Le Mans Blue 130i
Discussion
With a change of job, I'm now not commuting so my car is purely for me to have fun in, no other reason for me to have one.
This brought me great excitement, much looking and I narrowed it down to two cars, small hatch backs, big NA engine and 5 door was my only requirement.
After viewing a few Mk5 R32 and test driving a couple, I decent for what I could justify spending they were all dogs, quite unexciting dogs with what I felt was their only party trick of, sounding wonderful with a Miltek. That's all I liked about them, and I'm a long time VAG fan.
Whilst prowling the normal places I look, pistonheads classified came up with the goods, the very car I bought.
2006 130i
Manual
5 door
Le Mans Blue
Yes it has alittle more miles than I wanted, but, it's had the last owner since 2010, comes with a long and full history and from meeting Mark, owned by someone who clearly enjoyed and appreciated it for what it is !
It also comes with the luxury of full Birds B1 suspension set up and M3 lowers arms.
No I drive thankfully too, it doesn't have xenon's but I can go without, it's purely an enjoyment car.
The drive home from collection, blasting the A272 from Winchester back to the A3. I'm smitten and i've bought into the hype from owners !
Plans are small really, clean it all up keeping OEM. Simple things like a wheel refurb, new badges, tow eye cover etc, genuine wherever possible and just enjoy it.
This brought me great excitement, much looking and I narrowed it down to two cars, small hatch backs, big NA engine and 5 door was my only requirement.
After viewing a few Mk5 R32 and test driving a couple, I decent for what I could justify spending they were all dogs, quite unexciting dogs with what I felt was their only party trick of, sounding wonderful with a Miltek. That's all I liked about them, and I'm a long time VAG fan.
Whilst prowling the normal places I look, pistonheads classified came up with the goods, the very car I bought.
2006 130i
Manual
5 door
Le Mans Blue
Yes it has alittle more miles than I wanted, but, it's had the last owner since 2010, comes with a long and full history and from meeting Mark, owned by someone who clearly enjoyed and appreciated it for what it is !
It also comes with the luxury of full Birds B1 suspension set up and M3 lowers arms.
No I drive thankfully too, it doesn't have xenon's but I can go without, it's purely an enjoyment car.
The drive home from collection, blasting the A272 from Winchester back to the A3. I'm smitten and i've bought into the hype from owners !
Plans are small really, clean it all up keeping OEM. Simple things like a wheel refurb, new badges, tow eye cover etc, genuine wherever possible and just enjoy it.
That looks lovely; I’m a big fan of Le Mans blue.
I jumped from an M140i into a 130LE in May. The car I bought has the Birds B1 suspension too plus the Performance carbon intake and spoiler. I love it, the suspension is very good (I have some M3 LCA’s on the way). It’s a lot of fun. Mine has idrive but I’ve found a way to add CarPlay, so I’m happy.
They seem to be quite underrated; look at the values / prices compared to a Mk5 R32.
I jumped from an M140i into a 130LE in May. The car I bought has the Birds B1 suspension too plus the Performance carbon intake and spoiler. I love it, the suspension is very good (I have some M3 LCA’s on the way). It’s a lot of fun. Mine has idrive but I’ve found a way to add CarPlay, so I’m happy.
They seem to be quite underrated; look at the values / prices compared to a Mk5 R32.
Court_S said:
That looks lovely; I’m a big fan of Le Mans blue.
I jumped from an M140i into a 130LE in May. The car I bought has the Birds B1 suspension too plus the Performance carbon intake and spoiler. I love it, the suspension is very good (I have some M3 LCA’s on the way). It’s a lot of fun. Mine has idrive but I’ve found a way to add CarPlay, so I’m happy.
They seem to be quite underrated; look at the values / prices compared to a Mk5 R32.
I don't understand it, I drove it pretty much back to back with the R32. Other than the noise it was very uneventful, as well as feeling notably slower. With the birds set up it wasn't a patch on the "feel" either.I jumped from an M140i into a 130LE in May. The car I bought has the Birds B1 suspension too plus the Performance carbon intake and spoiler. I love it, the suspension is very good (I have some M3 LCA’s on the way). It’s a lot of fun. Mine has idrive but I’ve found a way to add CarPlay, so I’m happy.
