Strange Question; anyone owned an R32 AND a 130i?
Discussion
Right chaps...
Before SWMBO demands something fiscally ruinous of me, the time has come for some more cylinders, noise and speed in my life.
I'm here for some balance and to try to escape the VAG fanboys in the other section. Moreover, asking a specific question in GG usually results with it being ignored and some tw@t suggesting an MX5, a Monaro, or something else totally unsuitable.
For various reasons, it's come down to either a 130i or an R32 - I'm not interested in anything else.
Have any of you owned both and can share your experiences?
Before SWMBO demands something fiscally ruinous of me, the time has come for some more cylinders, noise and speed in my life.
I'm here for some balance and to try to escape the VAG fanboys in the other section. Moreover, asking a specific question in GG usually results with it being ignored and some tw@t suggesting an MX5, a Monaro, or something else totally unsuitable.
For various reasons, it's come down to either a 130i or an R32 - I'm not interested in anything else.
Have any of you owned both and can share your experiences?
I'll get the ball rolling...
I've owned a mk5 R32 and although I've not owned a 130i, I've currently got the 118d and previously owned a Z4C with the same engine as the 130.
To be honest, I found the r32 a disappointment. It sounded great and probably had a bit more space than the 1er, but it felt heavy and not particularly quick. Fairly under-steery and only 4wd when the fronts start to lose grip (although you can play with Haldex to sort is out). And 400 quid a year tax and sub 30 mpg meant it wasn't a cheap car to run. Not really a b-road hooligan but ok as a long distance tourer (mpg aside).
The 1 series, on the other hand, is a far more pleasing drive IMHO (even in 118d form!) - it handles better, feels more sporty, drive goes to the right set of wheels etc etc. And the 3.0 engine is a peach. Revvy, muscular and yet capable of mid-30s on a run. It doesn't sound so good and the rear seats are more cramped than the Golf.
So definitely the 130 for me if I had your choice.
I've owned a mk5 R32 and although I've not owned a 130i, I've currently got the 118d and previously owned a Z4C with the same engine as the 130.
To be honest, I found the r32 a disappointment. It sounded great and probably had a bit more space than the 1er, but it felt heavy and not particularly quick. Fairly under-steery and only 4wd when the fronts start to lose grip (although you can play with Haldex to sort is out). And 400 quid a year tax and sub 30 mpg meant it wasn't a cheap car to run. Not really a b-road hooligan but ok as a long distance tourer (mpg aside).
The 1 series, on the other hand, is a far more pleasing drive IMHO (even in 118d form!) - it handles better, feels more sporty, drive goes to the right set of wheels etc etc. And the 3.0 engine is a peach. Revvy, muscular and yet capable of mid-30s on a run. It doesn't sound so good and the rear seats are more cramped than the Golf.
So definitely the 130 for me if I had your choice.
edition said:
I've had a A3 3.2 which is pretty similar to the MK5 R32. I now have a 130...
Two main questions then;a) How does the 1er compare in refinement stakes vs the R32 on motorways? This is my big fear; swapping a refined, quiet, muscular GTI for a jiggly 1er, that is only a better drive <5% of the time.
b) Ignoring both traction issues and point a) above, which car is more fun on a hoon, driving at 8/10ths?
edition said:
BMW far more fun to drive quickly
Really important to me ^^, so thanks - good to know.edition said:
I've just swapped the runflats for some normals and the ride is better I think than the Audi or R32's I've been in.
Ditching the RFT's would be the first thing I'd want to do... I found the R32 that I drove to be rather "boomy" on the motorway.
The only thing I don't like about the 1er in Msport guise is the seats as they can be dam uncomfortable, however there is a perfect setting (for me at least) but once the wife has been in it, it takes me about a week to sort it out again.
If you go for a 130i make sure it has xenons. Massive difference to the cars looks as well as night vision.
Msport suspension is excellent.
I do really like the R32. Best you try and get long test drives in both, but I know you will buy a 130i
.
The only thing I don't like about the 1er in Msport guise is the seats as they can be dam uncomfortable, however there is a perfect setting (for me at least) but once the wife has been in it, it takes me about a week to sort it out again.
If you go for a 130i make sure it has xenons. Massive difference to the cars looks as well as night vision.
Msport suspension is excellent.
I do really like the R32. Best you try and get long test drives in both, but I know you will buy a 130i
.^^^ Hmmm, not worth watching IMO. Back in 2006 I watched these and was put-off the 130i M-Sport. Was offered a test drive at the dealership and almost declined it because of the reviews. However I perservered and drove one. Net result? Purchased a 130i M-sport and ran it for 2 years.
