130i M-Sports - seem amazing value for money now?

[Fun Bus]

Just been on the classifieds and had a look at 130i M-Sports. £9k will get you a '55 plated, sub 50k mile car with decent spec and a dealer warranty (not BMW main). This seems almost too good for the money - is there a catch and a reason they're now 'cheap' for what they are and what they were new?

[ghibbett]

It’s a small bottom of the range (i.e. 1 series) hatchback that’s not particularly practical with a fuel guzzling big 3 litre engine. At least that’s what the market most likely thinks.

What is actually is is a brilliantly capable mini M-car with fantastic handling and a pure peach of an engine. It was a lot more fun to drive than my current E46 330i Sport and the engine was significantly better in every faucet. However a ’55 plate is an early car. IMO the post ’07 update cars are far better with a number of revisions to improve build quality along with revised suspension settings.

HTH.

[edition]

Great car! (Maybe I'm slightly biased!).


Mines a facelift car and love it!

[roofer]

Perfectly practical in everyday use. If you have no more than 1 or 2 small children to cart around. The car i most regret selling in recent years. Take the runcraps off and put a decent tyre on, and they're like a go kart.

[bmthnick1981]

They do look good value now but how quick actually are they? Are they 265 bhp?

[ghibbett]

Hoddo said:

Just how impractical are these things?

I currently drive a Cooper S and will be in the market for something larger. Have always consider the 130i but practicality has put me off.

Edited by Hoddo on Tuesday 13th September 09:02

Ha ha, way more practical than a Mini!!

[Rabbo]

I picked up an '06 53k miler as a BMW AUC for £11k in June. Xenons, bluetooth, Isofix, Professional Stereo, F&R parking sensors, full Ipod connectivity, Alpine retrofit and a year's tax. Dealer fitted new brake pads & discs all round, refurbished the wheels and put a new set of mats in - and it's like new! I can honestly say I'll be keeping it for a long long time - it's the perfect all-rounder.

[R26Andy]

When I need four seats this car is in my top 3 as a just love the engine in my z4c.

[S3_Graham]

when you consider what the competition costs, its an utter bargain.

I looked at S3's and R32's as well as the 130. The other 2 were easily 2-3k more expensive for comparable age/mileage at a dealer.

I have a '55' plate 130. Its such a cool little car. Perfectly practical for 4 people and some luggage. Its not a huge boot but its the same as my fathers old Mk4 golf size wise.

Mines currently averaging 29mpg and i do very mixed motorway/town driving.

IMO people view it as a silly engine, even though its very economical for its size. Servicing seems reasonable too. It was freshly serviced when i collected it but after 3,000 miles its still showing 14,000 miles till service due!

[JFReturns]

My friend went from a Megane Sport to a 130i M Sport. Fantastic engine and has real quality throughout. The brakes and handling are not as sharp as the Megane, but it is more comfortable. He does not like the anonymity of the 130i (not much to visually differentiate from lesser 1 series) but I would find this a bonus.

He averages (an indicated) 36mpg, which I think is astonishing considering it has ~ 260bhp / 230lb ft torque.

[S3_Graham]

p.s. dont get confused with the BHP/PS figure.

Its 261PS NOT bhp. Its something like 258 bhp.

Also look to fit (if funds allow) a Birds LSD. its £1300 fitted and will transform it.

[Max M4X WW]

S3_Graham said:

Its 261PS NOT bhp. Its something like 258 bhp.

[JFReturns]

Max M4X WW said:

S3_Graham said:

Its 261PS NOT bhp. Its something like 258 bhp.

[bmthnick1981]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

That's a fair turn of pace. My old E46 330i Sport which was the older 231 bhp (?) engine was circa 6 / 6.5 seconds to 60 I think.

[///Mike]

The 130 is without doubt the pick of the 1 series range.

I bought a 135 new, recently I talked a friend into a 130 and after driving it I love it. Sounds great, handles great, great economy and they are around for less than 10K now. Bargain small wolf in sheeps clothing.

[Ranger 6]

ghibbett said:

Hoddo said:

Just how impractical are these things?

I currently drive a Cooper S and will be in the market for something larger. Have always consider the 130i but practicality has put me off.

Edited by Hoddo on Tuesday 13th September 09:02

Ha ha, way more practical than a Mini!!

Yup, we went the other way 130i to MCS and the BMW is way better on space. The perception of the 1-series being small in the back is the tiny rear doors. Once you're in it's fine.

[vescaegg]

JFReturns said:

Max M4X WW said:

S3_Graham said:

Its 261PS NOT bhp. Its something like 258 bhp.

[Ranger 6]

It's a turbo and going well, thanks - I don't drive it very much actually as if we each had our own the 130i was my wife's car. When I do it does remind me of my old Mk1 Golf GTi, that sort of 'wring it's neck and it's happy' feel or quite happy just bimbling.

I was sad to see the 130 go, but ultimately it was the right decision for us.

[roofer]

S3_Graham said:

p.s. dont get confused with the BHP/PS figure.

Its 261PS NOT bhp. Its something like 258 bhp.

Also look to fit (if funds allow) a Birds LSD. its £1300 fitted and will transform it.

If i remember correct, the 130 was 265 bhp due to a slightly different intake run to the 330i which was 258bhp or thereabouts.

[snorkel sucker]

Hoddo said:

ghibbett said:

Hoddo said:

Just how impractical are these things?

I currently drive a Cooper S and will be in the market for something larger. Have always consider the 130i but practicality has put me off.

Ha ha, way more practical than a Mini!!

I've got rucksacks more practical than the Mini !

I went from a Cooper S Works to a 130i.

The BMW is twice the size, just as much of a hoot, and much quicker.