They seem to be quite underrated; look at the values / prices compared to a Mk5 R32.
I feel mine is missing alittle "something" with no spoiler so may have to rectify that.
I'd very much like to fit F series brembo's, not because the brakes are lacking, mostly for looks.
GT89 said:
I don't understand it, I drove it pretty much back to back with the R32. Other than the noise it was very uneventful, as well as feeling notably slower. With the birds set up it wasn't a patch on the "feel" either.
I feel mine is missing alittle "something" with no spoiler so may have to rectify that.
I'd very much like to fit F series brembo's, not because the brakes are lacking, mostly for looks.
I fitted face lift rear lights to mine made a big difference. As did the depo V2 headlights which gave a nice white angel eye DRL plus self levelling xenons (HID’s?) - as said the whole car looked so much more fresh. I feel mine is missing alittle "something" with no spoiler so may have to rectify that.
I'd very much like to fit F series brembo's, not because the brakes are lacking, mostly for looks.
An exhaust liberated a much better exhaust note too especially at low speeds.
They do seem to be creeping up in value now for sure. I think if BMW did the branding as per now and this was a ‘M130i’ they’d be nearer values of R32’s. As it stands they’re a bit unheard of by many.
Part of it is the huge following performance branded VWs have, I think VW did a better job of distinguishing the R32, it looks and sounds far more interesting than a regular Mk5 Golf. The 130i just blends in which isn't necessarily a bad thing, I've never appreciated the M sub branding on the 1 series though it deserves something different.
GT89 said:
I don't understand it, I drove it pretty much back to back with the R32. Other than the noise it was very uneventful, as well as feeling notably slower. With the birds set up it wasn't a patch on the "feel" either.
I feel mine is missing alittle "something" with no spoiler so may have to rectify that.
I'd very much like to fit F series brembo's, not because the brakes are lacking, mostly for looks.
I don’t get it either, but I’m not a VAG fan boy.I feel mine is missing alittle "something" with no spoiler so may have to rectify that.
I'd very much like to fit F series brembo's, not because the brakes are lacking, mostly for looks.
The spoiler makes a big difference, but they’re like rocking horse poo to find these days. The stubby aerial is another subtle change that helps.
I’d like to do the F series brakes too but they’re bloody expensive. The old Performance ones are the holy grail, but even more cash when they do crop up.
I ran one as a daily for a year. Great car, but the stock suspension was woeful on the Fen roads where I live! I sold it to my mate for £2900 (it was a little bit tatty on the exterior). Absolute barjane. I went to visit him not long after he'd fitted a Racing Diffs insert. It was super fun! Check the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIDpkBL9lU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIDpkBL9lU
88LG said:
Lovely motor. Always wanted one of these but now family duties mean I can’t have a car that small now! Those 1 series in blue look fantastic.
Are those black grills on that 3 series in the first pic? Tempted to do that to my E91.
Are those black grills on that 3 series in the first pic? Tempted to do that to my E91.
They certainly are, a well spend £23 on eBay. Fit and have lasted very well, I am going to miss that 330d when I sell it eventually
That looks great in Le Mans Blue. 
I had it's predecessor a while ago, an E46 352ti Sport Compact, and loved it.
When looking for a replacement in 2019 I just couldn't find a good 130i within my limited budget, so I ended up with an early E90 330i with the same fantastic N52 engine.
Budget isn't a problem now, and I keep wondering if I should try again!
I had it's predecessor a while ago, an E46 352ti Sport Compact, and loved it.
When looking for a replacement in 2019 I just couldn't find a good 130i within my limited budget, so I ended up with an early E90 330i with the same fantastic N52 engine.
Budget isn't a problem now, and I keep wondering if I should try again!
). 
The little 130i is getting alot of positive appreciation, it's definitely a car for those who know, everyone else would just assume a 116i or 120d.
I really like that about it.