Was looking at some pictures of it last night. T'was a great car and loads of fun. Brilliant chassis (better once RFTs are ditched) and sounds great. Here's a vid of me taking mine round Brunters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je3JQFkwwwA
Oh, and echoing the comments by V8A*NDY, xenons do make it look a lot better.
Was looking at some pictures of it last night. T'was a great car and loads of fun. Brilliant chassis (better once RFTs are ditched) and sounds great. Here's a vid of me taking mine round Brunters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je3JQFkwwwA
Oh, and echoing the comments by V8A*NDY, xenons do make it look a lot better.
V8A*ndy said:
I found the R32 that I drove to be rather "boomy" on the motorway.
^^ mmm. I can't be doing with that. You're inferring the 130 is better in this respect, non?V8A*ndy said:
If you go for a 130i make sure it has xenons.
^^ It's one of my two or three 'must-haves'. Transforms the look. 
Gruber said:
FamilyDub - have you found the clips from Top Gear and Fifth Gear (circa 2006) on YouTube where both programmes do direct comparisons between the two cars?
^^ Have done, many times. Trying to ignore them and keep reading the Evo reviews instead.ghibbett said:
Brilliant chassis (better once RFTs are ditched) and sounds great.
^^ really interesting.Thanks all.
edition said:
The facelift cars have better interior and are abit better on there fuel........
I know about the '07 MY changes - it's really a 3-dr I'm after, which were only after the '07 changes. And the following made me laugh:-
edition said:
Black engine cover on a facelift car.
How can that be remotely relevant to any of my concerns I asked about? 
ghibbett said:
^^^ Hmmm, not worth watching IMO. Back in 2006 I watched these and was put-off the 130i M-Sport. Was offered a test drive at the dealership and almost declined it because of the reviews. However I perservered and drove one. Net result? Purchased a 130i M-sport and ran it for 2 years.
Was looking at some pictures of it last night. T'was a great car and loads of fun. Brilliant chassis (better once RFTs are ditched) and sounds great. Here's a vid of me taking mine round Brunters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je3JQFkwwwA
Oh, and echoing the comments by V8A*NDY, xenons do make it look a lot better.
Nice vid - what's going on with the hazard switch though? Apologies if it's mentioned in the vid but I'm watching covertly at work with sound muted!Was looking at some pictures of it last night. T'was a great car and loads of fun. Brilliant chassis (better once RFTs are ditched) and sounds great. Here's a vid of me taking mine round Brunters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je3JQFkwwwA
Oh, and echoing the comments by V8A*NDY, xenons do make it look a lot better.
Haven't owned either of them but have spent the last few weeks deciding between the two as my next car.
Driven two R32's and four 130i's in that time and hands down it's the BMW that I'll be buying.
The R32 is a very nice car, solidly built and I think slightly better looking if it has the newer 10 spoke alloys. Initially it feels very quick but that is because the top inch or so of throttle pedal travel seems to give the best of the engines shove. Engine sounds very good under load.
Cabin looks nice but doesn't feel quite as solid as the 130, however it is much more practical (not an issue for me)
The 130i is one of those rare cars that seemed just right for me after a few miles. The cabin has a quality 'big car' feel, the engine sounds great and it goes very well (even coming out of an E90 M3). Unlike the M3, it has a slightly raw, over engined feel about it which I like.
I really do like the looks of the 1 series (especially in M Sport guise) which puts me firmly in the minority, this is also appeals to me.
That the 130i will be cheaper to tax, fuel, service and insure is a bonus.
Driven two R32's and four 130i's in that time and hands down it's the BMW that I'll be buying.
The R32 is a very nice car, solidly built and I think slightly better looking if it has the newer 10 spoke alloys. Initially it feels very quick but that is because the top inch or so of throttle pedal travel seems to give the best of the engines shove. Engine sounds very good under load.
Cabin looks nice but doesn't feel quite as solid as the 130, however it is much more practical (not an issue for me)
The 130i is one of those rare cars that seemed just right for me after a few miles. The cabin has a quality 'big car' feel, the engine sounds great and it goes very well (even coming out of an E90 M3). Unlike the M3, it has a slightly raw, over engined feel about it which I like.
I really do like the looks of the 1 series (especially in M Sport guise) which puts me firmly in the minority, this is also appeals to me.
That the 130i will be cheaper to tax, fuel, service and insure is a bonus.
ghibbett said:
I assume it's lit via LED, hence the pulsing as the video camera is out of phase with the rapid blinking of the switch illumination. It's the same as any vids showing modern cars with LED rear lights.
Oh, and the video is all about the sound (bar my random mumblings)!
Ah, makes sense. Must remember to watch again later to appreciate the straight 6 and the tyre squeal then?Oh, and the video is all about the sound (bar my random mumblings)!
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