Discussion
Had a call tonight for a potential viewing. Over the last few weeks I have been taking it out for a spin now and again. It's still hilarious and I really miss the overall package, not to mention the noise. The new 3 series is 'ok' but it doesn't feel anywhere near as tight and when the speed picks up the damping on the 130 is in a different league. Also, I am no drift king but the traction in the 3 series with its 'soppy diff' is a bit crap and nowhere near as much fun. I wont mention the difference in braking power.....
The 130 has been safely housed in the workshop, regularly run up and the battery charged. Today I just couldn't walk on by and decided I'd take it for a spin. A few things struck me. The seating position was all wrong, the 3 series, despite being a rep mobile lets you get really low. I adjusted things which made it feel better and off we went. The first roundabout was covered in diesel, the rear just broke loose but the proper diff felt so different and it gathered up so easily. The power delivery still makes me smile, totally linear and, the noise. A 320d is no match. After 5 mins I was totally into it again. The brakes are just bonkers and the damping, it's still great.Tomorrow I have to drive 700 miles and I'd rather do it in the diesel, but i'm going to make a point of filling the 130 up and taking it out at the weekends. One thing I noticed on the way home was that in slippery conditions the lesser powered 320d breaks traction far easier (diesel surge) and without warning, it's so inferior in that respect.
Cliff notes: sounds awesome, makes me smile, like a hot hatch should.
Cliff notes: sounds awesome, makes me smile, like a hot hatch should.
Thanks.
It’ll go to someone for sure. It’s at the sort of money where you can go much faster for less, you have to want an inline 6 and a more basic (interesting) drive IMO. It’ll outbrake anything this side of a very serious car and really does feel tight, the 100K miles have worn well and every time I drive it the little pig makes me smile. Not to get all ‘Frank’ but it does genuinely have a soul, it’s the last of its type and all the better for it. I’m tempted to mothball it and fit ITB’s if nobody comes along soon
It’ll go to someone for sure. It’s at the sort of money where you can go much faster for less, you have to want an inline 6 and a more basic (interesting) drive IMO. It’ll outbrake anything this side of a very serious car and really does feel tight, the 100K miles have worn well and every time I drive it the little pig makes me smile. Not to get all ‘Frank’ but it does genuinely have a soul, it’s the last of its type and all the better for it. I’m tempted to mothball it and fit ITB’s if nobody comes along soon
I liked the 135i but the one I borrowed was an auto. It felt quick but wasn’t half as much fun, more effective at everything though. I think I’d get bored with the 35/40 unless it was a manual? Having said that a Birds 140 wouldn’t be out the question, but even then you’d be travelling at much higher speeds to have the same fun. That’s why I ditched the M3 in the first place.
A record for me
Interesting info on the throttle bodies. In all likelihood it’ll just get a remap, I’ve made the mistake of throwing large amounts of money at cars which then lose their all round ability. The best thing about it is that despite having some fairly serious mods it looks very much stock.
Interesting info on the throttle bodies. In all likelihood it’ll just get a remap, I’ve made the mistake of throwing large amounts of money at cars which then lose their all round ability. The best thing about it is that despite having some fairly serious mods it looks very much stock.
We’ll see how it goes.
So. Just smiled on the way back. Before this I was fairly serious about a Boxster, but I already have 2 two seaters and tbh I can’t be bothered with the hit and miss reliability, just my opinion. Anyway, it’s like it’s never left. It’s not balls out fast but is perfect for the road. 6th from 20/30mph unlike that hideous A4. The radio is done for, needs a repair or replacement. Similarly the front parking sensor, it had the bumper painted and it looks like they ran out of masking tape
I’d forgotten the ride, it’s firm but feels ‘right’, you’d never know it’s 12 years old. The dash glows orange, doesn’t beep at me and has enough info without all the faff. the handbrake is a lever, you pull it. With TC off it’s got enough to move around off of right turns and roundabouts, anyone claiming you can’t feel rwd is talking nonsense. Had a knob head in a 235i behind me, he came hurtling past and slowed. Along with a biker we went past him only for the guy to accelerate up to my bumper then back off and repeat. Let him go, his girlfriend looked a bit bemused, f
king bmw drivers, ahem.
After a brief Italian tune up the brakes were buried to see what gives, if it accelerated like it decelerated, brutal, and they’d do it al day long I would think.
First job, clean it. Paint the disc hubs. Then get the bumper sorted, new wheel emblems and parking sensor. I’ll be buying an OBD reader for it. The exhaust sounds fabulous, the N56 is what God intended and I’m sure how he’d sound hanging out the back of an angel in a Bavarian brothel.
Dibs, sure. The recent ex-owner is first, but you’re next for sure. The other half is not impressed, wanted the bloody Boxster so we will see! Must say thanks to the guy who bought and sold her back, looks great still. I know you would have tucked it away, hope the M3 expedition works out, been there
Pictures soon. Time to go for a spin.
So. Just smiled on the way back. Before this I was fairly serious about a Boxster, but I already have 2 two seaters and tbh I can’t be bothered with the hit and miss reliability, just my opinion. Anyway, it’s like it’s never left. It’s not balls out fast but is perfect for the road. 6th from 20/30mph unlike that hideous A4. The radio is done for, needs a repair or replacement. Similarly the front parking sensor, it had the bumper painted and it looks like they ran out of masking tape
I’d forgotten the ride, it’s firm but feels ‘right’, you’d never know it’s 12 years old. The dash glows orange, doesn’t beep at me and has enough info without all the faff. the handbrake is a lever, you pull it. With TC off it’s got enough to move around off of right turns and roundabouts, anyone claiming you can’t feel rwd is talking nonsense. Had a knob head in a 235i behind me, he came hurtling past and slowed. Along with a biker we went past him only for the guy to accelerate up to my bumper then back off and repeat. Let him go, his girlfriend looked a bit bemused, fking bmw drivers, ahem. After a brief Italian tune up the brakes were buried to see what gives, if it accelerated like it decelerated, brutal, and they’d do it al day long I would think.
