not a lot of miles.
An M3 would be good, I do 40 miles a day but dont tend to use the M3 every day as we have 2 other cars.
When I do though, its great.
However if your journey is around towns I wouldnt bother, if its back roads/ A roads go for it.

[DoubleSix]

We recently did the pros & cons of the 130i in some detail on this thread.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Read through as I covered some of the more serious things to look out for....

130i = Win

[Petrol Only]

It was that thread that made me consider them.

Ive always liked the z4 coupe worth a look. Thanks

[NadiR]

How tall are you? I'm 6"5 and fit fine in a S2000 or MX5.

[Devil2575]

300bhp/ton said:

Re: running costs of an M3. Are they really that different to any other BMW?

Yes. Any part that is M specific comes with a premium price to match.
You only have to compare BMW dealer servicing costs for M cars to standard BMWs to see the diffference.

I considered an M3 before i bought a 330i but after speaking to a few owners decided against it.

[Dino D]

My 2p.
Not sure why tyres are cheaper on 130i than a 350Z?
BMW's like rear tyres, especially if you plan on using the benefits of RWD! I would think that all the other RWD contenders are the same in that regard especially as they usually run a bit 'camber' so you find thE inside edges wearing out first but of course all depends on you right foot and how often you check the geo and where you drive.
Having had a BMW with and without a LSD (330i and now 3 2.8)I would hate to have a another powerful RWD without an LSD. That's just my preference though.

[TEKNOPUG]

Spend £5-6k on a car instead? Have £4-5k in the bank for peace of mind.

There are plenty of cars over 10 years old now that have bottomed out depreciation wise. Average mileage will be close to 100k so they’ll be valued on condition. You could quite conceivably buy a car of this ilk and sell a year or two later for more than you paid.

A £10k 130i WILL depreciate, regardless of how many miles you do.

If you are budgeting £10k for a car but are concerned about running costs, fuel and insurance; then I think that your man-maths need re-evaluing.

Alternatively. Buy a shed for the commute and something fun and irresponsible for the weekends?

[300bhp/ton]

Devil2575 said:

Yes. Any part that is M specific comes with a premium price to match.
You only have to compare BMW dealer servicing costs for M cars to standard BMWs to see the diffference.

I considered an M3 before i bought a 330i but after speaking to a few owners decided against it.

But why would you take an out of warranty £10k M3 to a main dealer for servicing? Oil is oil, a filter is a filter. Any half decent mechanic can change these. Then use an indipendant specialist for other things.

[marcosgt]

Devil2575 said:

300bhp/ton said:

Re: running costs of an M3. Are they really that different to any other BMW?

Yes. Any part that is M specific comes with a premium price to match.
You only have to compare BMW dealer servicing costs for M cars to standard BMWs to see the diffference.

I considered an M3 before i bought a 330i but after speaking to a few owners decided against it.

In my experience you are talking about 100% more on the insurance over a 330!

A friend of mine was telling me what the BMW dealer wants to service her 120D coupe - Turned my hair white!

M.

[EDLT]

honest_delboy said:

A touch over budget but all your friends will go ooohhh.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3335113.htm

I second this. Much more 'special' than a 1-series and nobody will mistake you for a junior salesman in his first company car. That said, I've never driven one but I can't see a 130i being better

[ruz316]

r32

[sagarich]

Hmmm, I'm rather tempted by a 130i at the moment. A lot of car for the money.