From what I've read the best "free" mod is to delete the CDV that BMW saw as a good thing to fit, I have embarrassingly kangaroo'd it a couple of times 1st to 2nd. Reviews say it's best to get it gone making a massive difference, so that's a job for next time the cars in the air too
I really like that about it.
From what I've read the best "free" mod is to delete the CDV that BMW saw as a good thing to fit, I have embarrassingly kangaroo'd it a couple of times 1st to 2nd. Reviews say it's best to get it gone making a massive difference, so that's a job for next time the cars in the air too
Welcome to the le mans blue 130i club. As you say, most don't even know the 130i exists and from looking from the outside it's just a 118d with some fancy trim 
Definitely recommend the CDV delete, such a cheap mod and makes the clutch feel 'normal'. Also recommend getting the gearbox and diff oil changed if it's not already been done, again both fairly cheap to do.
Definitely recommend the CDV delete, such a cheap mod and makes the clutch feel 'normal'. Also recommend getting the gearbox and diff oil changed if it's not already been done, again both fairly cheap to do.
Edited by AnneTeak on Tuesday 17th August 10:21
GT89 said:
The little 130i is getting alot of positive appreciation, it's definitely a car for those who know, everyone else would just assume a 116i or 120d.
I really like that about it.
From what I've read the best "free" mod is to delete the CDV that BMW saw as a good thing to fit, I have embarrassingly kangaroo'd it a couple of times 1st to 2nd. Reviews say it's best to get it gone making a massive difference, so that's a job for next time the cars in the air too
Definitely, it really does make a big difference. I’ve done it to both my 130 and my other half’s 125. A new shifter bush isn’t expensive or hard to do and improves the shift quality further.I really like that about it.
From what I've read the best "free" mod is to delete the CDV that BMW saw as a good thing to fit, I have embarrassingly kangaroo'd it a couple of times 1st to 2nd. Reviews say it's best to get it gone making a massive difference, so that's a job for next time the cars in the air too
Loving my E82 125 even after 3 years, the only thing I would change it for is a full M car.
It recently got pressed back into daily duty after my 530d died.
No birds suspension but it does have Bilstein B8's with H&R springs, M3 LCA's, a remap, and a couple of other bits and pieces. Next on the list is an LSD, then I want more brake pistons. I can't get bigger discs without changing the wheels for 18's as its already got 130 brakes with only about 3mm clearance.
It recently got pressed back into daily duty after my 530d died.
No birds suspension but it does have Bilstein B8's with H&R springs, M3 LCA's, a remap, and a couple of other bits and pieces. Next on the list is an LSD, then I want more brake pistons. I can't get bigger discs without changing the wheels for 18's as its already got 130 brakes with only about 3mm clearance.
Great cars- I recently picked up one, pre-LCI with the hydraulic steering. 150k miles, patchy history but is very tight to drive and the engine suits the car perfectly! BMWP parts like the intake and exhaust are getting super rare now but they are nice additions. Mine came with a few carbon parts and I have just added the spoiler.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2mhJEDD]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2mhL3sH]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2mhJED8]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2mhJEDD][url=https://flic.kr/p/2mhL3sH][url=https://flic.kr/p/2mhJED8]t66gal said:
Great cars- I recently picked up one, pre-LCI with the hydraulic steering. 150k miles, patchy history but is very tight to drive and the engine suits the car perfectly! BMWP parts like the intake and exhaust are getting super rare now but they are nice additions. Mine came with a few carbon parts and I have just added the spoiler.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2mhJEDD]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2mhL3sH]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2mhJED8]
Following you on Instagram, yours looks fantastic, very jealous of the brakes and bmwp exhaust. Looking at yours is giving me alot of pricy ideas [url=https://flic.kr/p/2mhJEDD][url=https://flic.kr/p/2mhL3sH][url=https://flic.kr/p/2mhJED8]I've ordered new genuine badges (silly money for what they are), next is to get the wheels blasted and powder coated. Fresh wheels transform any cars.
Hopefully I can find a spare half hour on the weekend to remove the CDV too
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