First job, clean it. Paint the disc hubs. Then get the bumper sorted, new wheel emblems and parking sensor. I’ll be buying an OBD reader for it. The exhaust sounds fabulous, the N56 is what God intended and I’m sure how he’d sound hanging out the back of an angel in a Bavarian brothel.
Dibs, sure. The recent ex-owner is first, but you’re next for sure. The other half is not impressed, wanted the bloody Boxster so we will see! Must say thanks to the guy who bought and sold her back, looks great still. I know you would have tucked it away, hope the M3 expedition works out, been there
Pictures soon. Time to go for a spin.
Thinking of painting the writing black to make them sort of invisible unless you really look at them? It'd be interesting (to me) to see exactly how effective they are. That's tomorrow morning sorted 
https://fastestlaps.com/lists/top-quickest-stopper...
Can you imagine stopping in 7m from 60 mph
https://fastestlaps.com/lists/top-quickest-stopper...
Can you imagine stopping in 7m from 60 mph
So a quick clean up. Got the paint off the front sensor, I need the mounting piece which it sits on as whoever painted the bumper killed it 
I need the chamfered bit that sits on the outside.
In the last 18 months I’ve never cleaned either the Audi or 3 series. Makes a difference when you actually like the car
What’s the best OBD reader for BMW’s, is there one I can code things, for example to add cruise control?
I need the chamfered bit that sits on the outside.
In the last 18 months I’ve never cleaned either the Audi or 3 series. Makes a difference when you actually like the car
What’s the best OBD reader for BMW’s, is there one I can code things, for example to add cruise control?
DoubleSix said:
I use this, alongside the Bimmercode app for my 340i...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vgate-Diagnostic-Compatib...
Thanks! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vgate-Diagnostic-Compatib...
Can you code with it?
JakeT said:
https://www.mycarly.com/en/app/bmw/
I've used this for a few years, does diagnostics and coding. The app is £50 a year now, but it's still good value. It does most coding, and I've coded an E90 with one no bother, so a 1er should be grand.
Thanks. Have downloaded the app and will order the dongle. I've used this for a few years, does diagnostics and coding. The app is £50 a year now, but it's still good value. It does most coding, and I've coded an E90 with one no bother, so a 1er should be grand.
DaveE36 said:
I've been looking for one of these for a while now. One I planned to view and the owner decided they didn't want to sell. Another I was due to view this weekend but someone else has just put a deposit on it. There's a bit of a variance with the values, although this does tend to happen with BMW's that are getting on a bit.
I think they're lovely cars. This is a great example. I've ran an E36 328 for a year and I feel that this is one of the few cars I can see me keeping for a long time. I could go down the 335i route but I'd rather stay in a manual NA car. Part of me thinks compromise and save some money by going for a 330i.
Way back I was looking for a manual 330i touring, seemed a difficult car to find in a manual. You’re right about values, this one was priced fairly strong but the last invoice for the suspension, brakes etc was £6K. There’s nothing left of the 100k miles on the suspension etc. Every bush with any play was changed for new OEM. Brake lines are all braided stainless so hopefully nothing much left to sort out. The water pump was changed 3000 miles ago, typically that failed two weeks before i sold it. Keep an eye on babybmw as well, really friendly bunch and cars do come up for sale there I think they're lovely cars. This is a great example. I've ran an E36 328 for a year and I feel that this is one of the few cars I can see me keeping for a long time. I could go down the 335i route but I'd rather stay in a manual NA car. Part of me thinks compromise and save some money by going for a 330i.
DaveE36 said:
I'm familiar with throwing money at cars and not getting anything back from it, but not to the same extent as you though! I've run sheds for years but I like to buy my cars cash rather than finance them. I've got a budget of about £6k, and could stretch to £8k but want to keep a bit spare for maintenance and upgrades.
If you don't mind me asking, how much did it add to the value by having all the bits you've had done? Birds are now about £1400+VAT for the LSD fitted.
It’s worth what people are offering I guess. To replicate it would cost roughly £6K for a donor 2006 car, then the dynamics kit, brakes and LSD. Without the brakes it would have worked out £4500, this includes changing anything that was needed, obviously things are found and there’s no point in scrimping whilst you have already put the money into it. Brakes, I’ve seen them for £2500 front, £2000 rear, Alcons are more. I’m sure there are other billet types out there but you need to make sure that the callipers are sealed, not the ‘bargain’ race types that are likely to seize in the salt I've run sheds for years but I like to buy my cars cash rather than finance them. I've got a budget of about £6k, and could stretch to £8k but want to keep a bit spare for maintenance and upgrades.If you don't mind me asking, how much did it add to the value by having all the bits you've had done? Birds are now about £1400+VAT for the LSD fitted.
In this case it’s added £2-3K. But it narrows the buyers down as for the same money you could buy numerous faster cars.
survivalist said:
Glad you're enjoying the car. Think you've probably posted as much in the last few days as I did in 12 months on my reader's cars thread (in my defence you had completed most of the best modifications already).
Will be watching with interest and probably a smidge of regret ;-)
Hi, thanks again and I’ll let you know if there’s a move on Will be watching with interest and probably a smidge of regret ;-)
airdocful said:
Lovely 130i!! They are wonderful cars, something awesome about the silky 3 litre!!
Posted my car thread as well just now, take a lookhttps://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Nice! Posted my car thread as well just now, take a look
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff