Out with the new and in with the old; my 130i LE
Discussion
Having spent most of my time cleaning and fiddling with it, I was bored tonight so I bought that I’d pop out for a mini hoon on some local roads that I know pretty well.
I’m definitely very impressed with it, it’s a bloody good little thing to drive. It’s obviously a lot slower than my M140i was but it’s certainly not slow. It sounds better too, especially once you hit 5,000rpm when there seems to be a much harder due to the induction sound.
The gear shift in true BMW style isn’t the best, and noticeably worse than that in the 125i. I’m hoping that removing the CDV and replacing the white bush will help. I’ll look into getting the gearbox oil changed at some point.
The suspension though is the party piece; it’s bloody brilliant. It dealt with some of the imperfections on my local rides unbelievably well, not upsetting the car too much (less than any of my previous BMW’s).
It’s far from perfect; needs a bit of paint, few creaks, an ever growing to do list but it’s already starting to get under my skin a bit. I seem to have a lot of affection for this era BMW.
Whilst I was out I stopped for a few pictures...
So far, I’m really enjoying the car and am pleased with the swap. Maybe my expectations were low, but I was really impressed with how it drove tonight.
I’m definitely very impressed with it, it’s a bloody good little thing to drive. It’s obviously a lot slower than my M140i was but it’s certainly not slow. It sounds better too, especially once you hit 5,000rpm when there seems to be a much harder due to the induction sound.
The gear shift in true BMW style isn’t the best, and noticeably worse than that in the 125i. I’m hoping that removing the CDV and replacing the white bush will help. I’ll look into getting the gearbox oil changed at some point.
The suspension though is the party piece; it’s bloody brilliant. It dealt with some of the imperfections on my local rides unbelievably well, not upsetting the car too much (less than any of my previous BMW’s).
It’s far from perfect; needs a bit of paint, few creaks, an ever growing to do list but it’s already starting to get under my skin a bit. I seem to have a lot of affection for this era BMW.
Whilst I was out I stopped for a few pictures...
So far, I’m really enjoying the car and am pleased with the swap. Maybe my expectations were low, but I was really impressed with how it drove tonight.
Court_S said:
It’s far from perfect; needs a bit of paint, few creaks, an ever growing to do list but it’s already starting to get under my skin a bit. I seem to have a lot of affection for this era BMW.
So far, I’m really enjoying the car and am pleased with the swap. Maybe my expectations were low, but I was really impressed with how it drove tonight.
I can relate to that - I've had a 57 plate, 06 plate, two 56 plates and currently have a 55 and a 56 plate BMW! So far, I’m really enjoying the car and am pleased with the swap. Maybe my expectations were low, but I was really impressed with how it drove tonight.
Interesting to hear that you like the Birds suspension too. And those photos are great.
Fresh transmission fluid, a new bush for the lever and CDV removal worked wonders for my E46 325ti, so might hopefully improve your car.
In a world seeming full of chavved up 1 series slammed to the deck, with ridiculous splitters and popcorn maps, that looks superb.
The wheels, colour and chrome trim combo give it a decent level of class I didn't even know a 1 series was capable of.
Look forward to seeing more updates!
The wheels, colour and chrome trim combo give it a decent level of class I didn't even know a 1 series was capable of.
Look forward to seeing more updates!
cerb4.5lee said:
Great pics Sam.
I'm over the moon for you and I'm really chuffed that you are enjoying it.
Thanks Lee. I'm over the moon for you and I'm really chuffed that you are enjoying it.
I’m quite surprised at how much I like it, given that on paper it’s a pretty big downgrade. There is something about this era BMW that I really like. Hopefully it not s
t itself after the praise I’ve given it so far! 
Mr Tidy said:
I can relate to that - I've had a 57 plate, 06 plate, two 56 plates and currently have a 55 and a 56 plate BMW!
Interesting to hear that you like the Birds suspension too. And those photos are great.
Fresh transmission fluid, a new bush for the lever and CDV removal worked wonders for my E46 325ti, so might hopefully improve your car.
This is my third N52, I do like them. Whilst I think the E46/39 era may have been prettier, the last of the E series cars seem a bit better made in my experience. CDV should be gone next week and I’ll pop some E46 M3 gearbox mounts in at the same time as they’re cheap and easy to do.Interesting to hear that you like the Birds suspension too. And those photos are great.
