Discussion
Mr Tidy said:
I watched last night's episode of Fifth Gear earlier and the 130i featured in VBH's used hot hatch comparison.
I'm not sure how a much newer and more expensive Megane was included, but anywah she rated the BMW ahead of that and the R32 Golf. :thumbsup:
Really, I'll give it a look. I'm about to offload the 130, I think, but it'll be staying aound.I'm not sure how a much newer and more expensive Megane was included, but anywah she rated the BMW ahead of that and the R32 Golf. :thumbsup:
Yesterday, it was oil change time. 8L of Edge relieved me of £100, give or take. Up on the ramp all looked fine, bit of surface rust here and there but pretty decent. Rear tyres are on their last legs, still a few miles away from the bars but the feel in the wet is very noticeable, slight shimmy over the white lines is usually an indication it's time to change.
Anyway. The big (ger) news is that I m looking for a new car. I drove a 996 turbo earlier, quite the thing. What it did do is reveal a little bit about how far this 130i has come. The 130 has better brakes, probably better than a new 911 to be fair. It sounds wonderful, has lower limits to enjoy. At 115K it feels tighter than most modern things, for sure tighter than that 996, basically every bush and component is now only 10K old, it therefore should. But. The way it deals with bumps, compared to that 911, is remarkable. I think I am losing my mind because I preferred it. FFS
Now I'm thinking of another M3 or M5, even M2? But I do wonder what could come from a really sorted older car. I love NA straight sixes, would a classic M5 be the car, or maybe an E46 CS.
Worse still on Harry's Garage he has a V12 Jag, which he bought for 5K and spent the same on suspension, shorter diff and brakes. It's exactly where I am I think, maybe?
Anyway. The big (ger) news is that I m looking for a new car. I drove a 996 turbo earlier, quite the thing. What it did do is reveal a little bit about how far this 130i has come. The 130 has better brakes, probably better than a new 911 to be fair. It sounds wonderful, has lower limits to enjoy. At 115K it feels tighter than most modern things, for sure tighter than that 996, basically every bush and component is now only 10K old, it therefore should. But. The way it deals with bumps, compared to that 911, is remarkable. I think I am losing my mind because I preferred it. FFS
Now I'm thinking of another M3 or M5, even M2? But I do wonder what could come from a really sorted older car. I love NA straight sixes, would a classic M5 be the car, or maybe an E46 CS.
Worse still on Harry's Garage he has a V12 Jag, which he bought for 5K and spent the same on suspension, shorter diff and brakes. It's exactly where I am I think, maybe?
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 27th November 20:34
Andy_5 said:
It appears your journey is coming to an end, just as mine is beginning.....
I've read this thread from start to finish, several times with great interest. So much so, that a 130i has been on my radar for a while, but just haven't found the right one, until yesterday.
Just picked up a 2007 BMW 130i LE, and I'm over the moon with it!! So smooth and responsive, it's a great package which I can wait to 'fettle'.
I'm sure you'll be back in this car at some point given your past form!
Ah, it’s not leaving, not unless a very daft offer is made. I think the recent 911 drive has proven that it’s likely a keeper. I do wonder what could be done with an older 5 or 3 series. Straight six slightly longer wheelbase. I’ll be having a chat to a guy I know, he’s got a shed load of classic BMW’s. I've read this thread from start to finish, several times with great interest. So much so, that a 130i has been on my radar for a while, but just haven't found the right one, until yesterday.
Just picked up a 2007 BMW 130i LE, and I'm over the moon with it!! So smooth and responsive, it's a great package which I can wait to 'fettle'.
I'm sure you'll be back in this car at some point given your past form!
Glad you found the thread interesting, I’ll keep adding
I venture over to DMWorx to discuss options, M3/4/5 is what to do.
Ended up deciding that an M2 Comp would be a good bet? So off to North Oxford for a look. Initial impressions, good, aggressive look, personally love the comp wheels. It was a DCT, not a big fan personally, but gave it the benefit of doubt. The ride was very firm, leading to harsh over bumpy roads. The engine is a masterpiece, loads of power and you can’t really feel the blowers working. The downside, it’s far too quiet, almost overly refined. Back to the ride, the damping in Sport was poor, Sport Plus, IMO, just unsuitable for the average road. It was actually the initially damping control which made it feel harsh, very firm. Steering, honestly, just very average. No feel, but a decent weight and fairly quick. The brakes, finally BMW have produced a decent setup, load of power and feel, I love cars with super strong brakes. Another thing, the front of the M2 is pinned to the road, like the M3 I had, it just gives you loads of confidence. The new iDrive is excellent, Audi/Mercedes, this is how it’s done, as are the ergonomics, familiar, well laid out.
So.
I’ll just say it. The 130 is a better road car. It’s got enough power, sounds so much better, this is all very odd, and unexpected and frustrating. The damping from the Bilsteins is just miles better, how? I tried to like the DCT, I just don’t. It makes the car feel much more ordinary, I’m sure the M2 would be better (for me) as a manual. The 130’s steering pre LCI is supposed to be slightly better than post, I’ve always thought it was bang average, until the M2. I guess it’s a sign of the times, annoying though.
I just don’t know. A sorted 130 is really good, this good, that’s a 996 Turbo and M2 comp and neither would have me reaching for my bank details.
The search continues....
Next an M2 manual (non comp). Apparently a bit more raw with the smaller engine? And then there’s the 1M.
Ended up deciding that an M2 Comp would be a good bet? So off to North Oxford for a look. Initial impressions, good, aggressive look, personally love the comp wheels. It was a DCT, not a big fan personally, but gave it the benefit of doubt. The ride was very firm, leading to harsh over bumpy roads. The engine is a masterpiece, loads of power and you can’t really feel the blowers working. The downside, it’s far too quiet, almost overly refined. Back to the ride, the damping in Sport was poor, Sport Plus, IMO, just unsuitable for the average road. It was actually the initially damping control which made it feel harsh, very firm. Steering, honestly, just very average. No feel, but a decent weight and fairly quick. The brakes, finally BMW have produced a decent setup, load of power and feel, I love cars with super strong brakes. Another thing, the front of the M2 is pinned to the road, like the M3 I had, it just gives you loads of confidence. The new iDrive is excellent, Audi/Mercedes, this is how it’s done, as are the ergonomics, familiar, well laid out.
So.
I’ll just say it. The 130 is a better road car. It’s got enough power, sounds so much better, this is all very odd, and unexpected and frustrating. The damping from the Bilsteins is just miles better, how? I tried to like the DCT, I just don’t. It makes the car feel much more ordinary, I’m sure the M2 would be better (for me) as a manual. The 130’s steering pre LCI is supposed to be slightly better than post, I’ve always thought it was bang average, until the M2. I guess it’s a sign of the times, annoying though.
I just don’t know. A sorted 130 is really good, this good, that’s a 996 Turbo and M2 comp and neither would have me reaching for my bank details.
The search continues....
Next an M2 manual (non comp). Apparently a bit more raw with the smaller engine? And then there’s the 1M.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 7th December 16:21
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