130i (Another BMW)

[EddyBee]

I bought an r53 Mini Cooper S 6 months ago as I was working close to home and my missus thought it'd be a good run around for her when her Fabia VRS goes back in Feb.

Unfortunately the company I was working for went bust, so I'm now working in Hampshire.
I didn't fancy using the Mini for what ends up being a 3hr drive every week so I've been using her Fabia and she's had the MINI.

We thought it'd be fine putting our son in the back (he's 3) and the small boot is fine as there's no pushchair etc to cart about anymore.
However after 2 weeks she's given in and said we need a 4/5 door car again.

So I did what any good PHer would do and whilst she was at work I had a quick browse of the classifieds and found a 130i 5 miles away.....
They look a bit challenging but there aren't many cars that size with 6 cylinder engines and rwd!

I did consider a mk5 r32 but as soon as I saw this so close I kind of forgot to properly look!

Now we currently have:
1995 e34 M5 (immobiliser problems and next on the list to be fixed)
2000 e38 728i bit of shed but great for me for work, just needs an aux belt and will be my daily when the Fabia goes
2006 r53 Mini soon to be replaced but will be sorely missed
1970 BMW 2002 that I'm half way through rebuilding the engine on
Then the odd one out the Fabia which is end of lease in Feb.

So we're no stranger to BMWs.

I went and viewed the car, and it was really tidy drove lovely has full BMW main dealer history and still has extended BMW warranty with Sytner until January.

Took my missus to see it this morning and we put a despot down and are picking it up next Saturday. I can't wait!

With a heavy heart "Scoop" (as named by our son) the MINI will be up for sale as 5 BMWs may be one too many.
The trusty 7 series will go once the M5 is working and that'll leave the 130i, M5 and 2002 which I think is a good line up!

Only got one picture at the moment

Spec is:
Manual
Full heated black leather (non electric)
Rear parking sensors
Cruise
No HIDs which is a shame
No iDrive*

This is a bonus for me as I hated iDrive. I could use it but I hated the way you could programme the HVAC from it. If I want heat and turn the dial to 30 I want warm air out the vents. I don't want to go into the computer and decide how hot "30" is that's what the dial is for!
Likewise with how fast the air comes out etc. /rant

I'd have liked one with HIDs and in Le Mans blue but that's the joys of buying a 2nd hand car I suppose.

A few pics of the rest:

"Scoop" who'll be up for sale soon :-(

The M5 which I hope to get back on the road after the 02 is done (looking a bit sorry for itself here)


"Lucy" who can be found here; https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...

"The Bismarck" (big, heavy and slow) which will be my daily again

PS. Yes my cars have names, yes it's abit childish.
Yes I need to try a different car manufacturer!

Edited by EddyBee on Sunday 29th October 13:13

[MRobbins1987]

Lovely collection.

[Mr Tidy]

Lovely collection OP!

I keep browsing 130is as the obvious replacement for my 325ti Compact, but can't really justify the extra cost and I've got mine all up to scratch now.

The 130i seems to have quite a following - I suppose it is pretty unique in being the only car that size that isn't FWD.

I wouldn't bother trying another manufacturer - if you like RWD you don't really have any choice!

Enjoy!