Out with the new and in with the old; my 130i LE
Discussion
survivalist said:
Having owned a 130i and a 335i I can certainly see why you might want to make the move, but I can’t see the arrival of a baby being the reason. For the 0-9 months it was just a case of clipping the seat into the base. When you’re strapping them into the upright seats then space and / or rear doors start to become an issue.
We’re not expecting, my little boy is seven and getting ever bigger. The rear of the 130i is tight, really tight and the boot is dinky. I’m also doing more longer trips with work again and the 3 series is a chunk more civilised than my 130i for longer slogs. The 130i is a hoot to drive though.The question is do I play it safe with another N52 powered car like an E91, or go for a 335i.
Sam, I’d go 335i. Anything can have its problems (ahem, types the muppet with the M62 V8 L322 Range Rover) so just get the one you like. You’re so tapped in on the forums to all the intel on any issues, and you’ve been wielding spanner’s to good effect, so I think it would be a measured risk.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
All the very best
Tom
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
All the very best
Tom
Court_S said:
survivalist said:
Having owned a 130i and a 335i I can certainly see why you might want to make the move, but I can’t see the arrival of a baby being the reason. For the 0-9 months it was just a case of clipping the seat into the base. When you’re strapping them into the upright seats then space and / or rear doors start to become an issue.
We’re not expecting, my little boy is seven and getting ever bigger. The rear of the 130i is tight, really tight and the boot is dinky. I’m also doing more longer trips with work again and the 3 series is a chunk more civilised than my 130i for longer slogs. The 130i is a hoot to drive though.The question is do I play it safe with another N52 powered car like an E91, or go for a 335i.
Am surprised that he’s finding the 1 series a tight fit. Mine was six when I last had a 130i and seemed happy enough. 130 boot might be small but the hatch has some benefit. I currently have a e92 M3 and the main issue is access to the boot.
Tom4398cc said:
Sam, I’d go 335i. Anything can have its problems (ahem, types the muppet with the M62 V8 L322 Range Rover) so just get the one you like. You’re so tapped in on the forums to all the intel on any issues, and you’ve been wielding spanner’s to good effect, so I think it would be a measured risk.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
All the very best
Tom
Thanks Tom; it’s very tempting. Noticeably punchier than the N52 powered cars, sounds good too.Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
All the very best
Tom
Torn between an E91 and an E92.
survivalist said:
Sorry, clearly misunderstood.
Am surprised that he’s finding the 1 series a tight fit. Mine was six when I last had a 130i and seemed happy enough. 130 boot might be small but the hatch has some benefit. I currently have a e92 M3 and the main issue is access to the boot.
Was yours a theee or a five door? It seems a lot tighter in the back of my three door than my other half’s old five door. Getting the three of us and the dog in my 130i is a bit of a squeeze especially with a few days worth of luggage. I love the car and the size didn’t bother me a year ago but it is now. Perhaps the niggles have been exaggerated because in my mind I was going to swap cars at some point this year.Am surprised that he’s finding the 1 series a tight fit. Mine was six when I last had a 130i and seemed happy enough. 130 boot might be small but the hatch has some benefit. I currently have a e92 M3 and the main issue is access to the boot.
The E92 M3 was what I wanted to move into this year but that’s not going to happen with me putting a semi sensible hat on.
MDifficult said:
They put the N54 in the best M car ever, so can't be too bad eh? 
Best of luck with this - I'm super-excited on your behalf. Remember though... CSL reps!
I'm not sure owners of S54s, S65 or S85s would agree! Best of luck with this - I'm super-excited on your behalf. Remember though... CSL reps!
Why CSL Reps when you can find OE CSLs though?
But whatever you go for Sam I hope you enjoy it.
Mr Tidy said:
I'm not sure owners of S54s, S65 or S85s would agree!
Why CSL Reps when you can find OE CSLs though?
But whatever you go for Sam I hope you enjoy it.
I was being budget-sensitive Why CSL Reps when you can find OE CSLs though?
But whatever you go for Sam I hope you enjoy it.
Given the choice, OEM ones every time - but this is a family hauler first so some of the really good reps would more than do the job. The style is what matters most - suits the E91 SO well. MDifficult said:
Mr Tidy said:
I'm not sure owners of S54s, S65 or S85s would agree!
Why CSL Reps when you can find OE CSLs though?
But whatever you go for Sam I hope you enjoy it.
I was being budget-sensitive Why CSL Reps when you can find OE CSLs though?
But whatever you go for Sam I hope you enjoy it.
Given the choice, OEM ones every time - but this is a family hauler first so some of the really good reps would more than do the job. The style is what matters most - suits the E91 SO well. I’ve found pictures of a sparkling graphite grey coupe on CSL’s and it looks lovely. But so does an LMB touring!
Depends on how much I get for my car, the more it sells means the CSL’s happen sooner!
Further perspective from an E91 335i owner.........
(spoiler: it's fantastic!).
The jack-of-all-trades nature is what I enjoy the most - early mornings on the moors, family trips, shopping duties or multiple runs to the tip, it does all of that with some aplomb. Last month it served as a van by being stuffed full of laurel and conifer clippings a few times - the split rear tailgate is such a useful feature for these types of jobs.
It can also hold roughly half a cube of firewood in the boot without folding the seats down, and yet it is overall small enough and low enough to thread along your favourite roads when you feel like driving properly, or totally happy just sitting on the motorway for long journeys.
Economy hasn't been properly tested but it'll often show c.34mpg on the computer over longer journeys. Around town it shows early to mid 20s.