Fresh transmission fluid, a new bush for the lever and CDV removal worked wonders for my E46 325ti, so might hopefully improve your car.
narbles said:
Great pictures there. I find the manual gear changes annoying at low speeds even with CDV removed, but get it going at speed and I find the gear box reassuring and satisfying.
The box in this doesn’t like being rushed, much like the one in my other half’s 125i was originally. Binning the CDV made quite a big difference. There’s a fair bit of play in it too, so I’m hoping replacing the main white bush will solve that. If not, you can buy an uprated rear bush which I’ll get done when the fluid is changed (the prop shaft is in the way apparently).MrBig said:
In a world seeming full of chavved up 1 series slammed to the deck, with ridiculous splitters and popcorn maps, that looks superb.
The wheels, colour and chrome trim combo give it a decent level of class I didn't even know a 1 series was capable of.
Look forward to seeing more updates!
I’m not normally a fan of chrome trim on cars to be honest but it kind of works on this (my other half really dislikes it though).The wheels, colour and chrome trim combo give it a decent level of class I didn't even know a 1 series was capable of.
Look forward to seeing more updates!
I think the last of the E series cars are probably going through their bad period at the moment as prices fall, much the same same the E36 and E46 did. Once the s
tters have been killed the nice examples should be left.Few things ticked off this weekend....
Picked the car up from the body shop having had a bad previous repair dealt with on the drivers door. Sounds like whoever did it, did a pretty poor job. They’d used poor quality filler and hadn’t ground down the spot welds from the keys used to pull the debt out. All sorted now and looking loads better (the bad repair was only noticed in the sun and from certain angles but it made my teeth itch.
Popped over to help my mate Andy change the transmission fluid in his 5 series; messy, stinky job but it seems to have improved his ZF6 no end. Whilst I was there, this little sucker was removed.
It’s so restrictive; look at how small the hole is in the centre. It’s daddy compared to the rest of the hoses.
The original gearbox mounts were replaced with E46 M3 jobbies, they’re cheap and a fair bit stiffer than the old Oe ones which were pretty squishy.
I still need to change the shift bush but I forgot to buy a replacement retaining clip which is likely to be lost so I’ll pop to Sytner to this week to grab that a d a few other clips I need.
The next week or two is going to be pretty busy on the car....
I’ve bought a Colourlock kit to recolour the seats (starts tomorrow with the drivers seat)
My replacement trim arrived yesterday so that’ll be getting wrapped in carbon at some point.
I’ve paid my RSW bill so am expecting my wheel, dash trim, handbrake, gaiters a s binnacle cover to arrive soon
I’m hoping o boom Friday off to give it a proper polish and wax (bought some Soft99 Kiwami Extreme Gloss Dark Hybrid Wax to try)
Should look pretty good for an old girl when that’s all done.
Picked the car up from the body shop having had a bad previous repair dealt with on the drivers door. Sounds like whoever did it, did a pretty poor job. They’d used poor quality filler and hadn’t ground down the spot welds from the keys used to pull the debt out. All sorted now and looking loads better (the bad repair was only noticed in the sun and from certain angles but it made my teeth itch.
Popped over to help my mate Andy change the transmission fluid in his 5 series; messy, stinky job but it seems to have improved his ZF6 no end. Whilst I was there, this little sucker was removed.
It’s so restrictive; look at how small the hole is in the centre. It’s daddy compared to the rest of the hoses.
The original gearbox mounts were replaced with E46 M3 jobbies, they’re cheap and a fair bit stiffer than the old Oe ones which were pretty squishy.
I still need to change the shift bush but I forgot to buy a replacement retaining clip which is likely to be lost so I’ll pop to Sytner to this week to grab that a d a few other clips I need.
The next week or two is going to be pretty busy on the car....
I’ve bought a Colourlock kit to recolour the seats (starts tomorrow with the drivers seat)
My replacement trim arrived yesterday so that’ll be getting wrapped in carbon at some point.
I’ve paid my RSW bill so am expecting my wheel, dash trim, handbrake, gaiters a s binnacle cover to arrive soon
I’m hoping o boom Friday off to give it a proper polish and wax (bought some Soft99 Kiwami Extreme Gloss Dark Hybrid Wax to try)
Should look pretty good for an old girl when that’s all done.
In for this one! Interesting to see someone else go from a M140i to a 130i. Kind of makes me wish I'd found a way to keep hold of mine for when I eventually need a daily again.
Glad to see that getting a smiley on was high up your list of priorities too
Looking forward to seeing more about your ownership experience!