The steering is a particular highlight with loads of feedback compared to modern cars that I am more used to driving in recent years. It's so easy to place where you want it be in the lane.
It's been with us for a year now and also truly enjoy the sound it makes and is a large part of how the car makes me feel when on it. I don't feel like being a turbo car hampers it's character as I thought it might have prior to owning it, with the exception that is does run out of puff at the upper end of the revs, but by which time you are already going along very well anyway.
Mine is a well looked after LMB car that is completely stock and in a half decent spec with slick top, xenons, crappy idrive and heated seats. I am at the point of wanting to explore chassis upgrades via suspension and possibly a slipper-diff too, but very much keeping in mind its use as a road car. Apple carplay and rear camera conversion is next on the list though as it seems a no-brainer to do that.
The only thing that tempts me away from the E91 is an E90 M3 but then the compromise on the practicality may be too great over that which I find really useful from the touring.
ETA - so in summary, an N54 touring is recommended
(spoiler: it's fantastic!).
The jack-of-all-trades nature is what I enjoy the most - early mornings on the moors, family trips, shopping duties or multiple runs to the tip, it does all of that with some aplomb. Last month it served as a van by being stuffed full of laurel and conifer clippings a few times - the split rear tailgate is such a useful feature for these types of jobs.
It can also hold roughly half a cube of firewood in the boot without folding the seats down, and yet it is overall small enough and low enough to thread along your favourite roads when you feel like driving properly, or totally happy just sitting on the motorway for long journeys.
Economy hasn't been properly tested but it'll often show c.34mpg on the computer over longer journeys. Around town it shows early to mid 20s.
The steering is a particular highlight with loads of feedback compared to modern cars that I am more used to driving in recent years. It's so easy to place where you want it be in the lane.
It's been with us for a year now and also truly enjoy the sound it makes and is a large part of how the car makes me feel when on it. I don't feel like being a turbo car hampers it's character as I thought it might have prior to owning it, with the exception that is does run out of puff at the upper end of the revs, but by which time you are already going along very well anyway.
Mine is a well looked after LMB car that is completely stock and in a half decent spec with slick top, xenons, crappy idrive and heated seats. I am at the point of wanting to explore chassis upgrades via suspension and possibly a slipper-diff too, but very much keeping in mind its use as a road car. Apple carplay and rear camera conversion is next on the list though as it seems a no-brainer to do that.
The only thing that tempts me away from the E91 is an E90 M3 but then the compromise on the practicality may be too great over that which I find really useful from the touring.
ETA - so in summary, an N54 touring is recommended
Edited by Blueprint on Monday 4th April 19:04
My journey with the little 130i came to an end tonight.
A chap called Joe got in contact with me via the forum and travelled up by train and then drove away in the car. Mixed emotions on my behalf; looking forward to getting my new car but I was pretty gutted to se it get driven away.
It’s been a grand wee car that’s been lots of fun; today was the first time that I’d ever been driven in it abs it certainly felt quicker from the passenger seat then I ever gave it credit for. It sounded lovely as it was driven off too,
It was a car that certainly got infer my skin and I’m really glad that I finally got own one h sung tried to buy a 130i a few times before. They’re a lot of fun and the Birds suspension seemed very good to me especially on a brisk B road.
A chap called Joe got in contact with me via the forum and travelled up by train and then drove away in the car. Mixed emotions on my behalf; looking forward to getting my new car but I was pretty gutted to se it get driven away.
It’s been a grand wee car that’s been lots of fun; today was the first time that I’d ever been driven in it abs it certainly felt quicker from the passenger seat then I ever gave it credit for. It sounded lovely as it was driven off too,
It was a car that certainly got infer my skin and I’m really glad that I finally got own one h sung tried to buy a 130i a few times before. They’re a lot of fun and the Birds suspension seemed very good to me especially on a brisk B road.
Court_S said:
Mr Tidy said:
Sad day, but at least you have the replacement to look forward to.
And I'm looking forward to seeing what it is!
Thanks.And I'm looking forward to seeing what it is!
I’m not sure you’ll approve if the replacement though! :hehe;
A massive day for you Sam selling your 130i I reckon, but exciting times ahead though I think.
Court_S said:
My journey with the little 130i came to an end tonight.
A chap called Joe got in contact with me via the forum and travelled up by train and then drove away in the car. Mixed emotions on my behalf; looking forward to getting my new car but I was pretty gutted to se it get driven away.
It’s been a grand wee car that’s been lots of fun; today was the first time that I’d ever been driven in it abs it certainly felt quicker from the passenger seat then I ever gave it credit for. It sounded lovely as it was driven off too,
It was a car that certainly got infer my skin and I’m really glad that I finally got own one h sung tried to buy a 130i a few times before. They’re a lot of fun and the Birds suspension seemed very good to me especially on a brisk B road.
Sometimes these things have to be done...A chap called Joe got in contact with me via the forum and travelled up by train and then drove away in the car. Mixed emotions on my behalf; looking forward to getting my new car but I was pretty gutted to se it get driven away.
It’s been a grand wee car that’s been lots of fun; today was the first time that I’d ever been driven in it abs it certainly felt quicker from the passenger seat then I ever gave it credit for. It sounded lovely as it was driven off too,
It was a car that certainly got infer my skin and I’m really glad that I finally got own one h sung tried to buy a 130i a few times before. They’re a lot of fun and the Birds suspension seemed very good to me especially on a brisk B road.
Exactly how it went with my E39 touring pal; contacted via here and it went from there. Came to view it, paid for it and drove home in it...
Onto new things now
Looking forward to the new Rides thread 
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