Glad to see that getting a smiley on was high up your list of priorities too
Looking forward to seeing more about your ownership experience!Ben Lowden said:
In for this one! Interesting to see someone else go from a M140i to a 130i. Kind of makes me wish I'd found a way to keep hold of mine for when I eventually need a daily again.
Glad to see that getting a smiley on was high up your list of priorities too Looking forward to seeing more about your ownership experience!
Thanks Ben.Glad to see that getting a smiley on was high up your list of priorities too
Looking forward to seeing more about your ownership experience!The smiley certainly attracted some criticism on another forum! Oh well, it’s my car and they’ve all had one.
Few more jobs tonight....
Removed the spoiler because my temporary fix didn’t work. It came off easily enough but removing the old 3M tape was a bloody pig. It’s not fitted a bit better, much closer to the shut line now.
I started recolouring the sears too. Started with the drivers seat which was probably the worst one.
There wasn’t too much crud under the seat, but there was a mouldy piece of food which was nice. Found 55p too!
I bought a Colourlock kit which involved sanding down the worst bits which felt a bit wrong if I’m honest. Cleaned, sanded, cleaned and degreased ready for colour.
Four coats of paint / stain later and the bolsters are looking loads better.
Tomorrow night I’ll apply the leather protector and then crack on with the rest of the seats.
Kind of wish I’d stumped up for the flexible filler too but it’s bloody expensive. Will see how it wears and might do it again in the spring.
Removed the spoiler because my temporary fix didn’t work. It came off easily enough but removing the old 3M tape was a bloody pig. It’s not fitted a bit better, much closer to the shut line now.
I started recolouring the sears too. Started with the drivers seat which was probably the worst one.
There wasn’t too much crud under the seat, but there was a mouldy piece of food which was nice. Found 55p too!
I bought a Colourlock kit which involved sanding down the worst bits which felt a bit wrong if I’m honest. Cleaned, sanded, cleaned and degreased ready for colour.
Four coats of paint / stain later and the bolsters are looking loads better.
Tomorrow night I’ll apply the leather protector and then crack on with the rest of the seats.
Kind of wish I’d stumped up for the flexible filler too but it’s bloody expensive. Will see how it wears and might do it again in the spring.
Court_S said:
Ben Lowden said:
How dare you ruin the beautifully formed lines with such an obnoxious sticker
:lol: it was described as tasteless.....
B'stard Child said:
Court_S said:
Ben Lowden said:
How dare you ruin the beautifully formed lines with such an obnoxious sticker
:lol: it was described as tasteless.....A picture of your 125 was posted on the 130 FB group....the 130 badge confused someone who was wondering if it’d had an engine swap.
Lovely looking example. As the years wear on the looks of these certainly age more but the recipe underneath seems to stay sweet.
Totally understand what you mean about not loving the 140 etc. Ive driven a 135, 140 & 240 with a view to buy but aside from being ridiculously fast they just seem a bit dispassionate and distant to me.
Totally understand what you mean about not loving the 140 etc. Ive driven a 135, 140 & 240 with a view to buy but aside from being ridiculously fast they just seem a bit dispassionate and distant to me.
Falsey said:
Lovely looking example. As the years wear on the looks of these certainly age more but the recipe underneath seems to stay sweet.
Totally understand what you mean about not loving the 140 etc. Ive driven a 135, 140 & 240 with a view to buy but aside from being ridiculously fast they just seem a bit dispassionate and distant to me.
Yes, there is an ex M lite support group growing on here.Totally understand what you mean about not loving the 140 etc. Ive driven a 135, 140 & 240 with a view to buy but aside from being ridiculously fast they just seem a bit dispassionate and distant to me.
My son just asked for a lift into the town centre, normally I would say walk but I was up and had my car keys in my hand, dropped him off and went for a drive, was a 2 mile round trip that turned into probably 15/20. I never had any inclination in the M135i to just drive it. Not a 130i but a tuned Fiesta ST, have fell back in love with driving, its like a little shouty rally car.
Dont mind the M135i/M140i but the whole thing was missing something that the power didnt make up for, I see folk adding more and more power via tuning when really its chassis, diff and steering improvement they need, not another 100 plus bhp.
Court_S said:
B'stard Child said:
Court_S said:
Ben Lowden said:
How dare you ruin the beautifully formed lines with such an obnoxious sticker
:lol: it was described as tasteless.....A picture of your 125 was posted on the 130 FB group....the 130 badge confused someone who was wondering if it’d had an engine swap.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff